Title: Start Me Up -- 11/?
Author: tkmaxwell777
Category: Shonen Ai/Yaoi/Shoujo Ai/Yuri
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, HxR
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Angst, Lemon, and Sap
Archived: Yep! Thanks Lev :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or its characters. I have mangled the normal racing schedule for my own purposes, so I apologize to any true racing fans. Plot happens and reality suffers... um, yeah :)
Relena made her way through the pit area. Spotting a familiar head of blond hair, she hastened her steps. They were at Dover, and it was the day before the race. She knew that Zechs would be going to dinner with them all again that evening, and she needed to do this before then. The blond had made it a habit of joining the rest of the group after races for the past three weeks. It seemed Noin and Duo were both trying to make an effort to let Zechs have another chance; Relena had decided to do the same. She didn't even know if Zechs wanted to re-establish a relationship with her, but she was willing to offer. It would be nice to have her brother back.
"It's a little too loose on the turns, Roger," Zechs was saying to one of his mechanics as Relena approached.
"All right. I'll see what I can do about that," the other man replied, nodding towards Relena to acknowledge her. Zechs turned as she stopped to stand in front of him.
"I was wondering if I could have a word with you, Mr. Merquise."
Zechs' icy blue eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded, turning to lead them to a private room in the garage area. "Please have a seat, Miss Peacecraft," he said smoothly as he sat down in the other chair.
"Thank you," Relena replied. "I'm sure you're curious as to why I wanted to speak with you," she began, nervously twining her fingers in her lap.
Zechs seemed to take in the gesture and relaxed slightly. "Yes. You haven't sought me out before."
Relena nodded. "I know. I didn't think I would be welcomed under the circumstances, but things have changed recently." She paused for a moment, not sure of what to say, but needing to get this over with. "I know that you've made a good life for yourself, Mil, and I've honored your wishes of keeping your identity a secret because I wanted you to be happy even though I haven't been. I've missed you, but I didn't want to intrude where I wasn't wanted." She looked down at her hands. "Since you're trying to make amends with the others, I can't help but wonder if we might be able to salvage something of the ties we have with each other. I don't expect you to come back to the company, or even acknowledge me as your sister, but..."
Zechs sighed. "Relena..."
Relena looked up with her heart in her eyes. "I know that you want nothing to do with the Peacecraft name, and I respect that. I'm not asking for you to become someone you're not. I'd just like to... maybe have my brother back." She searched those familiar yet distant eyes for some sign of acceptance.
The blond driver reached over and took her hand, warmth for the girl sitting beside him flooding his icy blue depths for the first time in years. "Maybe... we can try... as long as you don't call me 'Mil'."
Relena couldn't help but smile in return. "Welcome home, Zechs."
Pocono came and went. Michigan and New Hampshire flew by. They were into the second round at the tracks for the season, and Quatre was very pleased with their standings. Heero was holding his own, and if they did as well as they had so far, they might just win the championship. Smiling, the blond made his way over to Wing... and his tall lover. He sighed happily as he took in Trowa's graceful form. They'd been a couple for a few months now and he couldn't help but be content. They spent as much time together as possible, Quatre conducting his business more online now than ever before just so he could stay with the other boy. They hadn't actually had intercourse yet; Trowa had been adamant about taking it slow, and Quatre was glad. Oh, they pleasured each other plenty, the memories of a few encounters making Quatre blush, but he was satisfied to wait for when the time was right for more. As he stepped beside the brunet, he nudged him slightly, causing Trowa to look up at him from where he was bent over the hood.
"Hey there, good lookin'. Needing a break yet?" the blond asked, a teasing look dancing in his aqua eyes.
Trowa smirked. "Why do I get the feeling I'm going to get one no matter how I answer that?"
Quatre laughed. "Because you are," he replied before leaning forward to place a firm kiss on the taller boy's lips. Trowa met the kiss a little more eagerly than the blond had anticipated. The flash of a camera brought the two boys back to reality.
"What the..." Quatre began as he whirled around to see a newspaper reporter and photographer standing there. They had been interviewing different mechanics and engineers all morning. Quatre could have kicked himself for forgetting that they were there.
"That's going to be a lovely picture," the reporter said with a smile. "I'm Stacy Pierce with the Indianapolis Star. Why not give me a lovely story to go with it, Mr. Winner?" the woman asked sweetly.
Quatre's face lost all color as he took a step backwards. He felt Trowa's hands go to his shoulders to steady him. They had been so careful not to let their relationship get noticed, and now...
"I really don't think it's any of your business," Trowa replied coldly, his gentle hold on his lover making Quatre feel protected.
Suddenly, the blond felt ashamed for hiding what they were to each other. Trowa had proven that his interest was genuine a long time ago, that he really wanted to be a life-partner, and Quatre knew he should respect the other boy enough to claim him outright. He loved Trowa - truly loved him. What did it matter what anyone else thought?
"We've been together for a few months now," Quatre found himself saying, hearing Trowa gasp at him. He turned to look into disbelieving green eyes and smiled. "It's okay, Trowa. It's time we let people know that I am definitely off the market." His own eyes glinted merrily, and the way the other boy relaxed his hold let Quatre know that it was all right for him to do this. He turned back to the reporter. "This is Trowa Barton, one of our lead mechanics and design engineers. We met when I bought the racing team this season and we've been friends ever since, although I have to admit it was love at first sight for me." He looked back at Trowa to see the other boy's eyes soften with affection.
"What about you, Mr. Barton?"
Trowa smiled into the aqua eyes gazing back at him. "He initiated a hostile takeover of my heart from the moment I saw him," he replied, causing Quatre to blush and the reporter to laugh at the witty remark.
"Then why so secretive all this time? Were you afraid of the publicity because you're both male?"
"Not really," Trowa replied, surprising Quatre with his forwardness. The brunet had always shied away from interviews before, and those had only been about his job; this was much more personal. "We just wanted to develop our relationship before revealing it." He leaned down and kissed the blond on the forehead. "I'm not ashamed of what we have. I'm just content to be together."
Quatre beamed at him, letting his words speak his heart. "He's my lover and my best friend. I couldn't ask for a more intelligent, caring, or interesting person to spend my life with." He looked back at the woman again. "Be sure to put that in your article. I want everyone to know that there's no one else for me, and I'm damn proud to be with him."
The woman smiled. "Well, I wasn't expecting such a response from the two of you. I'm sorry if we intruded. If you prefer, I can just pretend the photo was never taken..."
Quatre shook his head. "No. Go ahead and print your story. It's time that we let everyone know that we love each other." He turned to look at Trowa. "Right?"
Trowa ran his finger down the blond's cheek gently. "Right."
"Thank you for taking the time to talk to me," the reporter said softly, walking away when it was obvious the two men were done speaking. She knew she had a story that would cause quite a stir in the racing world. She was glad that the two involved had given her permission. The photo of them kissing was hot!
Quatre and Trowa didn't even really notice the interlopers leaving. That had been the first time either one of them had admitted to someone else that they loved each other. It was a moment that both boys knew they would cherish forever as a sweet memory. The blond finally gave his taller lover a beautiful smile and said huskily, "Now, it seems to me you were about to take a break..."
Hilde walked with Relena towards their hotel. They'd had dinner with everyone and were turning in for the night, but her mind was a flurry of activity. She couldn't get over the enthusiastic embrace that Relena had given her after the race today. They had been getting more and more physical in their demonstrations lately and she couldn't help but wonder where this was leading. Learning of Relena's preferences had made her second guess many of the reactions she wouldn't have thought twice about before. Now she just didn't know whether the other girl was flirting or just being friendly.
She'd won the Brickyard 400; against the odds, she'd come in first place. Hilde was very proud of that accomplishment. The whole race had been a battle, different drivers shifting positions, but she'd managed to get a lead and hold onto it. Heero had even congratulated her, saying that she'd driven with a lot of finesse and strategic maneuvering. For some reason, his compliment had meant more to her than anything. Well, almost anything. Relena's praise had made her heart soar even higher.
"I knew you could do it!" the blond girl had exclaimed as she'd enveloped Hilde in a fierce hug.
Hilde had turned her face so she could breathe in the scent of the other girl's hair. "Thank you," she'd replied before pulling away slightly, grinning. "I'm in the top five now, Rel. The top five!"
Relena had laughed delightedly. "Your father would have been so proud of you."
Hilde smiled at the memory of those words as Relena opened the door to their room. It had been Hilde's dad's dream to see the team become one of the best on the circuit, and now his daughter was making that dream a reality. Hilde couldn't have been happier.
"We should celebrate in true style," Relena said, her voice having a quality that Hilde had never heard before, as she motioned to a bottle of Champaign and two crystal glasses.
The dark-haired girl gave her team owner an inquiring look. "Oh? And just what do you have in mind?"
Relena blushed slightly but didn't falter as she popped the cork and poured each of them a glass of the bubbly. "The truth or would you like for me to lie and surprise you?" she asked coyly.
Hilde's heart beat a little faster. Was this what she thought it was? "Truth," she almost whispered.
Relena stepped closer, her bright blue eyes shining merrily. "I'm trying to get you tipsy so I can get you to take advantage of me."
"Relena!" Hilde exclaimed in shock.
The blonde smirked. "Well, you said 'truth'. Besides, this will be so much easier if you already know what I want."
Hilde couldn't believe this was happening. "What do you want?"
"You," came the reply that made the dark-haired girl's toes curl.
"Are you sure, Rel? This will change everything between us. Do you really want this?"
Relena leaned forward, her lips brushing softly against Hilde's before she sighed. "Yes."
Hilde looked into warm blue eyes and amended her earlier thought that she couldn't be happier; here was proof that she could be. "Then lets not waste any more time."
Relena nodded and they both walked over to one of the beds in the room. Setting the glasses down on the table, Hilde then turned and reached out a hand to begin unbuttoning Relena's blouse. Carefully, she slipped the silky material off of the other girl's shoulders, making Relena gasp.
"I've loved you for a long time," Hilde admitted as she let her fingers trail across the blonde's lacy bra. "I never thought you'd ever feel that way about me."
Relena moaned when Hilde ran her thumb over a stiffening nipple through the thin material. "I'm sorry, Hil. I didn't know. I was just so afraid to accept how I felt, but now... oh, yes!" she cried out as Hilde's hand slipped inside her jeans (that had somehow gotten unbuttoned) and then into silk panties, deft fingers brushing her curls teasingly.
"But now?" Hilde practically purred into Relena's ear as she licked it.
"Mmm... Now, I just want to be with you. I want to touch you. It's all I can think about when I look at you. I want you to touch me... oh, Hilde..." she moaned as the dark-haired girl's fingers slid lower, gathering her moisture to gently spread it over her pleasure nub in slow circular strokes.
"Then by all means, let me give you what you want."
Hilde removed her hands and pushed Relena down on the bed, tugging off her jeans and panties in the process. It left Relena bare except for her bra, which Hilde thought was a truly decadent sight. With a deliberate slowness, she began unbuttoning her own pants, carefully sliding them down her thighs, to let them pool at her feet. She then lifted her tee shirt up, stretching as she pulled it over her head. Her own sports bra soon followed the shirt, leaving her only in her cotton panties. She then lowered herself onto the bed, crawling over the blonde who was lying there with hungry blue eyes gazing up at her.
Relena couldn't believe how beautiful Hilde was. The other girl's breasts were round and firm and she wanted to touch them, to lick them. When Hilde straddled her, Relena pushed herself up into a partly sitting position. Their lips met again, tongues tentatively joining in the exploration only moments later. Both girls were moaning by the time they broke the kiss, and Relena couldn't deny what she wanted any longer. She kissed down Hilde's neck, making her way to one pert nipple. Looking up into hazy dark blue, she flicked her tongue out to nuzzle the hardened flesh.
"Rel!" Hilde cried out, unable to believe that something could feel so good. She'd had fantasies before, but they couldn't compare to the reality of Relena touching her.
Relena was instantly addicted to the sounds of the other girl's passion. She took the nipple completely into her mouth and began to suck, her other hand seeking out its mate to caress. Hilde threw her head back and groaned in pleasure. Relena then switched her attentions, laving the other one with her tongue as she stroked its still wet twin. She made a little sound of displeasure when Hilde pulled away again, pressing her back onto the bed. The displeasure faded into its antithesis when Hilde slid her hands under the cups of her bra, stroking the soft skin and teasing her nipples.
"Please... Hilde..." Relena panted, not even knowing what she was asking for.
Hilde pulled one hand free and let it rub down the length of the other girl's body until it reached her hip. She then maneuvered Relena's breast that was still held in her other hand out from under the bottom the bra, pressing her hardened nipple against the other girl's, her fingers fondling both of them. They gasped in unison at the feel of the others excited flesh before Hilde continued sliding the hand on Relena's hip over. She ruffled Relena's curls again playfully before slipping a couple of fingers in, caressing the other girl's nub languidly.
"Hilde!" Relena gasped as the dark-haired girl began a rhythm. She noticed that both of Hilde's hands were busy, which meant the other girl couldn't pleasure herself. "Hilde, let me..." she offered, placing her hand on the dark-haired girl's hip. She let her fingers slide under the leg of Hilde's panties, moving towards the center of her being at the moment.
Hilde groaned in appreciation before shifting. Relena began rubbing the place between her thighs where the pressure was building. She arched into Relena's touch as she rocked against her fingers then decided that it just wasn't enough. She pulled away, smiling at Relena's sound of distress.
"I want to pleasure you with my mouth, Rel. Will you let me?"
Relena's breath caught but she nodded eagerly. She was so stimulated; she needed relief as soon as possible. "Can I... do that to you too?"
Hilde leaned down and kissed her gently. "You only have to ask, pretty one."
The dark-haired girl then reached down and removed her own panties, watching as Relena took off her bra. She then inverted her position and pulled Relena to her side with her, wrapping her top leg around Relena's shoulder to open herself to the other girl. Her own face came close to the apex of the blonde's thighs, her ragged breath rustling the golden hair there briefly before she used her thumbs to expose Relena's hidden sex. Leaning forward, she licked at it, drawing a loud groan from her partner. Smiling, Hilde pressed her face into the softness and began lapping at the nub with short firm strokes. This was something she'd always wanted to do, something she'd never dreamed of getting to do. Relena was sweet, with a flavor Hilde knew was all her own. She vowed to be the only person to get to savor it.
Relena closed her eyes, lost in sensation. She'd never felt anything like this before! Even when she had pleasured herself, she'd never known such an intense fire like the one burning inside her. Opening her eyes again, she reached out and let a single finger slip beyond Hilde's dark curls. She was surprised at how hot and wet it was, but it pleased her, letting her know how excited her lover was. Her lover - she liked the sound of that. Bringing her mouth closer, she followed her finger, her tongue delving inside for a taste. It was unique but not unpleasant, so she moved closer, mimicking what Hilde was doing to her. The way the other girl was moaning told her she was doing something right. She was curious about Hilde's body, so with an adventurous intent, one of her hands moved to ease a finger into Hilde's entrance.
"Oh, yes, Relena!" came the immediate response, muffled by Hilde's ministrations, and the blonde smiled, easing in another digit to began thrusting them in time with her licks.
Hilde followed Relena's example, entering her as well with a couple of fingers, and the two girls were both writhing against each other in total bliss within moments. Fingers became rougher and tongues moved faster as they began to reach their peaks. Hilde wanted Relena to come first, so she focused on driving the other girl over the edge. She felt the nub under her tongue harden just a little more before Relena was shouting against her, the other girl's body convulsing as her orgasm hit.
"Oh, yes! Yes! Hilde! Yes!" Relena cried out as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her, leaving her completely breathless. Once the intensity abated, she redirected her attention back to her task, redoubling her efforts. She was quickly rewarded with a shout as Hilde began climaxing.
"Relena! Relena! Yes, Relena!" Hilde yelled, her own body tensing as she came. Warmth flooded through her, shaking her with a moment's high before leaving her to feel sated and content. They lay entwined around each other, trying to regain their breaths. Finally, Hilde shifted until her face was once again even with Relena's. "That was incredible," she said softly as she began stroking the blonde's bangs out of her eyes.
Relena smiled, completely relaxed for the first time in a long time. She buried her fingers in the short hair at the nape of Hilde's neck. "Yes, it was. Just wonderful."
Hilde pulled Relena into her arms, their bodies fitting together comfortably. "And here I thought winning Indy was the highlight of my day. The celebration was even better!"
"Yes, the Champaign was excellent," Relena observed dryly, trying to keep a straight face when Hilde looked at her. It just wasn't possible. They both collapsed into fits of giggles that ended in a tickling contest. Hilde won, and by morning, Relena was no longer inexperienced in the ways of love.
Anne sat at the bar, looking down into the remaining amber liquid that covered her ice. She didn't even know why she had bothered to come to the race; Treize had been too preoccupied with being angry with Zechs to take any interest in her. She should have been used to it by now, but she had hoped that her husband might give her a little more attention since his 'boyfriend' was no longer interested in him. She sighed; it was just wishful thinking and she knew it. She should have known better.
She thought about how happy she was before she'd discovered Treize's infidelity. She had adored him completely, lavishing him with gifts and affection. Their marriage bed had been active, despite his other lovers. Once she'd found out that he slept around, she'd moved out of his room and forbidden him to enter hers. She wasn't stupid and she didn't want to risk her life just for his touch. It just wasn't worth it, especially when it held nothing but physical need.
It saddened her to think that. There was a time when she'd held his love up as something treasured, a precious gift to be desired. Now, she just couldn't understand how she hadn't seen all of the things in him that made him so cold and manipulative. It was a testament to her bad judgment, a witness to the error of her heart, but she didn't know what to do about it. Zechs was taking a stand; she was just too afraid to.
"Is this seat taken?" came a familiar voice, and Anne looked over to see Howard Maxwell standing beside her. He had always been kind to her since she'd become a part of the racing crowd, treating her like he did his own team, with respect and even a little fatherly affection. She realized that she needed that right now.
"Of course not," she replied, smiling slightly, "but I never would have expected to see you here alone. Where are your boys?"
Howard laughed. He loved it when people referred to his team as 'his boys'. They were his family, and he loved them like they were his own. Of course, it did take some getting used to for new crewmembers. Heero had been his hardest case next to Duo, and now they both seemed to be accepting of him, if them calling him 'ojisan' was any indication. "They're entertaining themselves tonight," he replied with a wink.
Anne blushed, knowing the dynamics of the team from observation. "I'm glad you could join me then."
Howard ordered a drink and then they were silent for a few moments until he decided to venture into the conversation again. "So what are you doing here alone?"
Anne tried to put on a smile and toss out a careless comment, but something in the blue-gray eyes looking back at her wouldn't allow it. She looked back down into her glass and took a deep breath. "Trying to find a reason to leave. Trying to justify staying. Trying to decide what I want."
A comforting hand rested on her back. "Treize?"
Anne nodded, forcing the tears away. "I don't know if you've heard the rumors or not, but he and Zechs were lovers for a while." She looked up to see a pained expression on Howard's face. "I knew. Zechs knew that I knew. He never meant to hurt me. We've been able to work through that part together." She took a drink from her glass. "He ended it with Treize a few weeks ago. I thought... I had hoped... but I'm just a fool who doesn't know when to give up!"
Howard patted her shoulder. "You've stood by him when most would have tried to destroy him," he said calmly. "I've watched you offer him your heart over and over again, and each time, he hands it back to you broken. You don't deserve that, sweetheart. You deserve to be loved."
Brown eyes filled with tears she couldn't keep away. "I know, Howard, but I just can't let go," she whispered shakily. "I tell myself over and over again that I need to leave, but when I think about a life without him, I just can't. I know it doesn't make sense. He makes me miserable, so why should I care?" She looked at the older man, tears spilling down her face. "I just can't stop."
Howard reached out and wiped her cheeks gently. "You have to care enough about yourself to not let him keep hurting you. You are a beautiful and caring person that has been used and mistreated. He's managed to make you think no one else will want you, that no one else will accept your love, but that's not true, Anne. You have to be strong. It's time you ended it."
Anne closed her eyes. "But what if I never find anyone else to love me? What then?"
"Wouldn't being alone be better than living this lie?" Howard countered softly. He sighed then. "It's none of my business, and I wouldn't even say anything, but I've seen how despondent you've become over the past few months. I know you use humor and wit, even sarcasm and anger at times, to fend off everyone, but you have to remember that I raised Duo. I'm used to those tactics and I can see right through them. You're hurting and you need to get out of this before you let it destroy you. This is an addictive behavior and it's not healthy. Just ask Duo. He could tell you a thing or two about it."
Anne smiled slightly at the mentioning of the other boy. She'd always been fond of the braided mechanic. His laughing violet eyes had lifted her spirits more than once. Even though they hadn't spent much time together, he'd let her know in his own way that he liked her as a person. It meant a lot to her. "Duo seems much happier now that he has Heero."
Howard blinked. "How did you...?"
She laughed then. "Oh, it's quite obvious to someone as love-starved as me," she replied, then heard the bitter tone her words had taken and flushed. She didn't want to end up wallowing in self-pity. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize," Howard interrupted. "I understand."
"Maybe too much," she said with a sigh, giving him a hopeless look. "I don't know what to do, Howard. I'm in a place where I can't move forward and I can't go back. I'm trapped."
"Sometimes those traps are of our own making, sweetheart, and the way out is right in front of us all along. We just can't see the open door."
Anne nodded. "I know. I guess I'll just have to wait until my blindness is cured somehow." She picked up her drink and took the last swallow before turning to look at her companion. "Thank you, Howard," she said softly before getting up and walking out of the bar.
The gray-haired man sat there for a moment before downing the rest of his club soda and replying to no one in particular, "Sometimes we're not blind, we just have our eyes closed."
End Part 11
(:./tk/start11)
