|
"Boot Camp"Written By: Snowdragonct Disclaimer: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing or the characters, more's the pity. This is for fun...no profit involved. Warnings: AU (sort of), yaoi, swearing (lots), some OOC (probably), some violence, references to NCS (especially in later chapters) Pairings: 1+2, 3+4 (to start with) A/N: This is the first time I'm getting up the nerve to post a story...hope it's not too similar to anyone else's (haven't seen one just like it). Candid, kindly-delivered critiques will be greatly appreciated...please don't rip my head off too much? Um, and the old "don't like, don't read" phrase holds true. Oh, and it's fiction, and I don't have a law degree, so there's sure to be some inaccuracies...can we just pretend, please? Thanks in advance. Rating: NC 17 Summary: Four boys in the juvenile justice system
receive a last chance to make something of their futures. Will boot
camp make or break them? And can they ever learn to be a team? "Boot Camp" Chapter Twenty: Enemies and Friends When Heero walked out of the visitor center, Duo was waiting for him, sitting on the bottom step. At the team leader’s curious look, Duo shrugged. “Not supposed to go anywhere alone, right Yuy?” The Japanese boy almost smiled at that. “You’re scaring me, Maxwell. Since when did you start listening to a word I say?” Duo stood up as Heero walked down the stairs. “Since you started whispering them in my ear,” he said with a smirk. Heero blushed brightly, looking away with a scowl. “We’re here to train, Maxwell, not to…” “Well then, let’s go train,” Duo said with a shrug. “Your precious laptop’s probably lonely anyway.” He headed off across the compound before Heero could retort. “Baka,” muttered the chocolate-haired boy, finding his gaze once again on that slender back and the braid that swung enticingly across it. “Fucking gorgeous baka,” he added, shaking his head, and lengthening his stride to catch up. The two teammates were crossing the yard between barracks, when three boys stepped out from between buildings, barring their way. Kyle Norton stood in the middle, flanked by two of his teammates. In his hands was a baseball bat he’d apparently appropriated from the last game. “Well, if it isn’t the star pitcher from Team Wing, and his little lady friend,” he said snidely. “And all alone.” Both boys stopped in their tracks, and while Heero squared off against their rivals, Duo spared a quick glance around the yard to see if guards or other teams were in sight. “No backup, Yuy,” he said quietly, easing up beside his team leader so they were shoulder to shoulder. “None needed,” shrugged the Japanese boy, a cold gleam in the Prussian-blue eyes. The slightest hint of a smirk touched his lips. “Cocky, huh?” Duo purred, easing into a fighting stance. “I like that.” Heero chuckled warmly, a sound which seemed to both confuse and anger their assailants. Duo, on the other hand, was incredibly turned on by it. “I don’t know what you think you’ve got to be happy about,” Kyle sneered. “We’re gonna teach you and your fag teammate not to cheat at baseball.” “And we’re going to teach you to leave us alone,” Heero replied calmly. When Kyle took a swing with the bat, Heero moved towards him, instead of away, ducking the blow and coming in close to slam a fist into the other boy’s face. Meanwhile, Duo dodged a clumsy swing by one of Kyle’s henchmen, spinning around to deliver a stinging blow to the boy’s temple, causing him to stagger away clutching his head. With Kyle off-balance from the punch, Heero had no trouble relieving him of the bat. But instead of brandishing the weapon, he tossed it far off to the side, out of reach, and raised his fists again. “Had enough, Norton?” “Fuck you, Yuy!” “Not on my watch, you don’t!” Duo snarled, circling behind Kyle to take on the other extra man, who’d been edging around to flank the Japanese boy. While Heero was busy sparring with Kyle, Duo took out the second accomplice with a swift kick to the back of the knees…kind of like the move Heero had used on him in martial arts the previous week. The rest of the fight was brief, as Kyle got a good look at the deadly gleam in Heero’s eyes and decided he’d had enough. He took off running, leaving his teammates behind. And as soon as they realized their leader was gone, they stumbled along after him, all the fight apparently knocked out of them. Panting just slightly, Duo walked over to high-five Heero, indigo eyes alight. “Nice little scuffle, Yuy.” “Exhilarating,” Heero agreed, returning the gesture. He eyed the braided boy with an appraising look. “How come you don’t fight like that in martial arts?” Duo shrugged. “Li always has us doing techniques out of his textbook. Doesn’t leave much room for improvisation.” He walked over and picked up the bat, slinging it over one shoulder. “I’m better when I improvise.” Heero smirked at him as he walked back. “Hey, Maxwell…I think we need to spend some evenings sparring. I wonder if Chang would let us use the gym instead of the library.” The boy from L2 grinned at him. “Saw something you liked?” he asked, the question deliberately ambiguous. “Damn right I did,” Heero replied. Duo held out the bat, indigo eyes challenging. “So what are you gonna do about it?” “I’ll let you know,” Heero said carelessly, taking the bat and tucking it under his arm as the two made their way back to the barracks without further incident.
“Wow,” Quatre said with raised eyebrows. “Um, watcha doing?” Duo straightened, stretching wearily. “Aw, Yuy thinks the W1 suit is better than the DS2 model. He’s nuts.” The good-natured tone of his voice lacked any of the defiance that had previously colored his interactions with the team leader. Quatre found himself smiling as he looked at the relaxed posture and genuine smile on the braided boy’s face. It was quite remarkable how quickly he and Heero had put their misunderstanding behind them. The blonde boy wondered briefly if he’d ever get the whole story out of either of them, and then shrugged and decided it didn’t matter. “Personally, I think the S4 is the best of the mobile suit designs.” “Psh, yeah, right,” Duo scoffed. “I tell ya, the weaponry on the DS2 absolutely kicks ass.” He cast a fond gaze on the tousled head still bent over the screen. “Like Yuy does.” “Huh?” Quatre asked. Duo grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Our beloved leader punched Kyle’s ugly face, Quat. And it was beautiful.” “Well, you took out his two thugs,” Heero shrugged nonchalantly, sharing a conspiratorial smirk with the braided boy. “Ah, it was easy,” Duo demurred, idly polishing his fingernails against the front of his shirt. “They were overconfident.” “Are you two going to tell us what the hell you’re talking about?” Trowa asked, leaning on the wall beside his bunk and crossing his arms. Duo laid both hands flat on the desk, facing Trowa, his indigo eyes alight. “Well—Kyle and a couple of his cronies decided to ambush Heero an’ me on our way back from the visitor center…” “When did you two go?” Quatre interrupted. “I didn’t see you there.” “We weren’t there long,” Heero said quickly, not quite meeting Duo’s knowing gaze. “Just long enough to scare off Ms. Peacecraft,” Duo elaborated. “Hopefully for good.” “Huh?” “Long story…off the subject,” Duo said dismissively, noticing the sigh of relief from Heero. Yeah, that story could be saved for later blackmail material… “But on our way back here, we were intercepted by Kyle, his two flunkies, and Mister Baseball Bat.” He pointed to the bat in the corner. “Are you okay?” Quatre asked in concern. “Okay?” Duo echoed. “We had more fun kicking their three asses than I think I’ve had in months.” Heero looked up with a small, genuine smile. “Maxwell really should do some freestyle sparring in martial arts…he has real talent.” Duo gave a chuckle at that. “Ah, you flatter me, Yuy. Kyle was more scared of your Death Glare than that well-aimed punch to the face.” Trowa and Quatre were smirking at each other, and finally Quatre summed up both of their thoughts. “Who are you two, and what have you done with our roommates?” “What?” Duo asked, nonplussed. “When we left, you were…well…” “Enemies?” Trowa tossed in, snidely. “Less…like pals,” Quatre managed finally. “Did we miss some amazing male-bonding experience?” Duo lost it then, doubling over with laughter for the second time that day. Heero closed his eyes, putting a hand over his face to hide the blush he knew was obvious. He was afraid he knew exactly where Duo’s mind took Quatre’s innocent inquiry, and the sad part was, his had done the same. “We…figured out how to…er…” He stopped in frustration. The word “er” was not in the Heero Yuy vocabulary, and he couldn’t believe he’d fallen so low. “Aw, Quat, we just had a laugh at Miss Pretty Pink Paper’s expense,” Duo said between giggles, letting Heero off the hook once more. Oh, he wanted to explain in detail, how he’d curled up in Heero’s lap, not to mention the—er—gratifying response he’d gotten. (Yes, “er” was definitely in Duo Maxwell’s vocabulary.) But he knew if he did, it’d probably be the last time he ever got that close to his oh-so-sexy team leader. The boy from L2 forced himself to put on a more serious expression. “We finally got to laugh together, Quat,” he said simply, nudging Heero’s shoulder. “Right, Yuy?” “Yeah,” came the quiet, almost shy reply. The chocolate-haired boy spared a grateful glance to his teammate, and managed a steady look at Quatre. “I think we found some, uh, common interests.” Again, Duo’s quick mind took off in an interesting direction, but he fought down the smirk. He’d dwell on those “interests” later, when he was staring at the ceiling waiting to fall asleep. Heero had a very similar distracted expression, which he masked by pointing to the screen of the laptop. “I tell you, though; the W1 is by far the most effective suit in the arsenal…” “You’re all three wrong,” Trowa insisted, joining in the friendly debate. “It’s the H3. Look at all the guns…” They settled in for a heated debate, comparing suit designs, strengths, and weaknesses, and got so engrossed in it that they nearly forgot about supper. When, at last, they pulled themselves away from the topic at hand, they went to the commissary as a group.
“Heh,” Duo muttered, elbowing Heero. “Guess Kyle’s still off licking his wounds, Killer.” “I think I warned him,” Heero said unrepentantly, picking up a tray and heading up to the food line. Duo glanced around again, frowning. “Jase isn’t here…” Heero stiffened fractionally, giving him a cool look. “Worried?” The braided boy looked back, but instead of taking offense, he smirked. “Jealous?” The skeptical snort Heero gave sounded false even to his own ears, and didn’t fool Duo for a second. “Aw, Yuy…after what you did to Kyle today, no one could ever take your place,” teased the boy from L2. He had a perfectly devilish gleam in his eyes. “What do I have to do to prove it? I’ll do…anything…” Deep blue eyes met indigo, and a trace of a smirk touched the team leader’s lips. “Anything?” “Anything,” Duo said in a breathy whisper, sliding his tray off the end of the counter and heading for a table before Heero could respond. Damn, he hated it when the braided boy destroyed his composure with a simple whisper. He picked his tray up carefully, glad his hands didn’t shake as he carried it to the table, settling into a seat beside Duo. Quatre and Trowa took the positions opposite them, so they were all more or less watching each others’ backs. A few minutes later, Jason and his team arrived. The boy from L2 immediately glanced around the room, catching Duo’s eye and nodding a greeting before heading into the line for food. “Happy now?” Heero asked quietly. Duo turned to his teammate with a scowl. “He’s a friend, Yuy. Nothing more. But nothing less.” His expression was unusually serious. “D’you know how much I value what friends I have?” The team leader frowned at him. “What friends you have? Maxwell, I’ve never seen anyone make so many friends so fast.” The braided boy shook his head. “You’re wrong. I’m friendly. But I don’t necessarily consider everyone I’m friendly with to be a friend.” “I get it,” Quatre spoke up, giving his friend a long look. “There’s a big difference between friends and acquaintances.” “Exactly,” Duo said firmly. Trowa looked across at the braided boy. “So, when you say you and Quatre are friends…” “Best friends.” “Okay…best friends…what, exactly, does that mean?” Duo smirked at the green-eyed boy. “Why d’you ask?” he said coyly. Trowa glanced at Quatre, and then scowled at Duo. “I just want to know how you define friendship, Maxwell…beyond casual acquaintance.” “Friends,” Duo said vaguely, not sure he wanted to give Trowa complete peace of mind about his relationship with Quatre, “can tell each other anything…can talk about anything…” “And they can be themselves,” Quatre added. “They can be honest and open with each other.” “They can laugh or cry together,” Duo added. “They can do just about anything together, or nothing at all, and just be content to have someone for company who understands them.” Quatre gave his friend a warm look. “They can share thoughts they wouldn’t share with anyone else, too.” “Yeah, and sneak out at midnight and get into trouble together,” Duo grinned. He eyed Trowa, seeing a very pleased look on the usually unreadable face. “And the occasional kiss is fine, too,” he threw out casually, watching for a reaction. “Duo!” Quatre said scoldingly. “What? It’s true,” Duo insisted. He gave Quatre a wide-eyed look. “You wouldn’t kiss me if I asked?” “Uh…” Quatre fumbled at that, a slightly panicked look on his face. Duo burst out laughing, and leaned across the table, catching Trowa’s gaze. “No kissing, Barton,” he said between chuckles. “I’ll leave that to someone who likes Quat as more than a friend.” He gave the other boy a long, significant look. Trowa looked away, ducking his head to hide the blush. “You’re an asshole, Maxwell,” he growled, focusing his attention on the plate of food in front of him. Heero gave a quiet laugh, and Duo’s breath hitched. Speaking of liking someone as more than a friend… He wished he had the guts to look up and see the expression on Heero’s face. He didn’t get the chance to work up his courage and look, for just then Team Clip joined them at their table. Jason took the seat next to Heero, on the opposite side from Duo. “How’s it going?” he asked their team at large. “Fine,” Quatre replied, looking up with a smile. Duo leaned forward to look around Heero, determined that if Jason would insist on flirting with his Heero, he’d take steps to intercept it. “Hey, Jase.” “Duo…” The other boy’s gaze slid over to Heero. “Heero…” “Carroll,” Heero said impassively, not letting the greeting interrupt his meal. Ha…back to last names! Maxwell wins again! Jason made a surreptitious gesture with his head. “You guys get a look at Kyle?” he whispered across the table. “Ugh…when did he get here?” Duo asked, looking up to see their enemy at the food line. “Whoa!” The other members of Team Wing followed his glance to see the other boy scowling in their direction, his cheek sporting a lovely bruise from just under his eye to just above his chin. “Wow--,” Duo breathed in awe. He turned an absolutely adoring gaze to Heero. “I—I think I love--.” He caught himself before any more slipped off his tongue. “I love your work, oh fearless leader,” he teased. Heero didn’t seem to catch the near slip of the tongue, but wore a small, satisfied smile. “I don’t consider it work, Duo,” he said in a voice as smooth as honey. “It was pure pleasure.” And the way he said pleasure just about made the braided boy melt. Wow…Heero made ‘pleasure’ sound downright…pleasant…in a very, very sexy way. “I think you enjoyed it way too much,” he chided, glancing sideways at his teammate. Jason watched the exchange with a puzzled frown. “Are you saying you did that?” Heero shrugged one shoulder. “I wouldn’t say that.” Duo grinned. “Ah, you’re learning…” “The first thing I learned in juvenile detention…from Duo Maxwell, I might add…is never admit to anything…ever,” Heero smirked. “I’m totally lost,” Jason admitted. “But if you had anything to do with the pretty decoration on Kyle’s face, Yuy, you have my undying gratitude…and admiration.” He smirked at Duo. “Sure he’s not from L2?” “Sadly, no,” Duo admitted. “Says he’s from L1. But maybe we could make him an honorary street rat…he’s amazing in a fight.” The two teams shared a quiet laugh at Kyle’s expense, and studiously ignored him while they finished eating.
Quatre was the one who noticed the Chinese officer pause at Kyle’s table and lean to speak to the other boy. “Trouble?” he asked, reaching across to tap his fork on the edge of Duo’s plate. When the braided boy looked over questioningly, Quatre jerked his head in Kyle and Chang’s direction. “Oh.” Duo nudged Heero, who’d been discussing mobile suits with Jason and Ben, and the team leader followed his gaze across the room. “Nothing to worry about, Maxwell,” Heero shrugged. “Wuf—Captain Chang won’t be fooled by a lie.” Duo had to agree. He knew the officer had seen right through his attempts to cloud the issue of the dog poop incident. Not that he’d told an outright lie; but he had stretched the truth to its absolute limit. Trowa was done eating first, and stood up with his tray. “Quatre, you want to come see Nanashi with me before we go back to the barracks?” The blonde smiled brightly at him. “Of course I do!” Duo stood up as well, catching Trowa’s eye. “Barton…got a sec?” “Look, if this is about Kush--.” “It’s not.” Quatre glanced between them. “Here, I’ll take the trays up.” He took Trowa’s as well as his own, and headed up to the counter. Duo pulled Trowa to one side, lowering his voice. “One more thing about friends, Barton,” said the boy from L2 in an undertone. “Anybody who hurts one of mine, is in for a world of trouble.” He fixed a steady indigo gaze on the green-eyed boy. “Understand?” One corner of Trowa’s mouth twitched in a near-smile. “You want to come along and chaperone, Maxwell?” Duo shook his head. “Much as I’d like to see Nanashi, after Kyle’s little demonstration this afternoon, I’m not letting Heero walk back to the barracks alone.” This time the auburn-haired boy actually did crack a smile. “Sure that’s the only reason?” “That and I thought we could squeeze in some wild sex on your bunk before you get back,” Duo drawled snidely, giving Trowa a scathing look. With a brief chuckle, Trowa strode off to where Quatre was waiting, and the two proceeded out the door. Before Duo could return to Heero, Captain Chang arrived at the table, his dark eyes fixing a piercing gaze on the team leader. “Yuy, I’d like to see you in my office.” “Now, sir?” “Now.” Heero glanced at Duo, and then back at the officer. “No, Maxwell can’t come,” Wufei answered promptly. “It’s just that I’d rather he not walk back to the barracks alone, sir,” Heero said carefully. “We’ve got a team policy about watching out for one another.” “Admirable. If you like, we can escort him there and then go to my office.” Jason stood up, picking up his tray. “Sir? My team’s ready to leave, too. Duo could walk with us.” Heero frowned slightly, looking at the other team leader, but Captain Chang’s voice interrupted. “I’d appreciate that, Carroll.” His onyx eyes locked on Heero’s. “I’m sure Yuy agrees.” “It’s…acceptable,” Heero conceded, standing up and following Wufei out of the building. Duo walked over to Jason, a puzzled look on his face. “You s’pose Kyle tried to put the blame on Heero?” “I don’t know,” Jason replied. “If he did, I’m sure you’ll get a chance to put things right.” Then he smirked at Duo. “Anyhow, it gives me a chance to take a walk with you, and I’m not gonna pass that up.” Duo blushed, glancing away to see Kyle glaring in their direction. He glared back and very deliberately flipped the other boy off before following Jason’s team up to put their trays away and head out the door.
“Wondering why you’re here, Yuy?” Heero cocked an eyebrow. “Yuy? I must be in trouble,” he quipped mirthlessly. He eyed his long-time friend warily. “Is this about something Norton said?” The flash of surprise across Wufei’s face told him it wasn’t. And then a knowing look settled on the officer’s face. “Norton wouldn’t tell me how he got the bruise. He muttered something about it happening during yesterday’s ball game.” Dark eyes narrowed. “Is there more to it than that?” “Nothing worth reporting,” Heero said, keeping a steady gaze on his friend. “I’ll take your word for that,” Wufei replied. “But I expect you to tell me if and when there is something worth reporting.” “You have my word on that,” Heero assured him. “Well, then…the reason we needed to talk is of a slightly more…personal nature,” Wufei said carefully. “Did something happen during Relena’s visit today? Something involving you…and Maxwell?” The Japanese boy blushed at that. “You know how she’s been, Wufei. It was about time to prove to her once and for all that I am not, and never will be, interested in her.” He sat on the edge of the desk, giving his friend a searching look. “Who saw us?” “No one. I got a call from her father.” Heero winced. “Hm.” Wufei glared at him, but without any real malice. “He expressed some concern about the…moral environment here at the camp.” Heero rolled his eyes. “It’s a prison, Wufei. I’d think there are more important moral deficits for him to worry about.” “True,” conceded Wufei. He gave Heero a searching look. “Would you like to tell me your version of the little show you two put on for Relena?” “Why?” Heero’s tone was slightly defiant. “Well, her version has you and Maxwell having wild sex every night after lights out.” “Oh for fuck’s sake, Wufei! You know me better than that,” Heero snapped. “I like to think I know all the recruits here pretty well,” Wufei shrugged. “He sat on my lap and told her I was his boyfriend. Period,” Heero said flatly. “I see.” The Captain placed his elbows on the desk, looking over his folded hands at Heero. “Are you?” “What? No!” Well, not yet, anyway. Heero gave the Chinese man an indignant look. “We’re teammates, Chang. Hell, half the time we’re adversaries.” He shook his head. “I dragged Maxwell to the visitor center to keep him in sight, and out of trouble. He has a tendency to find mischief to get into if he’s left alone for too long.” “As if I don’t know that,” sighed the officer. He frowned slightly at Heero. “Tell me one more thing. Does Maxwell know your little display was just for show?” “Why wouldn’t he?” Heero demanded. And, by the way, it wasn’t. “Because he’s gay, Yuy. Surely that hasn’t escaped your notice.” “No, of course not,” Heero retorted. “Winner’s gay, too, Chang…and I’m beginning to wonder about Barton. What’s that got to do with anything?” “You recruits are here for training, not…socialization,” Wufei pointed out. “I don’t want distractions undermining the purpose of this camp.” “Trust me, Chang. Nothing could distract me from the mission at hand,” Heero said evenly. “Maxwell and Winner are best friends…not boyfriends. And Barton’s more interested in the guard dogs than anything else. So as far as I’m concerned, the sexual preferences of my teammates, and any of the other inmates, for that matter, are irrelevant.” Captain Chang nodded agreement. “I told Relena’s father as much. I figured it was some sort of mischief on Maxwell’s part.” He gave Heero a near-smirk. “And in spite of your usually dry sense of humor, you’ve pulled your share of practical jokes over the years.” “If Relena’s father is so concerned about my focus here at camp, perhaps he could keep his daughter from sending piles of ridiculous letters and disrupting my training with her uninvited, unwanted visits,” Heero growled. “The media follows her every move, Chang. I’m sure they’ve noticed her trips up here. And I will not deal with the kind of sensationalized news reports they’re liable to concoct.” Wufei’s smirk spread into a smile. “Ah…do you mind if I quote you in my letter to the Prime Minister? I intend to request—vehemently—that Relena cease her visits. Not only is this a juvenile facility, with the anonymity that fact requires, but it’s also a military camp, where classified training could be taking place. A high-profile person like Relena has no business coming here.” “Amen to that,” Heero muttered, scowling. “One more thing, Yuy.” “Sir?” “Next time you do something like that, I expect
to be invited…I’d give anything to have seen the expression
on her face!”
tbc... |
