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"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"
Heero was still at the laptop, typing in the next week’s plan he’d devised for the team, when Duo and Quatre returned to the barracks. The braided boy had a definite bounce in his step, and was happily flipping the knife end over end, catching it out of the air each time with practiced ease. “Hey, Yuy. Having fun with your ‘sweetheart’?” “It’s a tool, Maxwell…not a romantic interest.” Heero briefly glanced up. “How’s your ‘darling’ knife?” He heard a ‘swish’ and a ‘thunk,’ and looked up to see the weapon imbedded in the wall a couple of feet to his left. “Sharp,” Duo said simply, giving him a wide, impish grin. “Someone might mistake your affinity for knives for criminal tendencies,” Heero warned, reaching up to pull the weapon free, noticing that it had sunk in over an inch. Sharp, indeed! A bit of an understatement… “We used ‘em a lot on the streets,” Duo shrugged, walking over to take it back, and folding it up. “Easier to get than a gun…quieter…easier to conceal.” “And just as lethal,” Heero pointed out. Quatre recalled the warden saying the murder victim he wanted to blame on Duo had been stabbed over forty times. Lethal was right! He shivered slightly. Not that he believed that Duo was guilty…not for an instant…but the common street weapon from L2 was intimidating nonetheless. Duo glanced at his friend, eyes narrowing slightly, as if he followed where the train of thought had gone. “We had ‘em, Quat. For self-defense. L2’s a tough place, especially for street kids.” Quatre picked up on the slightly defensive edge to the other boy’s voice. “You don’t have to explain, Duo. Whether you’re familiar with knives or not, I know you didn’t kill anyone.” “And you know Kushrenada would disagree.” “Yes. But I still don’t believe he’s right.” Duo smiled, looking genuinely relieved. “Thanks.” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Are we still going to hit the showers, Quat?” “Definitely,” said the blonde, eagerly going to gather his things. “Yes!” crowed Duo happily, tired of having had to rush through the process so much lately. He put the knife back into the knapsack, and went to his foot locker for his shower stuff. “Don’t forget to lock up that survival kit,” Heero reminded him. Sighing, Duo grabbed the bag off Heero’s bunk, and dropped it into his foot locker slamming the lid and locking it. “Better?” he asked snidely. “Hey, I’m not the one who signed for it,” shrugged the team leader. “Go ahead and lose it if you want. It’s your ass.” Of course, as he said that, his mind flashed instantly to the aforementioned ass, and he sighed, his gaze going distant. Duo looked at him with a speculative gleam in his eyes. “Thinking about my ass, Yuy?” he asked with uncanny accuracy. “Hardly,” came the dry response…the complete and utter lie. “More like thinking what an ass you are sometimes.” “But not all the time?” “If you two want showers, I’d suggest you hurry,” Heero muttered, scowling at his computer screen. Duo gave Quatre a grin and a wink, and together they headed out the door.
“Didn’t Quatre and Duo tell you?” “Tell me what?” Trowa outlined the same information he’d told Quatre, ending with his conversation with the warden, and the fact that the man was going to consider his proposal and get back to him. “So I’m hoping Catherine will be able to take him to the circus,” finished the auburn-haired boy. “I hope Kushrenada decides to be reasonable,” Heero said diplomatically, not liking the harsh warden any more than Duo did. “Yeah, me too,” said Trowa, reaching up to his bunk and grimacing at a sharp twinge from his shoulder. “That still bothering you?” Heero asked, glancing up from the laptop with a curious expression. “What?” “Your shoulder. You’ve been favoring it for over a week.” Trowa smiled wryly. “You noticed. I was trying not to let it be obvious.” “It’s not.” Heero shrugged slightly. “But I’m observant.” He stood up and stretched, closing the laptop. “Want me to make it feel better?” He received a wary look from the tall boy. “Is this where you break my hand to take my mind off my shoulder?” A fleeting smirk touched Heero’s lips. “Well, that’s one option…but I had something different in mind…a little acupressure and shiatsu massage.” “It’s okay,” Trowa said, shrugging slightly. “C’mon, Barton. At least try it—and if it doesn’t loosen it up and alleviate the pain, I’ll--.” He stopped, not wanting to use the ‘I’ll eat my hat’ cliché. “You’ll what?” Trowa asked, giving him a sly glance. “I don’t know—I’ll—be wrong?” “How about if it doesn’t help, you have to kiss Maxwell?” suggested the auburn-haired boy. He was feeling generous now that he had hope of saving Nanashi; and besides, he’d gotten to hug Quatre, and the memory of the warm embrace was still fresh in his mind. Heero stiffened, giving Trowa one of his infamous death glares. “Barton—why would you even suggest such a thing?” “Because I think he’s been begging for it?” replied the lean boy. “And when would that have been?” Heero asked. “When he was telling me to fuck off—or maybe when he tried to punch me after that first obstacle run?” “How about yesterday?” Trowa countered. “Walking back from dinner.” “That was just horsing around,” Heero grumbled. “Maxwell likes to play—he said it himself.” The blue-eyed boy glanced away again. “It didn’t mean anything.” Trowa snorted wryly at that. “Fine, Yuy. Have it your way.” He gestured to his shoulder. “Go ahead and demonstrate your acupressure stuff.”
“I forgot conditioner,” lamented the long-haired boy. “Yuy distracted me when he reminded me to lock up the survival kit.” Quatre grinned. “He distracted you long before that, Duo.” A sheepish smile graced the other boy’s face. “I s’pose.” “And then when he started talking about your ass…” added the blonde, with a mischievous twinkle in his aquamarine eyes. “He wasn’t talking about it,” Duo insisted. “But he was thinking about it.” Duo eyed Quatre warily. “Really? You can tell that?” Quatre chuckled. “You don’t need empathy to know where his mind went right after he said it was ‘your ass’.” “Just a really dirty mind,” Duo pointed out. “Yeah…I think you’re rubbing off on me,” teased his friend. Quatre had stashed his stuff, and was starting to unbutton his shirt when Duo stopped him. “Hang on, Quat…I’m gonna run back to the barracks and get my conditioner.” He gave the other boy a concerned look. “Wanna come? Or d’you think you’d be okay waiting here?” “There’s no one else around,” Quatre shrugged, taking a seat on the bench. “I can wait.” “What if Kyle or Austin show up?” “It’s not like you’ll be gone for a half an hour,” Quatre pointed out. “Just hurry back.” Duo nodded, and sprinted from the shower building, determined to have his conditioner for his precious braid. He made it to the barracks in record time, and his hand was on the doorknob when he heard a throaty groan…almost a growl of pleasure. He stopped, eyes wide, cocking his head to one side and listening. “Ah…Heero…that feels great…” said Trowa’s voice, somewhere between a moan and a sigh. “Want a little more pressure?” “Oh yeah…” The braided boy froze completely, trying to convince himself it couldn’t be what it sounded like. “Does it still hurt?” “…much less. Oh! That’s absolutely amazing. Feels good…” Duo leaned his forehead against the door, closing his eyes. What the hell else could it be? “How’s that feel?” said Heero's voice, in that low, sexy purr Duo adored. “God, Yuy, you’ve got great hands,” came a breathy compliment. “So I’ve been told,” came a wry response. What the fuck? How many people was Heero screwing, anyway? Duo wanted to bang his head against the door in frustration, but at the last second recalled it would make too much noise. “Who taught you how to do this?” “Chang.” Duo straightened with a gasp. Captain Chang?? And Heero?? Holy fucking shit! The braided boy resisted the temptation to barge in and demand answers. Instead, he turned numbly away from the door, walking slowly back towards the showers. Well, hell. It’s not like he had any claim on Yuy, anyway, right? The Japanese boy could do whatever he wanted…with whomever he wanted. Yeah, that was for sure. Who wouldn’t fall for those deep blue eyes…and that messy brown hair...? Duo swallowed hard, reminding himself that he and Heero were just teammates, after all. Like him and Trowa? “Hey, Duo?” He stopped, realizing he was just outside the shower building, and Jason was standing in front of him. “Oh…hi.” “You look a little out of it,” Jason noted, his expression concerned. “I’m okay,” Duo said listlessly. “Just heading for the showers…me an’ Quat…before dinner.” Jason smirked at him. “I’d ask if you needed someone to wash your back, but I really don’t want to get my face slapped.” Duo looked at him for a moment, and then abruptly said, “You wouldn’t,” before pulling the other boy from L2 up against him and kissing him hard. Jason’s arms slipped around Duo, and he returned the passionate kiss, his hands sliding up Duo’s back to his shoulder blades, holding him steady. While Duo’s kiss was desperate with frustration and need, Jason’s was patient and undemanding. He teased Duo’s lower lip with his tongue, and Duo opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, closing his eyes and focusing on the feeling of the other boy’s body against his. It felt great. Incredible, in fact. And all Duo could think of as he lost himself in the pleasant sensations was… It’s not Heero. He pulled back sharply, looking up at Jason with alarm. “I--I’m sorry!” he gasped. “I shouldn’t--. I didn’t mean to--.” “Didn’t mean to what?” Jason asked, eyes softly affectionate. Duo shook his head, blinking back tears. For fuck’s sake, boys don’t cry! “This isn’t fair to you,” he said miserably, swallowing hard. “What isn’t?” came the gentle inquiry. “Me…kissing you like that…I shouldn’t have.” Jason’s arms were still around Duo, and he hugged him a little tighter. “Why the hell not?” he whispered. “Because I told you before, it’s all I can do to stay out of trouble here.” Duo shrugged slightly. “I have to watch everything I do.” “Yeah, and it was a real pretty speech, too,” Jason said with a smirk. “Even if it didn’t hide the fact that there’s more to it than you said.” He gave the braided boy a long, searching look. “So, tell me why you did what you just did.” “Because I-I’m having a really bad day,” Duo confessed quietly. “And I needed to be wanted.” “You are,” came the simple reply. “But I kind of get the feeling you’d rather be wanted by someone else.” Duo grimaced slightly. “I don’t know what I want,” he sighed. “Which is why I have no right to string you along.” “Am I complaining?” Duo managed a wry smile at that. “No. You’re way too nice a guy, Jase.” “So, how about if I just give you a little room to figure out what you want?” Jason asked, releasing his hold on the other boy. “You know where to find me.” He gave a teasing smile, and ran a hand down Duo’s cheek before letting go completely. “God, you’re unbelievable,” Duo sighed, shaking his head. “Why didn’t we ever run into each other back on L2?” “Well if that isn’t the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen, I don’t know what is…” came a harsh voice. Both boys spun in alarm, to see Kyle and his friends stepping out from between two buildings, effectively surrounding them. “Aw, shit,” Duo murmured, gritting his teeth. “Oh, I don’t know,” came another voice. “It looked pretty enjoyable to me.” Duo’s head jerked around to see Quatre standing at the door to the showers, an accusing look in his eyes, despite the bantering tone in his voice. Regaining his composure quickly, Duo turned back towards Kyle. “Three against four, Norton. Pretty bad odds for you.” “I don’t think so. Your precious team leader isn’t around this time. You think the four of us can’t beat three little fags like you?” “Aw, that’s it!” Duo muttered, allowing his frustration and hurt to coalesce into anger…an anger that made him long to destroy things. “Norton, I’m gonna fuck you up so bad your own mother won’t recognize you!” he promised, starting forward. He was halfway to Kyle when another voice cut in. “Hey, Jase…need a hand here?” Duo and Kyle both paused, as the three remaining members of Jason’s team sauntered up to join the fray. “Aw, hell, Ben…Quatre, Duo and I could probably take ‘em,” Jason said carelessly. “But if you want in on the fun…” “Later!” Kyle promised with a sneer, backing carefully away. “One of these days, your luck will run out, Maxwell. So will Yuy’s.” He turned and gestured to his teammates, and they disappeared the way they’d come. “What the fuck is his problem?” Ben demanded, walking over to join the others. “I think he’s jealous,” Jason smirked, giving Duo a sly wink. Duo mustered up a wan smile at that, still feeling a little disappointed that he hadn’t gotten to vent his frustrations on the other team. “Well, Jase, I can see where he’d be jealous of you. You’re everything he’s not.” His smile warmed slightly. “Thanks again.” “Any time.” Jason turned to his teammates. “How about we just hang around here until Quatre and Duo are done using the shower? Make sure they get back to their barracks okay, hmm?” Duo started to argue, but Jason just gave him a sharp look and strolled over to lean casually on one of the nearby buildings. Sighing, Duo turned around to face Quatre’s accusing look again. He winced, and walked over to his teammate, and they went inside. “Okay, I’m sure there was a really logical explanation for that?” demanded the blonde Arab, tossing his towel on a bench, and turning to face Duo. “For what?” Duo asked carefully, not sure how much Quatre had seen or heard. “For you grabbing Jason and kissing him,” Quatre elaborated. Ah…he saw everything. Well, shit. “Um. No,” Duo admitted, taking the tie off his braid and starting to run fingers through to loosen the hair. “No,” echoed Quatre. “You don’t have an explanation for it?” “Not really,” Duo sighed, pulling off his shirt and tossing it onto the bench, before grabbing a towel. “At least, not a good one.” “I thought it was Heero you were interested in,” the blonde said evenly. “It is—was—I mean, I don’t know,” Duo said miserably. “Damn it, Quat, Yuy’s hot. He’s gorgeous. And he’s aggravating as hell. One day he’s flirting with me, and the next he’s sniping again. I hate being screwed with like that.” “So is that why you’re doing it to Jason?” “I’m not!” Duo said hastily. He winced even as he said it. “Not on purpose.” He sighed deeply, running a hand back through his bangs. “He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I already apologized. He knows I didn’t mean to start anything.” He turned mournful indigo eyes to his friend. “But at least with him, I’d know where I stand.” “So then, why isn’t he the one you want?” “I have no idea,” came the weary reply. “He’s smart, good-looking, funny, and crazy about me…what’s not to like?” “Maybe you need a challenge,” shrugged his companion, giving him a wry smile. “Heero’s definitely a challenge.” “An asshole, you mean,” came the dry response. Duo turned to look squarely at Quatre, eyes questioning. “Can you really tell what someone’s feeling, Quat? Or is that just a trick…hunches and lucky guesses?” “I can,” Quatre insisted. “I know you have some pretty strong feelings for Heero…stronger than you want to admit. And I’m pretty sure he feels something back.” “Then explain to me what he’s doing with someone else,” Duo asked bitterly. “What?” Quatre demanded in genuine surprise. “Who?” “Shit, Quat, it doesn’t matter,” Duo said evasively, not wanting to crush his friend’s hopes for a relationship with Trowa. “But I overheard him…with someone else. And it sounded like a lot more than idle flirting, okay?” “When did this happen?” “Just before I threw myself at Jason,” Duo admitted. “Before--? I thought you went back to the barracks for conditioner?” demanded the blonde. “Well, I didn’t exactly make it there,” Duo said carefully. “When I heard—what I heard, I just turned around and came back to the showers.” “So you didn’t actually see anything,” Quatre noted. “I didn’t have to,” Duo retorted. “The groans gave it away…not to mention the bits of conversation I picked up.” “Why didn’t you confront him?” “Yuy?” asked Duo incredulously. “Are you fucking nuts? Quat, he’s not mine. I have no right to demand answers. And he’s got no obligation to give them.” Quatre groaned in frustration. “So we’re back to this again? You’re mad at Heero, but afraid to talk to him about the problem.” “I’m not afraid,” Duo snapped reflexively. “You’re scared shitless,” Quatre said flatly. Duo gaped at him for a moment, before regaining his composure. “I just don’t feel like I have the right to say anything about it,” he said finally. “Well, maybe I do,” Quatre suggested, aquamarine eyes lighting up. “He’s our team leader. And after he sat there at breakfast lecturing you about keeping your mind on business, it’d be pretty damned hypocritical of him to be out fooling around.” “Please, Quat…just let it go,” Duo pleaded. “I promise, I’ll be okay with this. I won’t mope…I won’t let it affect the team. Just give me a couple of days to get my feet back under me, okay?” “And then what? Are you going to jump into Jason’s arms again first chance you get?” “That’s a low blow, Quat,” Duo said quietly, blushing slightly. “I never meant to do that. It was just…it hurt, okay? It hurt to think that Heero would lead me on like he did, and then turn around and--. I just reacted badly.” “You sure did,” Quatre said firmly, not letting up on his friend. “And I want your promise you won’t do it again. It’s not fair to Jason, and it’s not fair to you.” “Me?” Duo said with a wry laugh. “Yeah, Duo, you. You deserve to find someone you like just because of who he is, not because you’re on the rebound. That’d never work out.” Duo eyed his friend suspiciously. “How’d you turn into a counselor, Quat? Speaking from experience?” “I just know what I know,” Quatre sighed. He gave the other boy a stern look. “And I want you to swear you won’t string Jason along if he’s not the one you really want.” Duo nodded, dropping his gaze to the floor. “Yeah, I promise,” he sighed. “Jase is a great guy, and he deserves the best. I won’t toy with him.” He looked up tentatively. “I’m trying to stay friends with him...but like I said, knowing he’s interested…I just lost my head for a minute there. Won’t happen again.” Quatre gave a quick nod of acknowledgement, and then he looked at the bottle of shampoo Duo had picked up. “After all that, you never did get your conditioner, did you?” The braided boy shrugged and sighed. “I’ll consider it my penance for being selfish and unfair to Jase.” He threw his towel around his waist, slipping out of the grubby trousers he’d worn on the morning’s run, and heading for the shower. When the two boys emerged freshly showered, hair combed, and dressed in clean uniforms a half an hour later, Jase and a couple of his teammates were still lingering at their posts. Jase walked over to Duo, giving him an appreciative glance. “You look like you feel better,” he commented with careful neutrality. “Yeah…it’s amazing what being clean can do to lift your morale,” Duo agreed, falling into step with Jason, while Quatre walked at his other side. The other boys from Team Clip fell into step just behind them. “We appreciate your team watching out for us,” Quatre spoke up, giving Jason a grateful smile. “If we can ever return the favor--.” “I’ll keep it in mind,” replied Jason. “We’ve got to watch each others’ backs in this place, that’s for sure.” “There’s nothing like having another L2 street rat for backup,” Duo grinned. They walked boldly past Kyle’s team barracks, ignoring the glares they received from the two who were out sitting on the steps, and within moments they arrived at Team Wing’s building. “So, see you guys at supper?” Jason asked, his glance lingering on Duo. “Of course,” replied the braided boy. He started to reach for Jason’s hand, but stopped himself. “I—uh—thanks, Jase. I owe you one.” Jason laughed quietly at that. “I’m not keeping score.” As he walked away, Duo turned to face Quatre. “Damn it to Hell! He’s so nice it’s killing me!” He shook his head, frowning in frustration. “Why couldn’t it be him?” “The Maxwell luck?” ventured Quatre. “Or the lack thereof?” Duo chuckled at having his own words tossed back at him. “You’re a riot, Quat.” He turned to the door, sobering instantly, and glanced over his shoulder. “Should I fucking knock?” he asked in a whisper. “Hell, no!” came the firm reply. “It’s our barracks, for Allah’s sake.” Quatre pulled open the door and boldly walked inside, Duo following hesitantly. Heero looked up from the laptop. “Hair all better, Maxwell?” His voice almost had the teasing tone of the previous day, but Duo neither noticed nor cared. “Bite me,” he muttered, walking over and climbing onto his bunk. He looked across at Trowa, who was seated on his own bunk, legs dangling over the edge. With a puzzled shake of his head, Heero went back to work. Quatre was giving Duo a slightly confused look, having half-expected to find whomever Heero had supposedly been with still in the barracks. Briefly, he wondered if Trowa might have seen someone when he got there. And on the heels of that thought, Quatre remembered the errand Trowa had left on. “Oh! What did the warden say?” he asked, looking up at the green-eyed boy. Trowa smiled back at him. “He’s thinking about it.” He leaned so that he was a little closer to the blonde. “I have a feeling he’ll agree. I really do.” His face was alight with gratitude. “I can’t thank you enough for the great idea, Quatre.” The blonde actually blushed at that, and Duo nearly rolled his eyes, darting a perfectly deadly glare at Trowa. Hands off my best friend, Barton! You goddamned boyfriend-stealing cheater! “I’m glad I could help,” Quatre said,
blissfully unaware of what Duo knew, or thought he knew, about the
boy from L3 and Heero.
tbc... |
