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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" Chapter Fifty Five: Reconciliations It was past midnight when Wufei walked into Team Wing’s barracks, turning on the lights to see Quatre curled up asleep in Trowa’s arms. He frowned in confusion, having expected a much less companionable scene after what he’d witnessed at the mess hall. “Winner! Barton!” He slammed the door shut to wake them. Quatre sat up, rubbing his eyes, and then blinking owlishly at the officer. “Captain Chang! Oh. Have you talked to Duo yet? Did he explain the plan?” Wufei shook his head, his face a bit haggard, leaning wearily back against the door he’d just slammed. “Truthfully, I just finished talking to Colonel Une. After I finished with Wolfe and the others, I called her to find out what she knew of Merquise’s situation.” He ran a hand back over his sleek, dark hair. “I almost forgot about you boys.” “So they’re still locked up?” Trowa asked, having awakened and raised himself on an elbow to look at the Captain. Wufei nodded. “Now, would you two like to explain to me why I saw Maxwell and Barton making out in the mess hall?” “It’s part of the plan,” Quatre told him. “Major Merquise knew about it. He was supposed to tell you.” “Well he didn’t. Obviously he was shot before he got the chance.” “Oh.” Quatre frowned deeply. “Have you heard anything about his condition?” “He was out of surgery…in intensive care. They aren’t making any promises yet,” sighed the man, his weariness and concern becoming more obvious with every moment he stood leaning back against the barracks door. “I’m sorry,” Quatre said quietly. “I know you—he—. Um, he was really very nice to us while you were gone, and we’re all pretty worried about him too, sir.” The Chinese officer nodded wearily, closing his eyes. “Now explain this ‘plan’ to me.” “Major Merquise let us do some computer, er, recon in the library, and we found schedules of shuttles and prisoner transfers that we think tie Kushrenada into a pretty large drug distribution operation,” Quatre told him. “But we need to access the computer in his office, and he’s got it isolated. Duo and Trowa were acting like a couple so Kushrenada would believe I acted out of jealousy when I went to tell him Duo was planning an escape.” Wufei gave a small, skeptical snort, fixing a dark gaze on the blonde boy. “You can’t honestly think he’d fall for that.” “You and Heero did,” Quatre replied with a scowl. Chang gave a short, bitter laugh. “I suppose we did.” He nodded. “Go on.” “Anyhow, it’s all set up. Duo’s our diversion. He’s going to sneak out Sunday night, after midnight. Kushrenada will hopefully be waiting at the point where he slips through the fence. And meanwhile, in the hour or so of time that gives us, I’ll go into K.’s office and try to hack into his computer.” “I thought you boys were more intelligent than that,” Wufei said snidely. “There are a million problems with that plan. Kushrenada could send someone else to catch Maxwell, or put a guard in his office, guessing that you’re up to something. He could just shoot Maxwell outside the perimeter fence and claim he had no choice.” He shook his head. “I will not let you proceed with an insane stunt like this.” “You have to,” Quatre pleaded. “We’ve worked so hard to set it up! Major Merquise approved the plan.” “And where is he now?” came the bitter response. “That’s just it!” Quatre blurted. “You know Kushrenada did that. You can’t let him get away with it, sir. You just can’t!” “He already has!” Wufei snarled. “And I’m not about to dish out Maxwell on a silver platter for him!” “Please!” Quatre begged. “We need to do this—or he’ll get away with everything.” He fixed his most persuasive puppy eyes on the Chinese man. “Sir—with you and Heero back, we have a way better chance of succeeding.” Wufei considered that for a moment, shaking his head indecisively. “Heero can hack circles around me, or so he claims,” Quatre said urgently. “If he and I go after the computer data, it leaves Trowa and you to watch over Duo. You can be at the escape point before Kushrenada and get the drop on him before he has a chance to hurt Duo.” “Besides,” Trowa added, speaking up for the first time. “You know how smooth Maxwell can be. He may be able to get K. to admit to what he’s done. The man’s just plain crazy with hate. If he feels he has Duo at his mercy, he’ll want to gloat.” “He’ll want to gloat if he plans to silence the boy permanently,” Wufei retorted. “But you’ll be there to prevent that!” Quatre reminded him. Wufei walked over and sat on Heero’s bunk, rubbing his face with both hands. “Much as I want to bring Kushrenada to justice, I can’t risk—.” “Please!” Quatre all but whined. “At least, talk to Duo and Heero before you throw all our work away. They’ve suffered the most for the plan. Let them tell you if they want to carry it all the way through.” Deciding he was too tired and stressed to be anywhere near rational, Wufei nodded in resignation. “I won’t dismiss the idea out of hand,” he conceded. “I’ll talk to Maxwell and Yuy first thing in the morning.” “You’re leaving them locked up all night?” “It’s already past midnight, boys,” shrugged the officer. “They’re probably both asleep anyway. And they did have a fistfight in the mess hall. They deserve disciplinary action for that, regardless of the cause.” He yawned and stretched, listening to the crackles in his back and neck. “Maxwell’s going to pull latrine duty this time, and Yuy will get to find out how truly tedious KP can be.” “But it was a misunderstanding…” “And they both overreacted,” came the quick, non-nonsense reply. “I’m not allowing them in the same room until I’m sure they’ve learned a lesson in maturity.” He stood and wriggled his shoulders to loosen them up. “I’ll see you boys at morning exercises.” He gave them a less stern look, and a hint of a smile. “I am glad to learn that the scene in the mess hall was staged. I’d hate to think Maxwell wasn’t as serious about Yuy as I thought.” Trowa snorted at that. “Serious? You should’ve seen how hard he fought against having to kiss me, sir. You’d know Yuy’s the only one for him.” “That’s good to hear. Hopefully Heero will be willing to forget that he saw you with your tongue down Maxwell’s throat.” Trowa winced slightly, realizing that plan or no plan he had been French kissing Duo right in front of Heero. And Yuy wasn’t the forgiving type. Nor was he big on sharing. Wufei chuckled quietly at the trepidation on the boy’s face. “Relax, Barton. I’ll talk sense to him in the morning. Perhaps he’ll only maim you.” Green eyes narrowed at the snide tone. “I’m glad you find that idea so amusing, sir.” “Right now, Barton, I have to laugh, or the reality of the situation here might catch up with me. Good night, boys.” Wufei nodded to them and headed out to get what sleep he could before morning reveille.
When his cell door opened, Duo sat up at once, obviously wide awake. “Captain Chang!” he blurted in relief. “Shit, it’s good to see you! You have to listen to me…I wasn’t cheating on Heero. I’d never do that to him!” Wufei held up a hand for silence. “I’ve talked to Winner, Maxwell. I know the whole story.” “Thank God!” Duo said with relief. Wufei studied the boy’s face, seeing the dark circles under the deep indigo eyes, and what he might have thought were smudges from tears, if he didn’t know the boy better. Perhaps they were just bruises from the fistfight with Heero. The deepening purple one along his jaw and around one eye was mute evidence of the seriousness of their altercation. “Have you slept at all, Maxwell?” “How could I with Heero hating me?” Duo asked miserably, glancing away. “He doesn’t hate you. He was just shocked—hurt.” “I know. He was never supposed to see that,” Duo insisted. “If we’d known you were coming, I’d have dropped the whole charade right then and there.” He looked at the officer with a pained expression. “Did you tell him about the plan?” “Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.” Wufei sighed. “If I’d known you wouldn’t sleep, I’d have come earlier.” He sat down next to the boy, putting a reassuring hand on the lean shoulder. “I’m sorry.” “’S okay. Just…let’s clear this up now.” “Well, there’s still the matter of the fistfight you two started.” Duo frowned slightly. “Heero started it…not me. But when he wouldn’t listen…wouldn’t even let me try to explain…well, I just got mad, too.” He looked up with a wounded expression. “I mean, if it’d been the other way around, I wouldn’t have just belted him one.” “Heero doesn’t always react well to—disappointment,” Wufei said carefully. “His feelings for you run so deep that rationality goes out the window. And what he saw, hurt him deeply.” “I know.” The officer frowned slightly. “Just understand, even once this is all explained, you might not get instant, unconditional forgiveness from him.” Duo groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Damn it, Chang…kissing Trowa didn’t mean anything. It was just an act.” “But you did kiss him. From what I’ve heard around camp, you did it quite a few times.” “That was all for Kushrenada’s benefit; so the rumor mill would get word to him that I was tight with Trowa. It was the only way to be sure he’d believe Quatre would sell me out.” “Ah, yes. About that plan—,” Wufei said coolly. “It sounds far too dangerous to carry out.” Duo looked up with desperation in the deep eyes. “Captain…you can’t make us quit now. We’ve worked too hard!” “I can’t allow you to be bait in an ill-conceived trap! Kushrenada could shoot you and claim justification.” “No, he couldn’t!” Duo argued. “I looked it up. The law says if I’m not armed, he can’t use deadly force.” “That doesn’t mean he won’t.” The indigo eyes flashed dangerously. “Then you’d have him for murder.” Wufei threw his hands into the air helplessly. “But you’d be dead!” “It’d be—.” “If you dare say it’d be worth it, I’ll use you as the sparring dummy all next week!” “I’m willing to take the risk,” Duo amended. “We’ve put so much into this. Look what I did to Heero!” “And would dying at Kushrenada’s hands make it any better for him?” asked the Chinese man. The braided boy looked away, shrugging slightly. “If Heero doesn’t forgive me, I won’t have much of anything to live for anyway.” Wufei grabbed him by both shoulders and gave a slight shake. “Don’t you dare say something like that, Maxwell! You can’t base the validity of your life on someone else’s. Heero didn’t fall in love with a clinging, dependent person; he fell in love with you. And it was your independence and strength of personality that attracted him. He wouldn’t find neediness the least bit endearing.” Duo raised his chin stubbornly. “I wouldn’t mind him needing me,” he muttered. “He does,” Wufei assured him. “No matter how hurt or angry he is right now, he’ll remember how much he needs you and he will forgive you. But in the meantime, you need to keep your perspective and stay focused on this camp.” “What I need is to see Kushrenada get what’s coming to him,” Duo asserted. “And I’d love to be the one to deliver it.” “So would I,” Wufei admitted. “Then don’t make us give up!” Duo argued. “Help us.” Wufei frowned thoughtfully. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll wait to make a final decision until I’ve spoken to Heero and looked through Major Merquise’s daily logs. He should have made notes about your team’s idea.” He looked at the boy with a piercing gaze. “You haven’t asked about him.” “What’s to ask?” Duo said bitterly, his gaze dropping to the floor between his feet. “Some asshole shot him—most likely one of K.’s hand-picked guards. So that’s another murder we can add to Lowe’s.” “He’s not dead.” Duo’s head shot up, and he fixed a stunned gaze on the Chinese officer’s face. “He’s not? But he looked—. I mean, shit. He was shot three times!” Wufei managed a hint of a smile. “Zechs is a singularly strong individual, Duo, both physically and mentally. The latest word I got from the hospital was that he’s in critical condition after what they believe was successful surgery to remove the bullets and repair the injuries.” “He’s gonna make it?” Duo asked in disbelief. “I wouldn’t go so far out on a limb as to say ‘yes,’” came the cautious reply. “But I’m hopeful.” Duo suddenly flung his arms around the officer, who could feel the boy trembling with relief. “I’m glad, ‘Fei. I’m so glad you didn’t lose him!” “I—?” Wufei frowned slightly, not sure how much Duo knew. “Yeah, you,” came a husky whisper. “The guy’s crazy for you, Chang, and you’d be an idiot not to tell him you feel the same way.” Wufei pulled back, onyx eyes searching the boy’s face. “What makes you think—?” Duo smirked up at him. “It’s all over your face right now. And the way you said his name was a dead giveaway. You’ve got it bad for the hunky Major.” “I do not ‘have it bad,’ Maxwell. We’re merely going to have dinner together, eventually.” “You just keep telling yourself that,” teased the boy. He gave the officer a steady look. “I’m glad he’s gonna pull through. You deserve someone like him.” Wufei shifted uneasily. “That’s neither here nor there. For now, Maxwell, our focus needs to be on getting you and your teammates through these next few days.” “And finding evidence to put K. away, right?” Duo pushed. “I’d like nothing better.” Wufei stood and stretched. “Go on over to the infirmary and have Doctor Po look at that black eye, while I talk to Heero.” “Could I come with you?” “No. You’re to report to Lieutenant Wolfe for latrine duty as soon as the doctor finishes with you.” “But—.” “No!” Wufei’s expression softened just slightly. “Yuy’s probably still a bit volatile. I don’t want you two together until you’ve both cooled off. And you did hit him back.” “No shit. It’s called ‘self-defense.’” “And knowing what a high state of emotion he’s in right now, would you really want to approach him again?” Duo groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I just want to—to—touch him. Just to know he’s real, y’know? That this isn’t all a crazy, fucked-up dream.” He looked up pleadingly. “You’re the one who wants to continue with your half-baked plan,” Wufei pointed out. “If I let you, it’ll mean you can’t touch Yuy in public until after it’s all over, or Kushrenada will know it’s a setup.” “Goddamnit, we didn’t know you’d be back,” Duo said bitterly. “It was supposed to be over an’ done by then.” “But it’s not. And I made plans last night to move Yuy into another barracks…before I spoke to Winner and Barton. I think, for the sake of your little ruse, that I should stick to that plan.” “Y’mean I won’t even get to talk to him until after tomorrow night?” Duo asked, breathless with misery. “I’ll relay any messages you like.” Wufei eyed the boy searchingly. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? Drop the plan, and Heero can be back in your barracks by tonight.” “Fuck!” Duo spat angrily, standing and pacing the cell restlessly. He turned a scowl on the Chinese officer. “D’you know how hard you’re making this?” Wufei nodded calmly. Duo drew a deep, shuddering breath. “Have it your way, Chang. As long as there’s a chance you’ll let us carry out our mission, I’ll stick with the plan.” He grabbed the front of the officer’s shirt in a tight grip. “But tell him—! Please, Chang. Tell him I’m sorry. Tell him I—love him?” Wufei nodded again. “I’ll tell him. And he’ll have plenty of time to think over your apology while he’s on KP duty.” Duo managed a wan smile. “Sounds better than latrine duty.” “Yes, but you already had a turn at KP. You need to broaden your horizons, boy.” Wufei smiled in satisfaction. “Go on, Maxwell. Doctor Po’s waiting.” Sighing and giving a grudging salute, Duo headed out of the detention building, noticing that the MSC soldier on duty fell in step with him just outside, obviously instructed to make sure he got where he was supposed to go. As he expected, Doctor Po fussed and scolded as she examined his face. But in the end she pronounced him fit for latrine duty and let the guard escort him to Lieutenant Wolfe.
Finally, they headed for the mess hall, walking far enough apart to make it clear they weren’t together. Trowa went first, ignoring the stony glares he got from some of the other boys as he crossed the compound. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw Kushrenada crossing the yard, ostensibly for the purpose of intercepting Quatre. But there was nothing the green-eyed boy could do but continue on his way. Austin was lingering just inside the door, and as Trowa walked in, he gave an unpleasant sneer. “All by yourself, Barton? That’s a first.” Trowa spared him a cool glance, and started past. “Watch your back, Barton. If Yuy doesn’t get to you, maybe someone else will,” warned the sandy-haired boy in a menacing undertone. Ben caught the little exchange, and edged in between them in line, fixing a questioning look at Trowa. “Where’re your teammates, Barton?” Trowa shrugged. “Two are still locked up as far as I know, and Winner’s not talking to me—for obvious reasons.” He turned his back then, intent on keeping to himself while playing the role of pariah. Meanwhile, Kushrenada had indeed intercepted Quatre, meeting him at the foot of the stairs to the mess hall. “A moment of your time, Winner?” Quatre stopped, crossing his arms sullenly, and looking around to be sure no one was paying attention to their private little conversation. “Something on your mind, warden?” Kushrenada chuckled coldly. “That was quite a little display in the mess hall last night. Clearly Maxwell didn’t expect Yuy back so soon.” “None of us did,” shrugged the blonde, watching the warden’s face warily. “It’s not my problem, though.” “No—of course not. You weren’t the one caught cheating, were you?” Quatre shook his head, scowling. “You wanna wrap this up? I’d rather not be seen talking to you.” “I just wanted to be sure nothing’s changed.” The tawny-eyed man gave the blonde a meaningful look. “Assuming Chang lets him out of lockup, I expect Maxwell to bolt, as planned.” He gave a slightly vicious smile. “Otherwise, he can expect Yuy to finish what he started yesterday. And much as I’d like to see that, I don’t think he’s stupid enough to risk it.” He gave an unconcerned shrug. “Either way, he’ll get what’s coming to him, won’t he?” The warden shook his head. “You’re a colder sonofabitch than I gave you credit for, Winner. We could have done great things together if your teammates screwed you over a bit sooner.” Quatre gave the man a withering look. “Fuck you.” He turned on a heel and walked up the steps to the mess hall, never looking back. Only once he was inside did he draw a shaky breath, grateful for the closed door between him and the man he’d played his unpleasant role for. “Quatre!” Ben jogged over, putting a companionable arm across his shoulders. “C’mon. We’ve got a seat saved for you, and I already grabbed you some supper.” “Thanks,” Quatre said glumly, not even daring to glance at Trowa, who sat conspicuously alone at the end of one table, eating in stoic silence. “Might be the last chance we get to hang out,” Ben added quietly. “Captain Chang told us he’s moving Yuy into our barracks…to keep the peace.” He scowled fleetingly. “I wish I knew what was going on.” “Maybe you will…soon,” Quatre suggested, giving him a brief, hopefully reassuring glance. “Meanwhile, thanks for the company.” They settled in at the table and lunch passed in relative peace and quiet, with MSC soldiers keeping a close eye on things, and no sign of the two feuding members of Team Wing.
“Looks good, kid,” Wolfe conceded, walking around to inspect his work, while Duo slouched against a wall, yawning with weariness. “Fuck,” he muttered to himself. “If I don’t get some sleep t’night, I won’t be any good at all for tomorrow.” The officer paused in his circuit of the room, his gaze settling on the slumped figure by the door. “Hey, Maxwell. Why don’t you go snag a shower and change of uniform? Then I’ll take you to the mess hall for some lunch.” “It’s too late. We missed lunch,” Duo noted, drawing a sleeve across his sweaty face. “I’m sure they’ll let us get you a bite to eat.” It suddenly occurred to Duo that Heero might still be on KP duty, and he pushed off the wall with renewed energy. “Now that you mention it, I am starving. How ‘bout we skip straight to stealing some food?” The Lieutenant eyed him with amusement. “Doesn’t it just suck when you can’t decide which you need most…sleep, food, or to be clean?” “You know it!” Duo agreed, thinking that what he really needed was five minutes alone with Heero…to know that Chang had explained the misunderstanding and that the boy he loved still loved him back. “But I’ve narrowed it down, sir. And really, what I want first is to visit the mess hall.” “Good enough.” The officer opened the door, ushering him out into the dusty compound, and Duo headed briskly for the commissary, still wondering how he might slip away from his babysitter long enough to see Heero. But luck was with him, and once Wolfe had talked the cook into making a quick sandwich for Duo, and settled the boy at a table with the food and a glass of milk, he excused himself to report to Captain Chang. “You stay right here until I get back, okay?” he cautioned, glancing around to be sure Duo and the MSC cook behind the counter were the only ones in the deserted room. “I won’t leave this building, sir,” Duo promised smoothly. “Good, ‘cause Chang’s seriously worried about what the stinking prison staff might try. He’s given orders no one’s to go anywhere alone.” The Lieutenant shook his head. “If his office wasn’t just twenty yards away, I wouldn’t even walk over to it by myself. But I wanted to let him know you did a great job on the latrines and deserve a break the rest of the day.” “Thanks,” Duo said gratefully. “If I get a shower after this, I could probably sleep like a log the rest of the afternoon without hardly trying.” “I’ll make sure you do.” The officer glanced around the empty room. “Just, stay put. I won’t be more than twenty minutes or so, tops.” Duo nodded, watching out of the corner of his eyes as the man strode quickly away. Then he set down the remainder of his sandwich and looked towards the kitchen to see if the cook was in his line of sight. Once he was fairly sure the man was occupied by chores, he stood up and sidled over to the open doorway that led to the back room, where he’d been stationed to peel potatoes on his turn at KP duty. He stepped inside, his breath catching as he saw Heero sitting there peeling a potato taken from a mountain of them. He paused, drinking in the sight of the messy hair and the half-lidded blue eyes in that finely-chiseled face. God, he’s beautiful! At that moment, the intense eyes shot up, fixing an undecipherable gaze on Duo’s face. “Hey, ‘Ro,” Duo said quietly, a tentative smile touching his lips. Heero very deliberately put aside the potato and knife, wiping his hands on a ragged towel, before standing up and turning towards the braided boy. Duo shifted uneasily. Heero hadn’t answered him, and he had no idea how to take the piercing silence. He briefly wondered if Wufei had forgotten to fill his teammate in on the plan, as Heero stalked slowly over to him. Or maybe the officer had explained it, and Heero just wasn’t willing to forgive and forget. The Japanese boy grabbed his partner by both forearms dragging him towards the back of the room, and Duo stiffened, expecting another attack. But then his teammate pulled open the door to the broom closet and shoved Duo inside, following closely, and shutting the door behind him. It was dark inside, but light got in around the edges of the door, providing just enough illumination to see by. “Heero? Didn’t Wufei talk to you? Didn’t he tell you—?” Duo broke off in mid-sentence as Heero’s lips covered his in a rough, urgent kiss, and he was pinned to the wall by the other boy’s body. His arms were still caught in a viselike grip, but it didn’t matter anyway, as he wouldn’t dream of trying to escape the passionate onslaught. Instead, he opened his mouth to the aggressive kiss, growling low in his throat and pressing back with his hips until he could feel Heero’s hardness against his through both layers of clothing. The low, urgent groan from the Japanese boy just served to excite Duo more, and he fought back against the relentless kiss, nipping at his lover’s lips until he could pull back enough to draw breath. “Fuck, Heero—you scared me,” he breathed against the other boy’s lips, still keeping pressure against the body pinning him to the wall. “Thought you’d never forgive me.” “Does this feel like I don’t forgive you?” came a ragged whisper as Heero trailed kisses down the side of his neck, biting where it met the shoulder and then licking the sensitive spot. “You better be planning to fuck me right here an’ now, or I’ll beat the living shit out of you!” Duo warned, his face flushed and eyes dark with lust. “Missed you,” Heero gasped, as the rough friction between their bodies made him even more desperate with desire. “You too,” Duo groaned back, his knees nearly buckling as Heero dropped a hand from one of his arms and shoved it between them to roughly stroke his clothed erection. “Ah, fuck! Don’t stop!” “Never,” Heero murmured, releasing Duo’s other arm, and reaching around him to pull the tie from the end of his braid, loosening the waves of chestnut hair. While one hand continued to stroke and tease, the other ran through the silky mass, reveling in the feel of the soft strands. “God, I love your hair.” Duo chuckled low in his throat, using his newly-freed hands to unfasten his lover’s belt and pants. “Love you, too, ‘Ro.” He shoved back roughly, and slid one hand inside both trousers and boxers, drawing a startled oath of pleasure from Heero. Their lips met again, harsh and demanding, and Heero was forced to place both of his palms against the wall behind Duo to steady himself as the braided boy teased him. But it also left Duo free to slide Heero’s pants down to his ankles, giving him even easier access, until his talented hands had his lover panting and moaning with pleasure. “Want you—,” groaned the Japanese boy, head thrown back and eyes closed, his expression blissful. “Then go ahead and have me,” came the husky whisper. Heero’s eyes flew open as Duo deftly unbuttoned his shirt and threw it aside, before going to work on his lover’s. Indigo eyes met blue in a steady, longing stare as he finished divesting them both of their clothing, until they were pressed together naked in the tight confines of the closet. “God—we need—.” Heero’s voice was ragged, and he paused to swallow. “Fuck that,” Duo shot back impatiently. “Just take me!” “I don’t want to hurt you—.” “Why not? I hurt you, didn’t I?” Heero’s eyes darkened with anger. “Not like that, you didn’t!” He pulled away for an instant, fumbling with the pants he’d kicked aside, until he found the bacitracin he’d ended up with after his and Duo’s last tryst. The braided boy laughed. “I don’t believe you still have that.” “You left it, and I didn’t see any reason to leave it on my bunk for anyone to find.” He fixed a hungry look on his partner. “C’mere.” Duo pressed up close again, and Heero lifted him so he was perched on the edge of a plastic barrel of floor wax, which brought him to the perfect height. “Damn, you are a resourceful sonofabitch,” Duo said admiringly, as his lover stood between his legs, raining kisses down his chest as he slid the first finger in. “Ah, fuck! That’s—amazing.” He looped both arms around Heero’s neck, and wrapped his legs around the slim waist, throwing his head back and gasping in delight. “More, ‘Ro. I want more!” Heero obliged him, easing in a second finger, and then a third, until he had his lover panting in pleasure. “Want more?” “Want you,” came the breathless response. Duo slid both hands into Heero’s hair, moving forward to meet him as he pushed inside, and letting out a slow hiss of breath. “Goddamn!” he groaned. “I love you, Heero.” The Japanese boy wrapped his arms around the braided boy’s waist, burying his face in the waterfall of hair that flowed around them both. “Aishiteru, Duo.” The boy from L2 chuckled quietly. “You know it turns me on when you talk Japanese, ‘Ro!” As if he could possibly be more turned on than he was at that moment! He kissed his lover deeply—melding their mouths as tightly as the rest of them—and then rocked his hips against him, begging for motion. “C’mon an’ f—make love t’me.” “Anything you say,” came the low, sexy whisper, and Heero drew back and thrust deeply, only to be rewarded by a pleasure-filled groan from his partner. The braided boy’s gasps and moans only made his need greater, and he kept his hands locked on the slim hips, pulling his love closer every time he slammed forward, until the mounting pleasure overwhelmed them both. All too soon they reached their climax, muffling their shouts against each other’s skin. And then there was only the sound of harsh panting in the tight confines of the closet as they recovered. Duo’s chin was resting on Heero’s shoulder, his arms still wrapped around his neck, and his legs around his waist as they gasped for breath. “You know how much I love you, right?” he breathed between gulps of air. “Yeah—I love you, too,” was the breathless reply. “I’m sorry—about yesterday.” “I know.” “The look on your face—God—I wanted to die, ‘Ro.” “So did I.” “I never wanna see that look again.” “I never want you to,” came the wry response. “You are mine, Duo Maxwell. And don’t ever forget it.” “Never...and the same goes for you.” Heero pulled his head back slightly, dark eyes searching the familiar, beloved face. He ran a hand over the bruised jaw in a soft, apologetic caress. “I’m sorry I lost it like that.” “I deserved it.” Heero shook his head. “No, Duo. You never deserve that—from anyone—especially not someone who loves you.” Duo grinned widely at him. “I just never get tired of hearing that, y’know?” With the excitement and passion over, or at least temporarily sated, Heero could feel the sweat cooling on his back, and he shivered slightly. “We better get dressed and get out of this closet before someone comes looking for us.” “Mmm,” agreed his lover, reluctantly allowing him to pull away. As they were donning their clothes, still elbow to elbow in the close quarters, Heero glanced at his partner with concern in the dark eyes. “I don’t like the plan Chang told me about.” He heard a frustrated huff of breath. “Please, Heero…don’t fight me on this. It’s something I have to do. We have to do.” “And it could get you killed.” “I’m L2 street trash, Yuy. We don’t die easy.” “That doesn’t mean you can’t.” Duo turned sharply, prepared to launch into a litany of reasons they had to proceed with the plan, only to be pulled up against his lover, and wrapped in a tight embrace. “I know you have to go through with it, love,” came a husky whisper in his ear. “And nothing I can say will change your mind. So all I can do is help make sure you succeed.” The braided boy pulled back slightly, studying Heero’s face. “You’ll help Quatre hack the computer system?” “Of course I will…so long as I know Trowa and Wufei will be watching out for you.” Heero shook his head slightly. “I’ll worry. But, we have to do this for Merquise, and Jase, and even Odin.” “D’you think I care that the bastard who raised you was murdered?” “No—but you care that Kushrenada was behind it.” “Yeah,” admitted Duo. “I guess I do.” He rested his head against Heero’s shoulder, just savoring the warmth of the arms around him. “Are we okay now, ‘Ro? You an’ me?” “More than okay,” came the low, amused voice. “Didn’t I just prove that?” “Mmm,” Duo acknowledged, allowing the relief to sink in. “Now let’s get out of this closet before some stupid janitor comes looking for a mop or something,” Heero suggested. Duo reached for his hair to rebraid it, grinning at his beloved team leader. “You have so got a thing for my hair, Yuy.” “Hell, yeah.” “So where’d my hair tie go?” “Beats the hell out of me.” “Aw, fuck, ‘Ro! You lost it?” Duo bent down and tried feeling around on the floor for the discarded elastic. “Sorry. I got a little carried away.” “I’ll never find it in here!” Duo straightened, coming nose to nose with his lover. “Sometimes, Yuy, you can be a royal pain in the ass.” He raised a hand in warning. “And don’t even say what I know you’re thinking!” Heero laughed quietly, unable to refrain. “Duo—you are absolutely priceless.” They finally gave up on the hair tie, and Duo started to run his fingers through his hair to tidy it, but Heero stopped him. “Let me?” he asked, pushing his fingers into the thick hair and running them lovingly through it. “Mmm, any time,” Duo murmured, almost purring with pleasure. All too quickly, the silken locks were untangled and their peaceful moment ended. Then Heero opened the door, and eased them quietly out into the back room of the kitchen again. “You better get back to wherever you’re supposed to be.” “What makes you think I’m supposed to be anywhere?” Heero just gave him a long look. “Okay, well…I’m supposed to be eating a sandwich, while Lieutenant Wolfe carelessly left me to go talk to Chang, and when he gets back, I get to go shower.” “Good,” Heero said just a little too quickly. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “No offense, Duo. But what have you been doing all day? You smell like a fucking latrine.” The indigo eyes narrowed dangerously. “As a matter of fact, I pulled latrine duty for getting into a fight with you, ‘Ro.” Again Heero couldn’t restrain his laughter. “Sure…laugh it up. You got KP!” Duo glared at his lover without any real anger. “Chang thought I needed to branch out a bit—try something new.” “He would,” chuckled the team leader. He pulled Duo up against him, kissing him gently. “I don’t care what you smell like, love. You’re just as hot dirty as you are when you’re clean.” “Yeah, well, I would’ve needed the shower anyway…with or without the latrine duty, after being molested in a broom closet.” Heero’s arms wrapped around him in a warm embrace, and the Japanese boy’s lips gently caressed his cheek. “Next time, we’re going to have a bed…a real one…not a lumpy cot or a cluttered closet…and I want a whole night to drive you crazy with lust, and pound you into the mattress, and make you come so many times you lose count.” The boy from L2 groaned at the image. “You’re gonna get me started again, and the LT will be back any minute.” He was pulled in for a long, intimate kiss, and then pushed back to arm’s length. “I just want you thinking about what I’m gonna do to you…” “And how am I supposed to function with that on my mind? Hmm?” “Discipline, soldier. Discipline,” Heero grinned evilly. The sound of footsteps clattering up the steps to the mess hall alerted them that the Lieutenant was returning, and Duo jerked back quickly. “Shit…gotta go! Love you!” With a hurried peck on Heero’s cheek, he darted out of the room and dashed across to the table where his food was still sitting. Duo dove into his seat, hastily stuffing the rest of his sandwich into his mouth as the mess hall door opened to admit Lieutenant Wolfe. He began guzzling his milk to try to wash down the large chunk of food, and make it look like he’d been eating the whole time the man was gone. The officer eyed Duo rather suspiciously as he approached. “What’ve you been up to, Maxwell? You look—messy.” He ran his eyes up and down the boy critically. “Your hair’s loose.” “Uh, yeah,” Duo muttered. “The elastic broke.” He shrugged, giving the officer an apologetic smile. “’S okay—I’m headed for the showers next anyway—right? And I can grab another hair tie when I stop at the barracks for a clean uniform.” The man just grinned and shook his head. “They’re gonna love you at the Academy, Maxwell—non-regulation all the way!” “Hey, I notice Chang’s got long hair—not to mention Merquise!” “Yeah I know. But they aren’t exactly cadets any more.” Duo shrugged. “They set a precedent.” He gulped down the remainder of his glass of milk. “How ‘bout we get moving so I can clean up?” Yeah, sex in the janitor’s closet would’ve been messy on its own…but after cleaning an entire latrine…? Well, that shower was looking sooooo inviting… “Sure, kid.” As Duo put his dishes up on the counter, he caught a glimpse of a messy, dark head of hair in the back room and smiled to himself. Frankly, as long as Heero had forgiven him, he didn’t care what might happen with the risky plan to bring down Kushrenada. All was still right with the world.
tbc... |
