"Conversations"

Written By: Artemis

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. I make no money with this fic.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: yaoi lemon

Pairings: 6x2, implied 3x4

Summary: A televid call connects Treize and Relena in the Sank Kingdom, to the GAIA pilots aboard the Peacemillion in orbit, for some personal conversations.

"Conversations "

5)
After cleaning up and setting their clothes to rights, Zechs sat on the sofa in their room and settled Duo in front of him in his lap, the young pilot's back to his front. Though as yet their missions to various colonies had been taken together, they treasured every opportunity for quiet, private times between them like this that they could get. Soon the nature of their work might divide them, send them in different directions at the same time. This immersion in the intimacy of their relationship would help them later when they must spend time apart.

Zechs had the braid shifted to Duo's front where he could play with it as they chatted. "So, tell me more about my sister. What were your impressions of her? I suppose I'll have to meet her in person one day, you know."

"You want my opinion of her?" Duo asked and snorted. "Well, she might have been a little subdued when she talked to you just now... but not much. That's pretty much what she's like. Oh, she's good-looking... but then all you Peacecrafts are good-looking," Duo said, grinning broadly and nudging Zechs with his elbow.

Zechs chuckled at the assessment, then snorted lightly. "Subdued? If that was subdued, I'd hate to be around her when she's really going at it! And what's with her thing for Heero? Is it reciprocated?"

"Um, I dunno," Duo said, scratching behind his ear. "Heero doesn't exactly talk to me about sex." He laughed then, a bit nervously, thinking how awkward that would be. "All I can tell you is what I've seen... Relena shows up wherever Heero is and looks at him with big doe eyes. 'Oh, Heero, what are you doing now, Heero?'" he said, mimicking the girl's pleading tones and batting his eyelashes at Zechs at the same time. "'Can I help you, Heero?' 'Why do you keep running away from me, Heero?' That sort of thing, you know? And then Heero grunts and more or less tells her to hit the road."

"Well, that's certainly consistent with the Heero I know," Zechs responded, sighing. He was relieved that no Gundam pilot had a thing - yet - for his little sister, thinking that surely she'd led a very sheltered life... and her big brother was millions of miles away from shepherding her through life's lessons. On the other hand, she seemed poised enough and didn't seem to have been cowed by Treize's mentoring. "But she does seem a bit... taken with him." As he spoke, he stroked the braid absently, petting the silken length in his hands.

"Yeah, taken is a good word for it, I think," Duo said, and then turned in Zechs's lap, putting his arms around the man's neck and kissing him tenderly on the forehead. "So, you're worried about her, huh? I don't think you need to be, but then I'm not her big brother."

As Duo shifted to a new position, Zechs moved the braid to the boy's back so he could keep playing with it. Looking down now into the honest, cobalt blue eyes of his lover, he melted, seeing Duo's concern and caring. "Well, it is silly... she hasn't been a part of my life for a very long time. Besides, Treize will be a good, firm influence on her. I trust him."

When Duo quirked an eyebrow at him, he smiled. "I do trust Treize. You don't know him like I do, Duo. He's a dreamer and a visionary, a charismatic leader, but he is also reasonable and fair. I have no doubt that under his tutelage, Relena will represent our nation well before Romefeller and the Earth. No... I shouldn't have any worries about my sister." Sighing, he hugged Duo closer, needing to feel the lithe body against his.

"But you still want to worry, I understand," Duo said, snuggling in closer. He put his nose into the man's hair and took a deep breath. The mix of shampoo and Zechs's own unique scent warmed him. "Mmm," he said, sighing in satisfaction. "Well, I'm just glad Treize is down there and not up here," the boy said, giggling as he nuzzled the blond tresses.

"Oh, I think it would be good for him to see us together," Zechs murmured, only partly teasing. He petted Duo's back and bottom affectionately. "He was quite skeptical that I could actually take up with a Gundam pilot. Seeing is believing, you know."

"You two were talking about me?" Duo asked as he leaned in to blow in Zechs's ear. He felt his defenses wanting to snap into place on hearing of Treize's skepticism, but he kept his cool knowing that Zechs wouldn't let anyone come between them. [He loves me. Treize will just have to get used to that!] "Well, maybe you should tell him what a hot little fuck I am," Duo said, giving the ear a long, delicious lick. "I'm sure that'll make all the difference in the Earthsphere."

Zechs heard the trickle of anxiety in the boy's voice when Duo asked if he and Treize had been talking about him. [So, he's still not warming up to Treize yet... I suppose it'll take time...] Releasing a moan at the sensual attention to his ear, Zechs chuckled, squeezing a cheek of Duo's saucy little bottom. "Yes, I think I should tell him that... someday," he agreed readily, grinning when Duo squealed. "And you certainly are a hot little fuck! I don't mind telling the whole Earthsphere that, and also that you are MINE!"

"Mmm, I like that," Duo said, nuzzling around Zechs's ear. "Like it when you get possessive." His hands drifted down to his lover's upper arms, feeling the hard muscles there and feeling himself stir to warmth. "I want you naked," he said, kissing Zechs's ear and temple. "I want you naked and inside me."

"Mmmmm," Zechs purred, then reached up to take the boy's face in his hands, looking into his eyes intently. "I'd like that," he murmured in a low, sultry voice, then claimed Duo's mouth for a long, deep kiss, a prelude to fulfilling the request.

Heero Yuy found Quatre Raberba Winner's presence comforting. The blond boy was always cheerful and positive, yet he was respectful of Heero's tendency toward long silences, something their friend Duo wasn't always so comfortable with. For a good fifteen minutes now the two boys had been sitting companionably in one of the lounge areas in this massive spaceship, sipping on sodas and not saying much of anything.

Finally, his mind calm, Heero ventured to speak. "I talked to Relena," he murmured, looking down at his half-empty container.

"Oh?" Quatre asked, a little surprised, though he knew from Duo that Relena was a bit predatory with Heero. "Treize isn't keeping her busy enough, huh?"

"Well, she wanted to talk to Zechs first," Heero replied, his eyes still studying the bottle in his hand. "I imagine it was like meeting for the first time. I don't know that Zechs was very eager to have to deal with her at this point, but I suppose I can understand why she'd want to meet her brother." He shrugged. "I don't have any siblings as far as I know, so I can't fully relate to her need."

"Well," Quatre said, laughing. "Having 29 sisters I think I know a thing or two about girls. I'm sure Relena's curious about her brother. He must seem like quite a mystery to her." Quatre stared at Heero a moment. He could practically see the wheels turning in Heero's mind. [He's always thinking...] "Did she seem okay about talking to Zechs?" he asked, and at the same time wondered how Zechs and subsequently Duo had handled the call.

[Twenty-nine?] Heero wondered, but decided it was best not to ask. "Yeah, I think she's all right with him," he replied, sighing. He glanced in the other boy's direction. "She was taken aback to learn about Duo, however, but I think she's accepting it. I can see where it'd be hard to see Zechs and Duo together. At least from the viewpoint of one who doesn't know them well."

Quatre smiled at Heero's assessment. "They do seem like opposites, but they're so right for each other." His features softened as he pictured Zechs and Duo together and how their love had survived the very worst that life had thrown at them. Then his thoughts quickly drifted to his own lover. [I guess we're opposite, too... my quiet Trowa.] When he returned his attention to Heero, the other boy was looking at him patiently. [He's so different... but like Trowa in a way...] "I thought Duo knew Relena. Or was that just because he thinks everyone he's met once is his friend?"

"Duo thinks everyone he's met once is his friend," Heero explained, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I suppose it's natural she'd be wary of him since the first time she saw him he was shooting at me." He glanced away, looking very thoughtful.

"Yeah," Quatre said with a sigh. Duo's strong emotions had gotten him into trouble more than once and at times he seemed to be his own worst enemy, but still Quatre believed his friend's intensity was a good thing. "She'd be relieved to know that Zechs has calmed him a bit, don't you think, Heero?"

"Sure..." Distracted, Heero was thinking about Relena Peacecraft's bright blue gaze, her eyes a deeper color than her brother's, and how boldly she would stare at Heero. Her attentions were... unnerving. Nothing else had quite confused him as much in his life. "Quatre," he spoke up finally, "I think... I think Relena likes me."

"Oh!" Quatre said, his aquamarine eyes widening. He had suspected as much from the stories Duo had told him, but to hear Heero acknowledge the possibility was a surprise. [Does this mean he likes her?] Quatre wondered, but ever aware of the other boy's unease in relationships, he knew he should tread lightly here. "What makes you think she likes you? Did she say something?"

Heero frowned, thinking about the girl's attentions. "She would... stare at me... say my name in a way that put chills down my spine... and very early on she learned way too much about me. She even had occasion to talk to Dr. J about me! I was going to kill her because she'd seen my face and knew too much... er, several times. But I guess I couldn't do it for some reason." He shook his head, frustrated. "Remember, she even tried to come down to Antarctica to see me! Duo calls her my stalker."

Quatre swallowed a grin at that last. "Yes, I think I remember Duo saying that." The blond looked carefully at his friend. That had been as close to rambling as he'd ever heard from Heero. [He's confused. I wonder if he knows what he wants?] "I hope you don't mind me saying this, Heero, but it's not like you to be so... indecisive. Why do you think you let her 'stalk' you if it makes you feel this way? Do you feel responsible for her for some reason?"

The frown deepened to a scowl. "I don't really care what she does," Heero muttered, then he took a deep breath. "All right, I *have* felt protective toward her. She's an important person. Relena is needed for the peace of the Earthsphere. That's all there is to it." He glanced up at his friend finally. "Quatre, I don't *like* her, not in that way. I'm pretty sure... yeah, I don't."

"Okay," Quatre said, nodding, but he felt the boy's continued confusion. He reached out with his heart sense, trying to determine where Heero's confusion truly lay. [Gee, maybe he doesn't know if he likes girls at all?] "It's okay to feel like you need to protect her," Quatre said, reaching his hand across the table to touch Heero's arm. "Relena is important and I think she's become part of your mission now... your mission of peace."

Impulsively Heero took that hand into his, squeezing the other boy's fingers as if it was the only way he could get him to understand. "No, you've got it wrong, Quatre," he countered firmly, his dark blue-gray eyes searching the other's earnestly. "I'm no longer responsible for Relena because Treize Khushrenada is now her mentor and protector on Earth! I'm in space now, and my mission is with the colonies while hers is only on Earth... at least for now."

The sudden intensity of his friend frightened Quatre, but he did not take his hand away. "You're right, I don't understand," he said, his eyes showing his concern. "So, help me to understand, Heero. Tell me... does it bother you that you don't need to protect her anymore? Is that why you've become so protective of Zechs and Duo? Because you need someone to take care of?"

Heero stared at his friend, absorbing his words. [I need... I need someone to take care of?] Then he became aware that he was possibly crushing Quatre's fingers. Carefully he unthreaded his fingers to release the other boy's hand. "Sorry." Then he ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I don't know, Quatre. I just know that Zechs and Duo's relationship is important to me. It may have to do with the battles I had with Zechs... I'm not sure. Something about Zechs..."

Quatre pulled his hand back under the table and flexed it. The grip had been tighter than he'd realized, but he didn't want Heero to think that he had hurt him. "Um... what about Zechs?" he asked, worriedly. [Heero can't have a thing for him... not after what Zechs went through with Duo...] The thought set his heart to pounding.

Shaking his head, Heero sighed. "I can't shake this feeling that something terrible might have happened... if Zechs hadn't met Duo. I don't know what that could be, but something tells me the world could be very different now." He glanced away, thinking. "Well, one thing's for sure. It's not very likely that GAIA would have been formed. When I went to Antarctica, it was to fight Zechs in another battle. What if I had fought him? And one of us had been killed? Or if Treize Khushrenada hadn't done what he did to help overturn Romefeller's policies because of GAIA?" He glanced back. "What then, Quatre?"

"Something terrible...?" Just repeating Heero's words sent a chill through Quatre. [Why would he think that? What could've happened?] He remembered how distraught Zechs had been as his captive in Cairo. His desperation had been more than a lover wanting to be believed. [What might he have been capable of on his own? He was leaving OZ when he met Duo...] Quatre shook his head, the whole idea unnerving him. "Why are you thinking about this, Heero?" he asked in a pleading, trembling voice. "We can't live by the what ifs. Zechs is happy with Duo... things are good. Peace is coming!"

[Damn, now I've upset Quatre!] Heero scolded himself, then hastily replied, "Of course, you're right, Quatre, forgive me!" Now it was his turn to reach and touch the other's arm. "There's no use contemplating what might have been. I'll deal with my feeling. And no matter what the reason, I'll help Zechs and Duo any way I can. They should be together just like you and Trowa should be together... always!"

"Thank you," Quatre said with a little smile. Then he lowered his head as he calmed himself and thought of Trowa and all the things that Heero had said. [We all have someone... Heero needs someone, too.] "I'm sorry," he said at last, lifting his eyes to look into the other boy's eyes. "You have a right to your feelings, Heero. I shouldn't have said that." He put his hand over his heart as tears welled in his eyes. "Your caring for the relationships around you is very touching. You are quite remarkable." [And I could learn a thing or two from you.]

Heero looked away quickly and took his hand back, embarrassed by the other's words and tears. "Don't be ridiculous, you said nothing wrong," he muttered, getting up out of his chair, which teetered until he righted it. "And there's nothing special about me," he added, then drained his soda and moved to throw the container away. "I just see that you guys are stronger because of your partners, that's all. Not everyone can have that or even needs it."

The feeling of discomfort radiating from Heero slammed into Quatre, leaving him a little bruised mentally and confused. [He wants to get close to someone, I know it... he's just unsure of his own feelings. If only Trowa were here. He'd know what to say to him.] "Heero," the blond boy persisted, although timidly, "I do think you're special. We all do." He wanted to say more, explain how he believed everyone needed to be loved, but he was afraid that would make Heero bolt from the room for sure.

"You do?" Heero whispered, though half to himself as if he'd spoken a thought aloud. Before Quatre could respond though, he had the door open as he murmured a little more audibly, "Excuse me, I need to see Howard about something." Then he pushed off and was gone, sailing down the hall, Quatre's words ringing in his head.

Quatre was left staring at the empty doorway and wondering if Heero would ever let anyone in.

Chapter 6

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