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"Regained "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, masturbation, angst, violence,
language Pairings: 6x2, 3x4, mention of 13+11, R+1 Summary: Sequel to Interfacing: Lost. GAIA, the
new alliance, fights its first battle in Antarctica; Duo and Zechs
begin to rebuild their relationship "Regained" Chapter 14
Duo nodded a tentative greeting in return, studying the other boy. //What's he still doing here in Antarctica if he's not going to join us?// Zechs gestured for Heero to come to his desk and sit at the computer terminal. "You have a call, Heero," he replied, moving over to sit beside Duo away from the screen. "If you would, please do not mention me. You may turn on that switch when you're ready." //Did Silvia track me down here? Or, no...// "Who is this?" he asked Zechs, scowling still. "The Princess of Sank, actually," Zechs replied, sighing. "Duo tells me you know her - Relena Peacecraft? We're trying to convince her not to come here. She says she has a letter for you." Heero inadvertently stood up again. "Relena... Peacecraft?" Then he remembered what the name Peacecraft was. "She's... she's your sister?" Zechs would not look at him, pretending to be more interested in straightening the cuffs of his coat. "Yes, but she doesn't know who I am. I want to keep it that way." Raising one heavy dark eyebrow in suspicion, Heero made a mental note to grill Zechs later about his secrecy toward his sister. But Duo was in the room, already glaring at him... and Relena was evidently waiting on the other end. //Damn, I hate mysteries... later...// "Fine," he said at last. "I'll keep your secret." He sank back down in his chair. "Thank you," Zechs murmured, relaxing. He didn't care what else Heero said to the girl, as long as she didn't come here and bring all of OZ down on them with her. Heero flipped open the transmission switch. The screen flickered, then the image of Relena came on the screen. He frowned at it. "Heero, you're alive!" the girl exclaimed delightedly. "I'm so glad!" Duo clapped a hand over his mouth to suppress a sudden guffaw while Zechs bowed his head to hide his expression. Heero frowned all the more. "What is it, Relena?" he asked, hoping he sounded somewhat civil. "Oh, Heero, I just wanted to see you, why is that such a terrible thing?" Relena sighed with a bit of a pout, then straightened, growing more serious. "I have a letter here I must share with you. It's from Mrs. Noventa." Heero's eyes actually widened. "Mrs.... Noventa?" "Yes, it tells you how you must live your life from now on, Heero," Relena persisted, making a show of opening up some pages that were folded together. "Please listen carefully, Heero. It's very important." //Right,// Heero thought, irritated. //Everything is critical to Relena...// "I'm listening," he muttered. Relena gave him a bit of a look, then started reading. "'Dear Heero Yuy: I was very surprised by the suddenness of your visit. So, I couldn't convey what I was thinking very well. That is why I am writing this letter. Don't suffer from the regret of your mistake in the battle. Noventa and Vente died in order to create a world for pure young people like you to live in peace. No regrets. This is war. Everybody regrets their own mistakes. However, you are still young. Think about a peaceful future. We were very glad to see you. I hope that peaceful future will come soon.' It's signed by Mrs. Noventa." //Wow, Mrs. Noventa totally forgives him,// Duo thought, his heart warmed by the woman's gesture. //And Relena went to all this trouble to let Heero know...// The kindness of these women made Duo realize what a shit he'd been to Heero recently. //Maybe it's not such a big deal that he didn't thank me... If Mrs. Noventa can forgive him for killing her husband, then I should be able to forget how he's acted in the past.// //Relena went to all this trouble just to give this letter to Heero... amazing,// Zechs was thinking. //What is there between them, I wonder? I can't imagine Heero Yuy showing warmth to much of anyone, even my energetic little sister... but it's clear she thinks very highly of him. And the Noventas evidently were bowled over by his humility as well. Why is he so cold to Duo, I wonder? Just because of how they met?// //No regrets... this is war... glad to see you... peaceful future...// The words settled into Heero's mind and heart... and he looked across the room to where the other two pilots sat. Relena's brother with a mysterious story of his own, apparently leaving OZ behind to pursue... peace? Duo Maxwell, with Quatre, teaming up with the ace pilot to offer... what, a viable alternative to OZ? Did they think they could attract more from OZ to join them? How did they think this alliance was actually going to work? Then he noted how close Zechs and Duo were sitting. Their chairs were such that their knees were all but touching. //Peaceful futures... that's what we all want... isn't it?// Heero mused, studying their knees abstractedly. "Heero?" Relena asked, jolting him out of his reverie. "Do you understand what she is trying to tell you, Heero?" He glanced at the screen again. "I think so. I shouldn't regret what I've done in the past. But it remains that someone has to fight to create that peaceful future, Relena. I will keep fighting for that day." "I hear... that there are others there where you are who are working to build peace, too," Relena murmured, tilting her head a little to study his expression. "Are you going to join them, Heero?" "I don't know yet what I'll do," Heero muttered. "Things are different now." "Oh, I see," Relena replied, not seeing at all. "Are you there with Colonel Zechs? I was told he is now working for peace as well. I heard he was a knight of the Sank Kingdom and I was wondering if I could talk to him." Duo looked over at Zechs. The man was understandably sad. //But why is he still hiding from his sister?// he wondered. Heero glanced up briefly, but Zechs was shaking his head. "Sorry, but he's not available." Relena frowned. //Well, I guess they're all busy, anyway...// "Is Lieutenant Noin there also?" "Yes, she's here, too." //And that's all you need to know...// Across the room Zechs stood suddenly and approached the desk, coming to stand far to the side so he could see the image on the screen but Relena would not be able to see him. //Little sister... how you've grown...// He felt an internal twinge at seeing his only close blood relative. //I've missed so much of your growing up... and I must miss more yet...// "I'm glad," Relena responded, sighing. "Well, I've also been told that I'd be endangering things if I come there. OZ is monitoring our aircraft, so perhaps we'd better lead them on a merry chase just for the fun of it." She gave Heero a smirk. "Do please consider joining up with these people, Heero. As they're apparently now opposing OZ, you and they have a common enemy. Perhaps you can all help each other now." Heero nodded curtly. "I'll gather all the information I can and make a decision. That's all I can promise." //I don't get why he won't trust us,// Duo thought and shook his head. He looked at Zechs then, who was intent on the computer monitor. //Poor Zechs... Just wanting a glimpse of his sister.// "Well. If there's anything I can do to help the new alliance, just let me know." Relena gave the reticent boy a long, wondering look, then added, "Good-bye, Heero. I know we'll see each other again." //Heh. I bet you will,// Duo thought with a small grin. //Oh, great...// Heero mused. "Perhaps. Thank you for the letter." "Oh, no problem!" Relena said brightly, relieved to have gotten some civility out of the pilot. "See ya!" The screen went dark. Zechs bowed his head momentarily as Heero stood up. "I haven't seen her in four years..." he murmured quietly. He stepped back and leaned against the credenza, crossing his arms over his chest. Heero came out from behind the desk as Duo now stood, also. "And I've seen way too much of her since I landed on this planet. She found me on the beach when I washed up after you threw me in the ocean with that Leo, Zechs." "I see," Zechs murmured, stifling a chuckle. "Amazing." He glanced over at Duo and gave him a wink. Duo grinned back at the handsome blond, but kept his mouth shut. "Well, I don't know where she got all her information, but at least she's not going to come here now to mess things up," Heero muttered, missing the non-verbal exchange between the other pilots. Then he glanced back at Zechs. "I need to get back to my Gundam." "Of course," the older pilot responded. Heero stood there awkwardly for a moment. //So... what's Duo doing here anyway? Not that I care... Is he just planning to be in my face as much as possible until I apologize for something? What's going on between him and Zechs?// No answers for those questions were forthcoming either, so he just gritted his teeth and went for a polite but hasty exit. "Duo... Zechs... later." "Yeah, later... Heero," Duo said with a snicker. Zechs just gestured good-bye with a wave of the hand. Heero turned on a heel and left to return to the new but comfortable confines of his Gundam cockpit. When the door had shut, Zechs went immediately to lock it again, then turned back to Duo, crossing his arms over his chest. "Gee, who do you think will drive Heero crazy first? Me or Relena?" Duo asked with a laugh, stretching his arms over and then behind his head. "You, totally," Zechs murmured, watching his little lover stretch languidly like a cat. The vision was serving to warm him up again. "She's out of the picture now, anyway, thanks to someone I won't mention." As he spoke, his gaze traveled up and down the lithe length of the younger pilot. "Surely you're not really interested in talking about Heero or Relena?" "Well, we are alone now and the door's locked," Duo said with a smirk. "Which means we can say anything we like about them and they'll never know." He laughed at his teasing remark, and then maneuvered himself up onto the arm of the chair. "What could possibly be more interesting than that?" he asked with a wink. "Talking." One white eyebrow went up in disbelief, though a sly smile was still on the man's lips. "We're alone, the door's locked, and you want to gossip." //I missed these games,// Zechs thought, then unfolded his arms. Holding Duo's saucy gaze, he removed the long, gray coat, hanging it up beside the door, then took a couple steps closer, folding his arms again. "Okay, little fox, talk away!" //Call your bluff? No problem!// "Hey!" Duo shouted in protest, though he was pleased with Zechs's good humor. "We're alone... the door's locked... and you want to stand there listening to me talk?" He barely suppressed a laugh, enjoying this interplay so much. //Oh, this is great. My Wolf is back!// With a sweet, near silly smile on his face, he took in the view of that spectacular man standing before him... strong and virile and waiting. "That's it," he said, giving in to his need. "Absolutely no talking." And with that he stood up and went to Zechs, wrapping his arms around him. "I was hoping you'd come to your senses," Zechs murmured with a smirk, wrapping one arm around Duo's back. With his free hand he tipped the boy's face up to his, holding his chin. His thumb brushed over Duo's lips as he gazed warmly into the cobalt blue eyes. "You do so much for me, Dancer. I do need you close like this... closer..." He bent briefly to brush his lips over Duo's, then breathed against his cheek like before, "Credenza..." A warm rush traveled through Duo's body... settling in his face and groin. "Oh, God, I had no idea credenzas could be so much fun," he said with a wicked grin. He pulled back then, slowly extricating himself from the embrace, stepping backwards until he and Zechs had parted fully. "Meet me there?" he asked, again playfully. He moved over to the credenza where he hopped back onto it... leaving his legs apart in invitation. "Come to me, Wolf... please." Zechs regarded the offering with a small smile, leaning his weight back on one foot. //I'm the base commander... I should be supervising mobile suit repairs or doing paperwork, or helping Noin discover exactly how big the search party is... hell, Meiser can do that just fine, there isn't any paperwork yet, I think, and Noin is a big girl...// His mouth curved in a decidedly predatorial grin. "Wolf needs his fox," he murmured in a low voice, and stripped off his pullover sweater and cravat. He laid them to the side on the credenza and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, stepping within the space offered. "It's a little... warm in here..." Then he laughed and circled his little lover with his arms, diving in to worry at the skin of Duo's neck with his lips. "Wolf," Duo said with a gasp as the velvet touch of lips covered his neck. He had never met anyone as sensual and beautiful as Zechs. What other man could arouse such feelings in him just by taking off his sweater and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt... barely exposing any skin? //Only Zechs,// Duo thought with a smile. He wriggled then, maneuvering out his black jacket while still in the man's arms. "It certainly is warm in here," he said and chuckled. When the black jacket was laid on top of the sweater, Zechs clasped the back of Duo's head with his hand, filtering through the root of the braid, then pulled back to expose the boy's neck more to him. But the man straightened, looking before returning his attentions. "The marks are still there... from that morning..." Reverently he bent to kiss one, tilting Duo's head back even more. When he straightened yet again, he brought his other hand up to touch one of the marks, stroking it thoughtfully. "Admiring your handiwork?" Duo asked. He felt a delicious shiver tear through him to have his head tilted back so possessively to be examined by his lover. //I wonder when he'll reclaim me... but I can never let him know that I was ashamed of these marks for a time. That I tried to scrub them off in the shower after...// "Yep, they're real beauties!" he laughed, pushing aside the remorse that had crept into his mind. "Yes..." Zechs murmured barely above a whisper. His eyes slid away from the sight of the marks. //When he thought I'd raped him, he must have hated these... of course he's not going to admit that now...// He diverted the topic slightly. "Three days ago... amazing. And when I think of how I didn't know you existed less than two weeks ago... I simply cannot believe it." "Three days ago... is that all?" Duo asked softly, dipping his head a little to try to meet those blue, blue eyes. He was gently caressing the man's hips with his hands as he spoke. "The planets must have aligned just right for us to meet." Zechs shook his head. "Too much to dwell on," he said quietly. "I'd rather love you than lose time to worrying about the planets or what was or what might have been." //Like my life if I'd never found you... I'd be running alone from OZ, possibly dead already...// Sighing, he descended to Duo's mouth, no hesitation this time, no twinges, only the need in him to kiss his lover deeply to show his love as his arm tightened around him, the other hand closing around the top of the braid. "Mmmm," Duo moaned, melting into the man's embrace. The kiss made him dizzy in its cleansing strength and the powerful realization that Zechs wanted him and could kiss him again. //He didn't even hesitate,] Duo thought with glee. His hands went up the strong back, pulling his lover to him, not wanting this kiss to end... ever... and letting his mouth fall open to deepen their intimacy. //Zechs, my love. Thank you for coming back to me...// //This is Dancer, my sweet, loving Dancer,// Zechs thought, relaxing fluidly into the kiss, pulling his lover closer, fitting him tight against his body where he belonged. //You're saving my heart again...// But even as he kissed Duo deeply, tangling tongues with him avidly, he knew in the back of his mind that tomorrow morning he and Duo Maxwell would be fighting OZ side by side in their terrible machines of war. Duo... a soldier... just like himself... He thought for the very first time that he might like that... fighting with an equal who piloted one of those marvelous Gundams... his lover! Zechs had seen videos of Gundam 02 in action. The pilot of the Gundam Deathscythe showed no hesitation in hacking enemy suits in half with that awesome thermal scythe, truly a mechanical Grim Reaper sending the poor souls to a kinder eternity than life on this sad plane. Was that how the "God of Death" saw his purpose in war? //I think way, *way* too much!// Zechs told himself abruptly, shaking off the reverie. //I don't want to think about tomorrow!// Concentrating instead on loving and on keeping their hearts light, Zechs waited for an opportunity to try something he'd never done to Duo before. Then his chance came; Duo's tongue slipped eagerly into the older man's mouth. Trying not to smile, for that would ruin what he wanted to do, Zechs caught his lover's tongue for a brief second with his lips and sucked on it. He felt the shock rush through the slender body in his arms and when the tongue flicked back into its proper place, he smiled and withdrew from the kiss. "What was that?" Duo asked, bewildered and thrilled all at once. //He's certainly comfortable. Maybe I can make a move soon,// he thought. His eyes were wide with Zechs's new lesson and the man's playfulness. "First that fantastic kiss, and then that tongue sucking. Wow!" he exclaimed with a bright smile. "That..." Zechs whispered with a sigh, "was your Wolf needing to taste his little fox." He kissed the boy's cheek then laid his against it for a moment. Then he reached down to pull Duo's legs up around his hips; immediately his lover responded by eagerly hooking his legs around Zechs's waist. With a low groan deep in his throat, the man slipped his hands under Duo's ass to bring his groin up against his own. "And this is your Wolf needing to feel you," he added breathily against Duo's ear. "Do you feel how much I want you?" "Yes, Wolf," Duo said, breathing faster. Oh, he could definitely feel it. Those large hands cupping his ass and their hard cocks pressed together. "Your Dancer wants you, too. Wants to feel his Wolf's need..." he said, grinding against that solid bulge in the man's slacks. //He's so fucking gorgeous!// Of course, the fact that they were in Zechs's office, secretly getting it on, while everyone else on the base was busy with their duties only added to Duo's arousal. He reached his hand up into platinum hair... tugging on it... urging his lover down. "Need you, Wolf," he said before he covered the man's mouth with his own in another hungry kiss. Careful not to break the kiss, Zechs growled in his throat and tipped Duo back so that he supported him at the small of his back. The effect of this was to align their cocks; now, still tongue-tangled, he began to thrust up against Duo's groin in little movements. A shiver shuddered through him as he realized things had gotten very sexual, and Zechs had to remember their earlier discussion. //I just can't... not yet... I can't do *that*...// But obviously his body was telling him there was a lot else he could and *would* do. Duo hung on with all his strength, arms and legs wrapped tightly around his lover, as he burned for the man with each thrust against him. He groaned into the kiss that became more fierce as their bodies rubbed again and again. //Feels so good...// There had always been chemistry between them. Even before they had met they were masturbating together online, but this time it seemed they were releasing pent up emotions from the last few days, emotions that had ranged from rage to deep love and were now materializing as intense passion. There could be no doubt they needed each other badly, but Duo was content to let his Zechs set the pace... //Whatever you want, Wolf... I'm yours.// Abruptly Zechs broke the kiss, gasping, then he tilted Duo back so that the wall behind him supported him, enabling the older man to bring one hand forward. It settled on the waistband of Duo's pants for a second, then Zechs was opening up Duo's jeans, still breathing hard. "Zechs," Duo gasped, swallowing, trying to breathe, and swallowing again. His heart was pounding, his head spinning... and now his lover was taking things even further. He thought of asking Zechs if he was sure about this. Up until a few moments ago, the man had been hesitant to do anything and now he was moving with lightning speed. But Duo remained silent, watching, waiting... hoping. Zechs found himself inexplicably fumbling with Duo's zipper, then gasped as he suddenly couldn't breathe. //What is happening... oh, no...// In an eyeblink he found himself leaning full against Duo, his head beside the boy's, forehead touching the cool brick of the wall behind Duo. He clutched Duo to him as he fought to get his breath, fought to forestall the panic beginning to sweep through his body. //Can't breathe... won't let go...// "Wolf!" Duo said, as he suppressed a sob, but couldn't stop the guilt that washed through him. //All my fault... Why did I have to believe the worst?// he asked himself, remembering the terrible scene in the hotel. The boy clung to his lover, his eyes wide now with the realization that yes, this had been too much, too soon, too fast for the man. "Zechs, love," he cooed, and began petting the man's back, feeling the tension, the slight trembling there. "It's okay... just breathe... Zechs... it's okay," he said, repeating the calming words over and over again. //Please don't panic on me...// Holding tightly to Duo, Zechs gradually got his breathing back under control, his heart calming finally. He let the loving murmurs and touches wash through him, steadying him, putting quiet back in his mind and spirit. Gradually he relaxed, though a new tension took up residence. //I'm so weak... and I've let him down terribly,// he thought, grimacing. //But I love him so desperately...// Releasing a last sob, Zechs turned his head into the thick mass of chestnut satin for a moment, breathing deeply, then the man began to lay tiny, heartfelt kisses along Duo's hairline, ear, and cheek. "Thank you," he said simply when he could speak. "Love you... Mmmm," Duo moaned, as he accepted the kisses with a little grin. "We did just fine," he said, and continued to caress the man's back as he slowly released his legs and sank back down to the credenza. It was a little sad having to give up some of their intimacy, but they were still holding each other, Zechs continued to kiss him, and the boy's legs were still wrapped loosely around the man's thighs. "It was really great being in your arms again... like that. You're so amazing... You know that?" Zechs was still hiding his face against Duo's hair, still holding him firmly against him. "You make it sound like I'm going to let you go any moment," he muttered, the sound a little muffled. "I have no intention of doing that." He pressed another kiss to Duo's temple, then added, a different tone in his voice, "Why would you say I'm amazing? I'm pathetically weak and just proved it." Duo turned his head to look into the man's pained eyes. He really had thought this little encounter was over, but was glad to hear that Zechs wasn't ready for it to end... just yet. However, there was another matter to be addressed. "Why are you talking like that?" Duo asked, stopping his ministrations and bringing his hands around to the man's chest. "What just happened... or didn't happen has nothing to do with weakness or strength. You're recovering from a terrible shock and *I'm* the one who caused it!" He leaned back further, and reached up to hold Zechs's chin to be sure the man wouldn't look away. "You are amazing to me... though you have been acting like a martyr lately. You're taking on the responsibility of our relationship and this alliance all on your own. I'm in this, too, you know. I'm your partner in this," Duo said, moving his hand to caress the man's cheek. "You'll never be weak in my eyes, Zechs. You're a beautiful, powerful man... who's under a lot of stress right now." He stopped talking then, and pulled Zechs back into a warm embrace. "I love you." The sweet, supportive words, revealing his little lover's confidence in him, made Zechs's throat tighten with emotion, and he couldn't speak for a moment. Then he lost the chance to say anything as there was abruptly an insistent knock on the door of the office. His brows narrowed in frustration; Zechs wanted for all the world to break these fears of his without delay and let the world take care of itself, but apparently the world had other ideas... and he was responsible for a lot of people here at Barclay Base now. Zechs pressed his lips together in a line, then he kissed Duo on the temple. "Let me get that, love. Please, stay put?" "You bet," Duo grinned, and ran his hand down the man's arm; his fingers gliding over the fine material. "As long as you're coming back." "Short of the search party's arrival or the end of the world, I'll be right back," Zechs replied, giving Duo a wink. He turned then to answer the door.
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