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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 19
Zechs sucked his breath in sharply and gently pulled his hair from Duo's teasing fingers. "And sometime I will indulge you in this, love, but not any more tonight, I don't think," he admitted reluctantly, collecting Duo into his arms and bending to reverently kiss the same love bite mark with a soft press of his lips to take away the sting of his words. He hated to deny Duo anything, but if he didn't stop now, he might not be able to later. The battle tomorrow morning weighed heavily enough on his mind. "We're fighting tomorrow and really need to get some sleep. But don't think I don't have plans for your hair in the near future myself." "And I have plans for yours," Duo said, teasing. //He's tired,// he thought and pulled out of the embrace a little to look at his lover. The whites of his eyes were red with fatigue from the stress of the last few days. Sleeping on the couch in Duo's room the night before probably hadn't helped either. In sympathy, Duo pretended to be tired also, though he was far from it. He faked a wide, noisy yawn and then snuggled back into the man's arms. "We could both use a good night's rest." Gratefully, Zechs hugged the slender body close to his. "Thanks for understanding, love. Consider this a raincheck on... hair play." "Mmm... long, glorious hair," Duo said with a smile, breathing in the warm scent of the man. Images of endless lengths of platinum hair covering his body filled his mind and he sighed happily. "I'll look forward to that." Zechs kissed Duo's hair and forehead, enjoying for a moment the boy's weight against his body. //Night... and I'm not surprised that at this moment I can't bear the thought of not sleeping with him. Last night was hard enough. If it's not too much a risk... I just really want him close. Just... to have him here...// "Can I ask a silly question now?" "Hmm? That's not possible," Duo snorted, completely blissful being held so lovingly in Zechs's arms. "I can't imagine you ever saying anything silly to me," he laughed. One long, aquiline nose rubbed playfully against the shorter, pert one. "You'd be surprised. I was wondering if you had anything you could sleep in... in your bag." Not sure how his lover would take that, Zechs drew back to look at his eyes. "It might be a good idea if we both wear something to bed tonight." Blinking, Duo opened his mouth to respond and then clamped it shut. //Think before you speak, Maxwell.// "Um... yeah," he said, looking at Zechs with curious eyes. "I usually sleep in an oversized t-shirt. It says 'blonds have more fun' on the front... I know. Don't ask," he said and chuckled. //And what do you usually wear, Zechs?// "But do you mind telling me why we're discussing pajamas?" Zechs looked deep into his lover's eyes, hoping to communicate all his love and how much he treasured Duo. "Because, little fox," he said very seriously, "If there aren't a couple layers of fabric between us tonight, something is likely to happen that I know I'm not emotionally ready for yet." "O...kay," Duo said, slowly. "I see... about the layers... but... " //Is he saying what I hope he's saying? That he wants me here, in his bed, tonight?// The young man's heart began to pound, blood rushing to his ears. //Shit! But I can't ask him if that's what he's saying. What if I misunderstood? Then he'll think I'm pushing again.// "Sure," Duo said, finally, though he wasn't certain what he was agreeing to. //He's hesitating... Maybe I'm asking too much of him...// "Unless," Zechs added softly, "you think that it would be too much if we slept together. I was hoping... do you think you could sleep with me... like that?" //Please tell me you can handle it, Duo. Please...// Unconsciously he stroked Duo's braid and back, wanting, needing to soothe him. In a flurry, Duo pulled Zechs into a fierce hug. "Oh, man, would that be great! Zechs, I'd love that." He held tight for a few seconds - excitement tingling through his entire being. //I don't know what I did right...// Relief flooded through the older man. //I can't believe how I got so dependent on having his warm little body snuggled up against mine so quickly, but the fact is that I slept so soundly in Cairo... when we did sleep...// "Oh, good, me, too." Finally, Duo released his hold enough to give Zechs some needed air, and himself a chance to look at his lover. "I was dreading going back to my room," he started to explain, his eyes bright with anticipation. "And there's no way I was going to let you sleep on a couch again tonight. So, this will be just great. And you don't have to worry about me... I can behave myself," he said, smiling from ear to ear. "Really I can." "Okay, okay," Zechs replied, smiling back easily. "And I'm very glad I don't have to sleep on a couch anymore! Thanks... I won't worry, then. It will just be so good to have you close, Duo. I need that. Tonight... and every night." "Every night? Zechs, that's... just what I need, too," Duo said, his eyes getting watery again, but he was determined not to cry anymore tonight. He leaned forward and gave Zechs the softest of kisses and then whispered on his lips, "Thank you." "You're welcome," Zechs answered in the same way, then kissed Duo's lips lightly. "This soldier needs the comfort of his lover the pilot." He smiled warmly, then kissed Duo more deeply, loving his mouth with lips and tongue. That tongue, that kiss was incredible. Duo completely melted into it, feeling a rush of warmth and love. //Zechs, I love when you kiss me this way.// The kiss ended as sweetly as it began with another light press of lips. "Should I go get my sleepwear now?" Duo asked, his eyes still closed, and his body still humming from Zechs's attentions. "Mmmmm," Zechs purred in his ear, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He rubbed his cheek against Duo's, smiling. Finally his lover's words registered. "Oh... I suppose so, but don't leave me for long. Need you here..." He pressed yet another kiss to the boy's cheek, gentle and tender, then reluctantly opened his arms. A warm smile reached all the way from Duo's lips to his eyes as he listened to his lover. //It's so good to hear him talk like that.// He squeezed the man's hand. "I'll hurry back," he said and then scooted off the bed. Not bothering to put on his boots, since his room was only a few doors down, he went to the door to leave, and then stopped. He froze as his hand held the doorknob... a memory suddenly flashing in his mind. //Cairo... that morning when I left the hotel room. It was just like this. Oh, no!// Duo turned back sharply, sending his braid swishing, to look at Zechs who was still sitting on the bed. "Zechs..." he started to say, and then feeling panicked by the memory, he ran back over to the bed, diving into the man's arms. "Duo! What... what is it?" Zechs asked worriedly, pulling Duo tight against him and firmly into his lap. "I'm here, baby, I love you... what's wrong?" His heart began to pound. //Something is causing him to panic...// "It's... it's just like that morning before I went to the fruit market," Duo said hesitantly, his face buried in his lover's hair with eyes tightly closed and arms firmly around him. [Why am I letting this get to me? I'm not normally this skittish.] But the fear of reliving that terrible morning coursed through him. His mind raced ahead... seeing himself go out into the hall on a simple errand and then bumping into Quatre who would tell him some terrible news that would shatter his relationship with Zechs permanently. "I just need a minute, Zechs," he whispered into the man's ear, believing that this embrace and extra minute would dampen his fears. "Just hold me for a minute... please." "Take all the time you need," Zechs whispered softly, pressing kisses to the top of his little lover's head. "I'm here, nothing's going to happen, not to us, not now, baby. I've got you..." He continued whispering little reassurances, holding tight to his trembling love. //What made him think of *that*?// "Man, I think if I went into the hall right now and saw Quatre I'd break his nose," Duo said, once again feeling resentment toward his friend's "well intentioned" interference. "Do you see it, Zechs?" he asked, pulling back to look into the man's ice blue eyes. "This is exactly how it happened that morning... I said I'd be right back and you were sitting on the bed..." Duo shook his head, knowing how foolish he sounded, but he'd never been afraid of anything until he'd lost Zechs. And now that he had him back he wasn't going to take any chances. He was staying put... at least for a few minutes... to let the demons who might be lurking in the hall, pass. Zechs looked deep into Duo's pained gaze, his heart aching for his anguish. "Then you're not going out into the hall," he said solemnly. "You're wearing something of mine to bed. You can go back to your room to get your bag later or I can get it for you." //He must think I'm a child.// "Thanks, but I'm feeling much better now," Duo said, and began to squirm to ease his way off the man's lap. "I'll just jog on down the hall and grab my things..." Two long, strong arms tightened. "No, Duo, please..." Zechs shifted minutely so he was hugging Duo from behind, his forearms folded over his lover's chest. "Don't..." he breathed into his ear, then nibbled on his earlobe a little. "You mean you wouldn't like sleeping in some big, comfy shirt of mine?" Coming out of the room that he was hoping to share with Trowa, Quatre went in search of some ice. Perhaps because he was a desert dweller he was always yearning for something cold to drink. But tonight, he had a more playful use in mind for the ice. //I wonder if it's true? That ice cubes rubbed on nipples is very erotic,// the little blond Arab thought as he headed towards the kitchenette at the end of the hall. When he passed Zechs's room, he paused in his stride to look at it. //I wonder if Duo's in there? Have they shacked up again...? That'd be nice,// he thought and then continued on his way. Goosebumps formed all over Duo's arms and neck from his lover's words and lips to his ear. "Oh..." he said, shivering. "When you put it like that how could I refuse?" He leaned back into Zechs's chest, letting his head fall onto the man's shoulder. "Heh, I don't know what I was worried about. I bet Quatre's too busy kissing the stuffing out of Trowa to be wandering the halls." "You're right, of course he is," Zechs murmured, smiling at the shared image. "Hmmm, maybe that's what I should have done to keep you from bolting just now. Missed a golden opportunity!" He nuzzled his face against the thick chestnut hair, really enjoying just sitting and chatting with his Dancer wrapped so snugly against him. //When things heat back up, I don't know how much of this we'll have time to do.// "Yep, you sure missed it!" Duo said, teasing a bit. He loved the feel of Zechs nuzzling his hair... doing anything with his hair... the physical characteristic that had brought them together before they knew anything else about each other. "Now, tell me, love," he continued, petting the arms around him. "What exactly are you going to have me wearing tonight? I'm not playing dress-up you know... I'm too old and too much boy for that!" he snorted happily. Zechs pressed a kiss against his hair, then loosened his tight hold on his lover. "Well, I'm not sure... There are the red silk pajamas that Noin gave me once on my birthday to tease me." He chuckled to himself, then hastily added, "I tell you what, you pick something from my closet." "Whoa... back up. Red silk pajamas!" Duo said, chuckling, though he was already imagining the platinum blond in the sexy sleepwear. //Damn, I'd love to see that!// He wriggled out of Zechs's embrace and stood before him. "Aren't *you* going to be wearing those tonight? I've never seen you in pajamas before..." "I've never worn them," Zechs admitted, grinning. "And the last thing I was interested in wearing in bed in Cairo - if anything - was pajamas. Normally I sleep in a short robe if I want to have something on my shoulders, or boxer-type shorts... or nothing." He leaned back on the bed on his elbows, giving his head a little toss to send a shower of platinum hair backwards. "I think I may go with the short robe tonight. The heating system is pretty good here, but it is Antarctica. It can get drafty." //Man, just look at him! He's driving me crazy... I wanna jump his bones and make love to him all night!// After Duo stopped gaping at Zechs, who was lounging so seductively on the bed, he turned away using great self-control and headed over to the closet. "You sure you want me rifling through your things?" he asked, placing his hand on the closet door, but not opening it. Part of him was a little wary of what he might find... trinkets from a past lover or some other part of Zechs's life past or present that he might not want to know. "Rifle away," Zechs replied cheerfully, sitting up again, then slowly rising to a standing position. "I only have one stipulation, however..." He used his fingers to comb out his hair a little, yawning as he sauntered over. "Don't worry," Duo said, as he let his eyes rake over the handsome man approaching him. "I'm not going to try on all your clothes." He chuckled and then added, "besides I'm sure they'll be too big." //Not that I mind how large you are. How very, deliciously large you are... Mmmm.// Zechs reached over Duo from behind and slid open the door of the closet. The first thing apparent as it was in the center and very *red*, was Zechs's OZ uniform jacket. He put a hand on Duo's shoulder as they beheld the closet contents together. "You're just not wearing my uniform to bed, that's all," he replied with evident mirth, then reached past Duo to snag a short, kimono-style robe in pale blue edged with navy. "This is what I'm wearing." "Hey, no problem... I've never been one to wear a uniform anyway," Duo said agreeably. //Though I wouldn't mind you wearing it to bed...// Then the young man's eyes were distracted from the red jacket to a fluttering of blue silk. "Ooooh, very nice," he said, admiring the robe that was very nearly the color of his lover's eyes. He licked his lips in anticipation... Zechs would look very good in that kimono. Returning his attention to the contents of the closet, Duo now concentrated on finding something just as tantalizing to wear. He swept his hand over the uniform... just because... and then began to look more closely at the closet full of mostly civilian attire. Zechs certainly had good taste, but when did he have the time to arrange his personal belongings so carefully? With such military precision? "You're so... organized," he said, laughing a little. "I guess I haven't kept you busy enough if you found time to organize your closet." By now, Zechs's fingers had closed around Duo's braid, and he was idly fingering it as Duo looked the closet over. "Hmmm, well, let's just say that I had plenty of time cooling my heels in Lake Victoria to organize my closet. I had nothing to do with the fact that an overzealous underling with too much time on *his* hands chose to reproduce the contents of my quarters to such detail that when I reached for my soap in the shower, it was right where I expected it to be." Zechs's expression darkened for a moment. "You see what I've had to put up with. That kind of attention I don't desire in the least." //Overzealous underling? Could he mean... Bronn?// Duo turned to face his lover, grinning as he noticed the man was holding his braid. Unfortunately he didn't feel like teasing Zechs about it right now... he was somewhat more preoccupied with the green-eyed monster... jealousy. "Zechs..." he said tentatively. "Are you referring to Bronn Sangers?" The ice-blue eyes widened, flashed. Internally, a flush of resentment rose in him, thinking that Bronn Sangers had had no right to make such a pointed statement to Zechs by his attention to detail and that little scene in the office earlier in the day. //I have no will to hide anything from Duo,// he mused. //This can't possibly be worse than telling him about Treize Khushrenada being our ally.// "Yes," he replied simply, watching Duo's expression carefully. "I see," Duo said, leaning back against the closet's doorjamb with his hands behind his back. His braid hung suspended between him and Zechs as the man still held onto it like a fishing line. Uneasy about the direction he knew their conversation needed to take, Duo looked down at the carpeted floor. //I don't want to hear Zechs say it, but I think we'd better talk about it.// "Noin and I spoke for quite awhile today. She was very curious about me, but I also learned a thing or two from her..." //Oh, shit, here it comes... Noin, what the hell did you say to him?// Zechs wondered, seeing all too clearly that this conversation was going exactly where he feared it was going. Very softly, he said in a low voice, "I see you are going to ask... and if you do, I will tell you." He wished he could pull Duo in with the braid, hold him again, but it wasn't quite time yet. It was time for this. //Does that mean it's true?// Duo wondered, pursing his lips to prevent a rush of unguarded words as his jealousy surged. He looked up at Zechs from under heavy chestnut bangs, just gazing at the man, stalling a bit. He needed to talk about this... if only a little... but it was so hard. //God, there could be others here besides Bronn. Zechs is so beautiful... he could have anyone he wanted.// "Quatre was the one who noticed," Duo said, pushing off the doorjamb and turning again to find something to wear. //Why do I feel so jealous? I don't own him.// "He picked up on some strong feelings and warned me... and Noin only confirmed my suspicions." //What is he talking about? Quatre noticed what? And Noin and I need to have a talk,// Zechs thought with consternation, frowning at the back of Duo's head. The younger man stopped his search for sleepwear when he found the red silk pajamas Zechs had mentioned earlier. He pulled the shirt from its hanger and, holding it in his hands, turned back to Zechs. "I just never expected to run into any of... the others," Duo said, with a little smirk and a shrug, trying to pass it off as nothing. And then swallowing hard, he looked into Zechs's eyes and finally asked, "Tell me, Zechs... was Bronn Sangers your lover?" Zechs gently returned the braid to lie along Duo's back again, and then rested both his hands on Duo's shoulders, looking down into his wide, wondering eyes, his own gaze tender. "No, Duo, Bronn and I were never lovers. That's not a term I would use. I was seventeen... and my hormones were fairly raging. We were sex partners for a short time, a couple months, but I ended it firmly when it was clear that was all it was going to be. There was no emotion in it, no true feelings. It was... intense, but only on a physical level." His hands shifted to cup his little lover's face, his thumb caressing Duo's cheek. "Duo, I'm sorry I didn't warn you that you might run into someone I'd been with. It couldn't be helped; I couldn't very well transfer them back to OZ, could I? I have made things crystal clear to Bronn... and if he so much as frowns at you, I want to know about it so I can break his arm. No, he doesn't know about us, but I've asked him to give all the Gundam pilots every courtesy. I don't plan on telling him, either. But please... forgive me this omission." Duo took a deep, cleansing breath. "Oh, it was two years ago," he said with complete relief. He'd been running under the assumption that Bronn was a recent lover... no, a recent sex partner. "Don't worry about not telling me, Zechs... I probably wouldn't have thought about the guy twice if it wasn't for Quatre," he said, leaning into the warm touch of hands at his face. //He's not upset!// Zechs thought, relief flooding through him. "Our friend Quatre perhaps is a little too intuitive, eh?" he replied, smiling as he petted his lover's face. "Yeah, I'm finding that Quatre's gift can be a curse," Duo said, chuckling. "But he always means well..." "Yes, he does." Zechs smiled briefly, then pulled Duo close, folding his arms around him, not minding that the red silk pajama top was crushed between them. Looking deeply into his lover's eyes, Zechs grew serious again. "Baby, I want to make something very clear to you... what I feel for you I've never felt with anyone else. And... I've never been in love before. Never. I don't think I ever could love someone as much as I love you... my Duo." Awed by the beautiful declaration, Duo looked wide-eyed and breathless at his lover. //I'm the only one he's ever loved... Wow!// "Zechs," Duo said, finally finding his voice. "I can't believe you just said that... It's so wonderful... *You're* so wonderful!" With his heart pounding fiercely against his chest, the boy reached up on tip toes, dropping the red pajama top, to wrap his hands around the man's neck and pull him down into a kiss. "I love you, Wolf... I love you with all my heart!" he said, completely devoted to this man and overwhelmed by the fullness of love in his heart. //I'm the luckiest man in the Earthsphere,// Zechs thought, his heart full as he kissed his precious little man deeply. //I was so alone before... all those others, in love with my body and face and never even interested in getting to know the real me. I might as well have left the mask on in bed...//
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