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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 20
//And something else I need to face... what if I had had a chance to tell Duo I'd been with OZ that terrible morning in Cairo? Would he still have wanted to kill me?// He held the slender body in his arms tighter, the whole nightmare more and more unbelievable. //The juxtaposition of the sweet lover in this boy with the business-like Gundam pilot... and the vengeful God of Death... my God, that still makes my head swim. But I will see the pilot... and the God of Death... on the morrow. I must get used to this... and I, for all the gentle care I take with him, am still Lightning Count. This is a dichotomy with which I never thought I'd have to live - to truly be a soldier and a lover all in one person... and my mate to be the same way...// Reluctantly Zechs drew out of the kiss. "My darling Duo... thanks," he murmured, tipping the boy's chin up to him as he straightened. Bright blue eyes looked up, smiling. "You're very welcome," Duo said as he drank in the relaxed and happy features of his love's face. //Now if we can get through this damn war. I wonder what it will be like to fight with him... to see the Lightning Count in action? Will it change *us* to see each other on the battlefield?// Slowly, Duo withdrew from Zechs's arms and picked up the pajama top from the floor. "It's bed time," he said with a snicker, fondly remembering Sister Helen telling him the same thing so many years ago. //I'll have to remember to tell Zechs that she's the one who started my braid...// "I'll change now," he said, turning and heading for the bathroom, still feeling the need for some modesty despite their progress. "Won't be long..." And with a wave he closed the door behind him. Zechs watched him go; as always the sway of the braid was mesmerizing. Then he smiled a little to himself and started to remove his pants. In moments he was wearing only the short kimono-like robe, tied at the waist. Putting his other clothes away, he thought about the morning. Would Heero and Trowa really just sit by and watch Zechs, Duo, and Quatre fight off the OZ fleet? He thought Trowa might assist, that Quatre surely would enlist the help of his lover. Heero Yuy... was another matter. He brushed out his hair, sighing. //I think he still wants to fight me... damn...// Moments later, Duo emerged from the bathroom wearing the red, silk top and carrying his clothes, not-so-neatly folded in his arms. The shirt was obviously too large for him... hanging down to the tops of his knees and pushed up to his elbows to accommodate for the too-long sleeves. But the feel of the material made up for any discomfort in size, and once Duo got a look at his lover dressed in his own sleepwear he was completely distracted. "Oh, wow, Zechs," he said, in awe of the image before him. "You look amazing in that." Leaving the brush on top of the dresser, Zechs smiled and sauntered over. He took Duo's clothes from him and laid them on a chair, then took one of Duo's arms and began folding up the too-long sleeve. "Thanks. And you look adorable, absolutely adorable," he murmured warmly. "I don't think I tell you often enough how cute you are. And you look so good in red, in fact I think it brings out some red highlights in your hair." He worked on the other sleeve now, winking at his little lover. "My sweet, little red fox!" "Stop saying that stuff or you'll make me blush!" Duo said, laughing, and then bowed his head to hide the fact that he actually was blushing from the compliments. //I'm adorable?!// he thought with much wonderment as he watched Zechs fussing with his sleeves. //No one's cared for me in years... not since the orphanage... and now this guy comes along. I can hardly believe it. He loves me and even wants to protect me... Amazing!// "Maybe I should call you my big ice wolf," he said, letting his gaze drift over the snug fitting pale blue robe. "Oh, yeah... definitely my ice wolf!" "Mmmm, but this is an ice wolf who will keep you warm on these cold Antarctic nights, my love," Zechs murmured. He turned Duo around, then wrapped his arms around him and began to walk him toward the bed. "Would you like that, little fox?" "Man, you know I would!" Duo said, leaning back into the embrace and letting himself be guided to the bed. //We're actually just going to sleep? How am I going to do that?// he wondered with a suppressed snicker, but then realized he really didn't know how this would work. With the impending battle looming over them was Zechs expecting just to snuggle up and sleep? Duo hoped they might kiss and caress each other as they talked for a little while before spooning together for the long, cold night. At the bed, he turned in Zechs's arms to face him. "Um... are you real tired?" Zechs linked his arms loosely around Duo's lower back, fingers automatically finding and holding the braid. "Depends on what you have in mind," he replied, affection in his voice and smile. "If you want to cuddle and chat for a bit, I'm game. No gymnastics." He leaned down to plant a tender, slow kiss on Duo's temple, drawing him close. //God, I love this man!// Duo thought, purring at the attention. "You mean I can't jump up and down on the bed?" he laughed, squirming free of his lover's hold and then crawling onto the bed to kneel at its center facing Zechs. "There's no way I'm gonna fall asleep right away." //Not with you next to me!// But the younger man didn't jump around. The reality of their upcoming mission was beginning to weigh on him more and more as time peeled away. Maybe it was just pre-battle anxiety... or more likely it was the fear of losing Zechs. "Seriously though," he said, smiling mischievously and pushing aside his worries, "that's all I want. To talk and cuddle with you... and maybe play with your hair." //He's absolutely priceless,// Zechs thought, grinning at his playful lover. He slid onto the bed, rolling onto his side, then patted the space beside him. "Sounds good to me. Here you go..." He waited until Duo enthusiastically snuggled up against him, and then pulled him into his arms at the same time he snagged a leg over his, trapping him in place. "That's my little fox," Zechs added, loving the feel of the slender, lithe body against his. Duo's heart was pounding again. Of course this wasn't the first time they'd been entwined on a bed, but it sure felt like it. Each of these steps of reunion were very sweet and not taken for granted, but Duo still wondered when Zechs would take him back in every way. Or were things so different now that Zechs would wait until the war was over? //He'd better not!// Duo thought, and then possessively snuggled into his lover. "Zechs... Wolf. Kiss me, please," he said, looking up into his lover's face. Zechs had Duo's cheek cupped in his hand, caressing his face lightly. "I'd love to," he whispered warmly, then took Duo's mouth with his, immediately going deep. //The look in his eyes... he's still worried about us. Better keep him close...// "Mmmm," Duo moaned into the kiss, letting its intensity wash over him. It felt so right, so good to be here with Zechs. To let a single kiss drown him. Make him never want to come up for air. He clung to the man, continuing the kiss, wrapping himself tighter around the long body next to him. //Oh, I want you so bad...// Duo's fervor, so welcome yet so reminiscent of the sexual heat they'd shared in Cairo, prompted Zechs to end the kiss before either of them really wanted it to end. He kissed Duo's cheek and jaw in a couple places, apologetic. "I love you, Duo," he murmured gently, nuzzling him. The younger man grinned, still tingling from the kiss. "And I love you," he said, his eyes blinking open. The kiss had been intense, perhaps a bit too intense for where their relationship was at present. "It's okay, Zechs," Duo said, taking the situation in stride. "I understand. And besides, I was serious about wanting to talk and cuddle with you." Zechs smiled, petting Duo's back. "Thanks." He looked down at the red silk shrouding his little love. "Mmmm, this is so very nice on you." He shifted a little, fostering their fit together, which was as close to wriggling with pleasure that Zechs usually got. "Was there something you wanted to talk about, Dancer?" "Nothing in particular. I just didn't see you at all today," Duo said. He'd gotten used to chattering away at Zechs when they were in Cairo. Even though Quatre had allowed him the same privilege, it was altogether more pleasant and meaningful to rattle on with the man he loved, to have someone truly care for him and let him go on and on for as long as he liked... or until they fell into a big pile on the bed for the hundredth time. "I got to take one of the Aries out. It felt strange at first... being so much smaller than my Gundam, but it responded well. I think I'd like to try a Leo, too... That'd be fun. But I suppose you've flown everything OZ has built, huh?" "Hmmm, yes, I got my start flying an Aries," Zechs replied, bringing one hand up to tease at the chestnut tendrils flopping into Duo's eyes. "I've never flown one of the new Tauruses, actually. But I've flown Leos aplenty." He smiled again, fingering Duo's cheek. "I love flying Tallgeese, but oh, I would love to fly a Gundam, I confess." "Really?" Duo asked, his face alight with Zechs's admission. //Oh, he's definitely had a thing for the Gundams all along... interesting.// "Gee, and I just happen to know a Gundam pilot. He's a bit of a hot head in battle, but I hear he's real cute and is partial to guys with long, blond hair." Duo chuckled at that, enjoying his little scenario. "I think he'd be willing to let you fly his Gundam in exchange for a test drive of your Tallgeese." "Oh, really?" Zechs smirked, tapping Duo's nose. "There's just one problem." "What's that?" Duo asked, his brow tightening. He didn't like the sound of that, no matter how playful the touch to his nose seemed. Zechs sobered, caressing his lover's cheek tenderly. "I nearly died the first time I piloted the Tallgeese, Duo. It's designed to function nearly as a complete force in itself. Similar to the Gundams, only more so. I found myself fighting it for control to the point where I suffered a mild heart attack, the stresses were so great. And I did not take it full out... because I was afraid of dying. My body has since adapted... and I believe the Tallgeese has somehow adapted to me as well." Duo nodded his head ever so slightly. He was listening to what Zechs was telling him, but not completely accepting the verdict. "So, you're saying I can't fly the Tallgeese." He raised himself up onto one elbow, disentangling himself a little. "You think that if it nearly killed you, surely it'd kill me... Well, thanks for your vote of confidence," he said with a snort. Releasing the other completely, Zechs glanced away and laid back on the bed. "The test pilot had internal injuries. If you got hurt flying the Tallgeese, I... I don't know what I'll do. Scrap it, probably, so it can't hurt you or anyone else again. And I would have a very hard time getting back in it myself, not out of fear for myself, but just because... of the reminder." He closed his eyes, sighing. Sitting up completely and tucking his legs under him, Duo looked at Zechs's face. //He is worried about me, but still...// "I know you want to protect me, but geesh, give me some credit. I'm a Gundam pilot! I didn't make it this far in the war being a weak little toadie," he said, folding his arms across his chest. He didn't want to argue with Zechs, but the man's protectiveness had stepped on his ego. "I suppose you think flying Deathscythe is a piece of cake?" Zechs sat up, drawing up one knee and leaning on it, staring at the wholly defensive posture his lover had adopted. "You know nothing about the Tallgeese. You should study the design specs and observe its performance before contemplating flying it. I would do the same before attempting to fly your Deathscythe." He ignored the sick feeling in his stomach; yet again Duo Maxwell was making a rash judgment, refusing to listen to him. //Where did my Dancer go?// "Well, I didn't study any plans on Deathscythe before I took him... It must be a miracle that I'm still alive," Duo snorted. //Where does he get off talking to me like this? Like I'm still wet behind the ears...// //He's not listening... it doesn't matter that this is a dangerous machine. He's a Gundam pilot and that's that,// Zechs mused, disappointed that his concern for his lover didn't matter in the least. //It could break him... so I must risk that to save his pride? Is this how any of them would respond?// He couldn't believe that... Quatre, at least, would thank him for the information and promise to be careful. Heero... well, given that boy's constitution, Tallgeese would be no threat to him except perhaps right now since he was still recovering from his injuries. Trowa... Zechs didn't know that boy well enough, but seeing how he followed Heero's lead, that pilot would accept the risk readily, too. //Gundam pilots...// Professionally he could accept Duo's arguments. Personally... the sarcasm and faint derision with which Duo had spoken had hurt. The dismissal of his concern had stung. //Dancer...?// It seemed like his little lover had been rather quick to shed his Dancer persona, the pilot swiftly and a bit belligerently coming to the fore. And could the God of Death be close behind? "Yes, you are indeed a Gundam pilot." Zechs's deep voice was quiet, calm, perhaps too calm. "Very well, you're welcome to try out the Tallgeese," Zechs murmured, then abruptly uncurled from the bed, rising to go back to the closet. He dropped the short robe, pulled out a pair of pants and a sweatshirt, and began to dress. A wave of hurt washed over Duo as he watched Zechs move from the bed and begin to dress. //Shit! He's leaving?!// he thought and swallowed a whimper before it could escape his lips. Things had gotten out of hand with them again, but the boy's pride was too bruised to muster the strength to apologize or otherwise try to salvage the situation. Mirroring his lover's actions, Duo extricated himself from the bed, shed his sleepwear and put on his pants. "You don't like the fact that I'm a Gundam pilot," he said, his words accusatory and tinged with anger. "You want me to be some weak little man you can protect. Isn't that right? Well, I think I will fly your Tallgeese," he said, and with a toss of his head, grabbed his shirt and boots and headed for the door with every intention of going to the hangar to tackle that massive suit. Zechs got to the door first, dressed but with short boots still in hand. He leaned back on it, regarding his indignant little lover with a slight frown. But his voice was cool and steady, devoid of accusation. "You're putting words in my mouth. I never said you couldn't fly the Tallgeese. I was only being concerned for your well-being, which according to you is unnecessary. I guess I thought it was something lovers did, be concerned for one another. I never said I didn't like the fact that you're a Gundam pilot, in fact I've conceded that you most certainly are that, and I've backed down and said that you are welcome to fly Tallgeese. I do not want you to be weak, and you are hardly that anyway. Despite my protective feelings, I will allow you to do as you see fit. Except that you are not taking Tallgeese out right now. I'm saying that as base commander. I don't want any suits going out tonight. It could attract the search party and lead them to us before we're ready to face them." "You're pulling rank on me?" Duo asked, his eyes wide with stunned shock. "I have to," Zechs replied levelly. He leaned against the door and began to put his boots on as he talked. "I'm responsible for everyone here. I will not endanger this base to save your pride, Duo. And I know that if you thought about it, you wouldn't respect me if I did." //I don't believe this!// Duo wasn't accustomed to taking orders. He'd been on his own for far too long and he had his Gundam and his own conscience to guide him. Even his missions had only been accepted because he chose to do so. //I know Zechs cares about me as a lover, but he underestimates me as a pilot.// "Well, I can't promise anything," he said nonchalantly, even though deep down he knew that Zechs was right about the dangers. "That's fair," Zechs replied, hoping that Duo's good sense would kick in soon. //He'll do the right thing... I must trust that he will.// He took a deep breath. "I need to take a walk..." He gave Duo a last, lingering look, aching, then opened the door and left, his long coat in hand, boots clicking firmly down the hallway. The younger man listened as his lover's footsteps faded into the depths of the base. Again his pride prevented him from making amends, from calling out to Zechs to stop him from going, as Zechs had stopped him earlier that day. //Was I right talking to him that way? And then just letting him walk away?// "Crap," he said, finally, feeling a painful stab of guilt as he took one last look at the empty bed before returning to his own room. Several minutes later, he emerged from his room dressed entirely in black... from head to toe... his thigh length leather coat thrown on for extra warmth. He was headed for the hangar like a shadow man. On a stealth mission to conquer the great white beast... Tallgeese.
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