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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 28
//He *would* have to come down first,// Duo thought as he observed the tight focus on the other boy's face, and then looked over at the Tallgeese. //I wonder if Zechs is all right? But I probably shouldn't go running up there... with everyone here.// Noin and Quatre were the first to begin walking toward Wing Gundam to greet Heero. After only a few steps, they were joined by the others and all were gathered, seemingly as a unified front, when Heero reached the ground. "Heero... thank you," Quatre said with a smile. He wanted to extend his hand in a gesture of gratitude, but remembered that the other boy didn't seem comfortable with physical contact. "Your decision to join us in the fight is greatly appreciated," he continued, hoping he was speaking for everyone. "And it's good you returned safely." Heero glanced around at the group, assessing the various expressions impassively before turning to face the speaker. "Thank you and you're welcome," he murmured in a low, terse voice. "It didn't seem sensible to withhold the additional firepower. After all, we were all fighting a common enemy." //How fortunate for all of us,// Duo thought with a snort. It was more than a little frustrating how Heero had timed his help, but he had helped and in a big way. Duo was indebted to his fellow Gundam pilot. "Hey, thanks for what you did out there." Already having given his global thanks, Heero glanced at the boy with the long braid. He managed a movement of the head and shoulders that might have been the beginning of a bow, feeling uneasy at the attention. //I'm just a soldier,// he thought. //Just doing my job...// "So, Heero," Noin chimed in, seeing the awkwardness between the boys. "Does this mean you'll be joining our alliance?" The dark-haired pilot held Duo's gaze for a long moment. Then he glanced up at the tall woman. "No. I came to Earth alone to fight, and that's all I expected to do. Perhaps things have changed. All I know is that once I get enough information, I'll decide then what I'm going to do. If that's not good enough for you... well, I can't help that." He broke the gaze, looking away. "I need to talk to Zechs," Heero added so softly only Duo caught the words. Duo took a step toward his lover, as if trying to get a head start. //You're not speaking to him before I do,// he thought possessively. He was about to say something to Heero... something about him only thinking of himself, but then Quatre touched his arm. "Please," the young Arabian said softly to his friend, sensing his concern. He didn't want to see anyone clash, for any reason. He knew even the smallest disagreement could handicap the new alliance. //Heero's walking a fine line...// Quatre could tell Heero was not one to be pushed into anything. In fact, when pushed he seemed to retreat further into himself. //We'll just let him be... He'll make the right choice in the end. Whether for himself or for GAIA.// "Each of us has come to the decision to join GAIA based on our own ideals and expectations. Heero, your decision should be no different. You're welcome to stay here at Barclay Base as long as it takes for you to make that decision." Heero, ignoring Duo, glanced up at Tallgeese, then back to the blond boy. He nodded curtly to him and the others, then started to walk off across the hangar toward the barracks. Trowa gave Quatre's shoulder a quick squeeze, then hastened to intercept Heero. "Hey," he said, a hand on the boy's good arm, reaching him in a few steps. "You okay, Heero?" he asked quietly. The shorter pilot paused. //I do have to talk to Zechs, and he doesn't seem to be coming down yet...// "It was... surreal fighting alongside that big white suit instead of against him. But then I remind myself that he'd kicked my butt pretty good in our last battle and that I should be counting my blessings." "Oh, yeah, I know what you mean," Trowa replied, a smirk threatening to break loose on his mouth. "So... you're cool with my joining up with this new alliance?" Heero glanced up at him. "I told you to try acting on your emotions... and you seem to have. It doesn't matter what I think, only what you feel." Trowa nodded, understanding. Then he jerked his head toward Tallgeese. "You wanted to talk to him." "Yeah." //He's too cool, actually,// Trowa was thinking of his friend. "That... should be interesting." Heero's only reply was a grunt. But he stayed to wait for the Barclay base commander's descent from his mobile suit. Although Tallgeese was now powered down finally, Zechs felt a strange reluctance to leave his mobile suit. //I can never take the killing for granted, war or not// he mused, bowing his head and closing his eyes for a minute. //And Duo killed...// Indeed, though he didn't give it pause in the heat of battle, the images now of Deathscythe so gleefully slicing apart Aries suits was a daunting one. //The God of Death... like the Grim Reaper whose mission is to send souls to the Beyond... that's how he fights... that's how he sees himself as a soldier! Because of the orphanage, the people from that church who cared for him as a child. So his mission as a Gundam pilot is revenge... still...// He took a deep breath. //God help me, I love to fight - I feel so alive fighting in Tallgeese! But I hate war now like never before. I used to tease Noin about her abhorrence for war, but I've lost the taste for it myself. Because of him? Because of a tiny demon who claims to be a deity over death itself? But... but... in Cairo...// One memory in particular came to him. It was from their second morning together in Cairo. Duo had come moments before, screaming Zechs's name, then to his surprise, the boy had pulled loose from his cock, but only to climb higher on his body and cling to him like a wet shirt, trembling. He also wouldn't let Zechs see his face. Zechs, puzzled, had whispered to him quietly until the boy calmed. Then, out of the blue, Duo had bounced up off the bed and gone running off to the bathroom, only to emerge a couple seconds later with two wet washcloths and a huge grin on his face. //He's insecure,// Zechs realized, thinking about his little lover's odd behavior. //Perhaps... the intensity...// But he knew Duo could match him for intensity in bed. The boy, despite his age, was lusty and eager. So... it ran deeper. //Why the God of Death? Why did you tremble that morning? What does it all mean for us? Can I... can I ever make love to you again?// When he felt a twinge in his stomach he didn't know whether he was merely hungry - which he was, not even taking time for a protein bar earlier - or panicking. //How long is this going to take?// He didn't have the answer. Sighing again, Zechs unstrapped himself and shifted to the edge of the seat. He was stiff and sore from Tallgeese's penchant for rapidly shifting g-forces, his hands ached, and he was hungry. //They'll be waiting for me... here goes...// He opened the cockpit door and activated the lift cable. As he rode down, he kept his eyes averted, concentrating on the descent. //He's seen me fight, too, now... what will he think?// Duo let out a gasp when he saw Zechs finally emerge from his machine of war. The man looked torn apart, worn, and depleted of all his reserves. //Is that what the Tallgeese does to him?// he wondered, as his urge to comfort his lover set him in motion, his legs taking him to the base of the Tallgeese. He stared up, his blue eyes wide and transfixed on the descending form. //Are you the Lightning Count or just the man, Zechs Merquise?// Only minutes ago, he had watched this man kill and destroy without hesitation. He thought perhaps that should bother him, but it didn't really, though it left him speechless. //I don't fear that side of you, but I don't know what to say,// Duo thought, his body tensing more the closer Zechs came to the floor of the hangar. //Seeing you like that should only makes us closer.// Images of the Tallgeese in the skies over the ice plains of Antarctica still swirled in his head. Images of power and speed and brilliance... and nobility. The man, the warrior, had fought like an ancient knight, and Duo was very proud to have been witness. But Zechs, too, had been witness. //Oh, no... What will he think of me now? This has been hard enough for him and now he's seen my hand played. He knows I truly am capable of killing. But Zechs knows my heart. We can be warriors and lovers together... can't we?// Landing, Zechs released the lift cable and straightened, resuming his ramrod posture in front of the others. //No mask to hide behind now...// He looked first for Duo, also noting how the others hung back, waiting for him to speak, perhaps. "Well... now we've done it. Now we've struck against OZ." Zechs spoke to them all, though he was looking only at the widened eyes of his little lover. "And a good strike it was, too." Then he nodded at Duo, Lightning Count to the God of Death. "We did what we had to do," he murmured in a lowered voice. "You did well out there, little pilot." The younger man blinked. He was more unsure now of what to say than he had been a moment ago. Zechs was so different like this. He seemed... distant. //Maybe I am just a little afraid,// Duo thought, but then it occurred to him that with an audience, Zechs was merely greeting him as a fellow pilot. //He's keeping things professional... I see.// And with that, Duo gave a sharp tug to the front of his jacket as if to make the God of Death more presentable. "Thanks," he said with a nod. "And you certainly lived up to your reputation... Lightning Count." Noin pulled back, grabbing Linden's arm and nodding at him to drag Bronn with them. "Let's run those reports on the Aries' performance today," she said quietly to the two men. //They need room to talk.// Quatre slid his arm around Trowa's waist and grinned. "I think they need to talk," he said in a near whisper. //And we need to celebrate.// The pair headed toward the barracks, debating happily over whose room would host their extra-curricular activities today. Only Heero remained, standing some twenty feet away like a statue, turned slightly away from them. It was like he was on hold, waiting in silence, unmoving until he could approach Zechs. Now that he knew Zechs and Duo had a relationship, he would be respectful of that, though he did have half an ear cocked to hear what they would say to each other, needing to be sure of them. Zechs glanced up, seeing that the others had left, and noting the figure, half-shadowed, waiting. He nodded as if giving himself permission to relax his image, then looked back down at Duo again. "You know, I think I may have just realized something..." The corner of his mouth curved in a smile, the warmth returning to his eyes. "Oh?" Duo asked, cocking his head and grinning. //Yeah, he didn't like having an audience before...// he thought and tingled with Zechs's shift from soldier to lover. Duo had also noticed the lone figure of Heero Yuy standing off in the wings. //What's he want? It's not like Heero to be nosy.// But the other pilot's presence wasn't going to ruin this moment with Zechs. "And what have you realized?" The smile deepened. "I don't have to be so formal anymore. Treize isn't going to be around to slap my hand if I don't have my boots polished. And it might be refreshing to get down off the pedestal the men have me on..." Zechs sighed, nodding toward the departing Aries pilots, all three of whom had glanced back at him at least once. "Anyway..." He moved closer, slipping a gloved hand up Duo's cheek. "While on one hand it was daunting what we just achieved out there... on the other hand it was exhilarating to fight beside you, little fox." "Mmm, you're right, love, it was exhilarating," Duo said, smiling and rubbing his cheek into the soft kid of the gloved hand. The touch was perfect and desperately needed after their long, trying morning. "Seeing you out there," he said, nodding in the direction of the former battlefield, "I think I understand why everyone puts you on a pedestal. You're a magnificent fighter. But it would be good for you to relax a bit." Duo placed his hand over Zechs's at his cheek and added softly, "And you know you never need to be formal with me." //Little... fox?// Heero wondered. //And Duo's actually talking to him, not being sarcastic and self-centered in the least. Well, that's refreshing...// "True... at least it's a start. And thank you for the compliment. I'm using a magnificent mobile suit, so it's not entirely me." Zechs took Duo's hand in his. "You got pretty beat up out there. Everything in one piece?" He was starting to relax finally, though he knew Heero was waiting to talk to him. //I need to talk to him, too... but Duo first...// "Me? I'm fine!" Duo smiled brightly. "Hey, it just motivates me more when I get knocked around a bit." //But, man, I can feel those bruises forming as we speak.// Duo chuckled then and squeezed Zechs's hand. "You're the one I'm worried about. You look exhausted. How about I give you a massage and then we cuddle up for a long nap?" Zechs returned the smile. "That sounds wonderful... but..." He lifted his chin to glance over again at Heero. "Later I would love that, Duo. Right now..." The smile faded as he sighed, nodding toward the silent pilot. "I think Heero and I have some business to discuss." Then he added in a whisper, "I'm thinking he's close to agreeing to join us. We need him on the team, Duo." "Oh, is that right?" Duo asked as he slowly turned his head to look at the still half-hidden Mr. Yuy. His eyes squinted at the shadowy figure as if to try to see Heero's intentions more clearly. //He's biding his time making a decision... but why?// "And what makes you think he'll listen to you?" Duo asked with some skepticism. Heero unfroze abruptly, turning to face them. "I need to talk to Zechs. I have questions only he can answer." His dark blue-gray eyes gazed intently at Duo, accepting the challenge, his voice tight. "Only Zechs, huh?" Duo snorted at the other boy, truly wondering about Heero's motives. "It's okay, Duo," Zechs broke in hastily, seeing the tension escalate almost visibly. "I want to answer his questions... and in light of the fact that Heero just fought on our side, I think the sooner he gets his answers, the better." Unconsciously his fingers loosened their hold on Duo's hand, though he maintained the touch. Duo's eyes looked down at their joined hands and then back up at Zechs. //Did I just feel him pulling away?// His heart began to hammer in his chest. //Easy, Maxwell. He's just anxious to talk to Heero.// "But Heero never wants to talk to anyone," he answered himself and belatedly realized he'd blurted that last bit out loud. His face warmed at the stupid slip. //Great, now Zechs probably thinks I'm a total idiot.// "Oh, go on," he said, trying to cover his growing unease about... what? //Heero? Who am I trying to kid? We need him in this alliance. But why is it so damn important for him to talk to Zechs? They were sworn enemies!// With a deep breath and rolling of eyes, Duo conceded. "Oh, go talk 'til you're blue in the face." Though Heero was watching, Zechs grinned and pulled Duo closer by the hand. "I won't be long," he murmured, then bent and kissed Duo full on the mouth. //They aren't the same when they're together,// Heero was noting, cataloguing what he read in their body language, even while kissing, as if it was research for another mission. //Perhaps somehow they manage to bring out something in the other person that normally is hidden... or that they never show to others. Interesting... and Zechs did not shirk what he had to do in order to hover over Duo. I like that...// When Zechs pulled out of the kiss, Duo looked up at him dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it. The man had actually kissed him in front of Heero. //And he shut me up at the same time.// "You know me all too well," Duo said finally, a grin slowly growing on his lips. "All too well." "And I'm learning more about you all the time, Pilot Duo," Zechs replied, smiling again, then he bent to whisper in Duo's ear. "Love you, Duo... all of you." "Oh, God, Zechs," Duo said, feeling warm all over. He pressed his hands into the man's chest, letting his fingers dig into the red, wool fabric, and wishing they were alone so he could rip it from his body. "That massage will be waiting for you," he said with a devilish grin. Then he turned to the young man who was watching them carefully. //It's like being under a microscope with him around.// "You'd better behave yourself, Yuy," Duo said, in a half-teasing, half-challenging tone. "I don't want to hear that you've upset this good-hearted man." Heero lifted his chin, his eyes flashing for a brief moment. He swallowed the retort that had instantly come to mind - that he didn't want to hear the same about Duo - and only said mildly, "It's not likely he'll give me a reason to, then, is it?" Zechs thought Duo was being a little too protective, wary of what Heero Yuy might ask... worried they'd come to blows over something? //I have no desire to fight Heero... and this isn't about fighting, not anymore...// But the hint of a teasing note in his lover's voice put him at ease. "I'll leave you... to talk," Duo said, squeezing Zechs's hand once and then releasing it. //I shouldn't worry. Zechs can take care of himself. He's beaten Heero before... and this is far less life-threatening than being on the battlefield.// Still, the idea of these two sitting somewhere alone and deep in conversation about politics or battles or whatever, made the boy bristle. "I'll see you... soon," Duo said to his lover, and then gave a curt little nod to Heero before he walked away in search of something to eat.
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