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"Standing Outside the Fire"Written By: Honor Disclaimers: Mine! Mine! Mine! Pairings: 2x5, 3x4 Warnings: AU, language, twisted humor, lime, lemon,
some angst, significant OC, brief moments of sap, romance, a bit of
violence Archived: On Gundam Wing Diaries Betas: Velvet *huggles* Author’s Notes: You know those dreams that
you keep dreaming over and over again for weeks? The ones that don’t
go away until you write them down? Yeah, that’s exactly what
happened. I passed the idea by one of my betas, to see if it was worth
putting on paper. Her response was “Write it. NOW.” So I
wrote it. The rest is…ah, what follows after my insane notes.
Feedback is my diet…and I’m getting
pretty lean so send me something to munch on, okay? Flames will result in me tormenting you for your
inability to read warnings. And I’m good at tormenting. Just
ask the boys. *emphasized* /thought/ //phone// "Standing Outside the Fire"
Chapter Thirteen: Allies and Enemies
And he planned on doing something about it. He stepped away from the building and into their path, idly cracking his knuckles. He was 6’5” to their 5’5” so he knew that they wouldn’t be able to get around him. The only way to get out of this was if they went *through* him, and that wasn’t going to happen. Duo’s street instincts had him scanning his surroundings, a red alert blaring in the back of his head. He spotted the more-beef-than-brains football player standing in his way and groaned. Quatre stopped mid-sentence, seeing his preoccupation and also looked up. “This doesn’t look good—” Duo nodded, resigned. “It’s not.” “You bet it’s not.” Rodney was grinning at them nastily. “I’m sick of seeing you little faggots hanging all over each other, and I’m gonna do something about it.” Unbeknownst to the three standing just outside the classroom, Wufei had been rushing from his class to ask Duo a quick question before they went to Jamie’s. He arrived in time to see his boyfriend and friend being confronted. /Zao goa! What does that idiot think he’s--/ The aggressor had raised his fist at this point, cocking it back and approaching Duo with lethal intent. Wufei broke into a sprint, closing the remaining distance between them in seconds. Once he was within range he grasped the collar of Rodney’s shirt and jerked, slamming him into the building behind them. Rodney flew back into the building, catching himself with his hands against the unforgiving brick as he lost his balance. He looked up angrily— Wufei smoothly pivoted to face him, eyes flat and arms crossed. “Chang!” Rodney picked himself up off the ground, his eyes darting to the other two fags to make sure that they were still where he had left them. “What the hell are you doing?” “Wang ba dan. You will not touch what is mine.” Wufei’s voice was cool steel. Rodney had been so sure that it was Maxwell and Winner that were going out that it took a minute for Chang’s presence and words to make sense. “What?” Duo was grinning from ear to ear. Judging that Wufei wouldn’t mind if he was a bit clingy and demonstrative, he moved forward and wrapped both arms around Wufei’s waist, putting his chin on the other’s shoulder. “Don’t you get it, bastard? This gorgeous, sexy, charming, ass-kicking, walking-buffet is *my* boyfriend.” Wufei gave him a glance that clearly said ‘Did you *have* to put it that way?’ Duo just grinned. Quatre started when Trowa slid an arm around his shoulders. He had been so quiet the blond hadn’t even heard him approach. The touch was comforting, so he leaned into it, sliding his arms around the taller teen’s waist. “This isn’t good,” Trowa murmured. “I know.” “No, it’s worse than just brawn-for-brains standing there. Duo’s gone Shinigami.” Quatre’s ears didn’t compute the last word and he looked up, head cocked in question. “I’ll explain later,” Trowa responded, eyes glued on Duo. “Let’s just say that its *really* bad.” Rodney glared at them, covering up a surge of fear. He was sure he could take on Winner and Maxwell and come out on top, but Chang was another matter entirely. He’d seen what had happened to the guy who had pissed him off last year, and he wasn’t willing to have his arm broken in three places like that. Besides, he wasn’t all too sure about the situation anymore. It seemed to him that he actually had *four* fags standing in front of him, because there was no way in hell that Barton and Winner were just friends…not all wrapped up together like that. This was more than he was willing to let himself into without help, and he was starting to get cold feet. Rodney looked away from the pair and back to something he was sure he *could* handle. Fixing his eyes on Quatre he sneered. “Don’t think I’m afraid of YOUR boyfriend, queer.” Trowa’s eyes glittered like smoldering embers. “Va te faire. We are five. What effects one will affect all. You are a fool to attack any of us that you deem ‘weaker’ than the rest.” Quatre understood just enough French to look up at his lover in surprise. /Did he just tell Rodney to go fuck himself?/ Fortunately for the punk, the teacher decided to come out of her classroom at this moment. Mrs. David wasn’t slow on the uptake, and she easily put together what was happening. “I wouldn’t, Rodney. They may not look it, but all four of these boys can put you into a world of pain without breathing hard.” Duo slipped free of Wufei, moving to stand right in front of Rodney. There was a strange half-smile on his face, amethyst eyes almost opaque. “You touch one hair on either Fei or Cat, and you won’t wake up tomorrow morning, you got me?” Even Wufei felt a chill at the softly snarled words. Quatre walked up to Duo, laying a hand lightly on his taut shoulder. “Let’s go.” Duo shrugged, letting himself be led away. Trowa snagged Wufei’s elbow, tugging until the Chinese teenager was moving away from Rodney. Then he leaned in close and whispered, “Duo’s gone Shinigami. The only way to get him out of it is to just hug him until he relaxes.” “What’s Shinigami?” Wufei murmured back. He had noticed the change in his boyfriend as soon as it happened. And he wasn’t sure he liked it. “I’ll explain later. If you don’t get him calmed down now, he’ll pay the price for it.” “Right.” Wufei lengthened his stride, catching up to the other two. He pulled Duo into his arms, hanging on even though Duo was stiff against him. /I changed my mind. I *know* I don’t like this./ “Calm down, Duo.” His hands started to move in soothing circles over the taut muscles, mouth brushing light kisses over hair and temples. “Calm down. We’re fine. No damage done.” Duo released a shuddering sigh and sank into Wufei’s hold by slow degrees. Wufei braced to support the onslaught of weight, raising his head to meet Trowa’s eyes. Trowa nodded back, mouthing ‘okay’. “Sorry, Fei,” Duo mumbled against his shoulder. “I scared you just now, huh?” “A little,” Wufei admitted. “What’s Shinigami?” “It’s Japanese,” Heero’s answered, coming up to them. “It means ‘god of death’. Duo?” “Some punk wanted to beat up on me and Q.” Duo grimaced as he explained. “Then I guess he decided to go after Fei too, since he was standing in the way. I kinda lost it.” Heero nodded, as if this was nothing extraordinary. “When Duo goes Shinigami,” Trowa picked up the explanation in a low voice “he’ll destroy anything that he perceives as a threat. In our life, it was necessary and usually did more good than harm. But here…” Wufei’s hold tightened. He was beginning to get the whole picture now, and it scared him. He jumped a little when Duo burrowed into him. “Sorry, Fei. I’m sorry—” “Hush. You did nothing wrong, and everything right. Let’s get back home, alright?” “Okay.” + “I am Long An Chua Hua.” Jamie had a mental list of things that she expected to do that day. Opening her front door to see Chang Wufei’s grandmother was not on that list. “I’m Jamie Dragonmanovich. Come in, please.” She retreated back and to the side, allowing her visitor in. /I’m not sure just how worried I’m supposed to be about her sudden appearance. Should I brace myself for battle?/ With reservations she closed the front door and led her visitor immediately off to the right, into the formal sitting parlor. The room was meant for showcase, decorated in deep blues and creams with delicate furniture. Jamie had rarely used it. “Sit, please. May I offer you anything?” “No, thank you.” She settled her dainty frame with prim perfection on a loveseat, hands folded properly in her lap. /She almost makes me feel like an overgrown, gangly teenager just by looking at her./ Jamie swallowed this reaction and met her guest with a calm air. “How can I help you?” “My grandson has fallen in love with your son.” Her voice was perfectly neutral, giving no hint of either approval or disapproval. Jamie could think of no other way to respond except with the truth. “Yes, he has.” “Hm.” Her onyx eyes, unreadable to Jamie’s eyes, flickered a moment to her folded hands. “Tell me of Duo.” /Why can’t she ask an easy question?/ “Light-hearted, sweet, energetic, devilishly charming…he is all of these and more. It is hard to describe Duo—he defies any label that one attempts to stick on him.” She frowned slightly, apparently unappeased by this answer. “Does he return Wufei’s regard?” “Good God, yes. He fell in love with him shortly after he met him. The only thing that held him back from pursuing Wufei outright was Meiran.” Jamie had no idea what she had said that made Mrs. Long relax, but the Chinese grandmother actually smiled at her. “You approve and support their decision.” /I’m *so* lost…/ “Yes. Do you?” “Perhaps. Wufei had become…more than he was. Kinder. More aware of the people around him. I think it is because of the association of your family, and Duo. But I wish to make sure.” Ah-ha. *Now* her presence made sense. If their roles had been reversed, Jamie would be acting the same way. “The only way to do that is to meet Duo.” “MOM! I’M GOING TO KIDNAP WUFFERS!” “Speak of the devil,” Jamie muttered under her breath. She rose and quickly crossed the room so she could stick her head into the hallway. “Duo! Come here a moment.” He back pedaled into view, car keys in hand. “Why?” “You need to meet someone.” Jamie mouthed silently ‘Wufei’s grandmother is here.’ “Okay.” ‘Is she mad?’ ‘No.’ Duo bounced past her and into the room, face painted with false cheer and a line of tension in his shoulders. He greeted Long An with a bright smile and a very proper bow. He hadn’t been hanging around Wufei for the past two months without picking up a few things. Jamie almost stumbled back into her seat from surprise as she saw him smoothly perform the bow. Mrs. Long nodded back, just as politely. “I wish to speak with you.” “Alright.” He settled—a little gingerly—next to her on the couch. “About Wufei, right?” “Yes.” Her face fell into impassive lines, voice cool. “Wufei has been betrothed to Meiran since he was two months old. His marriage is meant to unite the Chang and Long families. You dare much to interfere with his family’s honor.” Jamie unconsciously sank into her seat as she watched Duo’s reaction. /I think I understand now what Quatre meant when he said Duo was frightening in Shinigami mode—/ “Ha!” Duo was bristling like a cat, eyes flat. “He is *mine*. I’m not ‘interfering’ with his family’s honor, just their arrogance and pride.” An’s expression didn’t change. “Are you sure that he feels the same way? That he will choose you over them?” “Yes.” She blinked at the emphatic and prompt response. “How can you be so certain?” “Because ‘Fei is honor. He’d never betray my faith in him.” “Good.” “…excuse me?” Shinigami disappeared instantly, Duo blinking at her in blank shock. “I would not have allowed my grandson to continue his relationship with you if you were so weak as to doubt his loyalty and honor,” Long An informed him. She was wearing a slightly puckish grin on her face as she said it. “Heh…I think I’m going to like you.” Duo returned her grin, times ten. “I think our ‘liking’ each other will be mutual. You were going to see my grandson, were you not?” “Yeah, he’s doing something really boring. A report, he said. I’ve gotta go rescue him before he fossilizes.” The Chinese woman’s eyes were shining like polished obsidian. “Then by all means, proceed.” “Right.” Duo was out of the room in two seconds, singing merrily at the top of his lungs. “You may be right! I may be crazy! Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for. Turn out the lights! Don’t try to save me. You may be wrong, for all I know, but you may be right—” Jamie rolled her eyes as the garage door shut off the rest of the impromptu solo. “See what I mean? He defies all description.” Long An just smiled. ~*~*~*~ Honor: Trrrrooooooowwwwwaaaa! Footnote: Yes, Trowa really said “Go fuck yourself”
(lit. get fucked). You hear Duo curse all the time, what’s your
problem? |
