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"Worth the Risk"Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing nor any of
its characters. I only own the original characters. And nobody's paying
me to write this. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Angst, Lemon, Language, Violence Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, eventual 6x5. Summary: Wufei is instantly intrigued by the new
guy in town, but Zechs isn't making it easy on him. "Worth the Risk"
“How are things going?” Noin sighed slightly, shifting her cell from one hand to the other as she watched the young men work in the garden. “They've got us wrapped around their little fingers.” “And exactly what do you mean by that?” “Zechs was quite put out about the state of the garden on the grounds. Somehow he managed to convince us it would be a good idea to let him work it so long as we're here. It's actually coming along quite nicely.” Une chuckled softly. “At least they're behaving themselves.” “I suppose. Have you been able to locate him?” “We're following several leads. Tuberov is a slippery man and we're running into some other problems.” Noin frowned. “Such as?” There was a moment of silence before Une continued in a softer voice. “Barton is very curious as to who I'm hiding and why.” She snorted. “Doesn't he have enough irons on the fire? Why does he always feel the need to butt into other people's operations?” “Because he's always in search of that elusive promotion. He knows he isn't exactly trusted, but no one has any dirt on him so he pulls through by the skin of his teeth.” Noin cut her eyes to the patio where the other four of their charges were relaxing. “Do you think we've got a conflict of interests here?” “Trowa?” Une asked with mild surprised. “Not hardly. Barton didn't like it when his daughter adopted Trowa. Said he was a miscreant from who knew where and a liability. Dekim and Trowa have never gotten along and I don't think either would mind watching the other stripped of their badges.” Noin leaned her back to the wall, eyes moving back to the blond leaning over his little flower garden. “What's so special about a prince from an over-turned kingdom? Why does this guy want him so bad?” “Even I don't know that, and it doesn't matter. You just keep them safe.” “Yes ma'am.” ****** Zechs packed the soil around the roots of the flower, glancing to Duo periodically as the braided man followed the directions he'd given him. The blond sighed. He wasn't exactly the most curious person around, especially with Wufei near, but when a mystery presented itself, he couldn't help but wonder at what laid behind it. As his father had always told him, it never hurt to ask. The worst a person could say was no. “Duo?” “Hm?” “Can I ask a question?” Violet eyes raised to him curiously. “Sure.” “Wufei said that he met you and Heero seven years ago.” Duo nodded with a slight grimace. “Yeah. Caught me red handed breaking into a store while Heero hacked the security so I wouldn't get caught.” He scrunched his nose, a rueful smile on his face. “I guess we needed some extra actual eyes as opposed to virtual. Why do you ask?” He cleared his throat. “I was wondering how you and Heero met.” The constant humor that normally filled Duo's eyes faded and he dropped his eyes back to the garden, picking up the next flower ready to go into the ground. He worked silently, long enough that Zechs was sure he wasn't going to get an answer and returned to his own flowers. As such, he was startled when Duo began talking in a low, husky whisper. “Heero and I have a lot in common. I was raised on the streets, and he was too – sort of. It wasn't really all that different even though he had a house to go to at the end of the day and someone feeding him. His guardian wasn't his dad. He doesn't know how the man got custody of him, or if he even did have legal custody. But Heero knew enough to not question where your meals came from.” He sighed softly. “I had something of a street gang, but not like the thugs who are out having turf wars and shit like that. We simply looked out for each other. Watched each others backs. Heero's guardian was involved with one of the gangs and Heero was sucked into it whether he wanted to be or not. “We crossed paths from time to time, but didn't really have too much interaction.” He gave up the pretense of planting the flower and sat back, resting his hands on the ground behind him. “About... nine years ago, I guess, I was out picking pockets and heard a scuffle down an alley. Normally I didn't get involved in crap like that, but it sounded like there were several people bullying one person, and that bothers the shit out of me. “If you want a one on one fight, that's one thing, but I can't stand odd numbers like that. So I crept around the corner to see what was going on.” He pursed his lips. “Ten guys from his guardian's gang were beating the hell outta Heero, taunting him to fight back. But if he did, there was a guy not five feet away with a gun ready to put a bullet in his head.” He cut his eyes to Zechs briefly. “Three guesses as to who it was, first two don't count.” Zechs paled slightly. “His guardian?” Duo nodded. “Yup. Nice old Odin Lowe there to blow a hole in the very kid's head he'd raised if he so much as looked like he was going to try to fight back.” The blond shook his head. “But why?” He raised a shoulder. “Punishment. And it was brutal. I ain't never seen anyone walk away from a beating like they gave him.” “He walked away?” Duo snorted. “Shit no. Damn near killed him. When Odin realized they'd gone too far, the bastard high-tailed it outta there.” He shook his head. “I couldn't just leave the poor guy so I carried him back to our hideout and nursed him back to health.” He grunted. “Whether he wanted it or not.” “I don't understand.” Duo looked back to him. “You have to understand how Heero was raised. He was something of a soldier... or a mercenary, I guess. He'd been given his first assignment and done exactly as he was supposed to. Got some information for Odin and the ass used it to kill some little girl in retaliation against some bastard in a rival gang. Heero got pissed and confronted Odin.” He clenched his jaw. “Unfortunately, he did it in front of Odin's men and the jerk felt the need to make an example of Heero.” Zechs looked back to the garden. “Does Odin know he's still alive?” Duo squinted as he looked up to the clear sky. “The man has eyes everywhere so I guess he'd have to, but he hasn't done anything about it as far as I know. Who knows, maybe he grew a conscience and decided to let Heero go.” He dropped his gaze back to Zechs. “Fact is, he felt so guilty over that poor girl, he didn't want my help. He wanted me to let him die. It took months for me to get him to see that it wasn't his fault, but I don't think he ever really forgave himself... And I'd really appreciate it if this discussion stayed between just the two of us.” The blond nodded. “I won't say anything.” He quirked a grin. “I guess Wufei's curious streak is rubbing off on me.” Duo laughed. “That's not the only thing of his rubbing off on you, is it?” Zechs' face flamed. “Is nothing out of bounds for you to discuss?” He grinned and shook his head. “Nope. So... how are things?” Zechs returned to planting the last of his flowers. “I'd only ever been with Treize before, so I don't have much experience with new relationships. Treize and I had known each other our whole lives before we became lovers.” He absently tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “With Wufei, everything is new, fresh. Every moment is a learning experience.” A smile came to his face. “And I hope to never stop learning.” Duo's grin softened as he gazed at the blond. “You really care for him, don't you?” Pale blue eyes raised to meet violet, a genuine smile shining in them. “Yes, I do.” He reached over and gripped Zechs' forearm. “Then do him a favor... no matter what happens, make sure you stay safe.” Zechs looked away. “I won't stand by and let someone else take a bullet because of me. I'm not worth dying for.” He closed his eyes. “Duo, if it comes down to me dying or being taken by Tuberov... let me die.” Violet eyes widened. “Zechs-” “You two planning on staying out here all day?” Zechs threw on a quick smile and looked over as Wufei neared them. “Why not? It's a beautiful day.” Wufei knelt down and gazed over the small garden Zechs and Duo had labored over the last three days. “Almost done?” Zechs hooked an arm around the Asian detective, pulling him to his chest and kissing his temple. “Now is when the fun begins.” He met Duo's eyes over the top of Wufei's head and the braided man swallowed as he read the message in them. Duo shook his head slowly and pushed to his feet. “I think I'll head inside.” “Duo-” “Zechs, thanks for teachin' me how to plant a garden.” Wufei watched the braided man walk off and looked back to Zechs, brows drawn together curiously. The blond was quite surprised when no question was forthcoming, however. Wufei merely turned his gaze back to the garden. “You're not going to ask?” He shrugged, lips curving up minutely. “Maybe I'm trying to turn over a new leaf.” Zechs laughed and wrapped an arm around Wufei's shoulders, pulling him close to kiss his temple. “Don't change too much, I kind of like you the way you are.” Wufei smiled. “That's good to know.” ****** “We've found them.” Tuberov sat up straighter in his chair. “Where?” “East Tennessee, near Jamestown. They're in a heavily guarded estate in the middle of nowhere.” He pushed to his feet. “How heavily guarded?” “At least forty agents are on the premises at all times and it has a top of the line security system.” He paced the room. “We need to find some way to draw Peacecraft out.” “That will be difficult, sir. From what I've found out about Une and her agents, they haven't lost someone they've held in protective custody in years. They're the best.” He ground his teeth. “Even the best have their weaknesses. Find out what they are, Gentry. I will have Peacecraft.” Gentry nodded and left the room. Tuberov fell back in his chair, gazing out the window and bringing to mind the many conversations he'd had with the king of Sanq. There had to be something the man had said or done that would help Tuberov get his hands on Milliardo. He sat up slightly. Or done? An innocent slip made before Tuberov knew the truth behind the Peacecrafts. One that he'd barely paid mind to as it had seemed so trivial at the time. He pushed from his desk and left the makeshift office in the hotel room. “Gentry, forget that. I know what we have to do.” ****** Wufei laughed as they tumbled onto the bed and pulled Zechs to lay on top of him as their lips met in a brief kiss. He tilted his head to the side, allowing his lover to lay wet kisses down his neck. He'd never felt so alive as he did with the blond. No one had ever touched him so deeply as Zechs did, or worked their way so far into his heart so quickly. In some ways it was almost frightening, in most ways it was the most exhilarated he'd ever felt. He felt almost ridiculous, like some high school kid experiencing love for the first time. He rolled them over and slid his fingers beneath the waist of Zechs' sweatpants. The blond moaned softly, closing his eyes. “You have exactly a hundred years to stop doing that.” A low chuckled rumbled in Wufei's chest. “We'd be rather old by then, don't you think?” Zechs tangled his hands in Wufei's hair and lifted the Asian up with a gentle tug to gaze into deep, obsidian eyes. “I don't care how old I get, I could never lose my desire for you.” Wufei smiled, teasing long, blond bangs with his fingertips. “You say that now, but it's still rather new, you know.” “Is that the experience that comes with age talking?” Zechs asked with a sparkle in his eyes. Wufei growled. “I'll show you what comes with age.” He took the blond's lips in a heated kiss, swallowing the moan that followed as he ground his erection into the matching one beneath him. ****** Otto snorted, laying two cards face down on the table and taking the replacements Trowa offered. “They're like rabbits.” Quatre chuckled, shuffling the cards in his hand. “It's to be expected with a new relationship. Trowa and I weren't much better when we first got together.” Duo chortled. “Ain't that the truth? They almost got kicked out of Marty's once.” “Marty's?” Noin asked. “The bar we go to,” Trowa answered. “And you don't have room to talk, Duo. You and Heero have gotten kicked out.” He shrugged. “Only twice.” Heero shook his head, tossing his ante into the pile. “Three times.” Duo frowned and looked to his lover. “I don't count that Valentine's Day. It was unfair. Everyone there was making out.” Trowa quirked an eyebrow. “You were giving Heero a blow job under the table.” He smirked. “Mike was probably just jealous.” “I sincerely doubt Mike was jealous of your skills with giving head. You're just lucky her girlfriend wasn't there that night.” Duo snorted. “In my opinion, Mike should just go ahead and have the operation. She looks enough like a guy as it is.” “That's just mean, Duo. She can't help how she looks.” He rolled his eyes. “I wasn't trying to be mean. I was just stating facts.” A loud cry was heard from upstairs along with the periodic pounding of the headboard into the wall. Otto groaned and rubbed his forehead. “That's it, I'm removing the bed frame and leaving their mattress on the floor tomorrow.” “Aw,” Duo pouted, “but that could ruin the rhythm of things.” Otto flushed slightly. “Quite frankly, I don't care.” TBC...
Chapter 10 |
