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"Worlds Apart"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, AU, Non consensual Pairings: 1x5, 2x4 (eventually) Summary: Duo meets a stranger and falls head over
heels, but Quatre is hesitant to jump into a relationship with the
braided man for reasons he won't say. "Worlds Apart"
Wufei stared at Bruce, face paling. “What?” “You heard me.” He leaned back in his seat and lit a cigarette. “If it weren't for me, you two would have been dead long ago. The way I figure it, you owe me and I won't let you go until I'm satisfied that you've sufficiently repaid me.” He clenched his teeth. “Then why let Angel get hurt?” He smirked. “He's giving away free kisses to long-haired beauties outside of fine restaurants. Maybe this will remind him of who he is.” Wufei felt the need to sit down but wasn't about to do so in the presence of this man. “You're watching us on our free time?” He shook his head. “No, but they were in plain sight.” He took a puff off of his cigarette. “If I were you, I'd work really hard this week. I expect a nice return come next Monday.” He took some bills off of the stack Wufei had presented to him and passed them over. “Have a nice week.” He took the cash and turned on his heel, returning quickly to their apartment. He went back to Quatre's room and peeked in. The blond was laying on his side, watching his TV through eyes that were almost swollen shut. He cut them to Wufei. “How much did he let us keep?” he asked quietly. “Six hundred.” He moved into the room and sat on the edge of Quatre's bed, brushing blond bangs from his forehead. “I'm going to have to work extra hard this week. He expects me to be able to turn in the normal amount on Monday that he would get from both of us.” He closed his eyes. “I'm sorry, Wufei.” He dropped his forehead to Quatre's shoulder. “Don't be sorry. It isn't your fault.” And, as far as he was concerned, it wasn't Quatre's fault. Bruce was being an ass to let Quatre get the hell beaten out of him just because he shared a kiss with someone he cared for during his down time. “Bruce is a dumb ass, son of a bitch.” Wufei raised his head and stared down at the uncharacteristic outburst from his roommate. “Quatre?” “He shouldn't expect you to be able to do so much. Does he have any idea what he's demanding of you?” Wufei snorted. “He's only used to putting it in, not taking it, so I doubt he cares about the effects of anal sex. Don't worry, Quatre, I'll take care of it.” “Fei?” “Yeah?” “Do we have any painkillers?” “Nothing stronger than naproxin.” He took a slow breath. “You know I'm not a fan of drugs and I will never let myself get addicted to them if I can help it, but... I'm hurting really bad. Please, Fei, I need something stronger than that.” He nodded. “All right. Just... stay here and I'll be back. Okay?” Quatre nodded. “Thank you.” Wufei left their apartment and went up to the fifth floor, knocking at Hana's door. “What?” “I need some help, if you're not busy.” It opened and a rather short brunette gazed up at him with wide eyes. “Dragon? What are you doing here?” “Angel needs some help.” She nodded and pulled him inside. “Never thought I'd see you at my door. I thought you hated drug use.” “I do. But this is the only way I can get something strong enough to stop his pain.” She gazed at him sadly. “A john hurt him?” He nodded. “Rat-bastards. What would you like?” “Do you have any Loratabs?” She nodded. “Yeah. I always keep those. Hold up.” He waited as she retreated to her bedroom. A moment later she returned with a bottle. “How many?” He thought for a moment. “Three.” “That'll be thirty.” “Ten dollars a pill?” “Hey, I'm dropping the price for you.” With a sigh he passed the bills over and took the pills. He ran back down to his apartment and poured a glass of water before going into Quatre's bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and held one pill out for the blond. Quatre sat up. “Thank you.” He shook his head. “No problem.” He handed the glass to his friend and watched as he swallowed the pill. Quatre collapsed back to the bed, hoping he'd give in to fatigue at some point in the near future. A cough rumbled through his chest and he covered his mouth with the back of his hand. “On top of everything else, I think I'm getting a cold.” He looked back to Wufei. “I'm sorry to put you through this.” Wufei shook his head. “None of this is your fault.” Quatre's brows furrowed as he studied his friend. “You've got a long week ahead of you. Get some sleep.” True to Quatre's prediction, Wufei had a hell of a week. He went out every night and returned with at least some cash in return, but not nearly as much as he'd hoped. Wufei sighed as he entered their apartment around three o'clock on Friday morning. He checked on Quatre to find him sleeping and slipped into his room. He sat on the end of his bed and slid his boots off before pulling his earnings for the night out of his pocket. Two hundred. To make a grand total of five hundred for the week. If he took a couple of extra johns during the weekend, he could probably make up for Quatre's half, but he'd be damn raw by the end of it. He stretched out on his bed, not bothering to change, and curled to his side, staring at the wall. He was exhausted, but sleep seemed to elude him. “Fei?” He raised up to his forearm and looked over his shoulder to see Quatre leaning in his doorway. “How are you feeling?” He limped into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “A little better. How'd it go?” He shook his head. “Only made two hundred.” Quatre licked his lips. “Maybe... I could try to cover up with makeup and-” “No, you can't hide the swelling and you're still too sore. You can't go out tonight.” He laid down next to Wufei. “I'm sorry.” He sighed. “Stop apologizing. How's your cough?” Quatre grunted. “Getting worse. Could you stop at the store for me this afternoon and pick up some medicine?” Wufei thought it over, not liking the idea but knowing the last thing they needed was for Quatre to get sick on top of everything else. “Okay.” ****** “You wanna help me work on the Chevy tonight? I'll buy the beer.” Heero grunted. “You're never going to get that thing running again.” “Yes, I will.” He tightened the bolt in the cover over the spark plugs and dropped the hood of the car, wiping his hands on a towel. “Come on, it'll be fun.” He snorted. “We work on cars all week. How will working on that piece of junk be fun?” “'Cause I'm providing the beer.” He grinned cheekily. He sighed. “Fine.” Three hours later, he was wondering how agreeing to help with his car translated into going grocery shopping with him. He pushed the buggy behind Duo as the violet eyed man kept glancing down aisles. “What are you doing?” He looked back to Heero. “Quatre's usually the one who finds me, I was going to try to turn that around.” Heero resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I'll go get the beer.” Duo nodded and continued looking down the aisles. He paused at one where a Chinese man was muttering to himself as he stared down at the soups. He chuckled softly. “Do you need help?” He glanced to the right and his eyes widened. “Duo?” He quirked an eyebrow. “Do I know you?” He shook his head. “No, I'm Quatre's roommate.” A bright grin overtook his face. “He's mentioned me?” Wufei's brows drew together at the honest joy on the man's face. That expression alone showed how much the braided man cared for Quatre. It wasn't fair. Why couldn't they have something? Some piece of something beautiful. Duo's smile fell as the man's face became sorrowful. “What's wrong?” He took a breath. “You don't know him.” “I'm getting to know him. I'm not out to hurt him, I promise.” He nodded. “I know, but you are hurting him.” Duo frowned. “How?” “Because as much as he wishes it was different, he can't have you, not really. This... whatever it is between you won't last and you'll both be hurt in the end.” “Is he in some kind of trouble? I can help.” He snorted and continued down the aisle. “How?” “Well, I don't know the problem so I can't tell you.” He ducked around the corner. “It's none of your business.” Duo grabbed his arm. “Please, let me try and-” “There's nothing you can do!” Wufei hissed, jerking his arm from Duo's. He spun and froze as he saw Heero come up behind the brunette. “Wufei?” He swallowed. “Heero.” Duo looked from one to the other. “You know each other?” Heero glanced to his friend. “How do you know him?” “He doesn't,” Wufei snapped. “I'm Quatre's roommate.” Duo stared at the Chinese man's dark eyes and long hair pulled back in a severe ponytail. “And coworker,” he whispered as realization dawned. Wufei started and looked back to Duo. “He said that?” Duo nodded. “He said he did odd jobs.” “Odd jobs,” Wufei whispered. A laugh bubbled up in chest and he leaned against the shelf. Laughter rapidly turned into something else and he slid to the floor as he fought against the sobs. Heero knelt beside him and pulled him into his arms. “We'll never be free,” Wufei ground between his teeth. “Bruce is taking more and more until we can barely survive. He owns us.” Duo squatted down, rubbing the back of his neck. “There has to be something we can do.” He shook his head. “He won't let us go until he's satisfied we've sufficiently paid him back for his help.” Duo's brows drew down. “Why are you doing the shopping?” He glanced to the braided man, hesitant to answer. “He was hurt last weekend. Bruce let it happen to teach him a lesson. I wouldn't doubt if he put the man up to it.” Duo paled. “Can I see him?” Wufei paused. “He doesn't want you to see him like that.” “That's probably because I would have asked questions. Now I know the truth so he has nothing to hide.” He dropped his eyes to the floor as he thought. “All right.” Heero helped him to his feet and their baskets were left in the aisles. He sat in the backseat of Duo's car and closed his eyes, hoping he wasn't making another mistake to add to his long list of screw ups. He gave Duo directions but otherwise remained silent. Duo and Heero stared up at the run down building Wufei pointed out as their apartment building. “Cheap rent?” Heero asked. Wufei grunted. “Nothing is cheap with Bruce.” He led them up to the third floor and unlocked the door. Duo held his breath as he followed Heero and Wufei inside. “Quatre?” Wufei called. “Back already? What'd you for-” He came out of his bedroom and froze. “Why did you bring them here?” “I ran into them at the grocery store. You told Duo I was your coworker.” He pointed to Heero. “He was the guy. Duo knows, Quatre.” Blue eyes widened and he looked to the braided man. “You could have told me,” Duo said softly. “I grew up on the streets, remember?” Wufei glanced to Heero and the Japanese man nodded that Duo was the friend he'd been talking about. He didn't say anything as Duo continued. “How could I judge you for doing whatever it took to survive? You think there weren't times when I was almost pushed to that point? My only saving grace was my gang.” He shook his head. “I don't think any less of you.” He crossed to the blond and tentatively raised a hand to his cheek, gently caressing a slowly fading bruise. “Are you all right?” Quatre leaned into the palm. “Yeah. I wanted to tell you,” he said softly, “but I didn't know how.” Duo nodded. “I understand. Let us help you.” “How?” “That's what I asked,” Wufei muttered before disappearing into the kitchen. Quatre moved more fully into the room and stared at Heero. “You've really gotten to him, you know. Have a seat.” He curled on the end of the sofa, pulling his knees to his chest and covered his mouth as he coughed. Wufei returned with a glass of water. “How are you feeling?” He raised a shoulder. “I'm all right. Did you get my medicine?” Duo looked to him. “You're sick?” “Just a cold.” “What would it take for Bruce to let you go?” Heero asked. “A hell of a lot of money,” Wufei answered. “Ballpark figure.” He shook his head. “I honestly don't know. Combined, we bring in around thirteen to seventeen hundred a week, he usually takes more than half. He charges us seven hundred for rent.” “He owns this building?” Duo asked. “Yeah.” Wufei couldn't bring himself to look at Heero, but he felt the weight of the Japanese man's stare on him. “I need to take a shower,” he said suddenly and escaped to the relative shelter of the bathroom. He shed his clothes and climbed under the spray, leaning his hands to the wall. He took his time getting clean, not sure how to handle the situation. Sure, Heero had always known he was a whore, but to find out Quatre's Duo was Heero's friend made everything more complicated. He didn't think the two of them would sit back and let things stay as they were, which would just cause more problems. There was nothing they could do to change anything. He sighed and finished his shower before slipping into his bedroom. He dressed in tight leather pants, a red, ripped tank top, and his choker. He grabbed his boots and went into the living room, running his fingers through his hair. Heero clenched his teeth when he saw him and Duo's eyes widened. “You're going out?” He sighed. “You know what I am, Heero. Nothing has changed. Quatre hasn't been able to work and I'm having to take extra johns just to make ends meet.” Duo stared at Wufei. At the grocery store he'd had a hard time seeing the Chinese man walking a street. But now the loose khakis and T-shirt had been replaced; and his hair was left to hang enticingly around his face. He looked like sex on legs. Duo had seen a lot of prostitutes on the streets, even talked with a few, but he'd never seen the other side of them. He looked to Quatre and blond brows drew together. “I'm sorry, Duo, but this is how it is. We wanted out.” He shook his head. “But I can't see a way. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but now you know what I am... You and I can't be together.” “It isn't what you are. It's something you do.” “Damn it, Duo. I'm a whore! It's all I know. It's the only thing I'm good at. I hate it, but that's just how life is.” Wufei glanced to the clock. “I need to go.” Heero stood and Wufei put his hand out. “I can't, Heero.” “Do you mind if I wait here?” He pursed his lips. “Whatever.” He pulled on his boots and zipped them up before crossing to the door and waving as Quatre called the customary, “be careful.” He moved down the steps and out to the corner. Precious crossed to him. “How's Angel?” “Better. He'll probably be back next week.” She nodded. “Good. One of your regulars was by earlier. He said he'd come back.” “Who?” “Treize.” Wufei was surprised. “Did he say when he'd be back?” “Around ten.” He nodded and leaned against the wall. About thirty minutes later, a car pulled up and the window rolled down. Wufei crossed to it. “Can I help you?” The man swallowed. “Um, is Angel... working?” “No, he's taking the night off.” He tilted his head slightly, hair slipping across his cheek. He brushed it behind his ear seemingly negligently and smiled softly. “But I'm free.” He looked him over. “What do I call you?” “Dragon.” “Do you charge the same?” “Yes.” “All right.” He unlocked the door and Wufei climbed in, studying the john. “Are you a regular of Angel's?” “Only twice. He helped me... come to term with things.” Wufei nodded. “Are you content now?” He glanced briefly to the side. “Getting there.” Wufei smiled slightly. “Good for you.” ****** Quatre glanced from the TV to watch Heero pace. “Why don't you try to get some sleep?” He looked to the blond. “How can you be so calm?” “Because I'm used to it.” He looked back to the TV. “He won't be home before three or four so you might as well get some rest.” Heero looked to the clock. It was barely past one. He sat in the recliner. “But normally you're out there with him.” The blond cut his eyes to Heero. “It isn't like we're together all night. Only between johns.” Duo cringed inwardly, not wanting to think about Quatre walking the streets. The hours passed tensely until finally the door opened and Wufei came in, hanging his key on the hook by the door. He crossed slowly to the love seat and collapsed on it on his side. “How'd it go?” Quatre asked. He pulled a wad of bills from his pocket. “Twelve hundred.” Quatre's eyes widened. “Wow.” He turned his face to his elbow, coughing into the material. Wufei frowned. “I really need to get you some medicine.” “Later. How'd you get so much?” “Treize came back. I told him I was behind on my bills and couldn't spend the whole night with him, but he still paid me five hundred.” He rolled to his back raising one foot to plant on the cushion. “That gives us seventeen hundred.” “That's normally what we make all weekend. You don't have to go out again tonight.” He grunted. “If I don't, Bruce will get mad.” “How will he know?” Heero asked, breaking into the conversation. “He has us watched at night. We never see them unless they have to step in to help us, but they watch the corner we work.” Quatre pursed his lips. “Try to only take hand and oral jobs, then.” Wufei nodded. “Yeah.” Heero crossed to the love seat and knelt beside it. “Don't.” Wufei looked to him. “Heero-” “I care about you. I don't want you to keep selling yourself like this.” He sighed. “You hardly know me.” Heero gripped his hand. “I know enough. I love you.” He closed his eyes. “You're a fool, then. Don't you know it's impossible for a prostitute to fall in love?” “That's not true. You care about me.” Wufei raised up to his elbows and stared at Heero through narrowed eyes. “You don't love me, Heero. You're infatuated because I'm a damn good lay. The best you've ever had probably. I'm a professional. I sell sex. I'll be whoever I'm paid to be.” “You cried.” He flinched and pushed from the love seat, looking down at Heero. “Go back where you belong... And don't come back.” He forced the last sentence out and locked himself in his room, fighting the temptation to run back out and beg Heero to save him. TBC....
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