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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 leaned his shoulder to the kitchen doorway, watching Quatre as he stood at the sink and drained a glass of water. “Are you going to the store?” He looked over his shoulder. “Yeah. Was there anything in particular you needed?” He shook his head. “Do you want me to go for you?” A blond brow quirked. “Why?” “You're still not feeling very well.” He sighed and set his glass in the sink. He moved into the living room and grabbed his jacket off the back of the sofa, pulling it on. There was a reason the blond did all the shopping. Wufei got nervous around large groups of people, and he considered six or seven a large group. It was something that had only grown worse as his years of walking the streets progressed. “No reason for you to expose yourself to the general public and mess with your phobia when I'm perfectly capable of going.” Wufei frowned. “It won't be that crowded right now.” Quatre shook his head. “I got it.” “What's with you lately? You don't seem yourself.” Quatre sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Sorry, I'm just... tired.” He crossed to the door. “I won't be long. I'm just going to get some cereal, orange juice, and dish soap.” “You're out of medicine.” He opened the door. “All right.” He walked to the grocery store and grabbed a hand-held basket. He went to the back to get the orange juice before heading for the cereal aisle. “Hey.” Quatre tensed for a moment before schooling his features and turning with a neutral expression. “What are you doing here?” he asked in an uninterested voice. Duo frowned. “I came to see you. I thought you were going to go back to shopping on Fridays, but you didn't show up last week.” “I said I'd think about it. I did and decided not to.” He turned to grab a box of Shredded Wheat off the shelf. “Why are you being so cold?” He forced a snide grin to his lips and looked over his shoulder. “I don't make a habit of consorting with johns off the job.” Duo jerked as if slapped and ground his teeth. “It wasn't just sex and you know it.” What was left of his heart was breaking into tiny pieces he was sure he'd never put back together, but he didn't let it show on his face. “I gave you what you wanted and you paid me for it. What more do you want?” Duo shook his head. “Why are you acting like this? We shared something.” He reached for Quatre and the blond stepped away, putting a sultry smirk on his lips. “Yeah, and it was great. You know where to find me if you want a repeat.” Duo grabbed his shoulders. “Put Angel away, I don't like him.” “I am Angel. I'll never be anything else. Stop trying to convince yourself I'm something more.” Duo's eyes narrowed. “What happened?” Surprise flashed through his eyes, the first honest emotion Duo had seen on him since they began talking. He looked away. “Nothing.” “Don't lie to me, Quatre.” He jerked from Duo's grasp and glared at him. “What right do you have to demand anything from me?” he hissed through his teeth. “We had some nice conversations and you bought me for a couple of hours. That doesn't mean you own me. That doesn't mean you can force your way into my life. I don't need you holding out promises of things I don't deserve and can't have!” He cut off and leaned against the shelf, gasping for breath and fighting off a cough. Duo pulled him into his arms. “What happened, Quatre?” He clenched his hands in the front of Duo's shirt. “Bruce,” he strangled out. “He sent for me... after I left you. He'd never done that before. I... I tried to fight him off, but...” “He hurt you?” He took a shuddering breath. “He reminded me of what I was. He said you wouldn't love me if you knew how dirty I was. That all I had to offer was sex. And he's right, Duo. I don't have anything to give you.” Duo pulled back slightly and ran his thumbs underneath Quatre's eyes. “Tell me you don't love me.” He moaned softly. “This has nothing to do with love. Bruce won't let us go.” “Do you love me?” Quatre shook his head slowly. “You... you don't understand.” “It's a simple question, Quatre. Do you love me?” He stared at him helplessly. “Yes.” The word sounded as if it was pulled from him by use of torture. Duo grinned and leaned down to kiss him. Quatre gasped through his tears and folded his arms over Duo's neck, returning the kiss with all he felt for the braided man. A throat cleared and they looked to the end of the aisle where George was standing with a smirk. “I'm glad y'all made up, but the store will be closing soon.” Quatre pulled from Duo's arms and picked up his basket. Duo shook his head and snatched it from him. “You won't be needing that. Sorry, George, but we need to get out of here.” The man grinned. “Just hide it somewhere and the morning crew can put the items back.” “Thanks.” They stepped outside and Quatre shivered slightly. “It's getting cold,” he said quietly. Duo rubbed the blond's arms and frowned slightly. “Why don't you go home and get Wufei.” “Duo-” “Bring him back here and we'll go to my apartment to talk.” “What good will talking do?” “We'll come up with a plan to get you free.” He raised a hand to Quatre's forehead. “You have a fever.” Quatre released a breathy laugh. “I'm having trouble getting over my cold.” He nodded. “Go on and get Wufei.” Quatre sighed but pulled away from Duo and headed back to his apartment. Duo watched him walk off and leaned his back to his car. He pulled out his cell phone and called Heero. “Do you know what time it is?” “Almost eleven. We probably need to call out tomorrow.” “What's going on?” “Bruce raped Quatre.” “Shit.” “Exactly. I want them out, Heero. I'm going to take them to my apartment to figure out how to do that. I thought you'd want to be there.” “Yeah. I'm on my way.” “Okay, see you in a bit.” He hung up and waited fifteen minutes before Quatre and Wufei returned. He opened the passenger side doors and Quatre got up front while Wufei sat in the back. Wufei waited until Duo started driving before clearing his throat. “Do you really think you can come up with some way to get us out?” Duo met his gaze in the rear view. “Only if you seriously want out. There's more than just getting away from Bruce. If you really want to leave the streets it's going to take work.” Quatre frowned. “What do you mean?” “What do you want to do with the rest of your lives? You'll need to take time to figure out who you are. It can be difficult to adjust to regular society after you've spent years on the streets.” Wufei looked out the window. “Where will we live? “Heero and I both have spare bedrooms.” “Should you be offering for him?” Wufei asked. Duo pulled into the lot and parked in his normal spot. Heero was standing next to his car in the spot next to Duo's. He pushed from his car when Wufei got out and they stared at each other, neither sure about the other after the way they had parted. “How are you?” Wufei took a step toward him. “I didn't mean it,” he blurted. Heero closed the distance between them and took Wufei into his arms, kissing him soundly. Wufei clenched his hands in the back of Heero's shirt. “Don't let me go again.” “I won't.” Heero pulled away and took Wufei's hand, following Duo and Quatre up to the brunette's apartment. Quatre curled on the corner of the sofa, pulling his knees to his chest as he looked up to the braided man. “What's your plan?” “How much do you think he'd take to let you go?” Quatre sighed tiredly. “I don't know.” “He won't take money,” Wufei said as he sat next to Heero on the love seat. “At least, not without some damn good incentive.” Quatre chewed his lip. “Maybe... if I gave him what he wanted-” “No!” Wufei said firmly. Duo frowned. “What does he want?” “Angel.” “But I thought he already...” Quatre tugged his legs tighter to his chest. “He did, but I...” he closed his eyes, “just laid there and took it.” He shuddered, stomach turning slightly. “That isn't what we wants. If I give him Angel, give him one good time, maybe he'll accept money.” “Or he'll want to keep you even more,” Duo pointed out. “I won't let you go back to the man who raped you and sold you like you weren't worth anything.” Quatre's head shot up. “I'm not worth anything,” he growled. Duo closed his eyes briefly. “It isn't too late for you, Quatre, but if you don't get out soon, I'm afraid it will be. I don't want to see that happen. You're not worthless.” “Right. I'm worth three hundred a lay!” He choked on his breath and fell into a coughing fit. Duo pulled him to his chest and rubbed his back. “You're worth a hell of a lot more than that! I love you, damn it. You're priceless to me.” Duo's words didn't completely wash away Bruce's, but they eased something inside his chest and he looked up. “Then what do we do?” he asked quietly. Duo sighed in relief. “I take some money and have a chat with Bruce.” Quatre shook his head. “That's not the best of ideas.” “That's putting it mildly,” Wufei grunted. Heero nodded. “I agree.” Duo looked to his best friend. “You know I can get them out.” “Probably, but I don't like the idea of you going there alone.” Duo snorted. “Well, you can't go with me.” Quatre tangled his hands in the front of Duo's shirt. “He'll kill you. He told me if you ever went there again he'd kill you.” Duo shook his head. “I'm tougher than I look.” He glanced at the clock. “It's late. How do y'all wanna do the sleeping arrangements?” “I'll take the couch,” Heero said, but Wufei tugged his arm. “You said you wouldn't let go of me.” Heero smiled softly. “I didn't want to be presumptuous.” Quatre looked to Duo. “I'll take the couch.” He frowned slightly. “Is that what you want?” He licked his lips. “For now.” “All right. I'll be right back.” He went back to his bedroom and returned a moment later with T-shirts and sweatpants along with a pillow and blanket. He handed out the makeshift pajamas and Heero quirked an eyebrow. “I think I'll pass. Thanks, though.” Duo shrugged. He knew his best friend normally slept in his boxers, but thought he'd make the offer anyway. “You know where the guest room is.” Heero nodded and stood, holding his hand out for Wufei. The Chinese man took it and stood, glancing to Quatre. “Are you sure you'll be all right out here?” “I'll be fine.” Duo kissed the blond's forehead. “Love you.” He offered the brunette a weak smile, holding the clothes to his chest as the others disappeared into their respective bedrooms. He slid to his feet and changed clothes before stretching out on the sofa. He clicked the lamp off and laid his cheek on the pillow. Sleep was hard to come by, however. Too many thoughts raged through his mind. He wondered if Wufei was merely going to sleep with Heero, or if they were going to make love again. Had it been him, he'd have given into Duo... or perhaps begged for it... had he slept in the same bed with him. That was why he opted for the couch. Bruce's warning was already making his heart pound in fear. If anyone had seen him with Duo, he had no doubt the braided man was in danger. At the very least, hopefully he could convince Bruce not to kill him if didn't sleep with the brunette. The urge to cough hit him and he sat up, burying his face in the corner of the blanket as he coughed. He pushed from the sofa, intent on going to the kitchen for some water. The room spun and he would have collapsed fully to the floor if strong arms hadn't caught him. He looked up into worried blue eyes. “Heero?” “Are you all right?” He swallowed and looked away to find Wufei and Duo kneeling beside them. “Fine. I just wanted some water.” “I don't think this is a simple cold,” Wufei said. “It seems more like the flu to me.” Duo stood and went into the kitchen. He returned with some pills and a glass of water. Quatre took them and gulped the water down. He closed his eyes, breathing as deeply as he could. “Thank you.” Duo set the glass aside and lifted him from Heero's arms, carrying him to his bedroom. “If you don't want me to sleep in here, that's fine,” he said as he laid the blond on the bed and pulled the covers over him. “But you need real rest, and you won't get that on the sofa.” Quatre gazed up at him. “Stay.” Duo smiled and laid beside him, pulling the blond into his arms. He was worried about the heat rolling off of him. “We should take you to the doctor.” “I'll be fine,” he said quietly, snuggling further into Duo's arms. He'd never actually slept with anyone before, outside of Wufei. “This is nice.” Duo kissed the top of his head. “Yeah.” ****** Quatre woke shortly after dawn and sat up in the bed, gazing down at Duo's sleeping face. He brushed his fingers down the other's cheek. A cough took him by surprise and he covered his mouth, trying to mute the sound. He pulled his hand away and stared at his palm. He slid from the bed and ducked into the bathroom. After washing his hands and rinsing his mouth, he gazed at his reflection. He looked like death. He had known for a while that whatever was wrong with him wasn't a cold or the flu but something much more serious. He closed his eyes, deciding that he would go back to Bruce. He'd give him what he wanted in exchange for freeing Wufei. It was the best solution for all of them. “Quatre?” Duo's voice filtered through the door. “Are you all right?” He ran cold hands down his overheated face and took several breaths before opening the door and smiling to Duo. “Yeah.” Duo didn't seem convinced but nodded. “All right. Let's go talk with Heero and Wufei about what we're going to do.” Quatre followed Duo into the kitchen where Heero was making coffee. Wufei looked to him from the table, worry clear in his eyes. “How are you feeling?” He wet his lips and took a breath. “I'm going back.” Wufei started and Heero's head shot up. Duo spun on his heel. “What?” Quatre cupped Duo's face in his hands, tears blurring his vision. “It's best for all of us. If he has me... he'll let Wufei go...” He smiled sadly, brows drawing together. “It'll be all right, Duo. You'll move on.” He shook his head. “Why?” He dropped his eyes to the floor, letting his hands slide to Duo's shoulders. “I don't want to put you in danger. I don't want you to get hurt because of me.” He looked back up. “And I don't want to have to try to become something else. I don't have the energy to start over.” “That's total bullshit.” “It's true. I don't have anything left.” He suddenly felt dizzy and gripped Duo's shoulders. Duo wrapped his hands around Quatre's waist as the blond swayed slightly and tilted his head back, mouth opening in a strangled gasp. “Quatre?” Wide blue eyes stared at the ceiling as he fought for breath. A choked cough escaped him and Duo's eyes widened in alarm when blood left his lips. Wufei jumped from the table as Duo lowered to the floor. Rumbling coughs escaped Quatre and he tightened his grip on Duo's shirt. When the fit passed, he collapsed against Duo's chest, sucking in wheezing breaths. Duo rubbed his back. “We need to get you to the hospital.” Quatre pushed arm's length from Duo and shook his head. “I don't... have the money... for that.” He wiped the blood from his lips and chin and stared down at his fingertips. “Don't worry about that.” Wufei grabbed a dishtowel and cleaned the blond's hand. “Please, let them take you to the doctor. Coughing up blood is serious.” He took slow, shallow breaths, turning tired eyes to his friend. “Then... it's probably too late for me... So, if I go back it would solve everyone's problems.” Duo shook his head. “Don't give up before we even try. When did this start?” He ran a hand through his hair. “I've been feeling bad for a while, but... the blood started a couple of weeks ago.” Wufei's eyes widened. “Weeks? Why didn't you tell me?” “I didn't... want you to worry.” He looked over as Heero offered him a glass of water. He took several gulps, glad to rinse the metallic taste of blood from his mouth. He closed his eyes, holding the glass to his chest. “Let me take you to the doctor.” He thought for a moment before looking to Duo. “Are you sure you can get in to see Bruce without getting yourself killed?” “Positive.” He chewed his lip. “See if you can free us first. If you can't...” he raised a shoulder. “There's no point in me going to the doctor if I have to go back to the corner.” Wufei's chest tightened and he looked to Duo. “How sure are you that you'll get him to agree?” “A hundred percent.” “So now all of a sudden it's a good idea?” Heero asked. “Aren't there any other options?” Duo shook his head. “No. We have to make a decision now and this is the best I can come up with.” He pushed to his feet and ducked into his bedroom. Heero followed him. “I know you're scared for him, Duo, but you going there is dangerous.” Duo pulled his safe out of the closet. “What else can I do? If he won't go to the doctor unless he knows he's free then I have to go.” He glanced to his friend. “Don't you understand, Heero? If he has to go back to walking the streets then he wants to die.” He pulled out several bundles of money and tossed them on the bed as he changed clothes. “I can't lose him, Heero.” He nodded. “Be careful.” “I will.” He left his room and found Wufei had moved Quatre to the living room and tucked a blanket around him. He knelt in front of Quatre. “Everything's going to be okay, Quatre.” “Just... don't let yourself get hurt because of me.” “I won't get hurt, but even if I did, you're worth it. Where do I find him?” He closed his eyes. “A one story house, two blocks west of our apartment. It's green and has black shutters.” He stood. “All right. When I get back, we'll take you to the hospital.” Tears slid down pale cheeks as he gazed up at Duo. “I love you.” Duo smiled and leaned down, pressing their lips together. “I know. I'll be back.” TBC....
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