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"Companion"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: R Warnings: AU/Romantic/Sci-Fi Adventure, Angst,
fluff, bad language *oh my! >o<, mild lemon, short, somewhat
detailed mention of hypodermic needle *AAAARRRRRRRRGGGG!* the horror!
Unbeta’ed Summary: An unwitting stowaway proposes new challenges
and unforeseen opportunities on a one way trip to Venus. "Companion" Ch 1
The hatch hissed and he breathed deep as the cool air from outside his little bubble washed over him. Having been separated from any form of stimuli for over six weeks left his skin acutely sensitive, his lungs burning slightly as they adjusted to the common atmosphere of the ship. His arms and legs obeyed his commands though the action of pulling himself upright felt oddly foreign and he cursed the necessity of traveling in stasis again as his head throbbed when he sat up. He closed his eyes and rubbed the tension from his temples giving his body a moment to acclimate to a vertical position. The first order of business was to fill his stomach and provide his body with the fluids it had been denied for far too long. The stasis chamber prevented the loss of such things slowing the metabolism to a deathlike state allowing the body to exist for long periods of time without added sustenance but once released from the chamber it was necessary to replenish what had been denied so he headed to the galley and prepared the standard mash. It was tasteless and bore a resemblance to runny cream of wheat but it had everything his body needed to fully function on its own again. Once finished he dropped the bag his meal had been contained in into the incinerator and headed for the bridge. His stasis chamber was located a short distance from the command center where he again acknowledged the presence of the green light that indicated all systems were operational and working properly. A practical assessment was standard protocol however, so he turned to the task of confirming the lights claims. The first order of business being to check on his companion who appeared to be resting comfortably in her chamber which was located in the aft portion of the ship on the observation deck. He sighed softly wishing not for the first time that his benefactor would have just allowed him to complete the mission on his own but it was against policy for anyone to be sent into deep space without a companion. Men had been known to go mad if left to wander among the stars alone for too long so he had been forced to concede to her company. It really wasn’t that bad. They had spent some time together before launch and though he held no special feelings for her she was pleasant enough to be around and seemed more than willing to see to his needs. His mind wandered from its studious examination of the ships condition to ponder that thought. It was the duty of a pilot’s companion to see to his needs. One could not exist happily on mash so cooking was a necessary skill and though Hiiro was perfectly capable of preparing his own meals he looked forward to assessing her skills. There would also be cleaning and menial chores meant to give the pilot a sense of togetherness and help reduce the stress of being so utterly depended upon. He was in possession of a multi-trillion dollar ship with not only the hopes of an entire race weighing on his shoulders but the safety of his companion as well. It was essential that he remain happy and content in all ways which brought him back to the one issue that was setting uneasily in his mind. It was also her duty to satisfy him physically. He sighed resisting the urge to leave her in stasis for a little while longer and rose to go free her from her slumber. He had attempted to reason with his benefactor to no avail before departure but no matter how hard he tried the man was adamant about his need for tenderness. Hiiro had never felt any such craving and was perfectly content to continue his celibacy but Dr. J had insisted he needed the release and ordered him to use all resources available to successfully achieve his goal. Reluctantly, he approached her chamber hoping sincerely that she would not take offence at his lack of a romantic interest but he’d just never felt that way about anybody and she was no exception. His brow creased as he came upon the cylinder and instead of the honey-blonde bangs he expected to find there were soft spikes of chestnut brown awaiting his eyes. “What in the world?” he wondered keying in the release sequence that would slowly release the seal. Slowly the fog that had clung to the inside of the chamber window cleared as fresh air was introduced inside and Hiiro’s blood stilled. There, lying in the place where his companion should have been, was a young man he’d never laid eyes on before. He was slender and young, perhaps even younger than Hiiro he thought at first glance but as his eyes traveled down the shapely chest and stomach he reassessed and estimated him to be of about the same as Hiiro’s seventeen years. But what was he doing there? He hadn’t been informed of any change in the selection of his companion though on second glance he was beginning to approve of the switch. In his mind the expectation of having to entertain the young woman he’d met before launch shifted and he felt himself relax at the thought that he wouldn’t be pressed to constantly be on his best behavior to accommodate her. The need to flatter and dote over someone had weighed more heavily on his mind than he’d realized and he smiled at the thought that it would no longer be necessary then an image of the boy in the chamber laying naked beneath him came unbidden to his mind and his smile widened as he made a note to thank J for his timely insight. This was defiantly more like it. Intrigued, he looked him over more carefully. He was striking in every possible way from the thick, chestnut hair and wide chest right down to the thin hips and shapely legs. Hiiro felt his pulse quicken as images of his new companion flitted wantonly through is mind causing his hand to reach out and open the chamber. The air hissed inward causing the sleeping boy to gasp softly but he did not wake and Hiiro smiled fondly already enchanted by the beautiful boy’s nuance. He had to hand it to J, when he got it right, he really got it right and found it ridiculously easy to let his hand reach out to touch him. The boy moaned softly as Hiiro brushed his fingertips down his arm knowing full well the acute sensitivity of the sensation. The boy had been stagnant for over six weeks just as he had been so each sensation would be magnified ten fold. This comprehension did little to dissuade him however, infusing him with a steady current of excitement as he smiled and let his hand move to the zipper on the boy’s shirt. It was such a thrill to see the heated reaction in him as he slowly invaded his clothes, his fingers running gently over exposed flesh stopping to fondle a nipple or delve into his navel before Hiiro’s need grew to a point he needed more and leaned down to bush his lips softly over the boy’s as his hand determinedly probed beneath the waistband of his pants. There was a small sound as the boy came fully awake and a tension in his body as Hiiro’s fingers wrapped around their goal and he pushed in to kiss him more deeply then he was suddenly sailing across the room and bouncing off the far wall while the boy came out of the stasis chamber spitting and screaming at the top of his lungs. “GET THE FUCK OFF ME!” Hiiro blinked totally confounded for a moment before the animosity in his companion got the better of him and he lost his temper too. “What’s your problem!?” he growled rising quickly to his feet and feeling some gratification when the boy back stepped to reassess him. “You were fucking groping me!” the boy snapped pulling his shirt closed. “So what!?” Hiiro countered. “Are you insane?!” the boy shouted. “Or didn’t you notice I’m a fucking man!” “If you have something against homosexual relations you shouldn’t have taken the job!” Hiiro countered. “Wait,” the boy suddenly said as his skin went ashen and his legs became weak. “What?” he pondered turning look through the glass at the image of Venus that hung merely a week’s distance away. “Oh, fuck no,” he breathed snapping his head back around to gape at Hiiro as he demanded, “Where are we?!” Hiiro considered him for a long moment in which a desperate suspicion crept into his eyes. “T-Minus six and twenty to Venetian soil,” he informed him stepping forward but staying his advance as the boy slowly crumbled to the floor. “This isn’t the shuttle to Mars,” the boy stated. “No,” Hiiro told him willing the racing of his blood to still as he added, “You’re not my companion.” “No.” Silence reigned for a time as they both assimilated this new information before Hiiro finally asked, “What’re you doing here?” “Well,” the boy chuckled wryly though the sound was reminiscent of the presence of tears. “It would seem I fucked up.” Hiiro cocked a brow not entirely sure what to say before the boy went on. “This was supposed to be a shuttle to Mars,” he told him turning his body so he could lean back on the wall. “But it looks like Charlie played me real good,” he laughed sardonically. Hiiro’s mind cleared enough to ask, “Where’s Relena?” “Probably soaking in a Martian hot spring right about now,” the boy snorted adding at Hiiro’s incomprehensive expression, “My contact must have switched the chambers.” “Who are you?” was Hiiro’s next question. “Nobody,” the boy sighed. “Just a traveler looking for a better way.” His eyes took in the close proximity of Venus and he sighed again before turning back to the stunned pilot. “Sorry,” he offered. “I guess it doesn’t pay to piss with your travel agent.” “You’re a stowaway,” Hiiro surmised after listening to his story. It wasn’t uncommon for people to buy passage on shuttles that were meant for freight or commerce but when this Charlie had decided to switch his chamber for Relena’s he’d messed with something way beyond either of their comprehension. “Get up,” he told him advancing so forcefully the boy gasped and tried to scamper away. “What’re you doing?!” he growled fighting for his freedom but Hiiro’s grasp was unbreakable as he dragged him aft. “Let go!” the boy snarled struggling so hard Hiiro was forced to bind him in his arms and still his feet kicked and flailed leaving the pilot with more than one bruise and a nasty disposition. Hiiro felt little sympathy for him as he tossed him into the cleansing unit and slammed the door. “What the fuck are you doing!?” the boy growled beating on the transparent door fervently. “You can’t keep me in here!” Hiiro merely smiled drawing determination from the aching in his shins as he turned on the sanitizer and pushed it to full capacity. The boy roared but was forced down under the intense spray where he kicked at the door and spit his rage in a flamboyant litany of colorful phrases Hiiro had never heard the like of. When the sanitizer indicated all bacteria and germs had been neutralized he switched to the ion cleanser until the boy stilled and sat in a ball on the far side of the stall. It wasn’t until he opened the door and reached in to get him that he felt regret over his method as the boy jerked away from him violently insisting on exiting under his own power in spite of the fact that he was shaking like a leaf. His obstinacy rekindled Hiiro’s ire so he left him to stumble onto the bridge while he made a quick stop in the galley. “Eat this,” he grumbled tossing a pouch of mash at the boy who caught it in spite of his distress. “W…what the fuck is this?” the boy asked clearly trying hard to force the trembling to stop. “Ahg!” he grimaced after taking a taste. “That’s disgusting!” “Eat it if you want to live,” Hiiro advised already punching the codes for an emergency communiqué. It took a moment for the signal to connect but once the tight beam had been established and answer was quick to come. “Eagle one, this is control,” a woman’s voice intoned. “Good to hear from you.” “Where’s Dr. J?” Hiiro demanded without preamble. “Is something wrong?” the woman asked. “We have a situation,” Hiiro informed her. “You haven’t heard from Relena?” “Relena?” the woman repeated. “Why would… isn’t she with you?!” she suddenly gasped. “Hiiro?” “No,” Hiiro replied turning his attention to his benefactor’s presence. “What’s happened?” Dr. J asked evenly. “There as been a breach in mission protocol,” Hiiro informed them. “Relena’s stasis chamber was unknowingly replaced by a stowaway who thought to be transported to Mars.” “Where is this stowaway now?” Hiiro glanced at the ragtag boy who was still crouched in a corner grimacing at this pouch of mash before replying, “He’s here.” “He?” “He is a boy,” Hiiro reported. “Age, seventeen?” he said looking to him for confirmation but receiving only a noncommittal shrug. “Five feet, seven inches tall.” The boys brow went up in appreciation of the estimation. “Light brown hair, deep violet eyes.” Again the boys brow rose as he turned to examine his eyes in the nearest shiny surface. “Origin?” Hiiro prompted. “L2.” Hiiro paused only a moment before reporting, “Origin: L2.” “Does he have a name?” the woman’s voice amusedly inquired. Hiiro once again looked to the boy who cringed as he sucked some more of his meal from his pouch and replied, “Duo.” “Duo what?” Hiiro persisted. Again the boy shrugged then wiped his mouth on his damp sleeve and replied, “Maxwell I guess.” “Hiiro?” the woman prompted at the extended silence. “Maxwell,” Hiiro replied never taking his eyes from the boy. “Duo Maxwell.” All grew quite for a time while the people back on Earth did their bit until Duo sighed softly and gave up on the mash. “Well, this sucks,” was his assessment but all Hiiro offered was a stern expression in reply. “How long before we land?” he asked glancing at Venus through the view port and Hiiro’s gaze flickered for the first time. Duo was about to ask again when the comm suddenly buzzed. “Here,” Hiiro replied. “You’re stowaway is expendable,” Dr. J informed him. “Jettison the body and continue…” “WHAT!?” Duo exclaimed rising instantly to his feet. “You mean to space me!?” “Calm down,” Hiiro soothed. “I’m sorry, Hiiro,” the woman consoled. “But he is a danger to the mission.” “I’ve already decontaminated him,” Hiiro informed them ignoring the sudden light of comprehension in Duo’s eyes as he realized why he’d been subjected to the sanitizer. “I understand your reluctance,” Dr. J interjected. “However, he has not been properly screened. His body could harbor any number of detrimental virus’ or disease…” “Hey!” Duo barked indignantly but fell silent when Hiiro raised a hand. “I will perform the necessary screening,” Hiiro began but again J cut him off. “His presence is a danger to the mission,” he stated firmly. “Dispose of him and decontaminate any part of the ship he has come into contact with.” Hiiro let his gaze drift over to where Duo was standing nervously by the wall and clenched his jaw as he replied, “I… can’t do that.” Duo’s expression washed with relief but soured again when the doctor argued, “It is imperative that this mission be successful!” he growled. “Any and all obstacles must and will be obliterated. You will dispose of this threat before he contaminates…” “I’ve already been exposed,” Hiiro informed them never taking his eyes off Duo’s bewildered face. “How?” the woman’s tone inquired. “I kissed him.” “Damn it,” someone groused on the other end but it wasn’t J or the woman. “Dr. Po,” Dr. J said after a time. “I will leave this situation in your capable hands.” “God damn it, Hiiro!” the woman growled, her sudden shift in demeanor indicating J had left the building. “What in the hell were you thinking!?” Hiiro eyed Duo taking in the slender form and beautiful face as he cocked his head and thought twice about his response. “I thought he was a replacement for Relena.” “Why in the hell would we replace her with a boy!?” she growled indignantly. “And you’ve been awake for less than two hours,” she grumbled. “How in the hell did you get to second base already?” Again Hiiro cocked his head but this time it was to stave off the guilt that rose upon seeing Duo’s righteously indignant expression. “Um… I’ll explain later,” he replied sinking dejectedly in his seat. “If there is a later,” she groused before launching into a very long, very detailed list of new duties he was to perform before they would be allowed to land on Venetian soil.
~ * ~ tbc... |
