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"Shinigami’s Lot "Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. Written for
pleasure not profit. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/High School Gang War, Violence, blood,
fighting, violent NCS (rape), language, Bastardized Hiiro (in the
beginning), Evil Dr. J, Evil Relena, Prejudice, angst, OOC, Duo POV,
humor believe it or not! and I'm told this one will give you a freakishly
dark case of the warm fuzzies before its all over. >;^/ Pairings: 2+Hilde, 2+Solo, 2+4, 2+5, 1+3, Rx1
(unrequited), Mx5 (also unrequited), 5x13, 6x9, 3x4, SoloxCatherine,
and yes! 1X2!!!! YeeAAaay! Summary: A small town harbors big trouble as rival
factions face off in a war seemingly bred of predjudice and ill content.
While Hiiro's White Wing Gang tries to banish the gay community Duo
does his best to protect those that have come to be known as 'Shinigami's
Lot'. However, dark secrets and misunderstandings lead them on an
inevitable path back to one another as old feelings refuse to fade
and they discover a love that will ultimately survive. "Shinigami’s Lot "
Chapter 5 Hilde nudged Solo for the fourth time since they’d sat down for lunch. Once again he acknowledged her with a quick glance toward the green-eyed boy at the next table. He was more than aware of the habitual stares and sidelong glance’s those emerald eyes kept giving the young blond boy at his table. It was Quatre’s first day back at school since he’d been brutally beaten. His pale skin still showed the fading colors of deep bruises and healing cuts that belayed the bright-eyed boy’s almost sickening cheer. For someone that had just been beaten in a gang war, he sure seemed to be grinning a lot. The incident had increased the number of random fights between the two factions. It seemed the gay community had taken it upon themselves to retaliate for both Duo’s rape and Quatre’s beating by picking fights and ganging up on any Wing member that was foolish enough to be caught unaware. Wing’s response was swift and deadly, leaving several of Duo’s Lot nursing broken bones and battered bodies. Principal Noventa had called both Duo and Hiiro on separate occasions to his office to demand that they put a stop to the violence only to learn that neither had any control over their dominions anymore. The kids were acting of their own accord, their anger over recent events blinding them to any reasonable argument to cease hostilities against each other. Duo had informed his friends of Trowa’s change of heart, but how deep that change really was he left up to the new couple to expose. It really wasn’t his place to reveal their personal relationship, which was why the fervent stares Trowa was casting at the young blond were unnerving the two ignorant teens at his table. Once lunch was over they retreated to the hall, stopping so Quatre could retrieve his textbook for his next class from his locker. Hilde and Solo decided to stick close to him just in case. They were more than a little uneasy about Trowa’s apparent acceptance of them and had no intention of allowing anything more to happen to their injured friend. “Howard says the competition’s gonna be huge this year,” Duo was saying as Quatre rummaged in his locker. “Seventy Five entries so far,” Quatre confirmed. “We’ve had to extend it a third day but that’s all Father would allow. He capped it off after that so there won’t be any more entries.” “Are you competing?” Solo asked the blond. “No. As a Winner I’m not permitted,” he replied. “I wonder if Wufei has signed up,” Hilde mused. “Yeah,” Duo informed them. “He was there when I turned in my application. It’ll be fun facing off with him again.” “When will you know the lineup?” Solo asked. Quatre traded one book for another and replied. “The list has already been posted. Duo, Wufei, Trowa, Zechs and,” he paused for a moment as if to gather his nerve before continuing, “...Hiiro… are the top five competitors.” “I heard there’s gonna be a mobile suit division this year,” Hilde bubbled excitedly. Quatre nodded. “Oh man!” she gushed. “You’ll finally get a chance to show ‘em what you’re made of huh, Duo!?” Duo blushed mildly and shook his head. “Not this time,” he said sadly, causing her face to fall into a pout. “You have to have a suit to qualify. I’m afraid what I’ve got to offer wouldn’t exactly impress the judges.” “Aww, come on, Duo!” Solo teased. “Those little models of yours are first rate!” Duo flashed him a sardonic grin that clearly said, ‘fuck you’ before Quatre broke in with a huge grin and a giggle “Perhaps something will change,” he smiled happily, his eyes shinning much too brightly for a moment before he shut his locker and nearly jumped out of his skin. “Trowa!” he gasped, grabbing his chest. The tall boy had been standing behind the open door and now stood smirking smugly at the startled blond. Solo’s expression darkened as Hilde hugged her books tighter to her chest. Duo was laughing his ass off for which he was rewarded with a playful slap on the back of his bushy chestnut head by the furiously blushing blond. “Shut up,” Quatre giggled. “Ha ha ha yo…you should’a seen your face!” Duo laughed. His mirth defused the animosity his two old friends were feeling a little bit, helping them to relax in the ex-Wing Lieutenants presence. Both of their eyes went wide as Trowa leaned in close to Quatre’s ear and whispered secretly to him. Quatre’s mantle doubled in intensity and he couldn’t look any of them in the face as Trowa retreated, grinning evilly. “You’re gonna set his face on fire if you don’t lay off, man,” Duo jibbed, still chuckling softly. Trowa’s only response was a raised eyebrow and a quick glance at the blonds nether regions that earned him a scolding bump from Quatre’s shoulder while Solo and Hilde stood frozen in utter shock. “We’d better get to class,” Quatre managed to choke out through his attempts to tame the rouge smile trying to escape his control. He turned to head down the hall and stopped suddenly, all mirth draining from him as his eyes lighted on a stoic figure down the hall. The others followed suit as they one by one became aware of Hiiro’s presence, his crystal blue eyes reflecting the frosty imperfections of his heart as he stood perfectly still, his gaze fixed on the tall, green-eyed boy standing close to Quatre’s side. Trowa returned the empty gaze for a time, some unspoken communication passing between them that only they understood before his arm slowly reached out and snaked its way around Quatre’s waist, pulling him close to his side. Hiiro’s gaze faltered and dropped to assess the contact between the boys, his eyes flickering back up as Trowa slowly turned his head and kissed Quatre full on the mouth. The extreme emotions of the moment instantly overwhelmed the smaller boy. He half forgot where he was, who was watching or even the place and time. Trowa kissed him warmly, commanding little whimpers and gentle wisps of heated breath from him as the blond melted in his embrace. There were soft whispers up and down the hall as onlookers either gapped in wonder or sneered their disapproval at the open display as Solo’s mouth fell open and Hilde dropped her books. When Trowa pulled back his face was nearly as flushed as Quatre’s, his eye’s remained closed while he took a moment to regain his balance. Quatre swallowed hard and thanked his Gods that Trowa still held his suddenly unsteady form around the waist. Trowa turned his gaze back to Hiiro who stood still as the grave, seemingly unaffected in his icy calm. They held each other’s regard for a moment before Hiiro shifted his deadly glare to Duo then turned and walked away. “You think that was wise?” Duo asked softly. “He needs to know,” Trowa responded turning back to his flustered lover. “When will you speak to him?” the braided boy inquired. “Let him chew on this for awhile,” Trowa replied, pulling away from Quatre with a small kiss to his forehead. “You ok?” he asked softly laying one hand on his bright pink cheek. Quatre nodded, smiling modestly. “I’ll pick you up after school.” Quatre nodded again and accepted a small kiss before Trowa inclined his head and left them. ** Hiiro poured himself another brandy, grimacing slightly as slender fingers slipped over his tense shoulders from behind. He tensed up even more closing his eyes in an attempt to keep from breaking the girl’s neck as she began to slowly massage his terse muscles. It had been a month since the shooting that had taken his last friend from his side. The memories of Quatre’s slight body being systematically brutalized turned his stomach forcing him to open his eyes and flee the sickening memories. He felt Relena’s soft body mold to his back as she stepped closer and slipped her hands down his chest and around his shoulders. “What’s wrong, pet?” she cooed gently, laying her dainty head on his shoulder. “Don’t you like your gift?” she smiled.He gulped down his brandy in one shot and stepped away from her, leaving her with an openly frustrated scowl on her face. “Honestly, Hiiro,” she groused pouring herself a drink in his glass. “You should be more grateful. Father’s gone to a lot of trouble and expense for you. The least you could do is pretend to be happy about it.” He stepped up to the window, the candles the girl had set on the makeshift table that their catered dinner sat upon reflecting in the plate glass panes as he stared out at the monstrous mecha in the hanger below. His eyes took in the sleek lines and superior design of the elite mobile suit known as Wing Zero. He knew Relena’s father had connections to the military. It was the main reason the girl had pursued him in the first place. So her father would be assured his services in piloting suits such as this in the upcoming war with the colonies. Relena was oblivious to her father’s ambitions, believing his pursuit’s to be peace orientated. In her eyes his interest in Hiiro only proved his dedication. In her heart she knew Hiiro would inevitably show the world that war was not the way. Hiiro had seen through this long ago. He was well aware of why he was being trained so intensely. His stomach turned over again as he tightened his grip on his iron control, refusing to let one drop of his true feelings leak through the impermeable mask. Relena had taken advantage of her father’s presentation of his latest and most outrageous gift to try to seduce him again. He tolerated the girl for several reasons but the thought of touching her only made his skin crawl. She was far from unattractive with pretty blue eyes, honey blond hair and the best figure that money could buy. He just found her repulsive when it came to intimate details. Her hands were as cold as her heart, her affections childish and self centered. When she touched him it was to quail her own desires, it had nothing to do with his needs and only served to sour his stomach. Still, he remained. He couldn’t leave her now; her purpose had not yet been fulfilled. “You’re still angry over Trowa, aren’t you?” she groused, plopping dejectedly into the over stuffed couch that lined one wall of the cozy employee lounge. “I must say, I never would have believed he’d turn out to be a dirty little queer,” she took another drink. “You’re fortunate you found out now before he ruined your chances to work with Father and the committee.” Hiiro remained silent. He rarely spoke with the girl and saw no reason to change tactics now. She rambled on about how lucky he was to be a part of her father’s plans and what he could do to make up for all the man was doing for him, including their possible betrothal that she brought up every time he was forced to endure this speech. His sharp eyes suddenly locked on a spot in the darkened hanger where there had been a mild fluctuation in the atmosphere before a lone form walked from the shadows and moved toward the bottom of the stairs. His brow knitted together slightly as he pondered the different reasons Trowa might have for visiting the hanger so late at night as his tall form began to climb the steps. “Hiiro!” he heard the girl call and he suddenly realized she must have called him more than once and glanced at her. “You’re not listening to a word I’m saying, are you?” she huffed. “What is ‘wrong’ with you lately? Your future stands in that bay,” she informed him coolly. “I suggest you take care and consider your options well if you wish to keep it.”The knock on the door spared the girl the tongue-lashing she was about to receive. Her brow creased in her irritation as she complained. “Gods! Who’s here at this hour?!” “It’s open,” Hiiro said smoothly, earning him a disdainful glare from the girl. Her expression screwed up in distaste when Trowa entered the room. “What do ‘you’ want?” she ground out. “Haven’t you done enough?” “Relena,” Trowa greeted cordially, ignoring her remarks. “Why are you here?” Hiiro asked. “Because you need me to be here,” Trowa informed him calmly. Relena scoffed. “That’s rich!” she barked. “Don’t you have an anal examination to perform somewhere?” she asked sardonically. “Be quiet, Relena,” Hiiro told her, earning him another of her scandalized glares. Turning his attention back to the tall boy in the room he asked again, “What do you want, Trowa? You’ve made your position quiet clear.” “What position is that?” Trowa asked innocently. Hiiro’s eyes grew darker yet as he replied, “You betrayed me.” “I fell in love,” Trowa countered. Relena scoffed again but held her tongue when Hiiro leveled another warning glare on her. He walked over to the bar again and poured himself another brandy. “How long?” he asked. “When did my best friend decide he’d like a dick up his ass?” “Stop it,” Trowa warned. “That’s not what it’s about and you know it.” “Do I?” Hiiro asked, turning to face him again. “I was under the impression that’s exactly what it’s about,” he added taking a long drink from his glass. “It’s disgusting,” Relena added, her mouth twisting in a contortion that made her look as if she might throw up. “That may be the way you see it,” Trowa replied to her barb coolly. “However, we both know that’s not how it is,” he said, holding Hiiro’s gaze. “You seem to have a very confidant grasp on my state of mind,” Hiiro chuckled. “I know more than you’re willing to admit,” Trowa informed him. Hiiro stopped and stood silently for a moment gazing thoughtfully into the deep green eyes of his ex-Lieutenant. Unable to assess just exactly what the boy had meant he was forced to resort to words for his interrogation. “Whatever you’re pretty little boy toy has told you is far from whole of the story, I can assure you,” he stated calmly. “You know me better than that,” Trowa replied. “I draw my own conclusions from the facts.” “Facts?” Hiiro scoffed. “Do tell us what ‘facts’ brought you to this end. What could make you willingly vitiate your body with another man?” “I could ask you the same question,” Trowa quietly countered. Hiiro tensed as his verbal fishing confirmed his fears. Trowa knew what he’d done. Relena’s lost her patience as she stood and went to refill her glass in a huff. “You’ve obviously made your decision taking up with that snip of a boy,” she said coldly. “I see no further reason for you to bother Hiiro with your radical ideas. Why don’t you go crawl back under your rock with your faggot friends? I’m sure once your little concubines worn out that slut of a whore, Duo would be glad to accommodate you.” Trowa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice was a cold whisper when he spoke “Watch your mouth, little girl,” he warned. “Quatre is one of the finest people I have ever met and Duo is most certainly no whore.” “Or what?” she challenged, stepping closer to the safety of Hiiro’s side. “You’ll shoot me too?” she chuckled nervously. “There are worse things than death,” he intoned softly, his dark gaze causing her to shiver slightly when she realized he meant the threat. She gathered herself as best she could and moved even closer to her would be savior before she stammered her uncertain reply. “That boy would do anyone that asked. Everyone knows that.” “Duo has had sex exactly once,” Trowa informed them watching Hiiro’s reaction closely. He thought he saw some minor shift in his eyes but he couldn’t be sure. He’d thought the knowledge that Hiiro had taken Duo’s virginity might stir some emotion but Hiiro remained, as ever, unreadable. “And you believe him!?” Relena scoffed. “It’s a well known fact he sleeps around although I can’t imagine why anyone that’s had him would want to admit it.” “Perhaps you could enlighten us?” Trowa suggested to the Japanese boy. “Since you’d be the only one qualified to answer.” Relena’s brow crinkled as she glanced at the stoic boy beside her attempting to decipher that bit of information. Hiiro’s gaze remained on Trowa for a moment before his eyes dropped to his glass. “Excuse us,” he dismissed her. “It would appear we have some business to discuss.” Her expression hardened as she set her glass down and turned back to him, “What’s this all about?” she demanded. “Go home, Relena,” was the only reply he would offer. Her gaze darted between the two boys for a moment before her eyes narrowed angrily then she snatched up her sweater and stormed from the room. They stood quietly until her footsteps had died in the hanger before Hiiro broke the silence “Would you like a drink?” he asked amiably refilling his glass. “No, thank you,” Trowa replied. “What now?” Hiiro inquired, turning back to face him. “Why?” Trowa simply inquired. Hiiro smiled softly, letting it grow into a low chuckled before he lifted his glass and washed it away with a huge gulp of brandy. “Why not?” he replied calmly. “Why would you rape a man if you’re dead set against gays?” he persisted. “It was what he wanted,” Hiiro countered distantly. “To be raped?! You honestly believe that?” Trowa gapped. “You should know by now,” Hiiro smiled. “Isn’t that little Winner boy taking care of you? They all want it in the end,” he said, adding with a wry chuckle, “No pun intended” as he took another drink of his brandy. “You didn’t rape them all,” Trowa reminded him. “You raped Duo. Why? What did he ever do to you?” “Leave it alone, Trowa,” Hiiro warned. “I can’t do that,” the tall boy replied. “Look Hiiro,” he went on. “I’ve been your friend for awhile now. I don’t know what’s going on between you two but it’s frying your brain. Take a look at yourself.” “Doesn’t matter,” Hiiro replied, turning to look out the window at Wing Zero again. “Why are you doing this?” Trowa persisted. Hiiro stood silent for so long Trowa was about to ask him again when he distantly replied, “He plagues me.” “Why?” Trowa softly intoned but was answered only with heavy silence. “Is it really him?” he asked softly, adding in a quiet, unassuming way “...or you?” Hiiro rounded on him looking as if he were going to spit something on him then stilled thoughtfully for a moment before responding, “Very perceptive.” “I don’t get it,” Trowa stated. “What the hell’s with all this ‘gays are the scum of the Earth’ if your gay yourself? What going on?” “Just…” Hiiro breathed tiredly, his control slipping a notch in the face of his own denial, “…leave it alone. It’s none of your business.” “I’m making it my business,” Trowa stated firmly. “You’re in love with him aren’t you?” “Leave it alone,” Hiiro growled warningly. “You’ve been in love with him all along,” Trowa persisted. “Shut up,” Hiiro commanded tersely; his eyes closing to tiny slits as his hand tightened around his glass. “Are you jealous?” Hiiro’s glass exploded on the wall over Trowa’s shoulder, dowsing the tall boy in brandy and bits of glass. Trowa, however, didn’t bat an eye at the disturbance until the cold, amber liquid was dripping down the wall then he let his lips curl into a tiny, little triumphant smile. After a time, he reached up and brushed a bit of glass from his shoulder then walked to the door and paused. “He doesn’t hate you, you know?” he told him calmly. “Not even now,” he added before he opened the door and left Hiiro standing silently alone. ** “What time did you tell her to be here?” Relena asked shortly, her impatience evident in her voice. “Relax, Miss Relena,” the cool tone of her best friend and fellow socialite Dorothy replied. “She’ll be here shortly. Here,” the long hared blond offered, “have another drink and calm your nerves.” Relena accepted the wine cooler and sat sulkily on one end of the deep couch that was provided for the upper crust society maidens in the executive student lounge at St. Gabriel’s. “I can’t believe that idiot interrupted us,” she groused, once again gritting her teeth. “Now, now, Miss Relena,” Dorothy soothed. “I’m sure there will be other opportunities very soon. You mustn’t excite yourself so.” “I was ‘that’ close Dorothy!” the honey blond girl complained. “He might have proposed for all I know and that… that rump ranger had to go and spoil it all!” Dorothy chuckled at the odd insult and came to sit with her on the couch. “Well,” she breathed confidently. “With a little luck and some careful planning you may find yourself betrothed to your fairy prince after all.” Relena’s lips curled into a self-indulgent grin. “You really think so?” she sighed. Dorothy nodded and leaned up to place a hand on the girl’s forearm. “Of course,” she smiled. “Trust me.” “What are you going to do?” Relena asked. Her curiosity once again peeked by her friend’s sinister nature. “Oh,” Dorothy shrugged. “I have some ideas.” “Pooh!” Relena pouted. “You’re worse than Father with your dirty little secrets!” she complained. Dorothy simply smiled and took a sip of her wine cooler. Relena fairly jumped from the couch when a knock came at the door. When she opened it, her face brightened as she admitted a young Chinese girl in a long silk dress. The girl had a somber look about her and seemed unwilling to meet their eyes. “You wanted to see me?” Meilan inquired. “Yes,” Relena responded, ushering her into the room. “Please. Come in. Would you like a drink?” she asked, heading for the corner bar where the small refrigerator was located. It was supposed to be stocked with fruit juices and soda but Dorothy had some how convinced the administration to turn their heads and brought in an assortment of liquors and wine coolers instead. “No, thank you,” Meilan replied. “It is not permitted in my culture,” she explained at Relena’s affronted response. “Please, sit down,” Dorothy offered, motioning toward a chair in front of the couch. Meilan took the offered seat and waited for the two girls to state their business. She’d been attending the school since her arrival from China and knew these girls to be very highly regarded in the social veins of the town. However, what they wanted from her was a mystery. “How are you enjoying life in the Chang Palace?” Dorothy asked with a smile. Meilan’s eyes fell to the floor. “I ...don’t know,” she replied uncertainly. “You don’t know how you like it?” the long hared girl asked as if surprised by her answer. “I… don’t live in the palace anymore,” Meilan explained. “What’s this all about?” Dorothy nodded knowingly. “As I feared. I have it on good faith that your husband has been spending a great deal of time with one Treize Khushrenada if I’m not mistaken?” Meilan’s eyes found the floor again silently confirming the accusation. “Poor girl,” Relena interjected sympathetically. “It’s not your fault, you know? That evil boy’s corrupted more than just your poor, confused husband, I assure you.” Meilan looked confused. “What boy?” she asked. Dorothy patted Relena’s hand and took over the conversation again. “He’s been working on your prince for some time,” she sighed. “Throwing himself at him like some cheap whore. Such a pity really. I doubt a strong man such as your husband would have surrendered if he weren’t so beautiful.” Meilan’s eyes lit up in understanding. “Duo?” she asked softly. “Oh, yes,” Dorothy grinned. “He’s managed to seduce a number of upstanding young men in this town. That rare beauty is his main weapon, you see. It gets him what he wants in more ways than one.” “What do you want?” Meilan asked suspiciously. “Only to help,” Dorothy smiled. “You see, our young Mr. Maxwell has recently drawn a new fly to his web. I think you know Trowa Barton?” “That’s the boy that… shot that Nolan kid,” the Chinese girl replied thoughtfully. Dorothy smiled sweetly. “Yes,” she confirmed. “Do you know why he shot a noble boy like Trent Nolan leaving his family without an heir?” she inquired. Meilan shook her head. “He was seduced by that nymph of a boy Duo Maxwell, that’s why. He drew him in, gave him a pet of his own and then manipulated him into killing one of the finest young men to ever attend St. Gabriel’s Academy,” she sighed shaking her head sadly. Meilan’s eyes widened with horror but she said nothing. Dorothy gave her a minute to assimilate the information before she went on. “We have decided that this cannot continue.” “What has this to do with me?” Meilan asked cautiously. “Only this,” Dorothy told her temptingly. “If you would like to reclaim your rightful place at your husband’s side, in his life and in his bed, then we will require your cooperation.” Meilan stood suddenly, her eyes flashing with something boldly recognizable as stark terror. “I… I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I can’t help you,” she quickly stated. “Oh, but you must,” Dorothy insisted. “For your own sake as well as your poor, delusional husband. We must save them Meilan.” “H… how could you help him?” the Asian girl inquired nervously. “By reminding him that he is a man, my dear,” Dorothy smiled. “Sometimes one has only to be forced to look at their choices to see that they have made a mistake. Life cannot be lived without consequence.” Meilan stood for a moment, her eyes darting toward the door as if she wanted to flee, but she held her ground, wringing her hands in fearful contemplation. “It’s alright,” Dorothy soothed. “Go back to your duties. We’ll be in touch. I do hope you realize the opportunity we’re offering. You could have the life you were promised if you only have the will to take it,” she encouraged. Meilan stood for a moment longer then left without another word. Relena let out a low whistle. “Damn you’re good! She’ll do whatever we say!” she giggled. Dorothy smiled and tapped their glasses together in a toast. “To the rise of a new order,” she said through a toothy grin. “Here, here!” Relena returned happily. ** “She’s running a little rich!” Duo shouted over the engine noise of the small crop duster he’d just landed before shutting it off and pulling his leather helmet from his head. His hair bounced and fell down covering part of the impression the tight goggles had left around his eyes. “You’re one crazy son of a bitch!” Howard yelled back. “Maybe if you’d keep her right side up she wouldn’t be spitting gas all over ya!” “Where’s the fun in that?” Duo piped up, jumping from the open-air cockpit. “I’ll have a look at her before I leave,” he added, walking from the runway with the befuddled Howard in tow. The small airstrip that the aviation coach owned paled in comparison to the large airfield across town but it served his purpose most adequately. There were several reconditioned antique planes, an ancient helicopter that hadn’t seen any airtime in a hundred years and the top half of a prototype Leo that served as a pretty nice perch for anyone that wanted to watch Duo’s aerial acrobatics. Today the Leo supplied a seat to three young friends that jumped down and bounded up to meet their windblown comrade with huge smiles and gushing praise. “That was awesome!” Hilde chimed. “Nice moves, street rat!” was Solo’s admiration. “I’ve never seen anything like that! How did you pull out of that dive!?” Quatre enthused. “And the ascent!? You shouldn’t even be conscious! This plane’s not designed for that kind of stunt!” “Duo can do anything,” Howard boasted slapping the blushing boy on the back. “And I think it’s about time he proved it,” he added looking at the Winner heir with a knowing grin. Duo looked between them, wondering what the hell they were up to for a moment before said heir chimed in with, “Lead the way!” and he was suddenly being ushered off toward a hanger Howard had rented to a local farmer to store his hay in. He napped in it sometimes in the summer because it was usually packed from wall to wall with tall stacks of the bailed grass. “Where the hell are we goin’?” Solo asked, trying to keep up with Howard’s long stride. The tall, lanky man could move pretty quickly when he got the notion and he was apparently excited enough to set a pace that had the shorter teens jogging to keep up. Duo furrowed his brow and kept glancing at the exuberant face of his young blond friend. Quatre was nearly on fire with barely controlled elation. “What the hell..?” the braided boy whispered as they rounded the corner and entered the hanger. Duo stopped dead, his mouth hanging open, his helmet and goggles falling to the floor as his body suddenly forgot they existed. “Holy shit,” Solo exclaimed. “Oh, Duo,” Hilde breathed reaching out to touch the stunned boy’s shoulder. Duo just stood there. His mind refusing to believe what he was seeing. There, on the other side of the hanger where there was once tall stacks of sweet scented hay stood the most amazing thing he’d ever seen in his life. It towered in the dim light, dominating everything around it. Duo swallowed hard and took a shaky step forward. “I,” he squeaked, stepping closer to the colossal, obsidian machine. “Do you like it?” Quatre squealed, no longer able to hold in his jubilation. Duo rounded on him. “You?” he asked breathlessly. “This is yours? You did this?” “Mm hm!” the blond confirmed, dancing several feet into the room. “Duo Maxwell,” he said with a flourish., “Meet Deathscythe. - Mobile suit extraordinaire!” “Holly shit! Quatre, you didn’t!?” Duo exclaimed, moving closer to the shinning behemoth. “It’s huge! How on Earth!? I… I cant believe this! What’s that? Son of a bitch! This thing’s armed!” he exclaimed excitedly. “Only with blanks and poppers,” Quatre told him. “It’s all just show. Look!” he said happily. “It has a scythe like the one you used in your act!” Duo came around to study the weapon with round eyes and a hammering heart. “Geez! I don’t believe this!” he reiterated. “You like it?” Quatre asked again, bouncing energetically on the balls of his feet. Duo chuckled at him. “How in the world did you do this?” he asked, moving to further examine the suit. “Father has been working toward disarmament,” he explained. “This is part of his demonstration that arms are not peacekeepers. The demonstrations he plans with these suits will help show people that fighting is not the answer and he wants ‘you’ to be the pilot!“ he gushed happily. “Me!?” Duo gasped. “But I’m just a test pilot. Or gonna be. I don’t know anything about mobile suits or war or tactics or… Damn! Look at that! He’s got fully automatic, armor piercing sub machine guns mounted right into the aft quarter panel! Shit! He’s loaded with sensor arrays too! Is that a cloaking diffusion device under there!?” he queried, crawling up the huge leg to squeeze under a panel on the back. Quatre giggled. Sounded like he had a pretty good idea what was what to him. He let him have a few minutes to get familiar with the suit, walking back to talk to the others while they watched him crawl all over it. After about an hour, Howard stood up and yelled at him “You gonna use it for a jungle gym all day or do we get to see some action!?” Duo looked up sharply from his perch on the great mecha’s huge, black armored shoulder “What?” he said shortly. “Come on, sprite!” Hilde shouted. “We wanna see what ya can do!” “You mean pilot this thing!?” Duo asked incredulously. Quatre rolled his eyes. “That’s the idea,” he shouted back. “Now?” the braided boy inquired. “Now!” the all barked in unison. “Umm… Yeah,” he said absently shutting the panel he’d been studying. “Just put your hand to the palm pad and it’ll register you as the new pilot. It’s already programmed to your bios. You’ll be the only one it’ll respond to,” Quatre informed him. Duo crawled down to the hatch and did as he was instructed. The pad glowed for a moment before the hatch suddenly hissed open. A soft breeze blew his bangs back, the sweet scent of new leather wafting out to greet him as he peered into the heart of the giant. He swallowed the fire that was suddenly bubbling in his throat as his blood raced through his veins and descended slowly into the cockpit. As he entered the small chasm he felt a cool rush sliding over his skin, up his back and down his legs like the welcome caress of a cool summer breeze, fresh and new and tingling with life. He ran his hands over the soft leather seat; the subtle, velvety skin beneath his fingertips sending a rush through his body akin to that of a lovers touch. “Aww, ha ha, maan,” he groaned appreciatively as he crawled inside, his eyes already memorizing the controls of the console. There were the stabilizers, over there the hydraulics controls. Communications; weapons; sensor’s; it was all there just like in the books and simulators at the college. It wasn’t exactly the same but the principles were close enough to recognize. “How’s it feel?” Quatre’s voice called from down below as he maneuvered himself into the pilots seat. He let out a low groan, the sound of ultimate approval as he sank into the soft cushion, his body molding to it as if it’d been tailored to fit. His heart raced, he closed his eyes and reached out, grasping the controls, his hands knowing instinctively exactly where to go. A moment later the great mobile suit Deathscythe thrummed with life. The steady hum of a thousand systems working in perfect harmony filled the hanger as huge, green eyes radiated their servility. The hand lifted, displaying the massive shaft of the thermal scythe that was its trademark weapon before the air crackled with confined energy and a long, green energy blade sizzled as it grew from the tip, filling the hanger with an eerie, otherworldly glow. “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” ripped from the open cockpit as the glowering blade swished through the air. The group on the ground exploded in whoops and jubilation bouncing around and hugging each other over an over again as the hanger suddenly resounded with Old Earth rock and roll and the ominous, ebony war machine side stepped and began to dance. ** Catherine crinkled her nose up in distaste. She didn’t really know what it was but something about Dorothy Catalonia just gave her the creeps. She scooted down as far away as she could get from the long hared girl as she and her friend Relena took the never before occupied seats at the end of her table. Doing her best to ignore them entirely, she flipped the page in her book and continued her research. An entire library full of empty tables and they had to pick ‘those’ two seats? She’d just resigned herself to a long evening of tense silence when the unthinkable happened and Dorothy spoke. “Good evening, Miss Catherine,” she greeted. Catherine looked up slowly not sure she’d heard right. These girls never spoke to her. She didn’t have the proper clout to warrant their attention. It made her very suspicious, but she decided to be civil just the same and replied, “Good evening,” before returning her attention to her books. “I trust your family is well?” Dorothy continued undauntedly. Catherine turned her curly brown head back up to stare openly at her. “What do you want, Dorothy?” she asked forwardly. “Such animosity over simple conversation,” the long hared girl exclaimed. Catherine wasn’t buying it. “If you have something to say to me, say it, Dorothy. I’m not up for your games.” Dorothy smiled sweetly, her gray/blue eyes glittering in the light. “How is your brother?” she asked. Catherine’s eyes narrowed. She’d always been very fond of her stepbrother, Trowa. Ever since their parents were married some years back she’d taken the younger boy under her wing. She had grown adamantly protective over him and didn’t like the fact that Dorothy had taken an interest in him one bit. “What do you care?” she inquired in a strong, steady tone. “His trail is set for late December I understand,” Dorothy commented casually. “I do hope you family has retained a very good attorney,” she smiled. “We have,” she snipped. “He’ll be fine,” she insisted. Dorothy looked at Relena and chuckled softly before quickly restraining her mirth with an apologetic glance at Catherine. “Forgive me,” she said smoothly. “It’s just that I just can’t help but wonder how the jury will find it when they learn the entire incident was nothing more than a fit of jealous rage.” “What the hell are you going on about?” Catherine growled, her gray eyes sparkling with angry tears. “It was no such thing! He and Quatre didn’t have a relationship at the time,” she defended. “Didn’t they?” Dorothy asked innocently. “That boy tried to kill Quatre!” Catherine snapped. “According to whom?” the long hared girl inquired coolly. “Duo saw it!” the brown haired girl barked shutting her book and gathering her things to leave. “Oh, yes,” Dorothy cooed. “Mr. Maxwell. Wasn’t he the one that refused to divulge the name of the man that raped him?” she asked softly. Catherine stopped suddenly and spun on the girl but held her tongue. She really didn’t know what to say. What she’d said was the truth. Duo had refused to say who it was for whatever reason but she knew he wasn’t lying about this. “I don’t know what you’re trying to pull,” she stated firmly. “But you stay the hell away from me and my brother,” she ordered before she turned on her heal and storming away. Dorothy offered Relena a tiny little smile that was mirrored in the girl’s bright, blue eyes before they stood and left as well. -~- Duo lashed out with his scythe and other bundle of hay bails exploded into a rain of singed straw. Gods, he could get used to this! He felt like he could take on the world; the colonies; hell… the universe at large! There was such a feeling of power while seated in the great mecha’s chest. “Send up another one!” he called over the com. Howard smiled and hit the release on the catapult sending another bundle of hay sailing at the huge machine. Duo did a little spin cutting it in half with a flair never before seen by the aging mechanic/pilot. “Never misses,” Howard mumbled absently turning to watch as Hilde brought more bundles of hay with the forklift. Duo seemed to have gotten bored marking the tree tops with the dummy rounds in his guns and had insisted on something a little more challenging, hence the hay, but they were quickly running out. Howard grinned when he saw the real challenge approach. “Hey kid?” he called over the com, stopping the huge machine as it did a jig around the outer field. “Yeah?” Duo acknowledged. “Turn around,” Howard instructed with a huge smile in his voice. Duo complied curious as to why until his eyes bugged out at the sight of two more mobile suits much like his own strolling toward him down the runway. One was orange and white and had a massive Gatling gun for a left arm. The other had multiple plates of armor that made it look like a gladiator and carried two huge sickles in its massive hands. “Who the hell’re you?” he asked, turning to face them, scythe held at the ready. “Thought you might need a dance partner,” Trowa’s tinny voice answered. “You didn’t think you were the only star in the sky, did you?” Quatre teased. Duo grinned so hard it’s a wonder his head didn’t split open . “Welcome to the show, boys!” he greeted. “Ok,” Howard interjected. “Don’t be too damn gentle with each other. You’re not using live rounds and those machines are solid Gundainium. It ain’t like you’re gonna scratch the paint. Duo, cut back on the scythes energy and it’ll…” “Already on it,” the braided boy replied turning the weapon down to a level that wouldn’t cause his opponents harm. “Good man,” Howard praised. “Ok! Have fun, but remember! Stay clear of the structures! I can’t afford to have you steppin’ on the damn things!” “Ok, Dad!” Duo teased before launching an attack on the other suits that sent them diving for cover. Howard watched in amazement. He’d never seen anyone take to a suit so fast. Duo had beaten both of his friends many times before the afternoon wore on to evening and forced them to abandon their practice. He, Solo and Hilde met the three excited boys as they descended in the hanger. “You sure you weren’t born in a cockpit?” Howard teased the braided boy as he hit the ground. “Could be!” Duo returned happily. “I have no clue where I was born!” “You were amazing out there!” Quatre praised. “I’ve never been killed so many times in a row before! I think I need to practice!” “Your skills are fine,” Trowa informed the blond, stepping up and encircling him with one arm. “His are just inhuman,” he teased. Duo blushed dutifully and grinned like a banshee. “Oh man!” he said suddenly. “I’ve gotta get my app modified for the competition or I won’t be able to compete in the mobile suit division!” “Relax,” Quatre soothed. “It’s already taken care of,” he smiled reassuringly. Duo calmed somewhat as they walked back toward the office together. “Where’d the other suits come from?” he asked off handily. “Sandrock’s my personal property,” Quatre told him making him quirk an inquisitive brow. “I’m the best pilot we had,” he said with a shrug. “And Heavyarms?” Duo asked. “Belongs to the Barton Foundation,” Trowa said flatly and left it at that. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you, Quatre,” Duo stated as they reached the door to the office. He turned to his friend and looked him straight in the eye. Extending his hand toward the young blond, he said in a clear strong voice, “Thank you.” A huge smile blossomed on Quatre’s face and he claimed the offered handshake. A moment later, the blond was jerked forward into a life-threatening hug that inspired a scowl on Trowa’s face. “Y… you’re welcome,” Quatre choked out, chuckling as best he could without the aid of air. “We have an essay to write,” Trowa reminded his lover, pulling him free of Duo and into his own arms. Quatre nodded and smiled at the open show of affection. He liked the fact that Trowa just didn’t seem to care who saw them or what the hell they thought. After being repressed by his station in life for so long, it was a breath of fresh air he had no desire to squelch. “Doing a paper on the friction limit of lube?” Duo teased, squawking when Trowa’s hand popped him in the head as Quatre hid his ruby red face in Trowa’s chest. “You’re gonna cut my cuddle time,” Trowa complained. “Doubtful,” Quatre mumbled. Trowa smirked coyly and waggled his eyebrows playfully. “Geez, you two are disgusting,” Duo groused, still chuckling as he walked into the office with Howard. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” he called back over his shoulder before the door shut. Quatre turned to smile at his lover and Trowa wrapped him up in his long arms and pulled him close, returning the expression before leaning down to kiss him gently, his slow, steady manor eliciting a softly delighted moan from the blond boy. “You heard the man,” he grinned. Quatre giggled and rolled his eyes. “You’re insatiable,” he accused, then darted up and licked the end of Trowa’s nose. The erotically teasing move earned him another kiss that left his knees weak, which was ok since Trowa picked him up and carried him off toward his parked car. Quatre giggled and squirmed in his arms. “Put me down!” he groused, kicking his feet in the air. “We’re never going get that essay done!” he reasoned hysterically. “I’m finished,” Trowa informed him as he dove in to nibble at the blonds pale neck. Quatre settled and groaned softly, cuddling into the affection. “When did you find time? I haven’t even started yet,” he said absently as they reached the car and he was set down on the hood. Trowa slipped in between his knees and leaned in close, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling their hips together. “I don’t have a multi-trillion dollar business to run,” he stated as he resumed his tantalizing meal. “Oh… Allah,” Quatre breathed, opening himself to the slow advance. “I’m never going be able to sit properly again, am I?” he asked as his mind began to spin. Trowa pulled back and looked at him inquisitively. “Did I hurt you?” he asked. Quatre shook his head. “Uh-uh,” he replied. “Just a little sore. It’ll be alright tomorrow.” “I’m sorry,” Trowa offered pulling back completely. “Why didn’t you tell me? I never want to cause you any pain. You know that.” “I uh… didn’t notice at the time” Quatre chuckled blushing cutely. Trowa chortled and lifted him, carrying him to the car door and reaching out to open it. “You,” he said, giving him a small kiss and setting him on his feet, “are taking the night off. I’ll help you write your paper.” “If you insist,” Quatre breathed, rolling his eyes in mock indignation as he climbed in. Trowa made a mental note to check online for ways to avoid such irritating set backs as he climbed in the car and drove away. tbc...
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