"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 8

Wufei glided through the great halls of the palace on a wisp of air, his heart so light his feet seemed to barely touch the Earth. He had his lover back, his body and soul was sated beyond measure and he was headed to fine tune Nataku for the coming competition. Life was pretty damn good!

**

Meilan bowed low, she had not asked for an audience with the elder in advance so she showed the proper respect when approaching him. He sat in the garden, his long, white mustache trailing the bench beside him giving testament to long life. He smiled down at her and placed a soothing hand on her head. “What is it you seek, my child?” he asked in a voice grown weak and raspy with age.

“I have come to beg for Prince Wufei’s continued reign,” she replied meekly.

The old man furrowed his brow in confusion and reached down to tilt her head up so he could look into her eyes. Seeing his confusion, the girl’s request spilled from her lips in a heated rush. “Please!” she pleaded, taking the aging hand and pressing it to her soft cheek. “Wufei is a good man. Please don’t send him away. What sin is there in loving?”

Her tears fell hot on the elder’s trembling knuckles, warming his heart to think that their young prince had come to marry such a girl. His smile was warm and affectionate when he replied, “My child. Wufei is the heart of the Dragon,” he told her leaning down conspiratorially as a light sparkled in his ancient eyes. “A willful child,” he winked, “But true to his own sense of integrity. Whether tyrant or saint we would never turn him away,” he smiled.

She looked confused for a moment recalling what Tau had said; her brow furrowing in concern as she worked it out. It wasn’t the elders that were planning on getting rid of her husband; it was Tau himself. Her eyes grew wide with alarm. “Where is he?” she asked almost rhetorically.

“He has gone to prepare Shenlong,” the elder answered, not understanding the girl’s strange behavior.

She stood and bowed low again. “Please excuse me,” she breathed then quickly ran away. His eyes watched her go, his aged hands gripping the cane that lay beside him as a knowing smile graced his ancient face.

**

Wufei rounded the corner and took in the sight of the great Gundam Shenlong. Here stood the ultimate expression of the warrior spirit of his clan. An ancient energy burned deep within his chest as he strode purposefully toward the giant to begin his final preparations. A faint, unfamiliar sound stilled his steps as he turned to investigate. The lone figure that came to light as Tau bled from the shadows brought him both irritation and alarm.

“Tau?” he queried; his curiosity at the older boy’s presence evident in his eyes.

Tau regarded him for a moment before shifting to his left. He watched the floor while he walked, his eyes shining with the smug expression his small smile seemed to covey. Wufei tensed. He knew a threat when he saw one no matter how well disguised.

“Where do you think your going?” Tau asked.

Wufei decided to play along and find out what the hell he was up to. “Shenlong must be prepared,” he replied softly. His dark eyes narrowed in consideration of this odd behavior.

Tau stopped and looked at the boy, his smirk growing wider as he spoke. “You are not worthy to pilot Shenlong,” he told him.

“It is not your place to judge,” Wufei bristled immediately. “Do not dishonor yourself by doing so,” he advised.

Tau arched a brow at the comment. “Dishonor?” he said snidely. “What honor is there in beating ones wife?” he asked. Wufei stood his ground and refused to be baited. “Is it honorable for a man to lay with another man?” he added.

“It is not your place to judge,” Wufei reiterated coolly.

“Who then?” Tau snapped angrily. “The elders? They are blinded by your strange manipulations, but I understand. I see how you coerce and bend things to your will. I have seen the bruises that have paved your way to the throne and I will not permit it any longer.”

Wufei conceded the inevitable without further argument and replied, “Do what you must.”

**

Meilan ran through the palace halls, her slippers sliding on the polished floors as she rounded the corners. She could hear the distant sounds of fighting as she neared the doors to the hanger, her fear for her husband’s safety driving her faster as desperation griped her heart.

She burst through the door to find Wufei and Tau in a death struggle. Tau was taking the worst of the beating by far but her heart leap in her chest just the same. “NO!” she shouted dashing into the room and toward the feuding pair. Her foot slipped sending her crashing to the ground, the silk of her dress allowing her to slide across the metal surface straight toward the forty-foot drop off the side of the catwalk.

“Meilan!” Wufei shouted momentarily distracted. His head exploded in stars as Tau took advantage of the lapse to land a punishing blow.

Meilan stopped just short of her doom and pulled her self to her feet. “Stop it!” she screamed once again running toward the pair.

Wufei shook his head, trying to clear it of the dizziness. He knew his adversary was coming for him but was unaware of the pistol he had drawn from beneath the folds of his clothes. Tau had come prepared, having anticipated Wufei’s greater skill. Wufei’s eyes widened as he turned to see the weapon raised on him, there was nothing he could do as the boy leveled off and fired.

Suddenly Meilan was between them, her body sailing through the air before crashing to catwalk. Wufei watched in horror as she lay twitching on the cold metal surface, the bright white silk of her dress marred by the growing bloodstain on her chest.

Tau stood staring at the girl in shock. Pure horror filled his eyes as his heart shattered. Wufei rounded on him, his dark eyes as vacant as the vacuum of space. He wasted no words striding purposefully up to the shaken boy. Tau backed away, unable to quail his tears until he looked into the emptiness of Wufei’s eyes and saw his judgment hidden within. Sudden terror replaced the shock and he tried to raise his weapon again only to have it knocked away as his bones shattered under the force of the young prince’s kick. A second blow left his knee broken and a third broke his breastplate as well. Wufei left him coughing and wheezing for breath, the knowledge that his life would never be the same sinking in even as he watched Wufei kneel by Meilan’s side.

**

The day before the competition dawned clear and bright. The weather had warmed, melting what little morning frost that had managed to cling to the ground. Wufei joined Duo’s group at Howard’s airstrip to go over the plan one more time. When the other’s had learned of Hiiro’s plan, they had insisted on lending a hand. Nobody wanted a war and they were determined to prevent it. The grave situation had forced the little group to put aside their differences and resolve to work together.

Trowa was loading the last of the live rounds in Heavyarms when Hiiro entered the hanger. Quatre paused in his work to silently regard the Japanese boy while Solo actually grinned and nodded his head in greeting. He had spent some time with Hiiro and Duo since things had changed between them and though he found he was unable to simply forgive and forget, it was clear that Duo needed to. The pure happiness in the braided boy’s eyes whenever Hiiro was around went a long way towards making him want to try. Catherine eased closer to his side, clearly uneasy, but contained just the same. Wufei was the only one to display any open animosity. Hiiro returned the dark expression the Chinese boy offered instinctively but let his gaze soften and turned away in the end. There had been too much anger; too much pain.

Hilde was absent having spent a great deal of time at Meilan’s beside while she recovered. Wufei had given her his full pardon and granted her a room in the palace next to his due to her sacrifice. She had earned her rightful place by his side and would one day bare his children, as was her destiny. He wasn’t sure how she would feel about being artificially inseminated but left that discussion for a time when she was fully healed.

“Hiiro!” Duo called, rejoining them after a short trip to the office to speak with Howard. His gaze traveled around the assembly noting the thick tension his boyfriend’s presence was causing, so he plastered on a bright smile and attempted to defuse the situation. “Hey, sexy,” he greeted, slipping up to give him a small kiss and grinning widely when the action pinked Hiiro’s cheeks. The mild embarrassment was quickly replaced by an expression that, until recently, Duo had thought meant he was trying to telekinetically strangle him. How many times had he felt that gaze and shivered uneasily? He smiled at the knowledge that he now understood exactly what the expression truly conveyed.

“Hey,” Hiiro mimicked, slipping an arm around his waist and pulling him close while he returned the kiss with something that said a little bit more than just hi. “I missed you,” he told him softly, touching their foreheads together.

“So it seems,” Duo smiled.

“Get a room!” Solo blurted and the tension was eased with laugher as Duo’s face turned a very interesting shade of red and they were all shocked when Hiiro chuckled along.

“Hello, Hiiro,” Quatre offered a civil greeting. He was more than a little unsure of how he felt about the turn of events but the love he felt emanating from him was unmistakable. It left him curious how he could have missed it before, as he had always been extremely sensitive to the feelings of others. Perhaps the tender emotion had simply been buried under too much pain.

Hiiro turned to the blond and offered him a small smile and a nod. “Quatre,” he returned gently.

The blond turned his gaze on Trowa for a moment as if to gain strength from his presence. “It’s nice that you’re feeling better,” he told him.

Hiiro regarded him for a long moment. He knew he owed him so much more than a mere apology. It disturbed him a little how easily Quatre seemed to accept his presence after what had happened but this was not the time or place to address the issue. The words Quatre had spoken confused him as well however, it would take time and deliberation to work it all out. For the moment he simply replied, “Thank you,” and rested his chin on Duo’s shoulder.

Trowa was suddenly beside the young blond, which was no small feat since he’d been fifty feet in the air a moment ago. Quatre didn’t give his sudden appearance a second thought and leaned back as the tall boy stepped up behind him and laid his hand on his hip.

Hiiro grinned as he hung his thumbs in Duo’s front pockets. Trowa grinned back. “Is Wing ready?” he asked, slipping his arm comfortably around his lover.

“Yes. How are you doing here?” Hiiro replied, becoming somewhat distracted when Duo absently began to rock gently in his arms.

Trowa’s grin turned decidedly evil. “All done except Sandrock and Cathy will have him ready soon,” he informed him.

Duo had caught onto the subliminal alpha-male sub-communication that was passing between them and caught Quatre’s eye. The smirk that appeared on the blond boy’s face revealed that he too had read between the lines.

“Are you sure it’s wise to bring Wing’s beam cannon into action?” Trowa asked on a more serious note.

“It would be worse not to have it if something goes wrong,” Hiiro reasoned.

“It will be difficult to minimize casualties if it becomes necessary,” Trowa sighed.

Hiiro nodded once again resting his chin on Duo’s shoulder as they rocked contentedly together.

“We will succeed,” Quatre smiled adding, “We are united,” by means of explanation when Hiiro knitted his brow.

“We are so gonna kick their ass,” Duo grinned. “Wanna help me get the transports ready?” he asked Quatre receiving a nod before each boy absently offered their counterparts a quick kiss and departed.

“He’s very perceptive,” Hiiro commented watching them go.

“He feels things,” Trowa told him, sounding amazed. “He can tell you’re not the same.”

Hiiro nodded. “I wondered why he seemed so willing to accept me.”

“He’s right, you know?” Trowa commented.

Hiiro nodded his agreement. “Yeah, I am different,” he replied. “I feel whole again,” he added, distantly glancing at the spot where Duo had disappeared.

“A little forgiveness can go a long way,” Trowa agreed.

Hiiro was left to ponder his words while he aided in the preparations. He knew it was going to take a long time and a good deal of determination to make up for everything that had happened and was well aware of just how lucky he was that Duo had a heart capable of forgiving him. The trust he offered was forced however, he knew that and it pained him. It was only one of the crosses he knew he would gladly bear in order to fully win him back.

By mid afternoon, Hiiro’s presence among them had been reluctantly accepted even by Wufei. His skill was indispensable, his determination inspirational and his constant attention to Duo most endearing. Quatre’s willingness to interact with him helped as much as Duo’s obvious enchantment, easing the tension and allowing something in the way of a mutual bond to grow between them. A bond they would no doubt need in the upcoming battle.

Late in the day, they cleaned up and headed for Howard’s office where they discovered the aging pilot/mechanic kicked back and dozing in his tattered swivel chair. The vid-screen was on, displaying a rather disturbing documentary on the mating habits of the western turn mole as the dusty ceiling fan spun lazily overhead. The sudden presence of seven wiry teenagers barging into his office startled the napping man and he suddenly found himself sprawled in a heap on the plasticrete floor when his chair broke and gave way. He came up from behind the ancient Chevy quarter panel that he used for a counter looking like he’d just won the dunce award with his hair sticking out oddly and his dark sunglasses askew on his nose as the group busted up laughing.

“Ya might wanna cut back on the caffeine!” Duo chortled.

Howard ignored him and hauled himself back into his broken chair, balancing it once again so he wouldn’t fall out. “Everything ready?” he asked groggily.

“As ready as it can be,” Solo grinned.

“No worries,” Duo piped in, leaning back into Hiiro.

“Shenlong is prepared,” Wufei tossed in.

“I hope that new control panel helped with Heavyarms,” Howard said through a huge yawn. When there was no reply he looked up but didn’t spot the tall pilot of the Gundam.

“He was here a second ago,” Catherine observed. “Where the hell..?”

“Stop it,” Quatre giggled from the shadow of a filing cabinet before he extracted him self from Trowa’s attempt to corral him and rejoined them. “It’s fine,” he smiled through the pink tinge on his face while his lover ran a frustrated hand through his long bangs. “There’s no way we can loose,” he smiled confidently.

“Why don’t we go out tonight?” Duo suggested brightly, turning to grin at Hiiro’s skeptical face. “A little pre-bash party for the troops huh?” he added hopefully.

“Sandalwood’s has a nice buffet tonight,” Wufei informed them helpfully.

“How about pizza?” Duo suggested, pouting at the dark expressions the idea garnished.

Hiiro pressed in close to the braided boy’s back, dropping his lips close to his ear. Duo shivered and turned his head slowly toward the sudden warmth by his side as his lover whispered something inaudible to the rest of the group. The heat conveyed by the seductive move was radiated in Duo’s sultry tone when he softly intoned, “Shangri-La.”

There was a general murmur of acceptance from the group, showing their acquiescence to the idea. The little café on the lake was known for its exceptional meals and ambiance.

“Why don’t you join us, Howard?” Quatre inquired.

Howard yawned widely again, waving one hand in the air. “You young people don’t need an old fart like me spoiling your fun. Besides, I’ve got some business to attend to,” he replied, stilling for a moment when he chair creaked threateningly.

“All right,” the blond conceded. “Umm, eight o’clock then?” he asked of the others.

“I’ll call and reserve the dock,” Duo offered.

“You need a shower,” Trowa grinned in his lover’s ear.

Quatre giggled softly and let himself be pulled gently into warm arms. “So do you,” he replied.

“Gods. I think I’m gonna be sick,” Catherine rolled her eyes and grabbed Solo by the front of his shirt, dragging him grinning from the office.

“You guys are gonna give me a cavity,” Duo chuckled as Trowa stole a sweet little kiss.

“Let’s go,” Hiiro interjected ushering him toward the door.

Duo chuckled and followed along. “See’ya later!” he called.

“Think he’ll be alright?” Quatre grinned.

Trowa remained silent, his only response a sly grin and glance at Wufei as his eyes perused Quatre’s backside while he followed him out the door.

Howard looked at Wufei and blinked. Then he blinked again and yawned widely, settling back in his broken chair with caution and shaking his head as closed his eyes behind his dark sunglasses. “Kids,” he huffed as if it were explanation enough.

“Thanks for your help,” Wufei offered.

Howard cracked an eye at him curiously. “You’re the one’s that are gonna risk your butts out there. It’s me that ought’a be thankin’ you,” he replied settling back once again. “Go on, get out of here,” he added. Wufei smiled and took his leave, stopping only for a moment at the door as Howard called out “Don’t get your butt shot off,” before he left the man in peace.

**

Casey wiped down the large circular table at the end of the floating dock attached to the lakeside wall of Shangri-La. It had been awhile since they’d needed to use the large teakwood booth. The thin panes of glass that were a permanent fixture in the winter were frosted over with ice crystals, forming intricate patters that framed the placid lake as the last rays of the winter sun glittered off the black waters.

Lindsey’s voice drifted across the small café announcing that the first of her party was arriving. It was a slow night since everyone in town would no doubt be busy with final preparations for the aerial competition the next day. She had been surprised when she had found out such a large party would be dining that night and even more surprised that they had requested the dock. It was a bit chilly out there this time of year. Looking out the windows once more, she smiled and decided the chill was probably worth the view.

“Right this way,” Lindsey said leading an Asian boy and a tall man she knew to be the owner of that cool club down on the strip toward the freshly washed table.

“Good evening,” she smiled as they thanked Lindsey and took their seats. It didn’t escape her attention that the tall man’s hand touched the boy’s back gently and guided him into the booth before he slide in beside him. She smiled, having heard rumors of this man’s relationship with his Asian bouncer. It was kind of cool to be privy to the fact that they were true.

She introduced herself and offered them menu’s, setting up their cutlery and taking their drink orders before leaving them to make their selections. By the time she’d returned with their drinks, two other young men had joined them. She smiled and tried to stifle the sudden rising of a pink flush in her cheeks.

It had been enough when the handsome club owner had slipped in beside the exotic Asian boy. The addition of this tall stranger and bright blond brought a smile to her face. It wasn’t everyday one got to serve such an attractive group. She politely took their drink orders, all the while kicking herself for her flirtatious behavior and knowing she’d never make it through the night without embarrassing herself. Silently she hoped their girlfriends would hurry up and join them and relieve the stress of being alone with the gorgeous boys.

As she left for the additional drinks she passed by another couple that were headed for her table. A young man with a curly hared girl. She smiled and walked them back to their party asking what they were drinking as well feeling thankful that there was finally a woman in the group. Especially since the young man she’d come in with was almost as hot as the one’s that were already there.

When she went into the kitchen, this time she was met with jibe’s and sly grins as her co-workers teased her about having such a sumptuous table to wait on. She blushed and brushed them off, trying to control the bright mantle on her cheeks before she returned with the second round of drinks.

Another and what she knew to be the last, couple walked in front of her toward the table on the dock. She rolled her eyes softly as she took in the rounded ass of the strong looking boy with the dark hair that gently guided his long hared date along in front of him. At lease there were two girls in the bunch; that should help to keep her temperature in check. She just about dropped her tray when the long hared one turned around and flashed her a pair of beautifully masculine violet eyes. His hand darted out and caught the teetering tray for her as his beatific face blossomed into a brilliant smile.

“Whoa!” he said sharply. “You all right? Here let me give ya a hand,” he offered as he began to sit the drinks on the table.

She smiled gratefully and took a moment to seek out her wayward center. She’d never seen anyone look so beautifully male before. It kind of took her breath away. Slowly her gaze was invaded by another presence and she was delighted to find that it was as pleasant to look upon as the first. The violet-eyed boy smiled at her as his handsome, chocolate haired friend hovered over his shoulder, a small smirk playing on his lips as his hand rested softly on the boy’s hip and pulled him backward toward the seat. The long hared boy scooted into the booth, making room while blue eyes turned to her in a clear expression of ‘you wish’ before he took the seat beside his companion.

Casey observed the table. The tall man and the Chinese boy were sitting remarkably close together as he was whispered something in the boy’s ear that left a silly grin on his lips. The blond was wrapped in the long arm of the taller green-eyed boy and the only ‘normal’ couple at the table, the young man with the curly headed girl, were holding hands and smiling. A second glance at the last two that had just joined them confirmed their relationship as well as the dark hared boy’s hand was resting on his partner’s thigh under the table. She sighed heavily and smiled. It would appear that when guy’s looked as good as these did there just wasn’t much of a reason to seek out girls!

“Drinks?” she asked amiably.

“Tea.”

“Soda.”

“Coming right up,” she beamed then went off to fill the order.

Hiiro smirked and leaned over to whisper in Duo’s ear. “She wants you,” he chuckled softly.

Duo blushed and elbowed him in the ribs. “At least I’d be able to sit,” he grimaced, shifting his weight.

Hiiro grinned and kissed his temple, noticing as Quatre pressed something into Duo’s hand. The braided boy picked it up and read the label, his face heating suddenly before he looked up quizzically at the grinning blond sitting across from him.

“Trust me,” Quatre smiled. “It works.”

Duo rolled his eyes thoughtfully and discreetly slipped the present into his pocket.

“Hey!” Wufei complained and suddenly found himself the recipient of a bottle of his own. He smiled pocketing it as well as Casey came back with the last of the drinks.

“Would you like an appetizer?” she inquired.

Duo spoke first. “Yes,” he told her. “Bring us eight spoons, four straws and a large bowl of whipped cream,” he deadpanned.

“Duo!” Quatre squeaked. Trowa snorted. Wufei turned green as his lover buried his pink face in the boy’s shoulder. Catherine glared her dark gray glare while Solo laughed his ass off and Hiiro just shook his bushy head.

“Wouldn’t you rather save desert for after the meal?” Casey quipped back, her keen wit restored when she realized that these boys were a lost cause.

Duo laughed, his eyes sparkling with laugher. “O… Onion rings please,” he chortled.

The others placed their orders and Casey gave Duo a little wink before she disappeared again.

“Would you excuse me please?” Quatre asked Solo and Catherine who had him pinned in. “I need to use the restroom.”

They got up to let him out but he paused and put his hand on Trowa’s shoulder when he tried to follow. “Stay,” he ordered. “If you come we’ll miss dinner,” he chuckled.

Trowa grinned but relented. However, Hiiro joined him, leaving the blonds smirking lover behind to order his meal. Once in the restroom, Quatre demurely took a stall while Hiiro used the urinal like any other guy would. He was washing his hands when the blond came out and used the sink next to him. He pulled a towel and was drying the water from his hands when he decided now would be a good time to speak.

“I’m glad it didn’t scar,” he softly intoned.

Quatre glanced at him, nervously considering the subject he’d so casually delved into but smiled softly and replied, “I mend fairly well.”

Hiiro handed him a paper towel catching his eye as he took the first step in his attempt at retribution saying simply but sincerely, “I’m sorry.”

Quatre smiled wanly but nodded and accepted the paper towel, his eyes dropping momentarily to the floor as memories of the past drifted across the present.

“You make Trowa very happy,” Hiiro smiled.

“I love him very much,” Quatre replied.

“I hope to earn the right to be your friend as well,” Hiiro told him, and before the young blond could do much more than blink he leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. It was short and chaste and when he pulled back he looked dead in the blonds wide cerulean eyes and said again, “I’m sorry.”

Quatre didn’t know whether to be insulted, flattered or embarrassed, but his befuddled mind quickly chose flustered without his consent.

Seeing his discomfort Hiiro asked in confusion, “Is this not the custom?”

Quatre had to think for a minute then it struck him that it actually was. In his own culture, a kiss was a perfectly acceptable expression between men and women alike. It just hadn’t occurred to him that Hiiro would enact the age-old custom.

“Um, yes,” he admitting, shying away. “It’s usually on either cheek though,” he informed him. “And a bit less… intimate,” he chuckled.

“Sorry,” Hiiro bowed his head slightly with the apology.

“It’s alright,” Quatre smiled. “I got the message. Thank you.”

The moment was ended when Trowa walked in. “The waitress has come for our order,” he told them. “You didn’t say what you wanted,” he pointed out.

Quatre ginned then glanced at Hiiro. “He’s glad I didn’t scar too,” he chuckled.

“What are you two talking about?” Trowa wondered absently, slipping his arms around Quatre from behind.

“I owed him an apology,” Hiiro told him.

Trowa nodded, smiling his understanding and replied, “Come on, let’s go order.”

Dinner was a happy enough affair. They ate, drank and laughed, just enjoying each other’s company. When they spoke of the coming battle they kept their voices quiet and made sure Casey was nowhere around, but for the most part they kept the conversations light. Everyone got a huge laugh out the story of Treize’s incarceration. Apparently being a gorgeous gay man in lock up ‘was’ too much of a temptation and he’d had to defend his virtue a few times. It was good to know he could laugh it off after the trials he’d been through.

As the evening wore on, Duo delighted in making Quatre blush, Trowa kicked Duo in the shins, Hiiro glared at Trowa, Wufei repeatedly smacked Treize for no apparent reason while Treize sniggered and Solo peered under the table trying to locate the man’s other hand. All in all they very much enjoyed themselves in the relative privacy on the dock. It wasn’t until Wufei stopped smacking Treize that their thoughts turned to ending the evening.

They went their separate ways, each seeing their own partner home. Wufei went home with Treize to spend some time with him before the coming battle. Solo and Catherine simply disappeared and Trowa swore he was going to put a tracer bug on the boy’s car. When he took his lover home he surprised him by shutting off the engine and following him to the door.

Quatre paused, looking uneasy with the prospect of facing his family. His parents were aware of his relationship, but the boy’s usually spent time together at Trowa’s house. He knew the time had come for what his lover had in mind, but the idea of formally introducing themselves as a couple to his high profile parents left him uncertain.

“Trowa?” he breathed softly, unable to meet his eyes. He felt his anxiety ebb when Trowa reached out to gently lift his chin, his smile a warm comfort as he leaned in and ghosted a kiss along his lips.

“It’ll be alright,” he whispered reassuringly, kissing his brow softly.

Quatre nodded and turned to open the door. He was relieved when Trowa was undaunted by the opulence of the house. This was one of the more modest of the Winner homes but it was still three times the size of Trowa’s upper, middle class house.

“Quatre?” a woman’s voice called. “Is that you?”

“Yes, Mother,” the blond answered hanging both their coats on the coat rack, grateful that Wilson, the butler, had already turned in.

A pretty woman with pale blond hair rounded the corner of one of the side rooms. Her fine, silk business suit clinging to her petit form gave the impression of an intelligently attractive woman. Trowa caught himself staring at the resemblance between Quatre and his mother. Other than the longer hair and slightly softer features they were the spitting image of each other.

“Oh,” she smiled in surprise upon seeing Trowa. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

Quatre took a deep breath and smiled. “You know my mother?” he inquired of his companion.

“Only by acquaintance,” Trowa replied.

“Quatarina,” she smiled offering him her hand. She was delightfully amazed when Trowa gently kissed it in greeting. “Oh, my,” she smiled. “Do you have a moment to greet my husband? Robert!” she called, without waiting for a reply.

“I would be honored,” the green-eyed boy smiled, offering his lover a reassuring glance as Mr. Winner entered the room.

“Darling, you remember Trowa,” she introduced him.

“Mr. Winner,” Trowa bowed his head respectfully.

Quatre fidgeted nervously beside him while his father’s expression scowled thoughtfully for a moment. “We’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, finally extending his hand.

“My father sends his greetings,” the tall boy replied, receiving the customary nod of understanding before he added, “I wonder if I might have a word with you?” causing his smaller counterpart to balk openly at him.

For a moment the man looked as if he might refuse, but then answered curiously. “Couldn’t it wait until morning? I have some business to finish at the moment.”

“My apologies,” Trowa replied. “But I’m afraid this cannot wait,” he told him firmly squeezing the hand that Quatre had slipped into his own.

Mr. Winner nodded and led them into his study. Mrs. Winner settled herself into one of the chairs whereas Trowa chose to remain standing in the center of the room. Quatre took the place by his side feeling very uneasy at both his ignorance and the waves of nervous energy emanating from his lover as he took a deep breath and evenly intoned...

“I felt you should be informed,” he began squeezing Quatre’s hand again when it tightened around his own. He could only imagine what his slight lover must be thinking, perhaps that he intended to reveal their mission plan. There was little reason to believe he would have guessed his next words would be, “It is my intention to wed your son.”

Robert froze, Isabelle gasped and clasped her hand to her mouth and Quatre sank slowly to the couch behind them. Trowa steeled himself then turned and kneeled beside his shocked lover pulling a small box form his pocket. Quatre watched as if in a dream as the green eyed boy extracted a modest little ring of white gold and emerald and held it in his hand as he looked up into the blonds wide cerulean eyes.

“I need you by my side, Quatre,” he told him, gently lifting his trembling hand, “Always,” he smiled, turning his emerald gaze softly upon him as he slipped the ring onto his finger. Quatre sat in silent regard for a time as he returned the gaze. The multitude of considerations in his eyes was as clear as the hope in Trowa’s, but it was Mr. Winner who spoke.

“You intend to make this a public display?” the man inquired evenly.

“I intend to grow old with him,” Trowa replied.

“Trowa,” slipped from Quatre’s lips on a wisp of a breath; his desire to agree to the proposal plain to see; yet he continued to withhold his acquiescence. Trowa waited patiently because he understood what he was asking and the great weight of his lover’s station in life, however, his heart would allow no less. Come what may, they would face it together. Had circumstances allowed, he had intended to wait a suitable length of time before making the formal request but the coming battle prompted him to accelerate his plans.

“I can see you care very deeply for our son,” Mr. Winner stated cautiously. “However, you must understand the implications such a forward action would…”

“I love him,” Quatre cut in, allowing his joy to fully shine in the bright smile that blossomed on his lips. “I’m sorry Father,” he offered in an almost giddy tone as Trowa grinned dopily. “I realize the difficulties that will come,” he went on, “and I’ll give up the Winner name if that is what you wish...”

“Oh, Quatre!” Mrs. Winner gasped. “Is that what you think!?” The boy only looked at her in confusion. “Robert?” she turned to her husband for guidance.

The man rose and came to stand beside her before he smiled at the two boys. “Son,” he began. “We personally support more than thirty separate homosexual organizations, not to mention your great granduncles second marriage was to a military man.” Quatre gaped at the man but it only made him smiled wider. “Our concern is not for ourselves. You must understand that making your relationship public will be difficult. The press will hound you worse than a pop star.”

“Then… you don’t mind?” Quatre beamed.

“Of course not, darling,” his mother smiled.

“YES!” the blond boy suddenly crowed, diving on his betrothed so jubilantly they ended up in a heap on the rug.

Mr. Winner gave them a minute before he interrupted. “Ahem!” he cleared his throat loudly. “I’m afraid It’s not that simple,” he told them, sobering them enough to get them up off the floor and back on the couch.

“There are formalities to consider,” he reminded them.

“An engagement party!” Mrs. Winner enthused, ignoring the horrified expression the comment brought to Quatre’s face.

“Also, what will your schedule be for your engagement?” Mr. Winner went on. “I won’t have my son’s honor questioned. A date must be set, a reasonable length of time observed. You mustn’t let your studies suffer…”

“Father,” Quatre growled in embarrassment.

“Now,” Trowa smiled, pulling the blond to his feet. “Tonight. As soon as possible,” he insisted.

Quatre’s mouth had fallen open like a codfish while all the blood drained from his father’s face and his mother fainted dead away. It took a few minutes to revive the woman. Her husband gently tapped her face while Quatre got her some water. His father was well aware of the way he was positively beaming and it took his breath away. Silently he thanked the stars that his son had found someone that could bring out such beauty in his son. Openly he tried to scowl. “This is not only absurd but inappropriate,” he grumbled. “There are licenses to acquire and family to inform. You both still have school, college…”

“Fine” Trowa interrupted him. “We can do all that later but we will be one tonight.” Turning to his lover he took his hands and looked him straight in the eye. “Quatre I swear to you I will always love you,” he told him, gently touching his scarlet cheek. “Whatever happens,” he said, knowing that Quatre would understand the urgency of his need; his words serving to bolster their resolve to survive. “You are my light,” he whispered. “I could never live without you now.”

“You’ll never have to,” Quatre breathed his vow into his mouth as he melted into him sealing the promise with a kiss.

It took a moment for the blonds parents to realize the boys had forgotten they were there. Mrs. Winner took great delight in covertly shooing her husband out of the room leaving the boys to themselves. Mr. Winner gapped and almost called out when he caught a glimpse of Trowa pushing his son down on the couch as the door closed.

“But… that’s a leather couch!,” the man objected but his wife only giggled and nudged him along.

**

Hiiro pulled Duo closer to him, kissing away the salty droplet of sweat that clung to his temple. Duo giggled and squirmed as the action sent goose bumps over his overheated skin. Hiiro chuckled as well and kissed his eyes, then his nose and finally his mouth, drawing him into another of those soul searching kisses he couldn’t get enough of.

“Mmmm,” the braided boy moaned, his voice still hoarse and raspy from their love making, yet his body was already willing for more. He made mental note to thank Quatre for the cream.

Hiiro pulled back, laying his hands on either side of him, his expression one of such adoration it took the braided boy’s breath away. He studied every line, every lash and contour. The way his nose turned up just so, how his eyes seemed to swirl and change even as he watched, the volume of his lower lip compared to his upper. He was memorizing how sweet he tasted; the intoxicating aroma of his body when drenched in the moist heat of sex. He soaked it all in, burned it into his memory and savored it over and over again in his mind.

“You’re making me dizzy,” Duo breathed softly, beginning to squirm under the intense gaze.

“You are so beautiful,” Hiiro smiled reaching down to taste those sinfully delicious lips one more time.

“Mmmmmm,” Duo groaned again. “You’re gonna spoil me rotten, ya know?” he warned with a grin.

“Impossible,” Hiiro replied, making him blush. He grinned at the thought that the boy could blush from mere words after what they’d just done together.

“Hiiro?” the braided boy said quietly.

“Hn?”

“Don’t die, ok?”

Hiiro was silent for a moment then, “I won’t if you won’t,” spilled from his lips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means if you want me to live,” Hiiro explained. “Stay alive.”

Duo didn’t like the sound of that deal. “And if I don’t?” he asked skeptically.

Hiiro rolled off of him to ease the weight on his chest and stared into his face, studying the way his bangs fell across his eyes before he answered. “I can’t go through that again,” he told him calmly. Duo cocked a curious brow. “I lived without you once,” Hiiro told him, reaching out to caress his cheek. “I couldn’t stand it if I lost you again.” Duo opened his mouth to protest but Hiiro dropped his thumb to his lips and told him, “There is no reason to stay here without you.”

It was in him to argue, but in the end Duo had to admit he didn’t think he would last long without Hiiro either. There was only one solution. “We just won’t die then,” he smiled, snuggling down into his lover’s arms. They were still for a time, and then Hiiro buried his nose in the boy’s hair and breathed him deeply into his lungs.

“I feel like an air freshener,” Duo chuckled.

Hiiro laughed and kissed him again, the soft feeling and willingness of his lips stirring the embers inside him once again. In a moment he was deep into him, drinking in every drop of heat he was willing to provide. Some part of his mind expected the braided boy to push him away, giggling and admonishing him for his insatiable needs but it didn’t happen. Instead he found himself being draw down deeper into the well, pulled ever closer to a place where harmony dances with destiny in an endless waltz beyond the realm of human thought.

Duo groaned and pulled him tighter, his body and mind hungrily striving in his increasing need to be one with the boy by his side. He called to him, his name a prayer on his lips, each heartbeat thumping in time; its rhythmic measure reaching out to bind them together by sheer force of will and strength of spirit. There was no rush, neither of them wanted this to end as they rocked each other gently through the night. When they could stand it no more; when their frail humanity had finally been forced beyond its limits they climbed the summit slowly rising to the pinnacle of existence and dove into the endless void hand in hand. When he finally opened his eyes, Hiiro was moved beyond words by the tears in Duo’s beautiful amethyst eyes. He understood why he was crying. He had felt it himself and was not surprised to find the salty evidence of his own tears on his lips. He kissed him again pulling him closer still and wrapping him in his arms. It was more than enough.

**

Eight o’clock dawned on a bright Saturday morning as a small group of highly trained, very motivated teens strolled onto the airfield grounds. The runways were surrounded by carnival rides; concession stands and game booths. Just about every kind of food, drink and entertainment known to man was available and ripe for the plucking. Super jets flew over at regular intervals showering the fields with thunderous blasts and crackling sound makers and a huge blimp scrolled its multiple messages about mom’s baked goods and the largest tire company in the Earth’s Sphere. The crowds had gathered in force for the first day’s competition would include free style jet fighters, ancient bi-wing acrobatics and the preliminary mobile suit competitions.

Duo was having a hard time concentrating as they walked through the crowd toward the jets, which was to be their first challenge of the day. Hiiro looked ‘damn’ good in a flight suit! He had to slap himself mentally just to keep from tripping over his own feet. This ‘was’ real. He ‘had’ spent the night making mad, passionate love to the boy of his dreams and that ass was ‘definitely’ gonna be his before dawn. He almost regressed back a month or so when some of the kids from school ran up to cheer Hiiro on.

“Hey Hiiro! Good luck!”

“You’re gonna kick ass!”

“Yeah! Specially that fag Duo’s! AGG!”

Duo sniggered as the boy’s shocked friends picked him up off the ground. “That’s gotta hurt,” he grimaced amusedly as they passed on by. Kenny made a similar mistake a few minutes later while they prepared to board the jets. Hiiro was away from his lover double-checking the readouts when the boy approached him.

“Hi Hiiro!” he called amiably. Hiiro ignored him intent on not busting anyone else’s nose today. He had bigger fish to fry. “I hear you’re competing in the mobile suit division,” Kenny added undaunted by his companions stony silence. “Doesn’t look like much competition this year,” he went on glancing around. “I don’t get why they let this trash in anyway,” he grumbled.

“Lay off,” Hiiro told him flatly not bothering to look up from his work.

Kenny looked a little confused but shrugged it off. “Sure, man,” he consigned “Guess you’ll kick their fairy asses in the match, huh?”

Duo happened to pick that moment to come striding up to the pair, a huge grin plastered on his overly exuberant face as if to exude the fact that this moment could prove to be the highlight of his day! Kenny sneered like he’d lost his mind walking up to ‘normal’ guys like he belonged or something.

“What the fuck do you want, fudge monkey?” he growled making sure that Hiiro remained between himself and the braided teen.

Duo grinned from ear to ear but didn’t bother to dignify the remark with a reply. Instead he spoke to Hiiro who kept his silent vigil as he typed on the laptop he was using to configure his jet. “Brought ya an egg sandwich,” Duo chimed setting the wrapped sandwich down next to him.

Kenny seemed disappointed that Duo hadn’t gotten a face full of knuckles yet but kept his mouth shut long enough for Duo to turn and start to walk away. He only made it a step before he was stopped by a gentle jerk on his braid. Kenny grinned wickedly as Hiiro drew him back toward him, his expression falling into confusion as Hiiro’s hand reached up and laced into the back of Duo’s hair. Just when Kenny was sure the violet-eyed boy was about to eat the table Hiiro pulled him close and kissed him warmly. Duo was a little wobbly by the time he’d been released and gave Kenny a quick five-fingered wave before he dazedly wandered off in search of his plane. Kenny stared in pure shock until Hiiro spoke. “Lay off,” he reiterated returning to his work. Kenny swallowed the huge lump in his throat nodding nervously as he made a hasty exit.

The jet free styles went better than expected though the judges were left with some hard decisions. There weren’t any standard scorings for the crazy shit those boys’ pulled! Each pilot took their turn buzzing as close to the base to the south as they could get away with to do a little recon. Things were looking pretty good other than the fact that Duo almost got grounded for buzzing the tower and Trowa nearly parked a thirty million dollar jet on top of another one in mid air when Quatre teased him during their performance.

The bi-plane competition was the most fun because they got to draw things in the sky. Quatre drew a perfect circle then topped it with a puff of smoke. The end result was a pretty good rendition of his engagement ring. Trowa put an arrow through it. Wufei managed to pull of the kanji for power and Hiiro and Duo did something that made most of the crowd blush and hide their kid’s eyes until it blew away. Needless to say they didn’t get high marks but they did get a lot of laughs.

When it came time for the mobile suits they met in the hanger and kissed each other for good luck then mounted up. Zech’s had joined them in their plan as well using the Tallgeese, a suite Treize had provided for him to compete with. Four jets flew over the field they were to spar on and dropped huge smoke bombs to mask their entrance so that when the smoke cleared the field was suddenly filled with four huge mecha’s setting the crowd off in a tumultuous roar.

The four raised their right arms to the sky as a brightly colored jet zoomed overhead leaving a trail of sparkling explosives behind before it transformed into a fifth and landed among them. The five simultaneously slammed their fists into the ground raising a huge dust cloud as massive explosions went off behind them silhouetting them in flame and colored smoke and the crowd went freaking nuts! They were on their third bought before they got the call from Quatre that a line of suits was approaching the base from the south. Hiiro was to come in from the north and was competing with Wufei at that moment.

“04 to G-Force. We have incoming. Repeat. We have incoming,” Quatre sent out the call.

Wing suddenly transformed flying off into the blue sky. Hiiro’s voice crackled over the com “Roger that 04. ETA 5 minutes. 02 Confirm.”

“Right behind ya sweet cheeks,” Duo chided.

“Cut the chatter 02. 03 in position,” Trowa sounded off.

“Hey! ‘Someone’s’ got a stick up his ass! 04, did you do that?”

“Duo!”

“Enemy sighted. I’m falling back,” Wufei cut in.

“06 where the hell are you? 01 needs you at his flank,” Duo asked.

“Relax 02. I’m right on your cute little ass. Move over before I toast it,” Zechs teased.

“Careful’ pretty boy. He ain’t crazy about toasted tush,” Duo chuckled.

“Says who?” Hiiro broke in.

“Geez! Now I’m breakfast food?!”

“Lunch”

“Dinner”

“Midnight snack”

“HEY!”

“Buckle down boys. We’re almost there.”

And all hell broke loose. The few suits that joined them in their defense from the base were less than helpful getting in the way more than anything else. Duo ended up taking a hit that damaged his left knee trying to save one of them from getting creamed but all in all they were holding their own. Then suddenly the scene was swarming with Aries and they were running out of options.

“Shit! Where the hell did you come from?!” Duo yelled cutting the offending suits leg off and smashing another in the face with the hilt of his scythe.

“02! Watch your back!” Hiiro called just in time for Duo to duck so Hiiro could disable the opposition with his beam cannon.

“AGG!” Quatre groaned as he took another hit to the back.

“04?…. 04!?” Trowa shouted.

“I… I’m alright”

“Fuck!” Trowa barked diving after the suit that had dared to attack his lover and viciously ripping it up the middle with his blade. “You sure?!”

“Yes. 01?”

“Here.”

“We need a hero.”

“Roger that” Hiiro replied. “Engaging Zero.”

Hiiro flipped on the neural system. A bright yellow light filled the cockpit as the system invaded his brain heightening his senses beyond that of any normal man. It whispered to him, told him what to do, what would happen and how to change his future. He cut down the other suits like they were standing sill.

“WHOOOOOO!” Duo crowed.

Hiiro could see it all so clear now. The battle lay out before him like a game of chess. Each move perfectly pre-planed. All he had to do was aim like this, then turn and slice like that and .. and .. then.. he shook his head. Something was different. He just had to .. to aim.. and then.. Relena? yes.. Relena. She.. she was his.. his girlfriend? His.. wife? No.. that wasn’t right. Duo was.. was.. he was trying to kill him. Duo? Yes Duo was his enemy. That little whore Maxwell and his entourage. The boy he’d suffered for; the boy that had forsaken him. He had been kissing Martin. He’d seen him making out with Wufei. He’d given himself to anyone and everyone but Hiiro. He’d taken his whole world and crushed it then dangled the bloody remains in his face for years. It was all so clear when Wing showed him the way. The one that had caused him so much pain was standing between him and his destiny.

“Hiiro? You ok? What’s wrong?” Duo called seeing Hiiro’s hesitation; his eyes growing wide as Wing’s beam cannon leveled on him and fired. “WHAT THE FUCK!!??” he shouted in total confusion just barely managing to evade the blast.

“HIIRO!! What the hell are you doing?!” Quatre screamed moving to stand with Duo against Wing’s mighty force.

“I must... destroy my... enemy,” Hiiro’s strained voice crackled over the com as the buster cannon aimed a second time.

Before he could pull the trigger something slammed into his side. “GET HIM OUT OF HERE!” Trowa shouted crashing to the ground with his target.

“NO!” Duo yelled. “Something’s wrong!”

“He’s lost it! Zero’s messing with his head! Get out of here before he kills you!” Wufei yelled.

“No!” Duo shouted again. “Hiiro! Hiiro can you hear me!?”

Wing had made it back to its feet and was headed straight for Duo, thermal sword drawn and ready. “I hear you,” he replied in an eerily inhuman tone.

“You don’t wanna do this!” Duo shouted as Wing’s sword arm was suddenly caught in Deathscythe’s hand with a crashing clang of metal against metal.

“Hiiro!” Wufei cried but they were all to busy fending off the remaining enemy suits to be of much help.

“Hiiro, please!” the braided boy shouted. “Its Zero! You’ve gotta wake up! Fight it! I’m not your enemy, man, you love me remember!?”

“I love Relena,” Hiiro stated mechanically.

“WHAT!?!?” Duo barked.

“You are my enemy. Relena is my wife. My path is clear,” the Japanese boy intoned.

“NO! Hiiro... please... wake up, man!,” Duo pleaded. “I can’t loose you again,” he added despairingly.

“I will kill you,” Hiiro deadpanned and Duo’s heart broke. It was happening again. Just like before. Hiiro had turned on him and wanted to kill him.

“Duo!?” Quatre shouted. “Duo! Don’t do anything stupid!” He could feel the pain pulsating from the reapers massive form.

“If we go,” Duo said resignedly as he lunged and wrapped Deathscythe’s arms around Wing, “We go together.” He reached down and flipped the cover on the self-detonation button then turned on his visuals so he could look into Hiiro’s eyes. They were pale and lifeless and brought him no comfort but at least he could see him.

“What are you doing?” Hiiro asked not having seen this scenario in his visions.

“You don’t wanna live without me, man. You said so yourself,” Duo replied placing his thumb over the button. He paused and took one long, last look into his lover’s eyes. “I love you,” he said softly smiling at the porcelain face on the screen as he pressed the button and claxon alarms sounded out all around the pair.

“DUO! NO!” Quatre’s frantic voice called.

“Too late!” Trowa interjected slipping between Sandrock and the pair intertwined down the field and pushing him back.

“Get the hell out of there!” Wufei shouted as he sped off into the sky.

“Duo?” Hiiro called softly.

“Yeah.”

“You’d die with me?”

Duo sighed heavily as he slumped back in his seat and softly intoned, “Every time.”

There was a moment while he gazed into the dull blue orbs before him and though perhaps this was the best they could have hoped for then suddenly the screen went dark, there was a horrendous screeching noise accompanied by the sound of sparks and twisted metal when Wing dislodged itself from Deathscythe. Duo gasped as his suite was turned and slammed face first into the ground breaking his harness and slamming his head into the console. His head swam in a sea of misty voices and visions, he couldn’t tell what was real and what was a dream. Suddenly the loud, annoying sounds stopped leaving him in a blissfully silent darkness then something shifted; perhaps it was the tide in this strangest of sea’s. The darkness swelled and ebbed then swelled again. There was a light, so pretty in the pitch, and... a sound… someone... someone crying his name.

“DUO! DUO! SAY SOMETHING, DAMMIT!” Hiiro was screaming frantically.

“Unnnnnng,” the braided boy moaned cracking one violet eye and peering up to find his lover’s frightened face looking down at him. Where the hell was he? “What happened? I… I ... fuck!” he gasped painfully as he found himself embraced so tightly he couldn’t breath . “I… Its ok,” he hissed trying to gain enough air to speak. “H... Hiiro... can’t ... breath,” he choked wishing the lightening sparks would quit flashing in his vision.

“Gods! I’m so sorry!” Hiiro sobbed. “I don’t know what happened! It’s never done anything like that before. Gods, I almost killed you!” he ranted through shaky breaths and trembling hands.

“You said...” Duo tried to explain and sit up but the world suddenly decided to take a trip around the moon and he thought maybe he’d be better off laying down for the ride. “You said Relena was your wife,” he informed him. “I thought that thing only did battle statistics,” he mused closing his eyes against the vertigo.

“It does,” Hiiro thought about it for a moment. “Are you all right? He asked motioning for someone to come over.

Duo nodded, “A little dizzy but I’ll live.”

“Stay with him,” Hiiro instructed as Quatre knelt by his side. “I’ve gotta check something out.”

“It was Zero,” Quatre began to explain once he’d disappeared.

“He’s really ok?” Duo inquired dazedly.

“Yes,” the blond boy smiled. “But I think he broke a couple of fingers when he ripped Wing’s console apart,” he chuckled. “How are you feeling?” he asked checking his injuries over again. Duo was remotely aware of the carnage that milled around him. From what he could assess they had succeeded in thwarting the attack and the presence of the Earth Sphere soldiers darting about indicated they we’re no longer facing the threat alone. The effort made his head spin and he wondered how long had he been out as Hiiro returned with a disk in his hand and death in his eyes.

“Relena tried to use the system to brain wash me,” he told them.

“Oh, good,” Duo grinned groggily. “You don’t really hate me then. That’s nice,” he smiled as his eyes lost focus and he passed out again.

“Is he ok?” Hiiro asked kneeling down closer to him.

“He’ll be alright” Quatre assured him. “I think he has a concussion. We need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here,” he informed him helping Hiiro pull their partner to his groggy feet. “Did she really try to use Zero to make you believe she was your wife?” he asked as Duo roused and looked around in confusion however; the moment his eyes lighted on Hiiro he smiled as if he recalled the events of the day and allowed them to move him along. Hiiro nodded his reply obviously distracted by Duo’s condition.

“I spoke to General Watson,” Quatre said checking Duo’s eyes again. “We’ve been asked to report to the base,” he informed him.

“Once Duo’s seen a doctor,” Hiiro agreed.

It took some time to get things sorted out. Duo was examined and released with a light concussion and some minor burns and abrasions. Hiiro had taken the worst of the injuries having suffered two broken fingers and a fractured forearm in his desperation to free himself. It was late afternoon before they found themselves facing what was surely to be a strong reprimand by the Earth Sphere government at the very least. Each of them had resolved themselves to bear whatever punishment that was beset upon them unwavering in the knowledge that what they had done had been the right thing. What they had not foreseen was the daunting possibility of that same government offering them full military commissions and an invitation to join a recently established peacekeeping force.

“Commissions?” Hiiro replied cautiously to the Generals proposal.

“We would be soldiers to protect the peace,” Quatre stated aloud.

“As a team,” Trowa smiled slipping his fingers into his lover’s complacent hand.

“What will become of Relena and her family?” Hiiro wanted to know.

“Formal charges are being prepared,” the General informed them. “However,” he added grimly, “prosecuting anyone with that kind of power won’t be easy. We’ll need to keep a close eye on them so nothing like this happens again,” he told them solemnly.

“And Zero?” Hiiro pressed on.

“Wing Zero’s neural system has been maliciously tampered with,” the man informed them. “The fact that your mind hasn’t suffered any damage is nothing short of miraculous,” he smiled. “I’d like to test you in the future to assess how you were able to withstand the long term effects of the psychologically intrusive, volatile programming in its mainframe.”

“In the mainframe?” Hiiro repeated curiously.

“Whatdya mean ‘long term’,” Duo added suspiciously sidling protectively up to his lover’s side.

“I thought you were aware,” the General replied continuing as their expression indicated they were not. “There is evidence to indicate that the system has been manipulating your behavior for some time,” he explained.

“You mean that things been purposely pissing him off for the past six months?!” Duo growled.

“From what we found on that disk we believe it was programmed to enhance the pilot’s capacity for rage,” they were told. “A less than moral but highly effect means of creating the perfect weapon,” the man elaborated.

“Son of a bitch,” Duo exclaimed. “No wonder you’ve been such a prick lately,” he smiled at Hiiro but the Japanese boy’s expression was anything but amused when he drew him close.

“Never again,” he swore kissing his cheek lightly.

“I can see you’re a very... close group,” the General chuckled.

“Can Wing be repaired?” Quatre inquired sparing Duo any further embarrassment with the change of subject.

“We believe so,” the man smiled.

“Good,” the blond boy nodded. “Things would be much more difficult without it,” he observed.

“Am I to take that as your acceptance?” the General asked hopefully smiling when Quatre nodded and leaned back into Trowa’s chest.

“You have my support,” Wufei stated clearly.

“I’m with him,” Trowa grinned indicating his blushing bundle of blond.

“What’dya think?” Duo grinned at Hiiro. “Wanna play cop with me?” he asked waggling his eyebrows.

Hiiro chuckled as he snuck in to kiss the corner of his mouth and affectingly intoned, “You are such a fucking tease.”

They were instructed to report to Preventer’s headquarters the following week for orientation before they departed. Each of them was to receive a full commission and class five security pass giving them full access and authority in just about any given situation. They were instructed to remain in school and lead their lives as normal since their involvement was to be kept as discreet as possible. By the time they had been released Duo had cracked so many jokes about how they could possibly abuse their new positions even Quatre was rolling his eyes. They all prepared themselves for yet another ludicrous jibe as the braided boy geared up once again.

“Hey” he asked exuberantly of his tolerant lover.

“Hn,” Hiiro grunted ignoring the teasing, half grin on Trowa’s lips.

“How’d you stop Deathscythe’s detonation?” Duo asked curiously.

“I used the scythe to destroy the detonation device from the outside,” Hiiro informed him.

Duo laughed grinning like a maniac. “So,” he said as he began to chuckle. “You... you shoved the scythe up its ass?! HA HA HA ha ha.. o.. o Gods!!.. HA HA HA HAA!!. He he ha!”

Hiiro smiled and silenced him with a kiss.

owari :)

 

 

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