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"Hostile Territory"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: R Warnings: Cannon, Slight angst, battered Duo,
fluff Pairings: 1x2 Summary: When Duo returns having been beaten during an infiltration Hiiro discovers his feelings for him go deeper than mere partners dictates. "Hostile Territory"
“Damn it.” Where the hell was he? He should never have agreed to let him go alone. The radio crackled again, the static voice telling him little other than the operation had been targeted and was still in disarray. His hand gripped the communicator on his belt but he didn’t dare break radio silence for fear that it might give his partner away. From what little he could make out in the confusion over the airwaves they weren’t even sure that the explosion wasn’t an accident. That was the good news. It meant Duo had done his job well and set the charges without leaving a trace but where was he? He should have been back an hour ago. The fact that the strike had come six hours later than expected weighed heavily on his mind. Why had it taken so long? And why in the hell had he let him go alone?! The heavy frustration in his chest seethed and he felt the knobs of the com pressing into his palm once again before a subtle shift in the stale air prickled along his senses. A moment’s hesitation brought with it the unmistakable, sweet stench of blood. “Duo!” he gasped turning just in time to see his partner crumble to the floor. “Duo!” he called again rushing to his side. “Shit,” slipped from his lips as he turned him over to discover he had been beaten badly, his left eye swollen shut, bruises all over his face. His thumb ran close to a large cut in his bottom lip then moved up to pull open the one good eye. His heart slammed into his ribs, the fear and adrenaline pumping up his courage as Duo’s eye stared blindly back at him, it’s usual vibrant color grayed over in a foggy glaze. He was conscious but only just barely. What had happened? “Duo?” He felt his heart recoil when the boy in his arms grimaced and tried to fold in on himself, his hands pushing weakly as if fighting for freedom as he whimpered and cried. “What in the hell did they do?” Hiiro wondered aloud. “It’s ok,” he told him soothingly. “It’s me, Hiiro. Your safe now.” Bile rose in his throat as Duo stilled and he laid him out to do a status check. Angry sparks ignited in his eyes when they lighted upon the tazor probes still buried in Duo’s chest and he couldn’t stop the fury that forced him to reach out and jerk them free. Duo barked sobbing a sickly, gurgling sound as he tried to curl in on himself again and Hiiro wanted to jerk his own fingernails off for having caused him any pain. However, his anger was easily redirected toward the men responsible for such a brutal beating. It took over an hour to clean him up. The only water available in their underground hideaway was a trickle from an old, busted pipe along the wall but the stream was clean. It would save him from having to go topside while things were still hot but there was no way the meager med supplies they had with them were going to be enough. Duo’s nervous system was still reeling from the electrical shock but that was only the beginning. Large, deep purple bruises lined his rib cage indicating a very real possibility of broken bones. Hiiro’s brow creased when Duo whimpered softly at the touch of his hands moving gently over the damaged flesh to cleanse it. He paused to inspect one of the many skin-deep lacerations, his rage solidifying deep down in his gut when he surmised that they had been inflicted with the tip of a knife. “Bastards,” he grumbled swallowing the sickness in his throat as he quietly turned his injured partner over on his side, his breath hissing in when the lash marks were revealed. How long had he been held captive? “Duo?” he called softly leaning close to his dazed friend’s ear. “These need to be disinfected,” he said wishing to all the gods in heaven that it wasn’t necessary. “Do you hear me?” Duo groaned softly and managed to turn his head enough to bite down on his braid. Hiiro felt an enormous swelling of pride for the courageous boy and took his hand in his own to squeeze tightly. “Ready?” he asked receiving his response in the tensing of exhausted muscles before he doused his back in alcohol. Duo’s nails bit into the back of his hand and he felt the bones grind together as pain lanced up his arm but the longhaired boy never cried out. He would never take the chance on compromising their position and Hiiro felt his respect for him quicken and set. For all his jokes and jibes, for all the times he had chided Hiiro for acting like Evil Kanevil Duo Maxwell was one hell of a man. “It’s all right,” Hiiro soothed wiggling his fingers to work the blood back into them. Duo loosened his hold but was unwilling to release him and Hiiro found he didn’t mind one little bit. It was a little pathetic of him perhaps, but he needed the comfort almost as much as Duo did. The sure, strong presence of his partner’s fingers clutching so desperately strengthened his own resolve. He paused a moment to listen when the radio crackled to life but the information was sketchy at best. They were having trouble putting the fires out, over a hundred dead and more still missing. Possible chemical explosion. Hiiro went back to the task at hand dabbing at the swollen whelps on Duo’s back gently while he pondered the news. Duo had obviously been caught so why were they claiming an accident? Whatever happened one thing was for sure, there was no way they could move until things settled down so he finished his examination and treatment and tucked his coat around Duo’s shoulders before curling up beside him to watch over his sleep. It was unclear how long he had been asleep when he felt a gentle shifting in his lap. Slowly he cracked an eye open and gazed down on the peaceful face of his partner and friend and smiled. He wasn’t sure when the braided boy had rolled over and laid his head in his lap but it gave him a very warm feeling to see him there. He raised his hand on a sudden inspiration and felt the cool skin of Duo’s forehead, the lack of fever settling the burbling rage in his chest somewhat as his hand ran softly down to cup the boy’s rounded cheek. He looked so damn young lying there in the damp darkness. “Second wave went off,” Duo’s gravely tone softly groaned and Hiiro smiled seeing the echo of a cocky smirk on his lips. Turning his attention to the static of the radio confirmed Duo’s claim as men were shouting back and forth to each other in a fresh state of panic. He felt the deep rumble of a large explosion in the ground beneath him, the sound rolling like thunder some distance away above ground and chuckled quietly at the grin that slowly curled Duo’s swollen lips. “How many did you set?” Hiiro asked. “Three tears,” Duo replied and Hiiro realized his other hand was clasped firmly in Duo’s when it was squeezed tightly as he coughed; the pain of it causing his thin body to fold up in an attempt to protect his sore ribs but there was still a grin on his face when he finally caught his breath. Hiiro’s smile remained throughout the painful fit as well. He understood his partners attitude all to well, there was still one more little surprise waiting for the frantic men scrambling around above ground. The grin faltered and died as he gazed down and took in the blackness that was surrounding Duo’s eye, the swelling in his lips and face and the way he carefully laid on his side to avoid the lashes on his back. “Who did this to you?” he asked wanting nothing more than to find the son of a bitch and return the favor. “Guards,” Duo grunted adjusting his position a little but Hiiro refused to allow him to move so much he would have to let go of his hand. “Assholes wanted to play hero.” Hiiro almost wanted to tell him to be quiet listening to the laborious sound of his voice as he sucked in enough air to tell the tale. “They were still calling it an accident,” Hiiro told him and Duo nodded chuckling painfully again. “Guess torturing a prisoner then letting him escape and blow your operation to hell and back doesn’t really look good on the report,” he garbled hissing when he tried to turn too quickly and caused a spasm in his side. “I should have gone,” slipped from Hiiro’s lips, his mistake shining in Duo’s sudden glare before the words stopped echoing in the darkness. “I didn’t mean…” “Just shut the hell up,” Duo cut him off burrowing down into his lap a little as if preparing to sleep again. “I’m sorry,” the Japanese boy sighed unable to keep his fingers from brushing along the marbled skin along Duo’s cheek. “Me or you,” Duo sighed tiredly. “Doesn’t matter. Job’s done. I’ll live,” he mumbled and Hiiro decided to do as he had said and just shut up and let him sleep. Hours passed there in the darkness. He listened to the men on the radio working hard to get their compound back under control. Duo managed to swallow some water even in his sleep at Hiiro’s continuing insistence but they were going to need to get him proper medical attention. A plan formed in his mind, they would leave once night came around again. By then their enemies would be exhausted giving them a better chance of making it out of hostile territory unseen. The possibility that Duo might have a cracked rib or two proposed another problem. He would need to be wrapped but all they had was their clothing and equipment and the usual, standard issue med kit, nothing that would suffice as a brace. It was his stomach’s grumbling plea for sustenance that finally awakened Duo again. “Better feed that beast,” the braided boy smiled groggily digging down a little deeper into the soft belly beneath his ear. “You eat first,” Hiiro replied pulling a ration bar from his pack. “Chocolate?” Duo inquired peering up from his one good eye. Hiiro was pleased to see the swelling had gone down enough in the other for it to crack open too. “Honey oat,” he informed him chuckling at the pout that appeared on his partner’s battered face. “Lost my bag in the interrogation,” Duo informed him rolling back a little so Hiiro could place small pieces of the bar on his tongue. “Interrogation?” Hiiro scoffed. “Prick ate my chocolate bars.” Hiiro laughed. He really didn’t mean to and felt bad about it the moment Duo scowled up at him but the boy had just sounded so damned petulant. “S…sorry,” he chuckled feeding him another piece of the honey oat bar. “At least the chocolate tastes like chocolate,” Duo reasoned chewing theatrically as he added, “Not like something you’d feed a cow.” “You wouldn’t like me if I had utters,” Hiiro grinned. “That’s for sure,” Duo replied absently accepting another bite and Hiiro’s mind stalled on the comment for a moment. “Water?” Hiiro helped him lift up so he could take a good drink, his mouth hungrily sucking at the canteen when the sound of another series of large explosions rocked the earth and Duo smiled in spite of the pain. “Third times a charm,” the braided boy chuckled grimacing as he clutched his ribs and lay back down. The radio confirmed what they already knew, another wave of frantic shouting, garbled orders and curses blaming all the demons in hell for their bad luck and Duo’s grin grew wide enough to invade even his blackened eye. “Shinigami strikes again,” he laughed spawning a coughing fit that left him groaning and laughing uncontrollably in a tight little ball. Hiiro couldn’t help but laugh along, his chest hurting with every painful cough, his body and mind sharing in his partners suffering and joy as he rubbed his back and soothed him until he settled again. “Oww,” Duo groaned laying his head back in Hiiro’s lap, his breath coming in short pants. “Do you think they broke anything?” Hiiro asked trying once again to think of some way to bind his friend’s ribs. “No,” Duo gasped softly shaking his head. “Feels like they tried to turn’em to power though,” he breathed letting the last of the energy drain from his chest. “Can you walk?” “You thinking about making a break for it?” Duo asked arching a brow. “Later,” Hiiro informed him. “Just before dawn.” “K,” Duo nodded and Hiiro knew it for the raw determination that it was. Broken or bleeding Duo would stand up and move when the time came. The thought filled him with pride bringing a smile to his lips and his hand to brush through Duo’s long bangs. “What?” the braided boy asked uncertainly gazing up at his partners odd expression. “Nothing,” Hiiro smiled running his thumb lightly over the crack in Duo’s lower lip. “Nothing hell,” Duo grumbled and Hiiro felt something stir deep down in his chest when his partner leaned into the caress. “You look like you’re ready to adopt me or something,” Duo chuckled, his eyes closing contently as Hiiro continued to stroke a calloused pad over his skin. “Or something,” Hiiro smiled softly. As long as Duo was there by his side everything would be all right. He had always known Duo held a special place in his heart. He had been the only person he had ever met that could truly reach him but the sheer magnitude of the feelings inside him hadn’t really come to light until the boy laying injured in his lap turned his head and gently kissed the palm of his hand. The heat was incredible, it started deep down in his crawl, his hand tingling as a wave of pure energy lanced up his arm and his chest was suddenly pulsating, his breath hot in his lungs as the blood rushing in his ears robbed him of his senses. Duo turned warm eyes upon him, the raw emotion saturating his expression as he smiled softly and Hiiro’s will to resist simply crumbled away. Duo’s expression changed when he slipped his hand gently behind his neck. Curiosity, confusion, pain and promise all came together in a way that looked very much like hope to the Japanese boy as he slowly lifted him and kissed him gently. Duo shuddered but Hiiro knew it wasn’t from the pain. The utter joy he felt knowing that it had been his kiss that had caused such a reaction in his partner begged him to push onward and explore this strange new sensation. The heat in his gut doubled, his skin prickling all along his arms, shoulders and scalp as he opened his mouth and tasted the brassy flavor of Duo’s mouth. The cut on his lip offering the rare flavor of blood to the experience, the taste of honey and oats on his tongue as he willingly opened his mouth to Hiiro’s tender embrace. He could easily tell Duo was as flustered as he was when they finally pulled apart, his forehead automatically resting against Duo’s in the darkness while they both took a moment to catch their breath. “Hiiro?” “Hn?” “Can we do that again?” Hiiro was only to happy to oblige, his body slipping down to lay beside his partner on the damp, cold ground but neither of them noticed as they slowly acquainted themselves with this savory new aspect of their relationship. It was so sweet lying there kissing in the dark, Hiiro’s hands running softly over Duo’s battered body as the longhaired boy shared yet another of life’s wonders with him. Until that moment, Hiiro had been content to live his life as he had since he had met the longhaired American, studiously working and living by his side but suddenly it just wasn’t enough. He wanted more, a lot more. There were things his body was demanding he couldn’t even fully comprehend as he slowly drank in the tender affection and he found himself forced to break away before he did something that would not only be inappropriate but selfishly insensitive of someone in Duo’s condition. “Damn,” Duo sighed deeply snuggling down into Hiiro’s chest. Neither was really aware of just how long they had been laying there but the men on the radio had calmed somewhat and it sounded like they were getting things back under control in their ruined compound. “Try to sleep,” Hiiro told him pulling him close and Duo smiled and sighed happily again. It was really amazing how such a simple thing could send a wave of sheer delight coursing through his veins but he had to admit, Duo had always affected him that way. They woke from their shallow slumber in the dead of the night and Duo insisted on reacquainting himself with Hiiro’s mouth before attempting to get to his feet. Hiiro could see the pain, hear the labor in his lungs but he knew better than to try to baby him. Duo would take what he needed; he need only be there to offer help when he was called upon. His pride and respect for his partner pulsed in his veins with every step they took. Duo made it over a mile into the woods, less than fifty meters from where they had stashed their bike, before giving into the need to lean his full weight on Hiiro’s shoulder. The Japanese boy hooked an arm around him supporting his weight without actually picking him up off the ground and helped him onto the seat. Duo was covered in sweat from his efforts; his face screwed up in pain and fatigue as Hiiro slipped on the bike behind him and took them home. Three days had passed. Duo’s injuries had been treated, his skin paling to a sickly looking green/black around his eye and rib cage but no broken bones had been found. Sally had released him into Hiiro’s care and allowed the Japanese boy to take him home where he was having quite lot of trouble keeping the boy in bed for the allotted one week period. “I’m fine,” Duo insisted trying once again to slip out of bed. “Sally said rest,” Hiiro argued shoving his feet back under the sheets. “That’s a tentative instruction,” the longhaired boy grumbled. “Just sit quiet and let me take care of you,” Hiiro grinned setting the cup of soup he had brought on the end table so he could fix the disheveled sheets. “There’s nothing wrong with me,” his patient pouted. “Then think of it as a perk,” Hiiro chuckled. “Hiiro?” Duo asked, the sudden shift in his tone calling his partners full attention. “Didn’t you like it?” he asked softly unable to take his eyes off the pattern in the sheet. “What?” Hiiro asked cautiously, half of his mind racing to the only conclusion his heart wanted to hear while the other half wondered if Duo didn’t like cream of mushroom soup. “Kissing me,” the longhaired boy explained shyly. “Very much,” Hiiro smiled allowing his hand to reach out and touch Duo’s face in that way again. The way that made his toes want to curl up and his chest feel like he had swallowed a swarm butterflies. “Then why haven’t you done it again?” Duo asked leaning into the touch. “You’re injured,” the Japanese boy explained even as the heat spread through his body as Duo turned to kiss his palm. “I’m fine,” the braided boy smiled, his eyes softening into that hopeful expression that had made it impossible for Hiiro to resist kissing him back in their hideaway. He found it no less tempting this time and leaned in to taste the sweet rapture of Duo’s lips once again. “Duo?” he breathed trying desperately to pull himself free of the sticky sweet spell before his mind gave into his body’s demands. “It doesn’t really hurt anymore,” Duo panted pulling him physically into the bed with him. “I swear, please,” he begged kissing him so soundly Hiiro felt it in his spine and suddenly it just didn’t matter anymore. “I have no idea what the hell I’m doing,” he laughed trying not to put any weight on Duo’s discolored midsection. “Your job,” Duo told him kissing him again. “What?” Hiiro chuckled as he let the braided boy strip him of his shirt. “Well,” Duo grinned pulling him down on top of him so he could kiss him again. “You did find a way to keep me in bed.” Hiiro laughed and gave up. There was just no arguing with that sort of logic and he found as Duo slowly pulled him under the surface of the heat they were creating, he really just didn’t want to. owari :)
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