Part nine: Never leave
Note: Yes, another chapter peeps---and again I'm so SORRY about the delay- for almost-a month? Two? It's just---just ::bangs head:: I need inspiration, and I'm a crap to multi-parts like these. Two of my muses died on me and I went blank for a month, and I searched for other muses. I hate to discontinue this one either, and so is 'cruel intentions'. IT'S ONE THING I don't want to do. Well, At least before my zoid fandom goes pfft that is. More on that rant on my profile. Hey, it's also nearly 6 months- so my updates might slow up a bit. ::runs around with a 'best before' label on head::
--just three or two more chapters, three or two more. AND ITS DONE!!! Mwahahaha!!
RaVen0us
----
"What do you mean you're aborting the mission?!"
An angry whirling sound coming from Beek followed Thomas' voice, the device was getting the coordinates of Flyheight's location when the lieutenant was informed by Irvine that the mission was aborted.
"I have been with Van for a week, and I'm telling you---it's over. He lost it."
"What do you mean he lost it?! There is no way Va---"
The face in the comlink darkened. "I think it's about time to believe what your brother said is true." Irvine continued, "Van is fraternizing with the enemy. I don't know how it happened but I saw it with my own eyes. You know the option when that happens."
"We have to arrest him?"
"I hate to say it, but yeah---but YOU have to do the arresting. I'm no officer to do that, I'm sent only for reinforcements."
He stared at the monitor for the longest time, transfixed before he spoke. "No, Irvine. I CANT arrest him. It's just not right. Tell me, where is your proof?"
The darker boy frowned once again with discontentment, "You of all people must know better than me not to question a superior's order. That's what makes you a goddamn ranked imperial officer. So when the Colonel said arrest him if Van is guilty as presumed, then YOU arrest him!"
Before Thomas could respond, Irvine signed off. He could tell from the tone of Irvine's voice that he is obviously upset about the current situation on Van THAT he refused to believe is true. He haven't heard the details yet, and more or less, updated on what have been going on this past week. Thanks to his 'injured' tongue, he was left with no choice but to stay and rest in a nearby colony. He swore he have gained some weight eating those ripe honeyed figs and white cheese, given to him by the sweet young lasses of the village. He couldn't sit properly in the cockpit without making an 'oomph' sound.
He struggled off his Di Bison, still confused what to do next. Should he track Flyheight himself to see what Irvine said is true, or go back with Irvine and report to the quarters and have his republican counterpart arrested. Just as he was debating what to do, he bent over and grabbed a wrench to fix some part of his machine when he suddenly let out a gassy sound.
And if isn't any worse, it stinks too. Embarrased, Thomas looked around if someone heard it, fortunately there was none---with an exception of an alley cat that screeched and already ran away.
"Must be the cheese," he grumbled, and proceeds to fix his machine again. But as soon as he turned around, he gassed again--this time it was followed by a painful acidic knot in his stomach and a sickening watery sound.
"Damn it, not diarrhea!" he whined, clutching his stomach as he struggled one free hand to search for any piece of paper he could use of. To make matters much complicated, he can't find any excess paper and his comlink signed on again. It was Irvine,
"I will be arriving at your location shortly," the voice said with a sigh, as if sorry for the sudden emotional outburst few minutes ago. "There would be a lot of matters we should talk about concerning Flyheight---are you there?"
Thomas struggled painfully to reach in back again to the cockpit, he bobbed his head slightly so Irvine can see him on the monitor. "Yes!" he squeaked. "But I---" his face lost all it's color and he quickly banged his head at the roof as he recoiled and ran. Irvine found himself staring at an empty monitor
*****
"Never mix figs with white cheese."
Thomas found himself staring above at the taller much muscular youth in front of him, as he was sitting with his pants down in a small narrow cubicle just beside a local inn. Blushing vividly, he grabbed a tissue roll and threw it at Irvine. He can hear him chuckling but the taller boy still refused to move.
"Stop that, you're embarrassing me!"
"So what, we are two normal men---what is it to be embarrassed?"
He frowned, "How on Zi did you track me here?"
Irvine sniffed and covered his nose, "Christ, that stink---anyway, I heard the townspeople exclaiming that they saw an officer clumsily running around making strange noises. I noticed the scent and I've guessed it must be the local's figs and cheese. I trailed it right through here." He looked around, "And about Flyheight---"
"Can't this wait OUTSIDE?!"
"um-oh well, yeah." Irvine realized that it's the most stupid thing he had ever done that day. It must be the liquour that clouded his brain to haze that early morning, matched with Van sudden revelation that his common sense starts to wind down the drain. Embarrassed, he went out of the cubicle, much to the partial amusement and wonder by the local inn's tenants.
"What the hell are you ALL looking at?!"
Several minutes and tissue rolls later, Thomas emerged from the cubicle and spotted the less sober Irvine kicking a pebble by the road. There is a bit swaying when he walked towards his lightning saix.
"Jesus, no wonder." Thomas sniffed, "You smell like alcohol. Have you been drinking early in the morning?"
Irvine looked up, "Yeah, around five."
It's the blonde's turn to gape. "WHAT are you doing drinking early in the morning?! Aren't you supposed to watch Flyheight?"
The darker boy found a big rock beside his saix and sat on it, he eyed the blonde frowning, "I WAS watching Flyheight. The night before, I caught him going back to camp in a suspicious manner. He seemed restless and eager for something to happen. I caught him changing his clothes and sneaking outside the camp."
"When did you know that he is acting suspicious?"
Irvine sighed and narrated what happened the whole week, the imminent rescue of Van from the clutches of Raven, to the sudden attack of the geno breaker at the camp. He suspected that something have happened between the two because of the younger boy's hesitant and defensive answers to his simple questions regarding the gray-haired mercenary. When they set camp and doing patrols within the area, Van will disappear time to time from his curfew, which isn't very much like him.
"So he missed a few curfews, big deal."
"Not if he kept missing it for seven straight days," Irvine said grimly, "When I'm always with him in patrols he has this sulking expression and he hardly talks. NOW when he comes back, he wears that brightest smile you ever seen like nothing happened and I see why because of the bulge in his crotch."
Irvine said it so calmly, but the last statement send Thomas blushing red like a tomato. It is something that DOES not make sense in the conversation. "WHAT?"
"A hard-on." Irvine said out loud, lazily. "You don't know what a hard on is? It is something that you had when the conditioning unit broke down at the base last time and I caught you are staring at Fiona who is sweaty all over."
The blonde eyed Irvine with murder in his eyes, "I---I DON'T have *that* around Miss Fiona! Can you go back to the topic? How did this imply to Flyheight?"
"When I caught him sneaking this 4 AM in the morning, I demand to him what is going on. He said he is going to meet a friend at the local bar. I insist that I join his company. When we arrived, guess who that friend is."
"Amuse me."
"Raven. And nonetheless he is very happy to see Van."
The lieutenant blanched, "You MUST be joking. They are enemies, rivals! You said before that it was he who held Van hostage, HOW can they be friends all of a sudden?"
The darker boy shrugged, "Beats me. I guess during his 'capture' he fiddled with his brain or something. All I know is that I've seen Raven and there is no mistake about it, smiling like sunshine and hugging Van possessively, giving him a look like he was his---" his face grimaced, and shook his head. "---I guessed something did happen between them. And I know it's something unnatural and NOT nice and Van is under that spell. Who could reason with him now? It's better to call him traitor so he could get a good shake of his senses."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Thomas remarked sharply. "Van could never do such a thing."
"Are you saying you don't believe me?" Irvine frowned, "If you don't want to, then go see for yourself. Besides I have given you his coordinates."
"This is a team effort, Irvine. YOU have to be with me. Where are the red horns?"
"That's another thing why I can't assist you. The geno breaker has beaten the red-horns bad, I have to report them immediately to base. I will tell the colonel to send back ups."
*****
"They've left you Van,"
They went back to the camp, just to see a deserted campsite. The tents are left out hastily in a mess by their owners and no red-horns or lightning saix was in sight. Only a mildly smoking bonfire marked their early leave. Van walked grimly, silence filling the air. He knelt at the ground and with a short mutter, punched the ground with his left fist. The gray haired pilot observed him for awhile, hearing the brunette's shallow breathing coming in, as if he is going to make a decision he won't be able to bear to hear.
"This is all a mistake, its my fault." Van muttered, before finally standing up. He turned around, heavy unrest shows in his features. From that moment, Raven realized its one of those rare moments he saw Van scared.
"It's over now, I'm going home." He said tersely, passing to the gray- haired pilot's side, avoiding his errant violet gaze.
"Alone?" He called out, furious. "Van!"
Van made a grim chuckle, "You are a better shot than that, Raven. You know what I mean. It's over. We can't continue this relationship, people will think otherwise---they'd think."
"To hell with what they think! If they are really your comrades, they won't think you as a traitor."
"That's not it, it's because you are w---" He paused, Van never got to finish his sentence. Because you are with me---that what was he want to say. As long Raven is with him, he is not safe---who would, knowing that they are with the one of the dangerous mercenary in whole Zi. But after that fateful night encounter, he realized that like anybody else, Raven is also human-and like any human he makes mistakes. Mistakes that could be forgiven. And he can love him. But how can he love him if in return he have to endure the guilt of betraying his friend's trust? He can see the slow reeling disqust in the gray-haired pilot's face.
"Raven, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"No, you are right Van. They are right. But there is one thing.."
"What?" The other boy replied, "Say it quick----because I'm already leaving."
Raven shook his head, and with a casual frown, surprised the other pilot by grabbing him at the arm. He dragged Van and forced him to walk in the opposite direction, until he managed to draw him near enough to his geno breaker. "Do you know in all these years, I only believed that all I can do is fight for myself?"
"That's because, that's the only life you knew. I can't fault you with that!" Puzzled, Van doesn't see the point of conversation. Why Raven is lecturing now, he wondered.
"Yes-that's because THAT's the only life I've known. I never believed for myself in reason, at a certain point, a man cannot keep on fighting because he wants to survive for himself. HE must have a reason why he wanted to fight, YOU are the reason Van. All these years."
Van is silent. He can as well feel the scorching heat creeping to his scalp and behind his ears.
Raven continued, "And I do not regret a single thing this happened between us. Whatever other people think, I will still bring you back to that military base. It's the least I could do for you. I told you that before- remember?"
Yes, he remembers---but isn't Raven risking himself too much for his cause?
As if knowing what's going on Van's head, Raven cupped one gloved palm to his chin. "Because in the long run, I learned to love you. You made me believe in myself Van---and I loved you"
Van made a small cry before he threw himself into his arms.
*****
Meanwhile~ ----
"Is that confirmed?"
"Yes, colonel sir, it is confirmed. I know it's unbelievable---but there is no other choice, correct?"
Irvine felt like the biggest hypocrite in the world, there he was back in the base reporting to the colonel. He confirmed Van's actions---and afraid of what he really think it was--- didn't let the younger boy elaborate way back at the camp. Van 'fratenizing' with the enemy, its better off like that. He was too appalled that his suspicions in the other pilots 'preferences' are correct. But why in all people, Raven?
Van has to be knocked to his senses, "I agree with you Mr. Irvine--- since the other soldiers also prove to be witnesses, and your observations are credible, I think its about time to move to the next plan. I'll send up back-ups immediately."
Heavily, the darker youth sighed. "Agreed."
Then all of a sudden the colonel made a sudden start. "Why is Lt. Thomas Schubaltz not with you? Is he aware of this change in plans for the mission?"
Irvine lifted his gray gaze, and eventually stood up from his chair. "Yes sir, he does. Lt. Schubaltz is well-informed. He is just taking care of negotiations."
Perplexed, the colonel leveled his green gaze to him. "With Flyheight? He is trying to persuade him?"
"By all means, colonel, by all means."
And hopefully, Thomas should and MUST convince him. It would be the other pilot's last chance---Irvine thought. It's up to Thomas now.
*****
"Let's call it night"
They just came from the tavern, fresh from a night's meal. And with Shadow's tired grunt from waiting outside, Raven came out and waited for Van. Getting a whiff of fresh air, it is good that they settled things again---for now.
By the time they'll get to the military fort, he'll be risking Van's reputation---brand the boy as a traitor, and those people will beg him one last time, making the brunette turn against him and make him go to jail instead
NO, Van wouldn't do that---or would he? The price in his head is so high, that they might make a tempting offer---probably give the pilot a higher rank or even a medal. But if he really loved him, they will be both in jail. But hell, they would be at least together. They could have one cell both of them in it, and even in dire circumstances, still loving and caring within those boring four walls.
"Argh, what a sick thought, Shadow!" he complained, obtaining a quizzical look from his organoid. "But what could I do? I didn't want him to be taken away---he does not deserve it, I deserved it! Even if there is any chance he'll get a pardon, I can't bear the thought of being separated to----"
"Seperated from what, Raven?"
The gray-haired pilot cursed up a storm and jumped a good 2 feet at Van's sudden voice. His reaction earned him a curious onyx-black gaze then a soft chuckle. Gods, seeing him at that momentarily bliss, Raven thought, he wished if given the chance, he can hold that moment forever.
"It's nothing Van," he replied tersely, trying to sound close to normalcy as possible. But the black organoid objected with a low rumble. With a mental note that Van understood organoids as well as he does, he jabbed the black metallic reptile with his elbow. "If you want to get going, we can do it now. Those bushes cannot hide the geno breaker forever you know."
Van followed his long quick strides. His mood changed now to a hint of seriousness, "Yes I know, eventually-this would be all over---"
With a move that surprised Van, Raven reached out and gave his hand a tight re-assuring squeeze. "I won't let that happen---I promise."
"Whatever it takes?"
"Yeah," Then the other boy stopped walking, gazing past him with a look like he have seen a ghost. Raven wondered what will it be this time.
"I think we spoke a rather too soon.."
"Darn it--"
"Raven, we can still escape--"
But the gray-haired pilot is not the type who'll run away from a battle.
"SHADOW!!"
----
Raven commanded his organoid, who smacked its tail in front of the red- horn's face and dodging it with his head until it fell to the ground. However, the red zoid had managed to stand and move from the narrow shoulder that separated that road from the ravine. A muffled grunt came from the metallic dark organoid.
The red-horn swerved its tail
And Van shouted----
Raven froze and turned. Its tail has flung Shadow in a short distance away. He whipped around, a vile curse on his tongue, the red-horn is ready, and was charging in front of him. With a force of a catapult, it hit Raven square in the guts.
The gray-haired boy doubled over and saw stars. A second later he tumbled backward and down the ravine. Jagged rocks jabbed his shoulders, his back, and his legs. He grunted. Broken and sharp roots scratched his face and neck. He curled into a tight ball to keep from catching a limb and breaking bones.
Down he fell, faster and farther.
Down, over more sharp granite edges and rough thorny bushes.
Down until a mud pit stopped him. He laid there, mud oozing around him, the world spinning, and more stars than Van could count shooting past his vision. Raven didn't move for the longest time, he took one breath, then another, very slowly.
"Raven?" Van was peering down from the edge of the road side.
He opened his mouth.
"Raven, answer me! Are you okay?"
He tried to speak, a moan came out.
"Raven? I'm coming down there to get you."
"No!" he croaked.
Too late. His muddy boots crept over the edge and an instant later Van was sliding down the hill on his backside, his spiky black hair flying out behind him.
"Ouch!"
Raven closed his eyes and mentally cursed.
"Ah!"
He heard the sound of tearing fabric.
"Damn it!"
Graveled rained down on him.
"Fuck!"
Raven could hear Van crashing through the bushes and winced. Before he could take another breath, the other pilot hit him with a grunt. The gray- haired teen laid there, eyes closed, Van sprawled atop him. His chest and stomach were pressed against his and his legs lay between his own. Raven could feel the other' boy's heart beating faster and louder.
Van's nose was against his chest and his hair fanned out, twigs and leaves tangled in it. Slowly, he raised his head and shook it. Leaves flew out and a twig slapped Raven on the chin. As the brunette shoved his own spiky hair out of his face, he stared down at him---and Raven felt a strange curl below when a firm hand reached out to cup his cheek.
"Are you terribly wounded?" he asked,
"Only my pride." He mumbled.
"Does pride always matter to you? You are INSANE if you are going to face off that zoid on your own!" Van shifted his mass somehow, and he propped himself up with both elbows, allowing the other boy under him to get some air. Raven frowned, as he struggled underneath Van, it seems he liked it when he was the one pinned down there.
"At least I got shadow!" he retorted, trying to struggle from Van's grip. "And what's with the concern anyway? You don't have your zoid or your orgnaoid right now. How can you protect yourself?"
His onyx-black eye's narrowed, firmly planting Raven in the muddy ground. "That red-horn is not going after us if you DIDN'T charge it."
Raven moved out one free gloved hand and rubbed it lightly over Van's head, and then kissing him by the nose, "Because, my sugar bear, I'm making sure nothing happens to you. We had a score to settle ourselves remember?" The gray-haired teen took the moment distraction from Van, and moved his other hand in between the boy's legs, grabbing his crotch tight then pumping it. Van gasped and momentarily went limp, loosening his grip over Raven's and it was the other boy's turn to shove him down the ground,
"Raven, you sick bastard!"
"Absolutely," he softly chuckled to see the crimson color tainting the brunette's cheeks. "No one could take me down that easily," and he stood up, letting the other boy sit up the ground. "At least in my height of passion I'll not take you down the mud. Now let's get going."
Van pouted as he stood up, grabbing the other boy on the arm for support, they were covered in mud and briars and damp grass. Raven started back up the hill side, gripping onto the bushes as he tried to get a foot hold. He gave Van his hand. "Come," he told him. "I'll help you."
He held his grip in his, but Raven slipped and so did his grip on Van's hand.
Down they went again.
Raven grabbed a bush and only fell to his knees. He heard a shout and looked behind him.
Van hadn't been so lucky. He was lying face down in the thickest pool of mud in the ravine. Very slowly he pushed himself up. Two bright and dark onyx colored eyes stared at Raven from a brown face dripping in mud.
He burst out laughing.
Van sat back, resting his arms on his knees as Raven watched the mud drip from his hair, nose, everywhere.
"You look like a pig." He told him honestly, not realizing that this was a stupid time for male honesty.
It earned him a mud ball hit square in his face.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Raven roared angrily and swiped at the mud. Van gave him a wide grin and threw another handful. Now he was laughing, laughing hard and flinging mud at him so quickly that Raven would never have thought he could move that fast.
"Here!" he shouted. "Catch!" And he hit him square in the forehead.
Raven sprang from the hillside and tackled him. They rolled together in the mud, Van is laughing while the taller boy tried to rub more mud in his face. A few minutes later they both lay on their backs in the mud, a truce called. The brunette is still laughing hard.
"You didn't play fair, Raven! You're taller than I.."----he slapped a muddy hand on his chest and gave Raven a wide-eyed stare. "---a puny rival!"
He snorted. "Puny. Ha! They could have used you in a siege, Van. They would have you in charge of the catapult!" And with that he grinned, then stood and eyed the hill side. A second later he swept Van into his arms and carried him through the ravine, heading for a place where the hillside wasn't so steep.
"Raven! Put me down!!"
"Stop squirming and let me carry your 'puny' self." Raven tossed him and grinned even more when Van let out a surprised shout. Finally, he wrapped his arms around his neck and laid his head on his shoulder.
And Raven liked it so much that he carried him all the way up the hill---- the long way.
-continued-I swear on my bloody @$$ I will!!-
Note: Yes, another chapter peeps---and again I'm so SORRY about the delay- for almost-a month? Two? It's just---just ::bangs head:: I need inspiration, and I'm a crap to multi-parts like these. Two of my muses died on me and I went blank for a month, and I searched for other muses. I hate to discontinue this one either, and so is 'cruel intentions'. IT'S ONE THING I don't want to do. Well, At least before my zoid fandom goes pfft that is. More on that rant on my profile. Hey, it's also nearly 6 months- so my updates might slow up a bit. ::runs around with a 'best before' label on head::
--just three or two more chapters, three or two more. AND ITS DONE!!! Mwahahaha!!
RaVen0us
----
"What do you mean you're aborting the mission?!"
An angry whirling sound coming from Beek followed Thomas' voice, the device was getting the coordinates of Flyheight's location when the lieutenant was informed by Irvine that the mission was aborted.
"I have been with Van for a week, and I'm telling you---it's over. He lost it."
"What do you mean he lost it?! There is no way Va---"
The face in the comlink darkened. "I think it's about time to believe what your brother said is true." Irvine continued, "Van is fraternizing with the enemy. I don't know how it happened but I saw it with my own eyes. You know the option when that happens."
"We have to arrest him?"
"I hate to say it, but yeah---but YOU have to do the arresting. I'm no officer to do that, I'm sent only for reinforcements."
He stared at the monitor for the longest time, transfixed before he spoke. "No, Irvine. I CANT arrest him. It's just not right. Tell me, where is your proof?"
The darker boy frowned once again with discontentment, "You of all people must know better than me not to question a superior's order. That's what makes you a goddamn ranked imperial officer. So when the Colonel said arrest him if Van is guilty as presumed, then YOU arrest him!"
Before Thomas could respond, Irvine signed off. He could tell from the tone of Irvine's voice that he is obviously upset about the current situation on Van THAT he refused to believe is true. He haven't heard the details yet, and more or less, updated on what have been going on this past week. Thanks to his 'injured' tongue, he was left with no choice but to stay and rest in a nearby colony. He swore he have gained some weight eating those ripe honeyed figs and white cheese, given to him by the sweet young lasses of the village. He couldn't sit properly in the cockpit without making an 'oomph' sound.
He struggled off his Di Bison, still confused what to do next. Should he track Flyheight himself to see what Irvine said is true, or go back with Irvine and report to the quarters and have his republican counterpart arrested. Just as he was debating what to do, he bent over and grabbed a wrench to fix some part of his machine when he suddenly let out a gassy sound.
And if isn't any worse, it stinks too. Embarrased, Thomas looked around if someone heard it, fortunately there was none---with an exception of an alley cat that screeched and already ran away.
"Must be the cheese," he grumbled, and proceeds to fix his machine again. But as soon as he turned around, he gassed again--this time it was followed by a painful acidic knot in his stomach and a sickening watery sound.
"Damn it, not diarrhea!" he whined, clutching his stomach as he struggled one free hand to search for any piece of paper he could use of. To make matters much complicated, he can't find any excess paper and his comlink signed on again. It was Irvine,
"I will be arriving at your location shortly," the voice said with a sigh, as if sorry for the sudden emotional outburst few minutes ago. "There would be a lot of matters we should talk about concerning Flyheight---are you there?"
Thomas struggled painfully to reach in back again to the cockpit, he bobbed his head slightly so Irvine can see him on the monitor. "Yes!" he squeaked. "But I---" his face lost all it's color and he quickly banged his head at the roof as he recoiled and ran. Irvine found himself staring at an empty monitor
*****
"Never mix figs with white cheese."
Thomas found himself staring above at the taller much muscular youth in front of him, as he was sitting with his pants down in a small narrow cubicle just beside a local inn. Blushing vividly, he grabbed a tissue roll and threw it at Irvine. He can hear him chuckling but the taller boy still refused to move.
"Stop that, you're embarrassing me!"
"So what, we are two normal men---what is it to be embarrassed?"
He frowned, "How on Zi did you track me here?"
Irvine sniffed and covered his nose, "Christ, that stink---anyway, I heard the townspeople exclaiming that they saw an officer clumsily running around making strange noises. I noticed the scent and I've guessed it must be the local's figs and cheese. I trailed it right through here." He looked around, "And about Flyheight---"
"Can't this wait OUTSIDE?!"
"um-oh well, yeah." Irvine realized that it's the most stupid thing he had ever done that day. It must be the liquour that clouded his brain to haze that early morning, matched with Van sudden revelation that his common sense starts to wind down the drain. Embarrassed, he went out of the cubicle, much to the partial amusement and wonder by the local inn's tenants.
"What the hell are you ALL looking at?!"
Several minutes and tissue rolls later, Thomas emerged from the cubicle and spotted the less sober Irvine kicking a pebble by the road. There is a bit swaying when he walked towards his lightning saix.
"Jesus, no wonder." Thomas sniffed, "You smell like alcohol. Have you been drinking early in the morning?"
Irvine looked up, "Yeah, around five."
It's the blonde's turn to gape. "WHAT are you doing drinking early in the morning?! Aren't you supposed to watch Flyheight?"
The darker boy found a big rock beside his saix and sat on it, he eyed the blonde frowning, "I WAS watching Flyheight. The night before, I caught him going back to camp in a suspicious manner. He seemed restless and eager for something to happen. I caught him changing his clothes and sneaking outside the camp."
"When did you know that he is acting suspicious?"
Irvine sighed and narrated what happened the whole week, the imminent rescue of Van from the clutches of Raven, to the sudden attack of the geno breaker at the camp. He suspected that something have happened between the two because of the younger boy's hesitant and defensive answers to his simple questions regarding the gray-haired mercenary. When they set camp and doing patrols within the area, Van will disappear time to time from his curfew, which isn't very much like him.
"So he missed a few curfews, big deal."
"Not if he kept missing it for seven straight days," Irvine said grimly, "When I'm always with him in patrols he has this sulking expression and he hardly talks. NOW when he comes back, he wears that brightest smile you ever seen like nothing happened and I see why because of the bulge in his crotch."
Irvine said it so calmly, but the last statement send Thomas blushing red like a tomato. It is something that DOES not make sense in the conversation. "WHAT?"
"A hard-on." Irvine said out loud, lazily. "You don't know what a hard on is? It is something that you had when the conditioning unit broke down at the base last time and I caught you are staring at Fiona who is sweaty all over."
The blonde eyed Irvine with murder in his eyes, "I---I DON'T have *that* around Miss Fiona! Can you go back to the topic? How did this imply to Flyheight?"
"When I caught him sneaking this 4 AM in the morning, I demand to him what is going on. He said he is going to meet a friend at the local bar. I insist that I join his company. When we arrived, guess who that friend is."
"Amuse me."
"Raven. And nonetheless he is very happy to see Van."
The lieutenant blanched, "You MUST be joking. They are enemies, rivals! You said before that it was he who held Van hostage, HOW can they be friends all of a sudden?"
The darker boy shrugged, "Beats me. I guess during his 'capture' he fiddled with his brain or something. All I know is that I've seen Raven and there is no mistake about it, smiling like sunshine and hugging Van possessively, giving him a look like he was his---" his face grimaced, and shook his head. "---I guessed something did happen between them. And I know it's something unnatural and NOT nice and Van is under that spell. Who could reason with him now? It's better to call him traitor so he could get a good shake of his senses."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Thomas remarked sharply. "Van could never do such a thing."
"Are you saying you don't believe me?" Irvine frowned, "If you don't want to, then go see for yourself. Besides I have given you his coordinates."
"This is a team effort, Irvine. YOU have to be with me. Where are the red horns?"
"That's another thing why I can't assist you. The geno breaker has beaten the red-horns bad, I have to report them immediately to base. I will tell the colonel to send back ups."
*****
"They've left you Van,"
They went back to the camp, just to see a deserted campsite. The tents are left out hastily in a mess by their owners and no red-horns or lightning saix was in sight. Only a mildly smoking bonfire marked their early leave. Van walked grimly, silence filling the air. He knelt at the ground and with a short mutter, punched the ground with his left fist. The gray haired pilot observed him for awhile, hearing the brunette's shallow breathing coming in, as if he is going to make a decision he won't be able to bear to hear.
"This is all a mistake, its my fault." Van muttered, before finally standing up. He turned around, heavy unrest shows in his features. From that moment, Raven realized its one of those rare moments he saw Van scared.
"It's over now, I'm going home." He said tersely, passing to the gray- haired pilot's side, avoiding his errant violet gaze.
"Alone?" He called out, furious. "Van!"
Van made a grim chuckle, "You are a better shot than that, Raven. You know what I mean. It's over. We can't continue this relationship, people will think otherwise---they'd think."
"To hell with what they think! If they are really your comrades, they won't think you as a traitor."
"That's not it, it's because you are w---" He paused, Van never got to finish his sentence. Because you are with me---that what was he want to say. As long Raven is with him, he is not safe---who would, knowing that they are with the one of the dangerous mercenary in whole Zi. But after that fateful night encounter, he realized that like anybody else, Raven is also human-and like any human he makes mistakes. Mistakes that could be forgiven. And he can love him. But how can he love him if in return he have to endure the guilt of betraying his friend's trust? He can see the slow reeling disqust in the gray-haired pilot's face.
"Raven, I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"No, you are right Van. They are right. But there is one thing.."
"What?" The other boy replied, "Say it quick----because I'm already leaving."
Raven shook his head, and with a casual frown, surprised the other pilot by grabbing him at the arm. He dragged Van and forced him to walk in the opposite direction, until he managed to draw him near enough to his geno breaker. "Do you know in all these years, I only believed that all I can do is fight for myself?"
"That's because, that's the only life you knew. I can't fault you with that!" Puzzled, Van doesn't see the point of conversation. Why Raven is lecturing now, he wondered.
"Yes-that's because THAT's the only life I've known. I never believed for myself in reason, at a certain point, a man cannot keep on fighting because he wants to survive for himself. HE must have a reason why he wanted to fight, YOU are the reason Van. All these years."
Van is silent. He can as well feel the scorching heat creeping to his scalp and behind his ears.
Raven continued, "And I do not regret a single thing this happened between us. Whatever other people think, I will still bring you back to that military base. It's the least I could do for you. I told you that before- remember?"
Yes, he remembers---but isn't Raven risking himself too much for his cause?
As if knowing what's going on Van's head, Raven cupped one gloved palm to his chin. "Because in the long run, I learned to love you. You made me believe in myself Van---and I loved you"
Van made a small cry before he threw himself into his arms.
*****
Meanwhile~ ----
"Is that confirmed?"
"Yes, colonel sir, it is confirmed. I know it's unbelievable---but there is no other choice, correct?"
Irvine felt like the biggest hypocrite in the world, there he was back in the base reporting to the colonel. He confirmed Van's actions---and afraid of what he really think it was--- didn't let the younger boy elaborate way back at the camp. Van 'fratenizing' with the enemy, its better off like that. He was too appalled that his suspicions in the other pilots 'preferences' are correct. But why in all people, Raven?
Van has to be knocked to his senses, "I agree with you Mr. Irvine--- since the other soldiers also prove to be witnesses, and your observations are credible, I think its about time to move to the next plan. I'll send up back-ups immediately."
Heavily, the darker youth sighed. "Agreed."
Then all of a sudden the colonel made a sudden start. "Why is Lt. Thomas Schubaltz not with you? Is he aware of this change in plans for the mission?"
Irvine lifted his gray gaze, and eventually stood up from his chair. "Yes sir, he does. Lt. Schubaltz is well-informed. He is just taking care of negotiations."
Perplexed, the colonel leveled his green gaze to him. "With Flyheight? He is trying to persuade him?"
"By all means, colonel, by all means."
And hopefully, Thomas should and MUST convince him. It would be the other pilot's last chance---Irvine thought. It's up to Thomas now.
*****
"Let's call it night"
They just came from the tavern, fresh from a night's meal. And with Shadow's tired grunt from waiting outside, Raven came out and waited for Van. Getting a whiff of fresh air, it is good that they settled things again---for now.
By the time they'll get to the military fort, he'll be risking Van's reputation---brand the boy as a traitor, and those people will beg him one last time, making the brunette turn against him and make him go to jail instead
NO, Van wouldn't do that---or would he? The price in his head is so high, that they might make a tempting offer---probably give the pilot a higher rank or even a medal. But if he really loved him, they will be both in jail. But hell, they would be at least together. They could have one cell both of them in it, and even in dire circumstances, still loving and caring within those boring four walls.
"Argh, what a sick thought, Shadow!" he complained, obtaining a quizzical look from his organoid. "But what could I do? I didn't want him to be taken away---he does not deserve it, I deserved it! Even if there is any chance he'll get a pardon, I can't bear the thought of being separated to----"
"Seperated from what, Raven?"
The gray-haired pilot cursed up a storm and jumped a good 2 feet at Van's sudden voice. His reaction earned him a curious onyx-black gaze then a soft chuckle. Gods, seeing him at that momentarily bliss, Raven thought, he wished if given the chance, he can hold that moment forever.
"It's nothing Van," he replied tersely, trying to sound close to normalcy as possible. But the black organoid objected with a low rumble. With a mental note that Van understood organoids as well as he does, he jabbed the black metallic reptile with his elbow. "If you want to get going, we can do it now. Those bushes cannot hide the geno breaker forever you know."
Van followed his long quick strides. His mood changed now to a hint of seriousness, "Yes I know, eventually-this would be all over---"
With a move that surprised Van, Raven reached out and gave his hand a tight re-assuring squeeze. "I won't let that happen---I promise."
"Whatever it takes?"
"Yeah," Then the other boy stopped walking, gazing past him with a look like he have seen a ghost. Raven wondered what will it be this time.
"I think we spoke a rather too soon.."
"Darn it--"
"Raven, we can still escape--"
But the gray-haired pilot is not the type who'll run away from a battle.
"SHADOW!!"
----
Raven commanded his organoid, who smacked its tail in front of the red- horn's face and dodging it with his head until it fell to the ground. However, the red zoid had managed to stand and move from the narrow shoulder that separated that road from the ravine. A muffled grunt came from the metallic dark organoid.
The red-horn swerved its tail
And Van shouted----
Raven froze and turned. Its tail has flung Shadow in a short distance away. He whipped around, a vile curse on his tongue, the red-horn is ready, and was charging in front of him. With a force of a catapult, it hit Raven square in the guts.
The gray-haired boy doubled over and saw stars. A second later he tumbled backward and down the ravine. Jagged rocks jabbed his shoulders, his back, and his legs. He grunted. Broken and sharp roots scratched his face and neck. He curled into a tight ball to keep from catching a limb and breaking bones.
Down he fell, faster and farther.
Down, over more sharp granite edges and rough thorny bushes.
Down until a mud pit stopped him. He laid there, mud oozing around him, the world spinning, and more stars than Van could count shooting past his vision. Raven didn't move for the longest time, he took one breath, then another, very slowly.
"Raven?" Van was peering down from the edge of the road side.
He opened his mouth.
"Raven, answer me! Are you okay?"
He tried to speak, a moan came out.
"Raven? I'm coming down there to get you."
"No!" he croaked.
Too late. His muddy boots crept over the edge and an instant later Van was sliding down the hill on his backside, his spiky black hair flying out behind him.
"Ouch!"
Raven closed his eyes and mentally cursed.
"Ah!"
He heard the sound of tearing fabric.
"Damn it!"
Graveled rained down on him.
"Fuck!"
Raven could hear Van crashing through the bushes and winced. Before he could take another breath, the other pilot hit him with a grunt. The gray- haired teen laid there, eyes closed, Van sprawled atop him. His chest and stomach were pressed against his and his legs lay between his own. Raven could feel the other' boy's heart beating faster and louder.
Van's nose was against his chest and his hair fanned out, twigs and leaves tangled in it. Slowly, he raised his head and shook it. Leaves flew out and a twig slapped Raven on the chin. As the brunette shoved his own spiky hair out of his face, he stared down at him---and Raven felt a strange curl below when a firm hand reached out to cup his cheek.
"Are you terribly wounded?" he asked,
"Only my pride." He mumbled.
"Does pride always matter to you? You are INSANE if you are going to face off that zoid on your own!" Van shifted his mass somehow, and he propped himself up with both elbows, allowing the other boy under him to get some air. Raven frowned, as he struggled underneath Van, it seems he liked it when he was the one pinned down there.
"At least I got shadow!" he retorted, trying to struggle from Van's grip. "And what's with the concern anyway? You don't have your zoid or your orgnaoid right now. How can you protect yourself?"
His onyx-black eye's narrowed, firmly planting Raven in the muddy ground. "That red-horn is not going after us if you DIDN'T charge it."
Raven moved out one free gloved hand and rubbed it lightly over Van's head, and then kissing him by the nose, "Because, my sugar bear, I'm making sure nothing happens to you. We had a score to settle ourselves remember?" The gray-haired teen took the moment distraction from Van, and moved his other hand in between the boy's legs, grabbing his crotch tight then pumping it. Van gasped and momentarily went limp, loosening his grip over Raven's and it was the other boy's turn to shove him down the ground,
"Raven, you sick bastard!"
"Absolutely," he softly chuckled to see the crimson color tainting the brunette's cheeks. "No one could take me down that easily," and he stood up, letting the other boy sit up the ground. "At least in my height of passion I'll not take you down the mud. Now let's get going."
Van pouted as he stood up, grabbing the other boy on the arm for support, they were covered in mud and briars and damp grass. Raven started back up the hill side, gripping onto the bushes as he tried to get a foot hold. He gave Van his hand. "Come," he told him. "I'll help you."
He held his grip in his, but Raven slipped and so did his grip on Van's hand.
Down they went again.
Raven grabbed a bush and only fell to his knees. He heard a shout and looked behind him.
Van hadn't been so lucky. He was lying face down in the thickest pool of mud in the ravine. Very slowly he pushed himself up. Two bright and dark onyx colored eyes stared at Raven from a brown face dripping in mud.
He burst out laughing.
Van sat back, resting his arms on his knees as Raven watched the mud drip from his hair, nose, everywhere.
"You look like a pig." He told him honestly, not realizing that this was a stupid time for male honesty.
It earned him a mud ball hit square in his face.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Raven roared angrily and swiped at the mud. Van gave him a wide grin and threw another handful. Now he was laughing, laughing hard and flinging mud at him so quickly that Raven would never have thought he could move that fast.
"Here!" he shouted. "Catch!" And he hit him square in the forehead.
Raven sprang from the hillside and tackled him. They rolled together in the mud, Van is laughing while the taller boy tried to rub more mud in his face. A few minutes later they both lay on their backs in the mud, a truce called. The brunette is still laughing hard.
"You didn't play fair, Raven! You're taller than I.."----he slapped a muddy hand on his chest and gave Raven a wide-eyed stare. "---a puny rival!"
He snorted. "Puny. Ha! They could have used you in a siege, Van. They would have you in charge of the catapult!" And with that he grinned, then stood and eyed the hill side. A second later he swept Van into his arms and carried him through the ravine, heading for a place where the hillside wasn't so steep.
"Raven! Put me down!!"
"Stop squirming and let me carry your 'puny' self." Raven tossed him and grinned even more when Van let out a surprised shout. Finally, he wrapped his arms around his neck and laid his head on his shoulder.
And Raven liked it so much that he carried him all the way up the hill---- the long way.
-continued-I swear on my bloody @$$ I will!!-