Title: Exercising an Option
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Romance, Adventure, Gundam Wing Pairing: 5+S, 3+4, 1+2, 13+6 Warnings: Citrus, Yaoi, AU, Language Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net. GWFF
Synopsis: Wufei, a Hollywood stuntman, takes his entourage to an exclusive and remote Rocky Mountain resort and spa to recover from an injury. A much- needed respite becomes a chance for romance and adventure. Pairings both Het and Yaoi!
Chapter 12
"Does that hurt?" asked Sally, watching her client's face for signs of pain or stress.
"No," he said, gritting his teeth as he pulled the overhead weight down one more time. Sweat ran down his face and neck and disappeared under his tank top. She noticed his hair was soaked too.
She'd quickly learned that Wufei would rarely complain about pain, and invariably drove himself harder than necessary. Realizing that, she monitored him closely and resolved not to hesitate to get in his face if he over-did it.
Like he was doing at the moment.
"This is the last set," Sally said, her voice in "no argument" mode.
"I can do 3 more," panted Wufei.
"Whether you 'can' or not is not the issue," said Sally, frowning and getting in his line of vision. "What we want is what is best for your recovery. This isn't an endurance test."
He exhaled and stared at her challengingly for a count of three or four seconds, then released the bar.
"Very well, I bow to your superior wisdom," said Wufei, with a hint of humor in his dark eyes.
Sally gave a small laugh. "Wow, that was too easy, I usually have to argue with you for a few minutes. I kind of miss it."
He arched a thin brow at her. "I can remedy that omission if you wish," he said.
She handed him a towel and he wiped the sweat off his face and neck.
"I think a sauna and a massage are in order, or you'll be very sore tomorrow," said Sally, trying to ignore the smooth ripple of muscles in his arms under bronzed skin as he patted his face with the towel.
She mentally slapped herself. She worked around and with outstanding physical specimens all the time; she was in the "beautiful body" business to some extent, after all. This shouldn't be any different than working with any other client.
But, it was.
She deciding looking at something else would be a good idea right at the moment.
"I'll see if Duo can be ready for you in about half an hour, all right?" she asked, looking out of the nearby window at a stately pine tree.
"Is something wrong?" asked Wufei, trying to follow the direction of her stare.
"No, what would be wrong?" asked Sally. Oh unholy hormones, she thought, he's taken off the tank top. She averted her gaze to a potted fern in the corner of the large exercise room.
"Either something is wrong or you have an inordinate obsession with flora," said Wufei.
She looked up. He was laughing at her. Not overtly, but his eyes were shining with silent amusement.
"I'm busted, aren't I?" asked Sally, having the grace to look thoroughly embarrassed.
"It can be awkward when a relationship changes from purely professional to a more personal one. The boundaries are being re-drawn," said Wufei.
"Is that your very wordy way of saying that we're becoming friends?" asked Sally. "At least, I hope so."
"I hope so, too," admitted Wufei. "But, I am a cautious person. I'm rather solitary by nature, and I will probably end up frustrating you to no end with my bluntness and stubbornness."
"You're admitting you can be hard-headed, touchy and hard to get close to," said Sally. She grinned.
"It sounds so much better when I say it," frowned Wufei.
Sally laughed. The momentary tension was eased and she once again felt comfortable around this man who was slowly becoming her friend. Well, some part of her wanted it to be more than merely friends, but she was keeping tight leash on that.
"That" could be messy and complicated. Life had just recently become emotionally bearable again, and although undeniably lonely, it beat the hell out of being a grieving lump of pain.
"So, we're friends?" she asked, needing some sort of verbal confirmation.
"Of course," said Wufei. "But, I'm still aware that you're sometimes uncomfortable around me. Maybe we should discuss it. I don't want anything to interfere with my therapy."
Sally sighed inwardly. So close to.. something? And then right back to square one.
"I don't want to discuss it right now," she said bluntly. She put a professionally cheerful face on. "You need to take that sauna before you stiffen up," she said.
She picked up a nearby phone on the wall and after a few minutes of conversation, hung up and came back.
"Duo is free in an hour," she said. "So take your time, but don't get too overheated. You just had a pretty hard workout."
"I understand," said Wufei. He flexed his shoulder a few times. "Yes, it's a bit sore," he said, scowling at the pain as if that would intimidate it into a retreat.
"I told you," said Sally, shaking her head. "Maybe we'll skip tomorrow's session."
"No," said Wufei. "NO delays."
"If I say no session," said Sally, hardening her voice a bit, "There will be no session, understand?"
That earned her a fierce scowl. "Don't I have a say in this?" he asked with carefully controlled anger. It bubbled under the surface calm and made his voice harsh. "After all, it is MY shoulder we are discussing."
"And this is MY therapy room and MY program we are using, Mister!" said Sally, instinctively pulling out her former officer's training and demeanor.
Wufei blinked. "I haven't been called 'mister' in that tone in a while," he said, reining in his temper.
Sally swallowed. "I haven't called anyone 'mister' in that tone in a while," she said.
They each stood with arms folded and chin thrust in the air, unconsciously mirroring each other's defensive stance.
At the same moment, the tension dissipated and they grinned at each other.
"Draw," said Wufei, holding out his hand.
"Truce," said Sally, taking his offered hand and shaking it solemnly.
"I'm impressed," said Wufei, turning to walk toward the sauna room. "You're as stubborn as I am."
Sally nodded as he walked away. "You have no idea," she whispered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Of course I know how to ride a horse," said Quatre, irritably.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Blondie" said Trowa, handing him the reins. "I just wanted to be sure."
"Don't you know all rich kids have ponies?" asked Quatre, expertly putting the opposite foot in the stirrup and levering his other leg over the animal's back.
"Well, I rented these lovely steeds for the day," said Trowa, "So, lets not waste time."
"So, what's the agenda for today?" asked Quatre cheerfully.
Trowa jumped up smoothly onto his dappled gray Arabian [1] gelding in one fluid motion from behind. The apparently well-trained horse merely grunted slightly at the sudden weight on his back from out of nowhere.
Quatre raised a flaxen eyebrow. "Show off," he muttered. He reached down and petted the neck of his sorrel and white Pinto mare as she jumped slightly at the nearby movement.
"Don't be scared of the circus boy, horsy. I won't let him do that to you."
"We're going to ride up to this small meadow I found the other day while hiking," said Trowa, ignoring his partners' teasing comment. "Then we shall eat this picnic lunch, then ride back. Nothing complicated." He patted a picnic blanket and a wicker basket strapped to his saddle.
"I can handle that," said Quatre. "Lead the way, Kimosabe." He snickered.
"I am not the Lone Ranger," said Trowa, urging his horse forward.
"Okay, you can be Tonto," said Quatre equitably. "I'll be the Lone Ranger. High-ho, Pinto, away!" He gave his mare a nudge with his boot heels.
Trowa resigned himself to being called "Tonto" for the next half hour.
Since Quatre had been moping around their room the last two days watching drivel on TV and eating junk food, the smiles and gentle teasing were a welcome change.
They rode along a well-worn path up and down the gentle hills surrounding the inn. Clumps of buffalo grass and sagebrush dotted the hillsides, and the Montana sky was a clear crystalline blue.
Trowa took a deep breath of the invigorating morning air.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you, nature boy?" asked Quatre, as they rode side by side.
"Actually, I was thinking that the sky reminds me of your eyes," said Trowa.
"Corny, but I like it," Quatre chuckled. "I had no idea you were so poetic," he said.
"I'm glad you're in a better mood," Trowa said softly. "I've been worried about you."
"I'm sorry," said Quatre. "It was just something I had to work out in my head. So, this is where you went while I had my pity party?"
"I went for a walk on this trail, yes," said Trowa. "I thought where it leads to would make a nice place for a picnic."
"'A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thee,'" quoted Quatre.
"Now who's being corny?" asked Trowa.
"But, I am corny," said Quatre, laughing a bit. "I freely admit it."
"There's nothing wrong with being emotional," said Trowa.
"Yes, but sometimes I admire your calm detachment," said Quatre, sighing.
"You have it," said Trowa. "Take advantage of it whenever you feel the need. Although, I'm hardly detached when it comes to you."
"I know," said Quatre. "It's just that when you lead with the heart, you get sucker punched there once in a while."
"I can't be sorry if your heart led you to me," Trowa said.
Quatre smiled, a contented, genuine smile that reached his eyes.
"How much farther?" he asked, "As much as I'm enjoying the scenery, I'm beginning to realize how long it's been since I've been horseback riding. "
"We're almost there," said Trowa. "Look, up there by that grove of trees." He pointed.
The rode along the trail which reached its end in a small grassy clearing next to where a winding creek burbled over rocks. Wildflowers dotted the grass, adding small bursts of bright color to the green.
"It's perfect," exclaimed Quatre, dismounting from his horse and holding the reins. He walked his mare over to a nearby tree and wrapped the reins around it once, securing them.
Trowa was doing the same with his mount, unstrapping the basket and the thick picnic blanket.
He spread out the blanket under another aspen tree and set the basket down to one side.
"Come and sit with me," he invited the blond man, holding out his hand.
Quatre came over and took the offered hand, sitting down cross-legged.
"This is nice," he said, looking around. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"Defnitely beats reruns of Gilligan's Island and greasy cheeseburgers," said Trowa.
Quatre settled his head on the other man's lap, stretching his legs out. He looked up into the face of his companion with shy speculation.
"I wonder how alone we are here?" he asked.
"Very," said Trowa. "I was here 2 hours the other day and no one else came near."
"Ah, now I know why you brought me here," said Quatre, waggling his brows suggestively.
"Well, I did start to wonder when I was here the other day what it would be like to make love to you in a field of wildflowers."
Trowa leaned over to capture warm and yielding lips. Arms wrapped around the taller man's neck.
"That's quite a romantic imagination you have," said Quatre in hushed tones when the kiss ended.
"Surprised?" asked Trowa, smiling.
"Not really," said Quatre.
"After four years, no surprises left, I suppose," said Trowa.
"Don't say that," said Quatre. "Besides, there's a lot to be said for simply being able to relax and be yourself."
"Knowing where all the ticklish spots are is good too."
Quatre yelped as a finger dug into his ribs.
"Knowing where someone likes to be kissed is good."
Narrowed blue eyes traveled over the lanky form in front of them and then focused on a specific target.
Quatre swiftly attacked.
A muffled sound of surprise followed the all out assault on Trowa's neck.
"Quatre the Vampire strikes again," gasped Trowa, beginning to laugh in earnest.
"Now, there's a lovely sound," said Quatre, after releasing the suction he was sustaining on a small section of skin on the pulse in Trowa's neck. He looked proudly at the livid red mark he had made.
"A masterpiece," he crowed. "I am the hickey artist extraordinaire!"
"And everyone wonders why I always wear turtlenecks," Trowa sighed dramatically, still breathless from laughter.
"So, I have a neck fetish," shrugged Quatre. "It could be worse, you could have ended up with a toe-sucker."
"I always look like someone tried to throttle me." The auburn-haired man rubbed his neck a little, grinning ruefully.
"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" asked Quatre slyly.
"Must explain to you the difference between a kiss and a bite someday," murmured Trowa, leaning back on his elbows.
"Just a demonstration please," said Quatre, pushing him down on the blanket. "And, I'm a very slow learner, so I'll need many, many hours of advanced lessons."
"No scaring the horses," warned Trowa.
Quatre's laugh rang out through the clearing. "They'll just have get over it."
[1] There's a very bad joke in there somewhere, but I'm not touching it with a ten-foot pole, okay?
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Romance, Adventure, Gundam Wing Pairing: 5+S, 3+4, 1+2, 13+6 Warnings: Citrus, Yaoi, AU, Language Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net. GWFF
Synopsis: Wufei, a Hollywood stuntman, takes his entourage to an exclusive and remote Rocky Mountain resort and spa to recover from an injury. A much- needed respite becomes a chance for romance and adventure. Pairings both Het and Yaoi!
Chapter 12
"Does that hurt?" asked Sally, watching her client's face for signs of pain or stress.
"No," he said, gritting his teeth as he pulled the overhead weight down one more time. Sweat ran down his face and neck and disappeared under his tank top. She noticed his hair was soaked too.
She'd quickly learned that Wufei would rarely complain about pain, and invariably drove himself harder than necessary. Realizing that, she monitored him closely and resolved not to hesitate to get in his face if he over-did it.
Like he was doing at the moment.
"This is the last set," Sally said, her voice in "no argument" mode.
"I can do 3 more," panted Wufei.
"Whether you 'can' or not is not the issue," said Sally, frowning and getting in his line of vision. "What we want is what is best for your recovery. This isn't an endurance test."
He exhaled and stared at her challengingly for a count of three or four seconds, then released the bar.
"Very well, I bow to your superior wisdom," said Wufei, with a hint of humor in his dark eyes.
Sally gave a small laugh. "Wow, that was too easy, I usually have to argue with you for a few minutes. I kind of miss it."
He arched a thin brow at her. "I can remedy that omission if you wish," he said.
She handed him a towel and he wiped the sweat off his face and neck.
"I think a sauna and a massage are in order, or you'll be very sore tomorrow," said Sally, trying to ignore the smooth ripple of muscles in his arms under bronzed skin as he patted his face with the towel.
She mentally slapped herself. She worked around and with outstanding physical specimens all the time; she was in the "beautiful body" business to some extent, after all. This shouldn't be any different than working with any other client.
But, it was.
She deciding looking at something else would be a good idea right at the moment.
"I'll see if Duo can be ready for you in about half an hour, all right?" she asked, looking out of the nearby window at a stately pine tree.
"Is something wrong?" asked Wufei, trying to follow the direction of her stare.
"No, what would be wrong?" asked Sally. Oh unholy hormones, she thought, he's taken off the tank top. She averted her gaze to a potted fern in the corner of the large exercise room.
"Either something is wrong or you have an inordinate obsession with flora," said Wufei.
She looked up. He was laughing at her. Not overtly, but his eyes were shining with silent amusement.
"I'm busted, aren't I?" asked Sally, having the grace to look thoroughly embarrassed.
"It can be awkward when a relationship changes from purely professional to a more personal one. The boundaries are being re-drawn," said Wufei.
"Is that your very wordy way of saying that we're becoming friends?" asked Sally. "At least, I hope so."
"I hope so, too," admitted Wufei. "But, I am a cautious person. I'm rather solitary by nature, and I will probably end up frustrating you to no end with my bluntness and stubbornness."
"You're admitting you can be hard-headed, touchy and hard to get close to," said Sally. She grinned.
"It sounds so much better when I say it," frowned Wufei.
Sally laughed. The momentary tension was eased and she once again felt comfortable around this man who was slowly becoming her friend. Well, some part of her wanted it to be more than merely friends, but she was keeping tight leash on that.
"That" could be messy and complicated. Life had just recently become emotionally bearable again, and although undeniably lonely, it beat the hell out of being a grieving lump of pain.
"So, we're friends?" she asked, needing some sort of verbal confirmation.
"Of course," said Wufei. "But, I'm still aware that you're sometimes uncomfortable around me. Maybe we should discuss it. I don't want anything to interfere with my therapy."
Sally sighed inwardly. So close to.. something? And then right back to square one.
"I don't want to discuss it right now," she said bluntly. She put a professionally cheerful face on. "You need to take that sauna before you stiffen up," she said.
She picked up a nearby phone on the wall and after a few minutes of conversation, hung up and came back.
"Duo is free in an hour," she said. "So take your time, but don't get too overheated. You just had a pretty hard workout."
"I understand," said Wufei. He flexed his shoulder a few times. "Yes, it's a bit sore," he said, scowling at the pain as if that would intimidate it into a retreat.
"I told you," said Sally, shaking her head. "Maybe we'll skip tomorrow's session."
"No," said Wufei. "NO delays."
"If I say no session," said Sally, hardening her voice a bit, "There will be no session, understand?"
That earned her a fierce scowl. "Don't I have a say in this?" he asked with carefully controlled anger. It bubbled under the surface calm and made his voice harsh. "After all, it is MY shoulder we are discussing."
"And this is MY therapy room and MY program we are using, Mister!" said Sally, instinctively pulling out her former officer's training and demeanor.
Wufei blinked. "I haven't been called 'mister' in that tone in a while," he said, reining in his temper.
Sally swallowed. "I haven't called anyone 'mister' in that tone in a while," she said.
They each stood with arms folded and chin thrust in the air, unconsciously mirroring each other's defensive stance.
At the same moment, the tension dissipated and they grinned at each other.
"Draw," said Wufei, holding out his hand.
"Truce," said Sally, taking his offered hand and shaking it solemnly.
"I'm impressed," said Wufei, turning to walk toward the sauna room. "You're as stubborn as I am."
Sally nodded as he walked away. "You have no idea," she whispered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Of course I know how to ride a horse," said Quatre, irritably.
"Don't get your knickers in a twist, Blondie" said Trowa, handing him the reins. "I just wanted to be sure."
"Don't you know all rich kids have ponies?" asked Quatre, expertly putting the opposite foot in the stirrup and levering his other leg over the animal's back.
"Well, I rented these lovely steeds for the day," said Trowa, "So, lets not waste time."
"So, what's the agenda for today?" asked Quatre cheerfully.
Trowa jumped up smoothly onto his dappled gray Arabian [1] gelding in one fluid motion from behind. The apparently well-trained horse merely grunted slightly at the sudden weight on his back from out of nowhere.
Quatre raised a flaxen eyebrow. "Show off," he muttered. He reached down and petted the neck of his sorrel and white Pinto mare as she jumped slightly at the nearby movement.
"Don't be scared of the circus boy, horsy. I won't let him do that to you."
"We're going to ride up to this small meadow I found the other day while hiking," said Trowa, ignoring his partners' teasing comment. "Then we shall eat this picnic lunch, then ride back. Nothing complicated." He patted a picnic blanket and a wicker basket strapped to his saddle.
"I can handle that," said Quatre. "Lead the way, Kimosabe." He snickered.
"I am not the Lone Ranger," said Trowa, urging his horse forward.
"Okay, you can be Tonto," said Quatre equitably. "I'll be the Lone Ranger. High-ho, Pinto, away!" He gave his mare a nudge with his boot heels.
Trowa resigned himself to being called "Tonto" for the next half hour.
Since Quatre had been moping around their room the last two days watching drivel on TV and eating junk food, the smiles and gentle teasing were a welcome change.
They rode along a well-worn path up and down the gentle hills surrounding the inn. Clumps of buffalo grass and sagebrush dotted the hillsides, and the Montana sky was a clear crystalline blue.
Trowa took a deep breath of the invigorating morning air.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you, nature boy?" asked Quatre, as they rode side by side.
"Actually, I was thinking that the sky reminds me of your eyes," said Trowa.
"Corny, but I like it," Quatre chuckled. "I had no idea you were so poetic," he said.
"I'm glad you're in a better mood," Trowa said softly. "I've been worried about you."
"I'm sorry," said Quatre. "It was just something I had to work out in my head. So, this is where you went while I had my pity party?"
"I went for a walk on this trail, yes," said Trowa. "I thought where it leads to would make a nice place for a picnic."
"'A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thee,'" quoted Quatre.
"Now who's being corny?" asked Trowa.
"But, I am corny," said Quatre, laughing a bit. "I freely admit it."
"There's nothing wrong with being emotional," said Trowa.
"Yes, but sometimes I admire your calm detachment," said Quatre, sighing.
"You have it," said Trowa. "Take advantage of it whenever you feel the need. Although, I'm hardly detached when it comes to you."
"I know," said Quatre. "It's just that when you lead with the heart, you get sucker punched there once in a while."
"I can't be sorry if your heart led you to me," Trowa said.
Quatre smiled, a contented, genuine smile that reached his eyes.
"How much farther?" he asked, "As much as I'm enjoying the scenery, I'm beginning to realize how long it's been since I've been horseback riding. "
"We're almost there," said Trowa. "Look, up there by that grove of trees." He pointed.
The rode along the trail which reached its end in a small grassy clearing next to where a winding creek burbled over rocks. Wildflowers dotted the grass, adding small bursts of bright color to the green.
"It's perfect," exclaimed Quatre, dismounting from his horse and holding the reins. He walked his mare over to a nearby tree and wrapped the reins around it once, securing them.
Trowa was doing the same with his mount, unstrapping the basket and the thick picnic blanket.
He spread out the blanket under another aspen tree and set the basket down to one side.
"Come and sit with me," he invited the blond man, holding out his hand.
Quatre came over and took the offered hand, sitting down cross-legged.
"This is nice," he said, looking around. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"Defnitely beats reruns of Gilligan's Island and greasy cheeseburgers," said Trowa.
Quatre settled his head on the other man's lap, stretching his legs out. He looked up into the face of his companion with shy speculation.
"I wonder how alone we are here?" he asked.
"Very," said Trowa. "I was here 2 hours the other day and no one else came near."
"Ah, now I know why you brought me here," said Quatre, waggling his brows suggestively.
"Well, I did start to wonder when I was here the other day what it would be like to make love to you in a field of wildflowers."
Trowa leaned over to capture warm and yielding lips. Arms wrapped around the taller man's neck.
"That's quite a romantic imagination you have," said Quatre in hushed tones when the kiss ended.
"Surprised?" asked Trowa, smiling.
"Not really," said Quatre.
"After four years, no surprises left, I suppose," said Trowa.
"Don't say that," said Quatre. "Besides, there's a lot to be said for simply being able to relax and be yourself."
"Knowing where all the ticklish spots are is good too."
Quatre yelped as a finger dug into his ribs.
"Knowing where someone likes to be kissed is good."
Narrowed blue eyes traveled over the lanky form in front of them and then focused on a specific target.
Quatre swiftly attacked.
A muffled sound of surprise followed the all out assault on Trowa's neck.
"Quatre the Vampire strikes again," gasped Trowa, beginning to laugh in earnest.
"Now, there's a lovely sound," said Quatre, after releasing the suction he was sustaining on a small section of skin on the pulse in Trowa's neck. He looked proudly at the livid red mark he had made.
"A masterpiece," he crowed. "I am the hickey artist extraordinaire!"
"And everyone wonders why I always wear turtlenecks," Trowa sighed dramatically, still breathless from laughter.
"So, I have a neck fetish," shrugged Quatre. "It could be worse, you could have ended up with a toe-sucker."
"I always look like someone tried to throttle me." The auburn-haired man rubbed his neck a little, grinning ruefully.
"Want me to kiss it and make it better?" asked Quatre slyly.
"Must explain to you the difference between a kiss and a bite someday," murmured Trowa, leaning back on his elbows.
"Just a demonstration please," said Quatre, pushing him down on the blanket. "And, I'm a very slow learner, so I'll need many, many hours of advanced lessons."
"No scaring the horses," warned Trowa.
Quatre's laugh rang out through the clearing. "They'll just have get over it."
[1] There's a very bad joke in there somewhere, but I'm not touching it with a ten-foot pole, okay?