AN: Hey all…so you are probably not going to believe me, but my computer crashed forever and a day ago and I was unable to update despite having the chapters typed, then I had access to a laptop but then the site wouldn't let me upload documents, THEN the file was corrupted so it won't upload ever again so here I am typing it up again. I'm so going to post this as soon as it's done. I'm sorry and thank you all for being so patient with me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing. I also do not have ownership of any patience right now so please don't expect any witty remarks, thank you.
Warnings: YAOI!! ACTUAL YAOI!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, so it's TECHnically shounen ai, but it's WAY better than what you've been getting recently.
denotes scene change
Italics denotes thoughts
Spoils of War: Ch. 24
Weeks passed by and Heero's frustration grew. (1) Not only was Duo avoiding him, he was avoiding their room altogether. Along with that frustration lingered a terrible sorrow. Why was Duo avoiding him? It hurt to think that the braided boy might be mad at him. If he'd done something wrong, Heero wanted to be given the chance to set things right. What was worse was Heero had to endure Trowa and Quatre. The two obviously cared for each other, but neither seemed willing to admit it.
Heero sighed as he watched Trowa watching Quatre. The petite prince sat of the edge of the field he'd shown the two slaves. The large meadow stretched over several acres, the untamed land bursting with wild flowers and knee-high grasses. A few yards away one could watch the deer that came to graze and, mingling freely among the wild deer, tottered Ginger. The small fawn was growing and Trowa had declared that it was time for the animal to begin weaning. The fawn seemed to find the other deer far more fascinating than the grasses that were to become its new nourishment. She would spring about the various meadow occupants as flighty as a bird. While the deer seemed not to mind the fawn, they were extremely wary of the white quarter horse that grazed on a small patch of clover at the edge of the field. The large chestnut that dwarfed every other creature in the meadow lay peacefully on the edge of the forest in the shade of some trees, lazily watching the activities occurring in the meadow. Quatre's small palomino lay near her master was kneeling amid a patch of bright wildflowers. Quatre seemed to have a penchant for picking the blossoms.
Trowa and Heero lifted surprised eyebrows when Quatre placed a ring of woven flowers around Sandrock's neck. He then gave a second ring to the patient horse who rose and trotted over to Heavyarms. The large stallion lifted its head expectantly, his nostrils flared and he snorted in surprise when the small Arabian slipped the flower chain around his neck. With a playful nicker, Sandrock trotted away. Swiveling his ears back, Heavyarms turned away from the prancing mare. He didn't have much success in ignoring the rambunctious equine though. Every so often the palomino would trot by and nip at Heavyarms' ears or flanks in an effort to garner his attention.
On the fifth pass Heavyarms sprang to his feet as Sandrock approached. Giving a loud whinny, the Arabian swerved away with her tail held high. Releasing a shrill warning cry, Heavyarms raced after her at a full gallop. The palomino sped up and proceeded to lead the large chestnut on a merry chase through the meadow, scattering the deer.
A small smile tugged at Trowa's lips when he saw Quatre giggle behind his hand at the equines' antics. The blonde looked back at the two slaves who were resting under the shade of a large elm. His gaze met Trowa's briefly before the large aqua eyes dropped and a blush spilled over Quatre's cheeks. Trowa chuckled at the blonde's shyness as the prince picked another flower, absently twirling it between his fingers before idly plucking the petals off one by one. He murmured something each time he removed a petal. (2)
"You two are pathetic."
"What?" Trowa turned to Heero.
"It's obvious. He's sweet on you." Heero smirked.
"He's just nice…. that's all." Trowa muttered, shifting uncomfortably.
"Yes, and that's why he always acts so shy around you."
"Heero, he's young, and-"
"He's the same age as you and I." The Esterner corrected.
"And innocent." Trowa finished frustratedly.
"Then why don't you do something about that?" Heero smirked once more.
"Why don't you do something about Duo?" Trowa snapped defensively.
Heero's eyes narrowed and Trowa immediately realized his mistake.
"That's different." Heero stated coldly.
"No, it's not." Trowa countered placating. "I know how much you miss him. I'm not blind Heero."
"He's been avoiding me."
"Since when has someone's reluctance to do something you want stopped you?" Trowa replied challengingly. "What's holding you back now?"
"Nothing." Heero spat and stood with a scowl.
"Heero…" Trowa called quietly but his old partner ignored him, stalking towards Wing.
"I'm heading back to the castle." Heero stated coolly before jumping onto the horse's back. He took up the reins and turned the surprised mount back toward the palace.
As Heero raced through the woods, he hardly noticed the trees passing in a blur as he urged his horse to move faster. He tried to remain angry, concentrate on his frustration, but Trowa's words had been far to painfully true to ignore. He was afraid. Afraid of what Duo would say to him should they have the chance to talk. What if Duo avoided him because he regretted his actions?
Lost in thought, Heero disregarded the fact that he wasn't expected to return to the castle for another hour.
Duo sighed as he settled himself comfortably in the large tub. He rubbed his arms, wincing at the dull ache that still lingered. Washing his hair was such a chore. He'd spent the last hour carefully washing the long mass before drying as much of the heavy tresses as he could. How the semi-dry locks were wound up and pinned securely as he washed the rest of his body.
It was nice to back in the privacy of his own chambers. Duo marveled quietly at how much he'd missed his quiet out of the way room. Duo frowned slightly as he realized he missed the other occupant of this room even more. Sitting up, Duo stretched languidly, arching his back in an elegant curve. He jumped when the door suddenly swung open, landing against the wall with a bang. Turning angrily to confront the person who'd dared to just barge into his private room, Duo froze in shock, seeing Heero standing in the doorway. Heat slowly began to creep over Duo's cheeks and he could feel the blush begin to spread over the rest of his body.
Heero blinked in surprise. He briefly wondered why Duo was bathing in his chambers instead of the bathing rooms but that thought did not remain important for long. The long hair that Duo had always keep bound up tightly in a braid was slightly damp and twisted up in a careless, haphazard manner to keep it up out of the tub. Loose ends hung about, framing his face and trailing down the nape of his neck. A soft blush spilled over the pale cheeks, spreading down over Duo's throat and chest until his entire body appeared to glow a soft pink.
Duo sank down in the tub in an effort to hide himself, realizing how futile and stupid the action was almost immediately, before straightening up and standing quickly. Grabbing a waiting towel, Duo wrapped the large cloth securely around his body. However, not fast enough to completely conceal the scars that ran in crisscrossed lines over the boy's back.
"Heero, I was told you would not return for another hour or so." Duo avoided the brilliant blue gaze as he plucked the pins that held up his hair out. Shaking his head caused the chestnut locks to cascade freely down his back. He picked up a brush before sitting on his bed.
"How are Trowa and Quatre?" He inquired, pulling the dark tresses over his shoulder.
"Fine." Heero replied curtly, watching as the advisor began raking the brush through his hair.
"Where are they now? I really should speak with Quatre."
"In the field. I returned without them." Heero blinked as Duo's brush strokes grew more agitated and careless with each pass.
"I see." Duo jerked the stiff bristles through his hair almost savagely. He winced as he heard and felt his hair ripping and breaking but did not stop the brutal motion of his hand.
He was startled when a hand was placed over his, stilling his movements. Silently the brush was taken from his hand and his hair gathered into gentle hands behind him. The bed dipped and settled as Heero knelt behind him. Starting at the bottom the slave gently detangled and brushed his master's hair. Not once was a single hair tugged or jerked in a manner that would have caused pain or discomfort.
Duo sighed and relaxed at the soothing sensation of someone else playing with his hair. Heero marveled at how Duo's hair ran through his fingers like cool silk. There were no more tangles or knots in Duo's hair, but Heero couldn't seem to stop the motion of his hand on Duo's hair.
"Why do you always braid it?" the question slipped out before Heero had a chance to actually think about it.
"It gets in the way if I don't tie it back." Duo answered pragmatically. "Why to you ask?"
"I…no reason…" Heero inwardly cursed. Since when did he ask questions for the sake of them?
"Oh…" was all that Duo offered in response.
With deft skillful fingers, Heero parted Duo's hair into three sections and began to wind them together into a neat braid. Upon reaching the end of the plait, Heero wondered what to tie it off with when a length of black ribbon was handed to him. Taking the soft cloth he tied the braid of with a bow. Duo stood, swinging the long queue around his front for inspection.
"Thank you." Duo smiled weakly, still not meeting Heero's eyes.
"Duo," Heero frowned at the way the violet-eyed boy flinched when Heero said his name.
"Yes?"
"Why have you been avoiding me?"
"I…I've been busy…and I see no reason to drag you to all those meetings…" Duo struggled to find a reasonable excuse, the one's he was giving were weak at best. "A..and the council doesn't seem to like either of us and I don't want you to endure that-"
"Duo." Heero interrupted the rambling boy gently. "You said you didn't lie…why are you lying now?"
"I'm not lying!" Duo glared at the accusation. "I have been busy, and you don't have to come to the meetings, and the council really doesn't like either of us, and I don't want you around them!"
"Very well," Heero stood and stalked towards Duo, a look of determination on his face, "then that isn't all of it. What aren't you telling me Duo? Why won't you trust me?"
The braided boy backed away from the advancing slave, his eyes darting around as if searching for some avenue of escape. The boy jumped as his back made contact with the cold stone of the wall. He looked up, panicked, as hands were braced against the wall, trapping him between the stone and Heero. The intense blue eyes burned into his, demanding answers. Duo closed his eyes, unable to look at the boy in front of him.
"Duo…"
The braided boy's eyes opened as a gentle hand cupped his cheek.
"Trust me…please?" the soft plea was followed by a soft touch to Duo's mouth.
Amethyst eyes stared unblinking into deep Prussian irises millimeters from his as Heero's lips moved chastely over Duo's. As Heero pulled back, Duo's hand rose to touch trembling fingers to his lips.
"Never fear me Duo." Heero smiled warmly. "I'd never do anything to hurt you."
Heero was surprised when Duo threw his arms around the slave's strong body in a desperate embrace. Moving instinctively, Heero's arms snaked around Duo's waist, returning the hold.
"I was so worried that you hated me." Duo sniffled, fighting the tears welling in his eyes.
"Never Duo. I could never hate you." Heero whispered, his voice heavy with emotion. "I was afraid you'd regretted kissing me."
Duo's laughter poured over Heero soothingly. "Hardly, I was afraid that if you were around I wouldn't be able to stop myself from kissing you again."
"We've both been fools." Heero shook his head, pulling back to gaze at Duo adoringly. He gently traced the soft pale cheek that had once borne the mark of Septem's anger. "I've never felt for someone, what I feel for you."
For a second time that day, Heero was the cause of a soft blush that crept over Duo's cheeks.
The slave chuckled lowly and leaned forward. Closing his eyes, Duo met Heero halfway. Lips opened and tentative tongues nudged forward as the two explored their newly revealed feelings and each other.
AN: THERE, a nice LONG chapter complete with shounen ai…………FINALLY, we're getting somewhere. Again, thank you all for you're patience. I can't tell you how I appreciate it. Now for the notes.
1. Normally I think this would be impossible, but when Duo doesn't want to be found I think he'd stay that way, besides, Heero is only a slave so he as limited access to the castle and grounds.
2. The first person that can send me an email guessing correctly what Quatre is saying will receive a prize!