Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow the guys from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.
Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C
Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU
Rating: NC 17
Archive: gundam-wing-diaries. foreverfandom. .net and gundam-wing-diaries. 150m. com Anyone else please ask.
Betaed by Karina *snugs*
Summary: Set 2 years after Equus and Heero is doing so well in his own business that he's taken June on as a working pupil. The qualifying shows for the International teams are well underway and it looks like it will be a good year for Heero, his pupils and horses... until Mother Nature steps in.
AN: This fic, although a complete work of fiction is based partially on fact. I will add notes at the end of chapters where necessary to clarify events and provide links where needed.
Dedication: To Leslie and Karina. Leslie for giving me the original idea for Equinity and encouraging and supporting me through the writing of all the fics thus far in the arc. And Karina for not just taking over as my much needed beta, (poor woman needs a medal!), but for also poking and prodding Fred until he went on strike, refusing to work on anything at all until I let him start this. Needless to say, we managed to come to a compromise... Fred gets to write a chapter of this one week... the next week he has to write a chapter of 'Bound'... Did I ever tell you all I hate my muse? :-)
Fic 5 in the Equine Intervention Arc.
Commenced December 2013 – ShenLong
"Rival Riders"
Chapter 5
The next few days were very busy for Heero, Duo and June. Each morning Heero would rise a little earlier to enable him to work Wing before feeding up and doing the stable chores. June would arrive not long after Heero was riding and join him on Sandfire. Between the two of them they were able to get through the stable work fairly quickly.
Heero would then leave June to finish up whilst he headed back to the cottage and his husband for a quick breakfast. Once June had finished she also made her way to the cottage and had a hot drink while Heero grabbed the last of his things. With his husband out working the horses, Duo would head up to the surgery to check on the day's consults, go over anything that needed his approval or signature and check all was in order for Hilde and Zechs. Once done he returned to the cottage to make breakfast and enjoy a little chat with Heero and June before they all piled into one of their respective cars and headed off to Waybridge.
Noin and Dermail were very pleased with the way their team prospects were coming along. Each rider and horse had been assessed for their strengths and weakness' both on the flat and over the jumps. They fully intended to put together a team that would compliment each other and give their country the best possible chance of winning the Nations Cup.
During the week's instruction the selection committee had stopped by to watch and evaluate how the riders were coming along and discuss the prospective team with Noin and Dermail. Needless to say all riders and horses were on pins and needles during that session!
The final day of the camp rolled around, Heero driving to Waybridge as he would be towing the float home that day with both Nataku and Orion on board. It had been a tough week, Heero was feeling the strain of trying to juggle his business with the training camp and was looking forward to having a couple of days off so to speak, to rest and recover. Now he had an idea of how Duo must feel with working his practice and doing his best to help Heero with the horses – and it only cemented his love for his long haired partner even more.
June was also tired, but a happy tired. She'd missed spending time with little Max, but Heero had given her a couple of days off once the training was finished and she was looking forward to spending that time with her husband and son. Geoff had been great, he'd taken a week's holiday to stay home and look after the youngster whilst his mother did her best to pursue her dream. With today being the final day and thus the team to represent Australia would be announced, Geoff was going to be coming along with Max to see if his wife was successful or not.
Wufei, Meiran and Zechs were also all coming along later that morning to see how their respective horse and boyfriend went in regards to making the team.
Heero was quietly confident that Treize would be in the team; of all the horses and riders there, that combination was the most seasoned and experienced. As for his own chances... He thought it was a fifty-fifty shot. He had the experience, but Nataku was still to compete in International competitions, although the mare had proved herself to be a viable contender all week. She'd given her all for Heero, done everything he'd asked and never hesitated once. Regardless of whether or not they made the team, Heero couldn't be more proud of the mare.
As for the others...? Any one of them could make the final four. No doubt about it, it would be a hard fought competition between them all and each one of them deserved to be in the team.
Pulling into Waybridge, Heero brought his thoughts back to the here and now. It was time to get down to work.
# # #
"The course has already been set up in the jumping paddock and you may all walk it whenever you are ready. You will have an hour to sort yourselves and your horses out, warm up and walk the course. Captain Dermail, the selectors and myself will be ready to commence at ten-thirty sharp. I expect you all to be there, ready and waiting. Does anyone have any questions?" Noin said and looked around at the quiet group.
"Miss Noin?"
"Yes, Sam?"
"What order will we be jumping in or do we just go as we are ready?"
"I will give you the order once we're all assembled in the jumping paddock and ready to start."
"Thank you."
"Any other questions?"
With there being none, everyone was dismissed to go to the stables and start to get themselves ready.
Walking out of the Waybridge manor and into the grounds, Heero, Treize and June decided they would prefer to walk the course now and see exactly what they would be competing over for a shot at the team. Once they'd walked it they would saddle up and warm up, leaving enough time for them to all walk the course one last time before the selectors arrived.
"Call me dumb if you like, but how exactly does this jumping course figure into the final team selection?" June asked as they trekked across the lawn towards the jumping paddock.
"I'm assuming they are following the same itinerary as in previous years," Treize began, "So far everything has been the same so I can't imagine that this will have changed. Noin and Dermail will most likely have set up a course that has been used in a previous Cup or Olympic event – and that also means set at the same heights as one would expect for a Nations Cup event."
"In other words, a tough one," June said with a grin.
"Pretty much. We will all get the chance to jump it once, those that go clear may or may not be expected to do a timed jump off. In the past when they've had a strong line up of hopefuls they have used a jump off as well. The selectors will all be watching and making notes, as will Noin and Dermail. The purpose is for them all to see how we cope under pressure, what we've learned this past week, if and how much we and our horses have improved and taking all of that into consideration along with our performances to date in open competition, they will select their own team of four they think is the best for representing Australia. Once the competition is over they will all retire to one of the conference rooms in the manor to discuss it all while we all put away our horses and have lunch. Once they've made their decision, they will come and find us and let us know who has made the team."
"Shit! I don't envy them at all. It all sounds so complicated," June said.
"I'll sum it all up for you, June," Duo said with a grin. "They watch you all jump against each other as if in a competition situation, then they all retire to a private room for a full on bun fight as they argue for who should be there and who shouldn't. Meanwhile the team hopefuls all get to eat lunch and then throw it all back up as the nerves get to them with the length of time they have to wait for the final announcement of who has made it and who hasn't."
"Duo, anyone ever tell you you have such an eloquent way with words?" June said with a raised eyebrow. "Throw up indeed," she muttered and shook her head.
Duo simply laughed; he'd been in this situation with Heero on more than one occasion and knew exactly how things tended to go with those awaiting the results.
Doing his best to ignore his smart mouthed partner, Heero stepped up beside June. "Don't take any notice of him, June," he said. "It is a competition though and you will need to give it all you have. Just think of it as being another show. Don't worry if you don't go clear in the first round, the selectors don't just take this jumping competition into account, they do look at your track record and all we've covered this week."
"How do you think you will go?" she asked as they approached the paddock and awaiting jumps.
Heero shrugged. "Hard to say. All I can do is be prepared for anything, give Nataku all the assistance I can, trust in her and hope for some good luck."
"Saying a prayer or two wouldn't go astray either," Duo teased.
"You might want to think carefully on that, Duo," Treize said with a smirk. When the vet furrowed his brows in confusion, Treize elaborated. "You could end up getting Heero struck by lightning. In case you'd forgotten, the good book or word doesn't exactly condone same sex relationships, or marriage," he finished in a low voice, his face completely neutral.
"Well, shit. I never thought about that," Duo said and scratched his head. "Could be interesting though. Wonder if I prayed hard enough I could not just get lightning but maybe an entire storm too?"
"Knowing your luck you'd get a damn hurricane!" Joe snickered.
"Maybe we should leave the divine intervention thing alone," Duo mused with an impish grin.
"I think we should shut up and concentrate on this course," Heero stated with a shake of his head at his partner's antics.
"Good idea," June agreed and stopped to take a look at the course.
#
By the time ten-thirty rolled around all the riders had walked the course and warmed their horses up. Heero, Treize and June had all walked the course a second time, June asking questions and either Heero or Treize answering them as best they could for her. Neither man minded the questions, it was, after all, a good way to learn.
Walking their horses around together to keep them warm whilst they awaited the arrival of Noin, the Captain and selectors, all the team hopefuls began to discuss the course amongst themselves. All agreed it was a hard course but a fair one. It was set at the heights one could expect a Cup course to be at, the fences varying in height from four foot two through to the five foot two with most being set around four foot six. The water jump was set at thirteen feet two inches, just slightly over the minimum length and was the one jump that had June worried.
"Orion is more than capable of clearing that water," Heero reassured the woman. "He's jumped water before so he knows what it is."
"He might have, but I haven't," June muttered.
"Once you land over the hay bales, give him a half halt to re-balance then drive your legs hard onto him and gallop for the water," Treize advised. "There's no height to it, just the width so all he has to do is stretch out for it."
"It's once you've cleared the water you will have your work cut out for you," Heero stated. "As soon as he lands over the water, sit down hard and bring him back to hand as quick as you can. You'll need to get him to build up his impulsion fast as the wall is the next jump and you only have around seven to eight strides to get him back in hand with the energy there to clear the wall."
June nodded. "I'll try," she promised.
While the riders were all walking around and keeping their horses muscles warm, the grooms were huddled under a tree, each doing their best to predict what the outcome of their respective charge's round would be and who would make the final team.
Duo was listening with half his attention, his eyes constantly flickering back towards the stables. He knew Wufei and Meiran would be coming to watch this last training day and see how their mare went. They were also keen to know who would make the final team. Wufei had managed to drop in half way through the week for the morning session and had been completely overwhelmed with the intensity of the training. He understood that the week would consist of training of both horse and rider, but he'd never contemplated the depth of that training.
It gave him a whole new respect for the time and effort Heero put into his horses and career..
A few minutes before Noin and the rest of the group were due to arrive, Duo spotted Wufei's familiar dark head coming along the track from the stables to the paddock. Excusing himself for a moment, he left the group of grooms and went to meet the Chinese man. Drawing closer, Duo noted Meiran was with him and also Geoff. Meiran was pushing a baby stroller with little Max in it and looked right at home doing so too, Duo mused. He made a mental note to have a few, sly words with Wufei at some point in relation to it being about time there was a little Chang running around.
Duo met up with the group half way along the track and after exchanging greetings, began to walk back to the jumping paddock with the three and one toddler. As they walked, Duo explained to them exactly what was planned for the day, the course, the selection process and how everyone appeared to be coping at this stage.
By the time they reached the jumping paddock everyone was sporting a case of the 'nerves', regardless of the fact that they weren't jumping!
Heero had also been keeping an eye out for Wufei and when he noted Duo slipping off, he could only think of the Changs' arrival as being the reason. He made sure to keep walking Nataku around, edging a touch closer to where the grooms all waited under the tree and watching the path for the sign of his returning lover. Within minutes he saw the chestnut braid reappearing along with the Changs and June's family. He rode Nataku across to where June was still circling and let her know her husband and son had arrived. With a beaming smile, June rode beside Heero to where their friends and family now waited.
Pleasantries were exchanged between the group, Nataku delighted to have her master appear and finding herself being fed several carrot slices – not that she was complaining. After several minutes, Duo spotted Noin, Captain Dermail and the rest of the selectors making their way towards the paddock.
"I hate to break up the party, but Noin and the others are coming," Duo announced.
"We'd better get moving," Heero said as he looked across to where the group were entering the paddock.
"Good luck, Heero. You be a good girl, Nataku," Wufei said and patted his mare. Nataku wuffled and rubbed her muzzle against her owner.
"Go and make us proud," Meiran said with a soft pat to the mare's neck.
"You be careful, June," Geoff said to his wife. "Good luck and give it your best shot. Remember, whatever happens, I'm always here for you. I love you."
June felt her eyes beginning to well up with her husband's words. "Thanks, honey. I love you too and we will both be giving it all we have." June leaned down when her husband stood beside Orion and partook of a soft kiss for luck.
Duo couldn't help but watch the small exchange and although he felt happy for the couple, he couldn't help the stab in his own heart that he couldn't give his husband a kiss for luck. Sighing softly, he consoled himself with the thought that he would be able to kiss Heero from head to toe later, once they were home again. Turning his attention back to Heero, he gave the rider a soft squeeze to the knee. "Good luck and be careful." Lowering his voice he whispered, "I love you."
The look of wistfulness that passed over his partner's face when observing June didn't go unnoticed by Heero and he knew exactly how his partner was feeling – he felt the same. "I'll be careful," he promised Duo. "And I love you too," he added with a soft smile. Collecting his reins, Heero rode towards the coaches and other riders who were all gathering together.
Having watched Heero and June ride off to join the rest of the group, Duo turned back to 'their' group and spotted a familiar blonde jogging along the track from the stables. Duo gave a wry grin. "Zechs, glad you could make it," Duo greeted.
Coming to a stop, Zechs took a moment to catch his breath. "I thought I wasn't going to get here until it was all over."
"What happened?" Duo questioned, noting a couple of smudges of black on Zechs' shirt cuffs and jeans.
"Flat tire."
"Ah, they aren't an easy thing to change," Wufei said.
"It wasn't so much the changing of it, I could get the jack under and all that, it was the damn wheel nuts. Do you think I could get them to budge?"
Duo chuckled. "I know where you're coming from. They do them things up tight with those pressure guns, so tight that no one can get the damn things to come off at all."
"Tell me about it! I ended up jamming the wheel brace on a nut and whacking the hell out of it with a hammer. Did the trick, but made me late. They haven't started yet, have they?"
"Nope, you're still here in time. They've just gone across to speak with the coaches and selectors. The jumping rounds are about to begin."
"Thank goodness," Zechs sighed and ran his elegant fingers through his pale, blonde locks.
"Come on everyone, I suggest we take up residence over there under that tree. We'll have shade and be close enough to see everything without interfering with horses or riders," Duo said and pointed to a large tree off to the side but closer to the course.
The troupe all gathered themselves up and strolled across the grass to watch the competition for the four team places get underway.
#
Once all the riders were gathered around, Noin began to speak. "Has everyone walked the course?" she asked.
Everyone replied in the affirmative.
"Are there any questions?" No one had any so Noin continued. "As I said earlier, I want each one of you to ride the course as you would in a competition, although there is no time limit so there's no need to be going too fast. As each one of you jumps, Captain Dermail, the selectors and myself will be watching and evaluating each performance. For those of you that go clear, there will be a jump off, although it will not be against the clock as such. You will be informed of the jump off course and be given time to walk it once everyone has completed their first round." Noin paused and looked to her fellow selectors and coach. "Anyone want to add anything?" she asked. No one did so Noin decided it was time to get things started. "The order in which you will jump is as follows. Cheryl, you will go first..."
The woman in question gave a soft sigh. No one really liked going first, but at the end of the day someone had to and in one way it was good as it meant she could get this over and done with quickly, than relax whilst everyone else suffered with attacks of the nerves.
"Peter, you're after Cheryl, then Treize, Sam, Victoria, June, Heero and Tim."
Everyone seemed happy enough with their respective place in the order of jumping and all except Cheryl retreated back to the shade of the trees where they could watch and encourage each other without interfering with the selectors or the person currently jumping. Treize, June and Heero all headed for the big tree where their respective grooms, family and friends were watching intently. Treize's eyes lit up when he spotted Zechs amongst the group.
As Treize brought the bay to a halt, Zechs stepped up and smiled at his boyfriend. "Sorry I'm late, had a little altercation with a flat tire and stubborn wheel nuts."
"That's okay," Treize replied, "You're here now and that's all that matters."
"Care to fill me in on what's happening?"
Treize gave the blonde a brief run down on what was planned for the day, Zechs nodding in the right places. Just as Treize finished with his explanation, Cheryl began her course and everyone's attention turned back to the course, the woman and her chestnut.
Cheryl knew her horse wasn't as experienced as the other equines at the camp, but he was usually reliable and obedient. She didn't intend to take any chances with him and made sure to give him plenty of room to turn and come into each fence dead center. Her patience paid off and Rainstorm came cantering through the finish flags with just four faults - and that had been for leaving a hoof in the water. Returning to the rest of the group she passed Peter and wished him good luck; Peter offered his commiserations to the woman and then began to canter a circle and wait for the okay to start his course.
"Bad luck, Cheryl," Tim said as the woman halted and dismounted to run up her stirrups.
Several of the others also voiced their commiserations before asking what she thought of the course, how it rode and what had happened to cause Rainy to drop a hoof in the water.
"Totally my fault," Cheryl stated when Bianca took the stallion off to walk around. "I didn't push him on enough and he couldn't quite make the stretch to clear it. It's a tough call though; do you push really hard and risk not having the horse back in hand and with enough impulsion to clear the wall? Or do you steady back a bit and risk a hoof in the water and have enough impulsion to clear the wall?" Cheryl shrugged. "Obviously I didn't push enough."
June frowned a little when she heard Cheryl's explanation for her faults. "Orion will be fine, just push him out, he'll clear the water without any problem; just be there as soon as he lands to collect him up." June turned in her saddle when the words were spoken to see Heero sitting on Nataku at Orion's flank, a small smile on his lips.
"You can do this course, June; Orion is more than capable of doing this course, just ride him with confidence like you always do at shows," Heero advised.
The woman gave her boss and mentor a smile of gratitude. "Thanks, Heero. If Orion doesn't go clear it won't be his fault."
"Don't let him down then."
Peter had started his course and once more everyone's attention turned back to the jumping course.
The bay gelding started out steady and built up both impulsion and speed as he sailed around the course. Jump after jump was negotiated and cleared, Espresso cantering through the finish flags with a clear round. Chrissy was all but bouncing on the spot and congratulated her husband with a sound kiss once Peter returned to the fold.
"My turn," Treize said and gathered up his reins. Good luck wishes followed him as he turned Romeo and pushed the stallion into a canter. They circled a couple of times, Treize settling the bay into his stride before he took a glance at the coaches to see they were now ready for him to start. "Here we go, boy. This one's an important one so let's give it our best shot," he said to the horse. Romeo snorted and softened through his back as they approached the first fence of the course.
It wasn't an easy course, but it wasn't as hard as some Romeo and Treize had encountered during their career. Treize kept his hands light on the reins and used his seat and legs to keep the bay balanced and full of impulsion as they took jump after jump. By the time they got to the third fence – the barrels – Romeo had settled into his stride and was enjoying himself. A right hand turn brought the pair to the fan jump, Romeo flying over it with ease. Following the fan came the gate and once the horse had touched down, Treize sat deep and collected him up. The double was next and whilst it wasn't difficult height wise, it only had one stride between the elements and that was where the horse would need all his energy if he was to clear the second element successfully.
Romeo listened and popped neatly over the two fences, re-balancing and gathering himself together for a right turn to bring him into the brush fence.
"He's doing really well," June commented.
"You can see the experience showing," Peter mumbled, his eyes carefully following the horse and rider.
"You did an excellent round yourself, Peter," Heero said.
"Thanks." Peter's cheeks pinked a little. "Cocoa was great."
Heero turned in his saddle to address June. "Watch how Treize approaches the water jump and following wall," he said. June nodded and did as Heero had said.
Having cleared the hay bales, Treize half halted his horse and then sent him forward in a strong gallop. The water was next and Treize was determined not to leave any part of his or the horse's anatomy in the drink. Romeo stretched out, spotting the water ahead and knowing what was needed effort wise to clear it. He put in a long leap, muscles straining in his hind quarters as he reached for the far end of the water. He didn't particularly like getting his feet wet! As soon as all four hooves were back on the dirt again, Treize sat deep in his saddle, took a firm hold of the reins and within three strides he had Romeo slowed and the impulsion building once more.
Looking for the wall, Treize calculated how many strides he had left, used his legs and seat and drove his horse back together. Romeo responded immediately, Hind legs coming right under his body, the stride shortening but taking on more elevation as the impulsion built. Three strides out and Romeo surged forward, the wall being cleared easily.
"That's how you want to do it with Orion. He'll listen to you, June, he's educated enough now to be able to clear that water and come back to hand within a couple of strides." Heero knew June was worried about the water and did all he could to reassure the woman and build her own confidence. He knew the pair were quite able to clear the course, the only stumbling block would be June's lack of confidence in herself.
"Thanks, Heero." June gave the man a smile. His words of encouragement and advice meant more to her than he'd ever know.
With the wall cleared, all that remained between them and the finish flags was the triple. Once more steadying his horse and building the impulsion, Treize had the bay well between hand and leg as they approached. Romeo picked his take off point and soared into the air. Poles flashed beneath them and then Romeo was coming back to earth, forelegs extended and taking the weight of the body as they landed. Treize gave the bay a little more rein and the pair cruised through the finish flags for a clear round.
Under the tree, the rest of the 'support crew' all broke out into cheers and applause for a well jumped round.
tbc...