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: www gundam-wing-diaries. foreverfandom. net 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 15
The grand parade went off without so much as a hitch. All the horses behaved themselves perfectly, arching their necks and kinking their tails as they stepped out. The commentator had introduced the various teams in the many competitions that were taking place over the weekend; from the pony club teams through to the dressage teams and finally the Nations Cup Jumping teams. When the Australian team entered the arena the cheers, yells and applause increased tenfold as the spectators let their home country know they were right behind them.
"The atmosphere is electric," June commented to Heero who was on her left side.
"That it is," Heero replied with a grin. "Normal shows get your adrenaline pumping, but this..." he paused for a moment, eyes shining, "This is something on a whole new level."
"Doesn't matter how many times I've been lucky enough to make a jumping team, whether it be the Olympics or Nations Cup, the atmosphere, camaraderie and general feeling becomes almost surreal. It's something I don't think I will ever get used to and neither do I want to. It's just special, and to be a part of it all..." Treize shrugged.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Words really can't describe it," June replied.
"Enjoy it while you can, Noin will have our noses to the grindstone a little later. There's nothing like that jolt back to reality to remind you of where you are and what you're doing," Treize said with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess so," June snickered.
The arena was colorful with all the various teams now lining up, the many different countries flags held proudly. The president of the EFA stepped out along with several other dignitaries and a few speeches were made to explain the competitions ahead, the schedule for the week and finishing with welcoming all the teams to the Werribee equestrian center and wishing them all the very best of luck.
With the formalities out of the way the teams all began to filter out of the arena and back into the collecting ring area. Noin, along with all the grooms were waiting for the team when they managed to exit.
"Thank you, all of you for showing such perfect manners. I know these speeches can get a bit tedious after a while, especially when you've had to sit through numerous ones over the years, but they are a necessity. Now, take your horses back to the stables and unsaddle. I will take you all for a brief lesson in two groups this afternoon. "Peter, Sam and June, meet me in the practice arena in two hours, I'll work with you three first for an hour or so. Heero and Treize, I will expect you two saddled and ready to go in three and a half hours. An hour or so with each group should be more than enough to put you all through your paces and sort out any kinks. Any questions?" No one had any. "Good. You are all free to do as you wish until it's time for your lesson." With a smile, Noin departed, leaving the grooms and riders to make their way back to their respective stables.
"What are you going to do for the next couple of hours, Heero?" Duo asked as he walked beside Nataku.
"I thought I'd work Jester for a bit, see if I can get him to settle down. Frank should be here later this evening and with the A grade Championships tomorrow Jester's going to need a fair amount of work to get him back in the right mindset."
"What about Shini?"
"If I have the time before my lesson with Nataku I'll work him then, otherwise I'll give him a workout after I've finished with Noin." Heero brought the mare to a halt out front of her stable and dismounted. "Shini shouldn't need much as far as work goes, just more loosening up his muscles than actual jumping practice."
"Give her to me, Heero. I'll unsaddle her and put her away while you get Jester ready," Duo stated and took the mare's reins from his husband.
"Are you sure?"
Duo snorted. "I am here in the capacity of your groom so I think I'm sure I can handle unsaddling Nataku whilst you get Jester saddled."
Heero gave his lover a sheepish grin. "I know you're capable; sorry, and thank you."
"You can make it up to me later," Duo replied and added a heated look to accompany his words.
"You can bet on it."
# # #
"You're supposed to be an equine, not a kangaroo," Heero muttered and closed his fingers firmly on the reins, sitting deep into his saddle and using more leg to try and get Jester to trot properly.
Jester tossed his head and continued to try and look all around him. He'd been to many shows before and didn't have a problem as a rule... but this... This was something slightly different and it didn't take much to throw Jester off balance. The stallion knew it was another show and that sooner or later he would be jumping, but the entire atmosphere was slightly different to the usual shows he went to; and that made Jester all the more suspicious.
"Trot on," Heero said and applied a harder leg aid.
The stallion continued to ignore the rider on his back, opting to move with jerky strides as he focused his attention on anything and everything other than his rider. He spotted another horse off to the side, his ears went up, back hollowed and he let fly with a loud neigh. The other horse ignored him so Jester tried again, this time he added a few 'propping' steps to his trot and kinked his tail.
"Okay, that's enough, Jester," Heero growled. "I can see that you've decided you want to do this the hard way." Taking a very firm hold on the reins, Heero pushed his weight as deep as he could get it and applied his legs hard. "Last chance to do as you're asked," Heero muttered to the horse.
The bay continued to take no notice, his choppy strides making it harder for Heero to sit into him.
"That's it. I'm sorry, boy, but you leave me with no choice." Heero put his reins into one hand, made sure he had a firm hold and dug his knees into the saddle flaps. Raising his right hand slightly he brought the whip down behind his leg with a sharp smack to Jester's hide.
Jester jumped into the air as if he'd been stung by a bee but was prevented from running away by the firm hold on the reins. He shook his head and snorted. That hurt!
"Now, shall we try that again?" Heero said and took the contact back with both hands. Using his seat and leg, he pushed the bay forward into a trot once more.
The stallion moved forward, a little unsure for the moment. He settled into a rhythmical trot for a few strides before he caught scent of something on the light breeze and his attention wandered once more. His gait became uneven and he resisted the attempts of his rider to settle his stride. Another sharp smack to his side had him hastily changing his mind though. Jester thought he'd better quit with his evasion attempts and listen to his rider – those smacks had stung and he really didn't fancy having any more. No, better to settle down and listen, he could scent and look at the pretty fillies later.
"Much better," Heero praised once the bay began to work properly for him.
Off to the side of the arena, Duo watched the 'power struggle' with an amused smile on his face.
It took Heero just over an hour to have Jester working in a calm, rounded outline. Both the bay and Heero were sweating, but Jester was listening carefully and doing everything that Heero asked of him. Bringing the stallion to a walk, Heero relaxed the reins and allowed the bay to stretch his neck out and cool off a bit. "Good boy, that was much better," Heero praised and patted the bay neck. Spotting Duo off to one side with Joe, he turned the stallion around and rode over to them.
"He's a lovely horse, Heero," Joe commented when Jester came to a halt beside them.
"Hai, he is, he just needs to learn to curb his enthusiasm at times," Heero replied. Turning to Duo, he addressed his partner. "Are there many people using the jumps in the other arena?"
"Not sure, I'll go check if you like?" Duo responded.
"Thanks. I just want to finish him off by putting him over a few fences. Frank can give him another workout over the jumps tomorrow morning."
"Back in a sec then." Duo turned and left to see how many people were using the other arena, returning within a couple of minutes with good news. "There's about five riders in there right now, but there's lots of room so you shouldn't have to wait long to use some of the jumps."
"That's good, thank you." Picking up his contact again, Heero turned the bay for the exit and rode towards the small practice arena where the jumps were.
# # #
"How did it go?" Heero asked June.
"Not bad at all," June replied and patted the sweaty black neck before her. "Orion behaved himself and Noin seemed pleased with all three of us."
"Good. I didn't see a lot of your lesson with Noin, but from what I did observe it looks like all the horses are in fine form. I think we could have a really good chance at winning that cup with this team," Heero said.
"I'd second that statement," Treize said as he rode up alongside Heero. "From what I saw, all three of them appeared to be fresh, eager and yet calm and confident too."
"Fingers crossed that our two work just as well then so we don't let the others down," Heero said with a wry grin.
"Only one way to find out. Noin is motioning for us to join her." Treize shortened his reins and pushed Romeo forward.
"I'll see you back at the stables. Good luck," June said with a smile and rode off to brush Orion down and settle him.
Nataku felt fresh and calm beneath him, Heero's confidence in the mare growing with each stride she took. Noin had been working with them on the flat for the past half an hour and both Romeo and Nataku had settled well.
"That will do for the moment, gentlemen. Give them a few minutes to catch their breath and we'll try them over a few jumps to finish off," Noin said and moved towards the bottom of the arena where a few jumps sat. As their coach altered the height of a few, Treize and Heero let their horses walk around, stretching their necks and relaxing after the strenuous work they'd been doing for the past thirty minutes.
Joe and Duo gave Noin a hand with the poles, the coach appreciative of the help. Once the jumps were set to her satisfaction, she thanked the pair for their help and motioned for Treize and Heero to join her. Explaining what she wanted the pair to do, she stepped back and asked Treize to go first.
Romeo settled into a steady canter and after a couple of circles, approached the first of the five jumps Noin had set up. A few minutes later, Treize was slowing the bay down, patting the neck and riding back towards Noin and Heero. "Good boy," he praised the stallion.
"Nicely done, Treize. He seems to be working very well and I don't think we will have any problem with his jumping in the first rounds on Saturday."
"Thank you," Treize replied and turned the stallion around so he could watch Heero.
Gathering his reins, Heero pushed the mare forward and into a canter. Circling her around he sat deep and looked for the first of the five fences.
Nataku knew what had to be done and approached each fence willingly, but with caution as well. She sailed into the air over the first, landed and allowed her rider to guide her to the next jump.
Each of the five fences was cleared easily by the mare, Nataku clearly enjoying herself. "Good girl," Heero praised and patted the mare.
"That was lovely, Heero. She doesn't seem to have suffered any ill effects from her trip down here which is what we hoped for." Turning to address Treize as well, Noin continued, "We will put them over the jumps once more after I've raised them a couple of inches. The extra height won't bother them but it will sharpen their minds a bit." With the assistance of Joe and Duo once more, the jumps were raised between two and four inches.
Once again Romeo cleared all five, Nataku following suit. Both horses looked pleased with themselves, Nataku even more so when the nice human gave her lots of those yummy orange treats.
"That will do them for today," Noin said and patted both horses. "The other three all worked well too and if they continue to jump in the competition like they all have in practice I'd say we have a damn good shot at winning that cup."
"It would be nice to win it on home turf," Treize agreed.
"It would, Treize. We've had some good teams in the past and come very close, hopefully this time it's our turn," Noin said with a smile. "Heero? You have the A grade Championships tomorrow with Shinigami, correct?"
"Hai, Miss Noin."
"Then I will take you and Treize for a brief lesson on these two in the morning. I can take the other three for their lesson in the afternoon. I can make myself available and work with you in the morning with Shinigami once we've finished with these two if you wish?"
Heero smiled and felt a touch of relief go through him; he'd been hoping Noin would offer to help him, give him some advice, but he'd not wanted to ask as he knew Noin was there as the team coach, not a personal one and he didn't want to take her time away from the team. "Thank you, Noin, I'd really appreciate that if you're sure you can spare the time."
Noin snorted. "Of course I can, Heero. It would be my pleasure. Besides, I wouldn't be much of a coach if I can't find the time to help out a team member even when they're riding individually now would I?"
Heero laughed. "Thanks."
"Right. That will do for you two today. I'll meet you both here in the arena tomorrow morning at eight. We can spend about an hour fine tuning these horses and that should leave you enough time to work with Shinigami and still have time for him to rest before he competes later in the afternoon."
"Thank you, Noin," Treize said and dismounted to loosen his girth. Heero echoed the words and also dismounted.
With a nod to the pair, Noin left to return to the hotel and work out her team order for the competition.
#
"Everything okay?" Heero asked as his partner stepped out from Nataku's stable.
"All the horses are fine, Heero. None of them have suffered any ill effects from the trip or their workouts today. In actual fact, both Nataku and Shini are in top form health wise." Duo gave his husband a grin.
"That's good. Not that I expected there to be anything wrong, but I'm glad you're here to check them over for me," Heero replied softly.
"My pleasure, Heero. Now, what's left to be done? I'm in need of food and a shower." Duo pulled his bedraggled braid over his shoulder and smoothed out a few of the messy strands before giving it up as a bad joke. "Umm, I think the shower first," he said with a woeful look at both his braid and clothing.
Snickering, Heero sidled up to his husband and leaned into the vet's ear. "I'll give you a hand with that shower and your hair if you can hold on for a little while longer?"
"I think I can," Duo moaned softly.
Pressing a quick peck to Duo's cheek, Heero pulled back a bit. "There's just the rugs to change, waters to check and hay nets to put in and then we're all done for the night."
"Then what are we standing here for?" Duo questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Let's get to it. The sooner we're finished here the sooner I can restore some sort of order to this rat's nest of a braid of mine."
#
"I feel like a big, juicy steak, smothered in mushrooms with loads of mashed potatoes and vegetables," Duo said as he and Heero exited the elevator and began to walk across the hotel lobby towards the restaurant.
"You might be in luck. From what I remember of the menu it's got a few different steaks listed," Heero replied.
"I really don't remember all that much of it. I was pretty tired last night. I do recall the breakfast buffet this morning though – and I have to admit, that was very nice." Duo's mind wandered back to their breakfast that morning and the spread of food that had been set out along the one side of the restaurant. He'd had a hard time selecting what he wanted for breakfast as there was just so much of it available.
"I'm positive there will be something along the lines of what you want, Duo." Heero continued to walk towards the restaurant doors. He could see June, Geoff, Treize and Joe already inside and seated at a long table.
"Is that Frank?" Duo suddenly said and stopped in his walk. Heero halted as well and turned to see where Duo was looking.
"I think you could be right." Spinning on his heel, Heero made his way across to the counter. "Frank?"
Hearing his name, Frank turned around and gave a grin. "Heero!"
"Hey, Frank. You just get here?" Duo asked from beside his husband.
"Yeah, arrived five minutes ago. I've just checked in and the receptionist's gone to get my room key."
"We're just heading into the restaurant for dinner," Heero informed the other rider. "Why don't you go on up and drop your bags in your room then come back down and join us?"
"You sure? I don't want to intrude on your team thing or anything."
"I'm sure," Heero said with a wave of his hand. "June and her family are all in there already, so is Treize and a couple of the others. You'll be more than welcome to join us."
"In that case, thanks, I think I will. Not much fun eating by yourself and room service costs a fortune." Frank turned as he spotted the receptionist coming back. "Won't be a moment."
"Here you are, Mr. Lowe. Floor three, room 378. I trust everything will be to your satisfaction. If you need anything just push 0 on the phone and it will dial the reception directly. Enjoy your stay," the woman said as she handed over a key card.
"Thanks." Frank took the offered card and bent to retrieve his small case. "I'll see you guys in the restaurant in about ten minutes."
"We'll keep a spot for you," Duo promised.
Frank left for the elevator, Heero and Duo turned back and headed once more for the restaurant.
# # #
Duo got his steak with all the accompaniments he'd been drooling over and set about cleaning his plate. Being the team vet and Heero's groom gave him a very healthy appetite. The food vans at the equestrian center, whilst plentiful, tended to be a bit on the expensive side and mainly dealt with hamburgers, fries, hotdogs and the like. Not that Duo had anything against hamburgers and such, but he did try to eat a less greasy diet than he used to. A part of getting older, he mused to himself. One tended to take a bit more care with one's diet and such as one aged. Not that he was old by any means, but the big four-oh wasn't too far away.
Heero had elected to try the grilled salmon and was enjoying it very much, an amused smile played on his face though as he watched his husband put away his steak with something akin to rapture on his face.
Frank had joined them for dinner and as they ate Heero and Duo filled him in on how the horses had traveled down, their various stops on the way and then proceeded to tease Frank mercilessly with tales his sister had told them.
By the time dinner was over Frank was blushing bright red and ruing the day he'd suggested the pair stop overnight at his sister's. "You wait until I catch up with Betty," he muttered. "I'll be having a few words to say to her."
With dinner finished, the group sat back and enjoyed coffee, discussing the up coming competitions.
"I worked Jester for you this morning," Heero informed Frank.
"How did he go?"
"He didn't want to work properly to start with and we had a bit of an argument, but after a short while he did settle down and worked really well. I popped him over a few jumps and he was fine. I'd suggest you ride him in the morning and put him over a few fences to take the tickle out of his feet. By the time the competition comes around in the afternoon he should still be fresh enough but more responsive and less inclined to let his attention wander," Heero said.
"That sounds like a good idea to me. Any chance I can get in a bit of a lesson with you? I don't know what your schedule is for tomorrow and I understand you saying no if you're too busy," Frank replied.
"I have a lesson with Noin at eight which should go for around an hour. I was going to work Shini afterwards for about an hour so I can work with you and Jester at about eleven if that's not too late for you?"
"What time does the competition start again?"
"Course is open for walking at two forty-five, the competition should start at three."
"Eleven should be fine then," Frank said. "You have any idea what the draw is? How many of us are competing?"
Heero shook his head in the negative. "Not as yet. They will post up the draw around mid morning I think."
"How did the grand parade go?"
Heero sat back and let June fill Frank in on the grand parade. The woman was positively glowing as she recounted how they had all ridden into the arena, the cheering and applause they'd received and how each horse had reacted. By the time she'd finished the restaurant was almost empty and the staff wandering around clearing up the last of the tables. The rest of the Nations Cup team had left including Treize and Joe.
"As much as I hate to break everything up, I think we should leave and let the staff finish cleaning up," Geoff said once he was able to interrupt his wife's story telling. "I think little Max needs his bed too."
June's face colored as she looked around and realized that they were the only ones still sitting in the restaurant, the other table having just finished paying and on their way out. "Sorry," she began, "I didn't realize how late it was."
"Don't worry about it, June," Duo said with a grin. "It's been a good evening."
"Yes, it has," Frank replied and stood up to stretch. "I think I'm going to head for bed though. It was a long drive down and I'm really tired."
"I'm tired too," Heero said. "I think we will be heading off as well." He stood up and smiled when Duo joined him.
June rose as well and the group all made their way back out to the lobby and elevators. Frank got off at the third floor, bidding the others good night and promising to catch up with them all either at breakfast or at the equestrian center in the morning.
The elevator continued its rise to the fifth floor where the rest of the group got out and made their way to their respective rooms. June and Geoff wished the other two a good night and stepped into their own room, little Max was sound asleep in his father's arms.
Entering their own room it was all Duo could do to remain awake long enough to strip out of his clothes and climb into the bed.
Heero had thought to turn on the electric blanket before they'd gone down for dinner and the bed was toasty warm.
Turning off the light, Heero checked the alarm was set before climbing into the bed and snuggling up to his partner. "Good night, Duo," he said and pressed a kiss to those sweet lips.
"Night, Heero. Love you," Duo responded sleepily.
"Love you too, Duo," Heero chuckled and burying his head in the crook of Duo's shoulder he drifted off to sleep.
tbc...