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
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 26
The confirmation of his clear round from the commentator caused the emotion to well up inside Heero once more. He continued to pat and praise the mare as he rode for the exit, all around him cheers and applause rang out. As Heero rode out, the Japanese rider rode in, Heero accepting the congratulations from his fellow competitor with grace and offering his own best wishes for a good round. Once outside he rode towards the side of the collecting ring, knowing his partner would be there at any moment.
Having successfully navigated the steps without doing himself any injury, Duo burst out into the collecting ring, looking wildly about for Heero. Spotting the man and horse to the side, he walked quickly across the expanse and arrived at his husband's side just as Heero was dismounting. Uncaring of the people around them and what they might think, Duo grabbed Heero in a bear hug, almost squeezing the living daylights out of the rider. He did stop himself from planting a sweet kiss to those lips though. A hug he could get away with – a kiss might prove to be a little more difficult to explain.
"I'm so proud of you, Heero. And Nataku too," Duo said when he released his partner. The pride was clear in his violet eyes along with a slight misting.
"Thanks," Heero replied with a smile. "Nataku was so good, she did everything I asked of her and gave me all she had."
"She has certainly proven your faith in her to be true," Duo said softly and patted the mare's neck.
"That she has," Heero said and joined his husband in patting the bay. "No one can say she's no good anymore, she proved herself today beyond any doubt."
"Just goes to show what patience, understanding and kindness can do," Duo said and reached into his pocket to produce a carrot slice for Nataku.
The mare gently took the offered treat and crunched it up before nosing around the nice human's pocket for more. She wasn't disappointed, more carrots were produced and Nataku was only too happy to eat them all. A familiar scent greeted her nostrils and she looked up over the top of the humans' heads to give a low wuffle when she spotted her master coming towards her.
"Congratulations, Heero. That was a superb round," Wufei stated and shook the rider's hand briefly, then his attention was diverted to his horse, leaving Meiran to carry on the conversation, much to Heero and Duo's amusement.
"A lovely round, Heero," Meiran said with a smile and also shook Heero's hand.
"Thank you, but Nataku did most of the work," Heero replied, his cheeks starting to turn their usual shade of red as they did whenever Heero found himself the center of attention.
"She may have been the one to put in the efforts to clear the jumps, but she couldn't have done it on her own. You're just as much responsible for the success and deserve just as much praise as she does," Meiran said softly. Placing a hand on Heero's arm, the woman leaned in close before speaking again in a very quiet tone. "You have made my husband one very happy man, Heero. Not just with the clear rounds, but the miracles you've performed with Nataku and seeing in her what no one else cared to see. I can't thank you enough for giving Wufei and myself the opportunity to own such a wonderful horse."
It took Heero a moment to swallow the lump in his throat with Meiran's words, and even then it didn't go away properly. "Thank you for listening to me when I suggested she would be a good horse for you both. It has been my pleasure, privilege and honor to work with such an animal."
"Okay you two, stop with all the deep and meaningful stuff now," Duo interrupted with a grin. "The rest of the troops are about to arrive."
Both Meiran and Heero turned as the rest of the group swooped in on them to offer their own congratulations. Noin was over the moon with Heero's round, Treize was similarly very happy for Heero whilst Peter couldn't stop the grin from ear to ear. June was also pleased and happy for her boss and mentor, but also worried she wouldn't be able to keep up the standard when it came to her turn.
Wufei ignored the rest of the group, not that he was intentionally being rude, but he had eyes only for his horse and was currently engaged in letting Nataku know exactly how proud of her he was. He produced a mix of apple and carrot slices in a bag from his pocket, feeding them to the mare who was only too happy to chew them up. "You were such a good girl, Nataku, you really showed them all just how good you can jump."
Nataku continued to crunch up the treats she was offered. She was content and happy, sensing the peace and happiness radiating off her master, her rider and the other nice humans around. No longer did she fear her work or the people that cared for her. They had always shown her love and kindness and she did her best to show them all how much she trusted them by trying to do everything they asked of her without complaint.
"Come on, Heero, we really should be getting Nataku back to the stables and brushed down," Duo prompted as the rest of the group finished with their congratulations and started to drift back to the arena to see how the rest of the competition was going.
"We will leave you to settle your horse, Heero," Noin said and then turned to June. "I'm going back into the arena to see how the rest of the countries have fared. Once you have Orion saddled up and warmed up a little, I'll come back out and work with you before it's your turn to jump."
"Thanks, Noin," June replied and gave the coach a pale smile. The nerves were starting to get to June a little.
The group all dispersed, leaving Heero and Duo standing with Wufei, Meiran and Nataku.
"We will come back to the stables and give you both a hand with Nataku," Wufei stated.
"Thank you, that would be appreciated," Heero replied.
Wufei took the mare's reins and began to lead her back to the stable complex, the other three following behind with looks of amusement on their faces.
With four of them tending to the mare it didn't take long to have her unsaddled, brushed down and a light rug on her. Duo did a vet check and pronounced the mare fit and well, giving Heero some electrolytes to pop in her water as a precaution.
With Nataku settled the four decided to head back to the main arena and check on the current scores. Just as they were departing, June arrived with Geoff, little Max remaining in the arena and being looked after by Chrissy who had been totally smitten by the youngster.
Promising June he would come out to the warm up area once he'd caught up on the scores, Heero quickly caught up with his husband and the Changs, leaving June to saddle up Orion and start warming him up.
#
Shuffling along the row of allocated seats, Duo and Heero dropped into a couple of vacant ones between Treize and Noin. The French rider was currently on course and roughly half way through his round.
"How are the scores looking?" Heero whispered to Noin who had hold of the notebook.
"These second rounds seem to be riding a lot better than the first despite the extra height and width. It looks like everyone is now well aware of the traps and are doing their best to avoid them," Noin replied.
That made sense to Heero, after all, their team were doing exactly the same.
"The last rider is almost done and we will be starting the rounds for the former, second riders. The scores for the third riders are: Italy had four faults as did Sweden and South Africa. Germany, England, New Zealand, Japan and yourself all went clear. The French rider is also clear at this..."
A groan went up from the crowd.
"Scratch that, the French rider has just made four faults."
"So we are still neck and neck with the Kiwis?"
"Yes, we are and the English are breathing down the back of our necks too," Noin said and passed the notebook over for Heero to take a look for himself.
Duo peered over Heero's arm to take a look at the current scores and gave a low whistle. "Shit, that is close. Both us and the Kiwis are on four faults with the English on eight. That's just one rail between first and third isn't it?" Duo looked to Heero for confirmation of his interpretation of the scores.
"Hai, that's correct, Duo."
The vet gave a grin. "See, I have been listening all these years and now I have a pretty good understanding of how this showjumping thing works." Duo looked quite pleased with himself.
Heero gave his lover a warm smile. "I have trained you well, grasshopper," Heero smirked, using one of Duo's favorite lines against him.
"That you have," Duo grinned back.
"I wish someone would train me to understand," sighed Zechs. "I still get confused."
"I think I'll leave your training to Treize," Duo whispered, unable to resist teasing the blonde.
"Training? What's this about training?" Treize questioned coming in on the end of the conversation.
"Zechs was just saying he'd like someone to train him," Duo said with an innocent look on his face.
"Is that so?" Treize said and looking at his lover he raised an eyebrow in question.
Zechs turned a fetching shade of red and spluttered, "No, it's not what you're thinking..."
"Really?" Treize interrupted. "I can see we're going to have to have a serious talk later." Treize lowered his voice to a husky purr.
"Ah... Errr... Ah shit." Zechs slumped in his seat and refused to say anything further knowing he wouldn't be able to get out of this one. Duo laughed.
Deciding to intervene before the blonde could get any more embarrassed, Heero nudged his husband. "I'm going to pop back outside with Noin as June should be warming up."
"Okay. I'll wait here and see how the next lot of riders fare," Duo replied.
Heero smiled and stood up, moving along the row of seats once more and following Noin outside to where a very nervous June was warming up the black gelding.
# # #
"He's doing really well, June," Noin stated as the pair came back to the coach after clearing the practice fences for a third time.
"Thanks," June said and patted the black neck. "He feels fresh and eager but still listening to me."
"Good, that's what you want. June, I don't expect miracles from you out there, all I want you to do is go in and give it your best shot. By taking Sam's place you're taking a lot of pressure off the other riders in the team and that is the most important thing here. Orion is a good horse, he's capable of jumping this course and so are you. Don't let him down by letting nerves and a lack of faith in yourself get the better of you. Just go out there, ride like it was just any normal competition and give yourself the opportunity to show everyone what a great horse you have. But most of all... Enjoy yourself." Noin gave June's knee a friendly pat and smiled encouragingly at her.
June sat up straight in her saddle and squared her shoulders. "You're right. Orion can do this and so can I."
"That's my girl," Noin smiled. "I'm going back in now to see how the scores are going. "Good luck, June, you'll do just fine." Noin left the woman and her horse to return to the arena.
With Noin's departure, Heero stepped forward to offer his own words of advice to his pupil. "Both you and Orion have jumped courses just as hard as this so there's nothing to be worried about. Keep him in check after jump three and only let him stride out when you're about four strides from the water jump. The other one to watch out for is the triple. It's high and wide so you will need to use lots of half halts on the approach, build as much impulsion as you can and he should clear it all. I'd also suggest taking him out a little wider after the triple, get a couple of extra strides in to rebuild your impulsion after part C as he will be tired and need all the help he can get from you to clear jump eleven."
June nodded. "Thanks, Heero, you have no idea how much your advice is welcomed." June felt a little easier now with the repeated advice from earlier.
"You're welcome, June. That's what I'm here for too, to help you all I can." Heero gave her a smile. "Orion will look after you." He gave the black neck a couple of solid pats.
"Yeah, he will," June replied softly.
"I'd better get back inside too. Take care of your mistress, Orion." Heero rubbed the gelding on the forehead between his eyes. "When you enter the ring put everything out of your mind except for the course, Orion and having a great time doing what you enjoy – jumping."
June nodded firmly, the determination clear in her eyes. She shortened her reins and turned Orion to walk him around whilst she waited for her turn to jump.
#
When Heero returned to his seat in the arena the English rider had entered and was just passing through the start flags. "Any idea how the other teams went?" he whispered to Duo.
"Yeah, the Italian went clear and the other three teams all seem to have had a case of 'four-fault-itis'," Duo replied with a grin.
"Four-fault-itis?" Heero questioned with a raise of his eyebrow.
"Yup. All three came out with four faults each."
Heero shook his head. "What about the running tally?"
"You'd have to ask Noin about that one, Meiran and Noin have been passing the notebook back and forth between them."
"Ah. Thanks." Heero decided to wait until the end of the current round of riders before asking Noin as June would be in after the English rider.
A groan went up from the crowd along with the sound of falling poles, Heero looked up to see the back poles of the triple combination hitting the dirt.
"Another one with 'four-fault-itis'," Duo whispered.
The English rider left the arena to the sound of applause and the commentator announcing a total of four penalties.
"Our next rider in the arena is the reserve rider for the Australian team as their number two rider's horse suffered an injury in the first round and was vetted out of the competition. Representing Australia, June Bailey riding Orion."
The arena erupted into applause and cheers as June rode into the arena. In the stands the rest of the Australian contingent applauded as they studied the pair riding towards the judge. June looked a little pale which was to be expected, but Heero could also see the grim determination in the way June rode her horse. Heero gave a small smile of satisfaction.
The arena fell silent, the bell rang and June cantered between the start flags to start her course. Orion felt fresh and eager, giving June some much needed confidence in her own abilities. The first fence approached and as they sailed over it, June put everything from her mind other than the course ahead and the horse beneath her.
Jumps two and three followed with Orion clearing them easily. The black was fit and keen to jump, yet he remained calm and attentive to his mistress' aids.
Remembering what Heero had said about the water jump, June kept a firm contact with Orion's mouth, allowing the gelding to stride on, but only at a working canter pace. They made the sweeping, left turn and June lined up the water. Orion could see the shimmer ahead and knew it was water, he tried to lengthen out a bit only to find his mistress wouldn't allow him to. He gave a small tug on the reins; they didn't budge. Slightly confused, Orion thought he'd better listen to his mistress as obviously there was more going on here than he understood.
"Good boy," June praised as the horse settled and remained at the steady pace. Keeping her attention fixed on the water ahead, June waited until they were four strides away and then gave the black his head and drove her legs against his sides.
Orion responded immediately, lengthening out his stride and gaining speed. Reaching the take off point, the black pushed himself from the ground and skimmed across the expanse, forelegs reaching for the opposite 'bank' and finding the sand there. His hind legs touched down a second later and flicked sand back into the water.
The steward's flag remained lowered and Heero let go a sigh of relief. "That's the first of the nasty ones out of the way," he muttered.
Duo nudged Zechs in the ribs.
"Ow, what was that for?" Zechs said with a scowl and rubbed his ribs. Duo nodded down their line of seats and gave a snicker. Zechs followed Duo's line of sight and gave a snicker himself. Further along their line of seats Geoff sat, head bowed slightly and his hand by his mouth.
"Looks like someone else has just discovered the joys of being part of the support crew," Duo whispered with a grin.
"Nice to see he has the nail biting down pat," Zechs replied, "Do we tell him now or later that the compulsory hair chewing is next and then it's the cardiac arrest stage?"
Duo almost fell off his chair trying to hold onto his laughter. Geoff continued to chew on his fingernails completely unaware of the amusement he was providing for the two vets.
Orion regained impulsion after the water and cleared fences five and six, June settling the gelding back and lining him up for the double. The black sized up the jump, picked his take off point and soared into the air. Landing, he listened to his mistress before collecting himself together again and flying over the second element. "Good boy," June praised her horse.
Jumps eight and nine followed with Orion clearing both before June turned the gelding and remembering Heero's words, rode towards the triple.
"Doing good so far, June," Heero muttered to himself, eyes constantly tracking the pair in the arena. "Keep him together, drive his hocks under him otherwise he's not going to make all three elements." Heero's hand began to drift towards his mouth, a finger finding its way into that mouth and the nail being nibbled on.
"Welcome to my world," came a soft whisper to Heero's right and he looked at his husband, a puzzled expression on his face.
Spotting Heero's hand working its way to his mouth and then nibbling on a fingernail, Duo couldn't help himself. When Heero gave him a puzzled look, Duo snickered. "Part of the pre-requisite for support crew." Duo nodded to Heero's hand. "Chewing of fingernails is mandatory."
Heero realized what he was doing and sheepishly pulled his finger from his mouth. "Sorry."
"No need to apologize, Heero, you're only experiencing exactly what Zechs and I go through each time you and Treize jump," Duo replied with a grin and picking up Heero's hand, he pushed the finger back to his husband's mouth. "Please, continue."
Heero shook his head and resisted the urge to argue back – he'd only end up losing.
The triple sat ahead, brightly colored poles seeming to rise up endlessly and June swallowed hard. This was going to be a true test. Recalling Heero's words from earlier, she sat down into her horse and began a series of half halts. Orion responded, checking his forward movement and bringing his hocks deeper under his body. The energy began to build, concentrating in those powerful hindquarters as the forehand lightened up a touch.
Part A rose before them, June giving the aids and then moving forward to follow the arc of the horse as he launched into the air and over the first of the three elements. With his forelegs coming out to take the impact of landing, Orion felt his mistress' legs against his sides and gathered himself together for the next element.
Part B was high and wide, a formidable jump by itself, but in a triple combination it was even more difficult – and Part C was even higher and wider. June did her best to force the third element from her mind and concentrate on clearing Part B first.
Orion dug his hind hooves deep into the dirt and shoved his body into the air again. Front legs folded up against his underbelly, head and neck stretched up and out as the poles passed beneath him. No sooner had he returned to Earth than his mistress was there again, pushing him together, trying to rebuild some of the lost energy.
"Use your seat and leg, hold him together," Heero muttered, body tense and sweat breaking out on his forehead as he continued to watch his pupil and horse.
Orion was feeling the strain, the first two elements had taken a lot out of him and there was another one directly ahead. Driving his hind legs as far under his body as he could, Orion grunted and leapt into the air again. Muscles rippled and strained as they worked together with the bones, tendons and ligaments to defy gravity and push the horse into the air.
As Orion launched himself, June went forward to follow the movement, grabbing a chunk of the gelding's mane and closing her eyes. Her horse felt like he was rising upwards for ages before levelling out and then beginning his descent back to the arena surface.
The jump was high and wide, demanding a lot of energy from the horse in order to clear it. Orion did his best, stretching for the extra width and barely managing to gain it. As he began to come back to earth his hind legs caught the top pole and rolled it in the cups. Unfortunately for Orion, the force of the roll was enough to send the pole out of its cups and falling to the ground.
Watching the pole rock and then tip out of the cups was sheer agony for Heero. He'd been willing the pair on so hard and to see the scrape of Orion's hind legs, the pole fall was just unfair. They had been doing so well too. The rest of the arena groaned along with Heero when the pole bit the dust.
June knew she'd made four faults, but rather than dwell on something she couldn't do anything about, she did as Heero had instructed her to do and put it completely from her mind. They still had two jumps to go to complete their course and she was determined not to have any further faults.
Dropping her weight, June shortened the reins and used her seat and leg to ride the big black together. Heeding Heero's advice, she took the gelding out wide for a couple of strides to give him more chance to rebuild the impulsion.
The hay bales were upon them much sooner than June would have liked, but Orion scrambled himself together and put in a mighty leap, managing to clear them. June risked a moment to give the sweaty neck a pat. The wall was the next and final jump, fortunately it was several strides away and June managed to have Orion rebalanced and enough impulsion to clear it. They landed safe and Orion galloped through the finish flags.
The arena began to applaud and cheer, June shortening her reins and bringing a tired Orion back to a trot. With her horse trotting, June took a moment to rain pats down on his neck and murmur her thanks to the gelding.
"Four faults for June Bailey riding Orion for Australia," the commentator announced. "Our next rider is Hikado Nagaski riding Yin Yang Yo and representing Japan."
June rode out of the arena as the Japanese rider began to enter. As they passed, the Japanese rider's horse snorted at Orion, the gelding turning his head slightly towards the bay, skittering across to the side a couple of steps when the bay laid his ears flat and tried to nip him. The Japanese rider tightened his grip on his reins and apologized as he passed, June accepting the apology and continuing to ride out to the collecting ring.
Noin, Heero, Treize, Meiran and Peter all jumped to their feet and began to trek out of the arena to congratulate June. Duo opted to remain for the moment and keep score, citing he would be out shortly to offer his own congratulations and give Orion a check over. Geoff had already departed, having been on his feet and rushing for the exit as soon as June had passed through the finish flags.
Taking the note book from Meiran, Duo ran his eye over the neat handwriting and focused back on the arena where the Japanese rider was making his way towards the judge.
#
Out in the collecting ring, June was kissed senseless by her very excited and proud husband. Tears were running down her cheeks with happiness and despite her four faults, June was over the moon with her horse's performance. The rest of the team arrived and congratulations began all over again.
"I'm sorry about the four faults, Noin," June apologized.
Noin waved it off. "No need to apologize, June, these things happen and it was a very tough course for your first International event. I'm more than happy with how you both went, you jumped superbly and did your country proud."
"Well done, June," Heero said when he could get near the woman. He gave his pupil a hug.
"Thanks, Heero. We couldn't have done it without your support and advice," June replied, the tears still running down her face.
"Yes, you could," Heero grinned. "I did tell you that you're a talented rider with a damn good horse, maybe now you'll listen to me?"
June laughed. "Yeah, I think I will. He was a good boy." June turned to pat Orion and feed him some carrots, not that the black could really fit anything else in his mouth right now as he was currently still munching on the treats he'd been fed by Meiran and Geoff.
"Duo will be out shortly to give him a check over and offer his own congratulations," Heero told her. "He's still inside keeping score."
"No problem. I'll take Orion back to the stables and start to settle him. Tell Duo I'll see him back there."
"I will."
June left to take Orion back, Geoff accompanying her along with Peter and Chrissy who were going to get Espresso ready for his round. Heero and the rest headed back into the arena.
#
Duo watched the Japanese rider salute the judge and move off to start his course. The bay he was riding was swishing its tail, ears back and not looking very happy. The bell went and the rider passed between the start flags to begin his course.
The bay cleared the first three elements and was on track for the water, Duo following it with his eyes. There seemed to be something a little 'off' with the horse, but Duo couldn't pin point exactly what.
The water was jumped a little fast, the rider trying to emulate the previous riders in slowing his horse but not having a whole lot of luck. They were fortunate though and didn't leave a hoof behind in the drink. They paid the price though at the next fence where the horse collected the rail over the top of the barrels with his forelegs.
"Four faults," Zechs muttered.
Duo frowned as he continued to watch, unsure of what was going on with the bay. The tail continued to swish, a sure sign that a horse was not happy for some reason. Duo nudged Zechs who turned to his fellow vet.
"What?"
"Is it just me or does there appear to be something 'off' about that horse?" Duo asked.
Zechs turned his attention back to the pair in the arena who had cleared jump eight and were taking off over jump nine. "I'm not sure," he replied.
"He doesn't seem very happy, but I can't see anything wrong with him."
The pair cleared jump nine and strode for the triple. Approaching the jump, the bay's ears went flat against his skull and his tail began to wave agitatedly in the air. The rider used his seat, legs and whip to drive the animal forward.
"His back could be out," Zechs suggested.
"That's a thought," Duo replied.
The bay came to a halt before part A of the triple, his rider turning him around and approaching the jump again.
"Could be he's going sour from too much jumping," Joe offered from the side. He hadn't been eavesdropping but couldn't help overhearing the conversation; besides, he'd also thought the horse didn't look 'right'."
The horse galloped towards the fence again, slamming the brakes on at the last moment and stopping just in front of the jump.
"Looks like that could be the most logical explanation," Duo agreed and wrote the score down in the note book.
"Either way, he's eliminated so the Japanese team is out of the running for the top three," Joe stated.
Dismissing the bay from his mind, Duo handed over the note book to Meiran who was returning to her seat and went to find Heero. He had Orion to check over and June to congratulate.
tbc...