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 29

It was something akin to organized chaos in the collecting ring. Aside from the teams, their grooms and other 'official' personnel, there was also the press. Several cameramen and journalists awaited the three top placing teams as they exited the arena and were quick to swoop in to try and get interviews. The Australian team was the main target, having won the cup on home soil and everyone wanted a 'piece' of them.

Heero detested the press and whilst he knew they were a necessary evil, he did his best to avoid them, putting himself between horses so it was harder for them to get to him. Peter and June looked more than a little shell shocked at the attention they were receiving from the journalists and found themselves at a loss as how to deal with it all. Treize was more than used to it all by now and pushed Romeo forward a touch to act as spokesman for the team until Noin could get there. He knew the team coach would take over and sort the press out, but until she got there it looked like it was up to him to try and keep the peace.

Questions were fired off in rapid succession at the team, but no one answered for a moment. Clearing his throat, Treize addressed the group before them all in a tone that was clear, to the point and brooked no argument. "Gentlemen, if you would kindly wait a few moments and give us all a chance to see to our horses we will be more than happy to answer your questions."

Several mutters of protest were heard along with a few others who continued to ask their questions, completely ignoring Treize's request for a few minutes of peace. Turning in his saddle, Treize looked at his fellow team members. "Just ignore any questions for the moment and see to your horses. Noin will be here any second and she will deal with the press."

Giving nods in reply, the rest of the team followed Treize's lead and dismounted to loosen girths and check their respective mounts.

#

Noin and the rest of the group were quickly down the steps and out of the arena, heading for the collecting ring at a fast pace. Noin knew the press would be waiting and wanted to get to her team before they had to fend them off. Approaching the collecting ring she could see her team all huddled together and the press surrounding them like a bunch of predators looking at their next meal. She frowned as she took in the scene, then with a determined set to her jaw, Noin strode forward and elbowed her way through to stand before her team.

The journalists began to protest as someone elbowed their way through them, but quickly shut up when they realized just who that person was. Once Noin stood before them all, they were quick to resume their questioning. Noin raised a hand and the crowd quieted, murmuring amongst themselves.

"Gentlemen, I understand and appreciate that you wish to speak with my team and you will all get your chance to do that - "

"What does it feel like to be the coach of a winning Nations Cup team?" someone shouted out from the back of the pack, completely ignoring Noin's attempts to speak.

Glaring at the reporter who had dared to interrupt her, Noin dismissed him with a sneer and fixed her attention back on the rest of the group. "As I was saying, you will all get your chance to speak to the team, but not right now." At the groan that went up, Noin was quick to continue before the protests could start. "The team needs to see to their horses first and after that we will hold a press conference back at the hotel in the conference room. Those of you that have photographers with you may take some pictures before we leave to settle the horses." Turning around in a clear dismissal of the press, Noin faced her team. "Well done all of you, I am so proud of each and every one of you. I will congratulate you all properly once we're back in the stables, but for the next few minutes, would you all mind mounting up again and posing for some pictures, then we can head back to the stables and settle these horses."

The team all nodded, seeing the logic in Noin's request and quickly tightened their girths and remounted. Under Noin's instruction they moved to a more open area in the collecting ring and posed for the press to take their pictures.

# # #

"Thank god that's all over," Heero moaned as he and Duo walked into their hotel room and he collapsed face first onto the bed. Behind him, Duo snickered and closed the door.

"It wasn't that bad," Duo commented as he climbed on the bed and straddled his partner's hips. Placing his hands on Heero's shoulders, Duo began to massage the tired muscles through Heero's shirt.

"You weren't up there having to answer questions," Heero moaned. "Ohh, that feels really good."

The press conference had been held as Noin had promised. The four team members had duly presented themselves and sat behind a long table along with Noin with the press taking up the remainder of the room in front of them and firing off questions in rapid succession. Heero had come in for his fair share of the questions, many wanting to know where he'd found the horse he was riding and if he was retiring Shini from International competition as he was getting older now. Heero had resented the suggestion that Shinigami was well past his prime and had growled his answer that 'No, he had no intention of retiring his horse and was currently qualifying him for the next Olympics with the hopes of catching the selectors' eye again.' He also gave them minimal information regarding Nataku figuring it wasn't any of their business where she'd come from. The press weren't about to give up though and had soon tracked down Wufei and Meiran, interviewing the pair and getting their answers from the couple who were quite shocked at the attention they had drawn.

June had suffered through her first press conference with both her sanity and temper intact – no mean feat considering how insensitive some of the reporters could be. Aside from the usual questions about how she'd felt having to come into the second round of competition as the reserve rider, she also found herself being asked questions regarding her current employment situation as a working pupil of Heero's. Noin had stepped in then and put an end to what she deemed to be inappropriate questions. They were here to speak about the competition, not their private lives, she'd scathingly told the reporter.

"Noin certainly put that upstart of a journalist in his place," Duo chuckled, thinking back to Noin and her comments to the young man.

"Hai, she did, but that's also part of her job as team coach."

"She's a terrific coach and a wonderful person."

"That she is. Mmmm, feel free to continue for as long as you want," Heero murmured from where he was fast becoming one with the mattress.

"As much as I'd love to continue this, Heero, we really need to get showered and changed. Noin's expecting us all in the restaurant in an hour for our celebration dinner," Duo stated and pressed a kiss to the nape of Heero's neck before he reluctantly climbed off the bed.

"Can I get a rain check?" Heero asked, turning his head to the side and watching his husband rummage around for clean clothes.

"I'd be most disappointed if you didn't," came the reply as Duo disappeared into the bathroom.

#

The dinner in the restaurant was a noisy and happy affair. Everyone was in high spirits, the win having put them all on cloud nine and they were determined to enjoy their victory to the full. Several other countries were also staying at the hotel and many stopped by their table during the course of the evening to offer their congratulations. The team accepted the congratulations with grace and offered their own to the other successful teams as well as offering commiserations to the others.

Treize and Zechs shared a bottle of wine, Noin also having a couple of drinks to celebrate. June, Heero and Duo all refrained from alcohol whilst Peter and Geoff both drank more than their share of beer. Wufei and Meiran joined the team for dinner and partook of a glass of wine each with their meal.

Once the meal was over and the dissection of the day's competition well and truly exhausted, the tired but happy group all began to disperse. Geoff and Peter decided to go into the hotel bar and continue their celebrations, Chrissy accompanied them both to keep an eye on them and promised June she'd make sure that Geoff made it back to their room that night. With a roll of her eyes at her husband's antics, June bade everyone good night and carried little Max back to their room. Treize and Zechs also departed, along with another bottle of wine, Meiran and Wufei made their way to their room after promising to meet up with Heero and Duo for breakfast the following morning. Noin shared a coffee with Heero and Duo before she retired for the night too.

"You know, despite the win and how much I enjoy coming to the shows and helping you with the horses, it's always nice to go back home," Duo remarked as they entered their room.

"I know exactly what you mean, Duo," Heero replied, closing and locking the door behind them.

"I hope the others managed alright in our absence."

"I'm sure we would have heard if anything had gone wrong."

"Yeah, I guess so." Duo began to toe off his shoes.

"If we leave before ten in the morning it should only take us a couple of days to get back home." Heero began to remove his own clothing.

"Sounds good to me, ah-" the rest of what Duo was about to say was cut off when his husband hijacked his mouth in a deep kiss.

"Have I told you lately how much I love and adore you?" Heero murmured when he released his lover's mouth and began to feather kisses along the vet's neck.

"Every day, Heero; and I love and adore you too," Duo panted, arms wrapping around his partner's waist.

"Let me show you how much I love you," Heero whispered and latched onto Duo's ear lobe to nibble gently.

"Ahhh..." Duo lost all coherent thought at that point. Next thing he knew he was flat on his back on the bed with his husband hovering over the top of him. Reaching a hand up to wrap around the back of Heero's neck, Duo pulled the rider close and attacked those ruby lips.

Kisses were exchanged whilst hands and fingers began the task of removing clothing. Garment by garment shirts and pants were stripped from bodies, a lot of squirming, moaning and panting accompanying the actions. Eventually both men lay in only their underwear, the heat and passion in the room reaching an almost intolerable level.

Sliding a hand along a milky thigh, Heero worked his way steadily to his husband's groin. Once there he began to palm the growing hardness through the silky fabric of Duo's boxers.

"Please," Duo began to beg, wanting skin on skin contact.

Heero chuckled as his lover spread his legs and begged for more stimulation. Happy to comply, he reached for the waistband of those boxers and began to tug them off. Once his lover was bare to his sight, Heero quickly divested himself of his own briefs, returning to his worship of his partner's skin and doing his best to drive Duo wild with need.

Duo lay back on the bed and let his lover do as he wished, enjoying the strokes and touches to his flesh. Soft kisses were pressed to every inch of his skin, fingertips traced idle patterns across his thighs, sides and cock, arousing him even more. Precum began to bead at the tip of his cock, the soft skin of his sac caressed and Duo couldn't help the need to thrust his hips.

Smiling to himself, Heero continued in his worship of his husband's body, enjoying the salty taste upon his tongue of Duo's sweat. He swiped his tongue across the tip of Duo's penis, savoring the flavor of his lover's essence. With his mouth licking and nibbling along Duo's length, Heero decided to take a risk and gently worked his fingers below Duo's balls, across his perineum and along the cleft of his ass.

He wasn't sure what to expect from his lover, but could hope his touches were welcomed. Ever since Duo's rape at the hands of Stefan, the long haired man had been evasive when it came to being the bottom in their relationship. Duo much preferred to top, Heero already knew that, but there had also been times when Duo had wanted to be taken and Heero had enjoyed those times immensely. Stefan's brutal attack on his gentle lover had seriously scarred Duo; not in the physical sense, but the emotional one.

It had been almost eighteen months since that attack and whilst Duo had undergone some in-depth and helpful counseling with Doctor J, the vet had yet to allow Heero to take him again. Heero could well understand the reluctance of his partner to bottom, but he also knew Duo needed to overcome that final hurdle to be completely recovered from his ordeal. The memory would never completely fade, but Heero hoped that someday Duo would consent to allowing him to take him again and at the same time be able to regain his sense of self worth and dignity.

Keeping his touch light and gentle, Heero stroked along that cleft, senses on full alert for any sign of discomfort from his partner. So far all appeared to be well. When no protest had been forthcoming, Heero continued with his ministrations, pausing at Duo's hole to circle and tease the tight ring.

Body bathed in pleasure, Duo was on a totally different planet. All he could register were the gentle, teasing touches to his body and his mounting arousal. The soft stroking along his cleft felt pleasant, Duo relaxing into the touch and thrusting his hips upward. When those fingers stopped to circle his hole, his body jerked and a flush of fear spread through his system freezing him in place.

Realizing his mistake when his partner froze, Heero was quick to move his fingers away and relocate them at Duo's hip. Concerned, he gazed deep into his partner's violet eyes. "Duo? I'm sorry, Duo, I shouldn't have overstepped -"

Shaking himself from his stupor and doing his best to squash the fear rushing through him, Duo silenced his lover with a kiss. "It's okay, Heero. You didn't do anything wrong. It- it's my fault..."

"No, Duo, it isn't, it's mine," Heero argued. "I should have realized you're not ready yet."

Frustrated, Duo looked his partner in the eye. "No, Heero. I should be able to get over this, you're my husband for heaven's sake and I know I can trust you... but..."

"Shhh... It's okay, Duo, I understand. You went through a very traumatic experience and it will take time to get over that. Doctor J did say it would take-"

"I know what J said, but Heero; it's been eighteen months! I should be over it by now! It's not that I don't want to... you know, be bottom – it's just that every time I think I can do this the fear comes back and I hate it!" Duo turned and buried his face in the pillow to hide the tears that decided to fall.

Heero's heart bled for his partner, knowing by the tone of his lover's voice just how frustrating this was for him, but he felt completely powerless to help him. He didn't know what to do. J had said it would take a while for Duo to accept he'd been raped and move on, he'd been warned it would be difficult for Duo to accept intimacy once more. Fear was a very strong emotion to overcome. All he could do was be patient, know when to push things and when to back off; but they seemed to be at a complete stalemate. Heero had pushed as far as he could.

Gathering his love into his arms, Heero pressed sweet kisses to every part of Duo's face he could reach, kissing away the tears and soothing as best he could. Eventually Duo's tears stopped and the vet became soft and pliant in his arms. Gradually the kisses became deeper and more sensual, the mood of earlier starting to return along with both Heero's and Duo's erections.

Fingers ghosted over skin, found sensitive spots and tormented those spots. The air became thick with pheromones as both men surrendered to the pleasure they were giving and receiving. Heero decided he'd waited long enough and reached for the night stand drawer, fumbling around inside until he located the tube of lube they'd stashed there. Uncapping the tube, he pressed it into his partner's hand. "Prep me," he murmured huskily.

With the earlier stumbling block forgotten, Duo quickly coated his fingers in the slippery gel and reached for Heero's rear end. The rider lay himself on his back and opened his legs to his lover, giving Duo all the access he needed to his body. As Duo prepped his lover he couldn't help but berate himself for not being able to enjoy his husband's intimate touch in the same way he was touching Heero. Deciding not to dwell on those dark thoughts any longer, Duo pushed them to the back of his mind and began to slide a second finger into that welcoming channel.

"Feels good," Heero groaned as Duo added a third finger to his passage and began working them around. "Need you," he moaned when Duo's fingers found his prostate and teased at it.

Feeling the love well up in his chest, Duo removed his fingers and grabbed for the lube once more. A generous amount was applied to his length, Duo thoroughly coating himself from tip to root before tossing the tube aside and settling between his partner's spread thighs.

"Ready for me?" the vet asked, his tone deep and sensual.

"More than ready," came Heero's reply.

Duo carefully pushed against the loosened ring of muscles, increasing the pressure until the head slid inside. He paused for a moment, giving Heero the chance to adjust to his intrusion before slipping in another inch. Slowly but steadily, Duo pushed inside, savoring the heat, tightness and moistness of his husband's passage. It had been a few days since they'd last been intimate and Duo fully intended to enjoy every moment of being inside his lover.

"You can move," Heero moaned, eager for some form of friction.

With a soft chuckle, Duo began to withdraw, pausing when just the head remained inside and then sliding back in deep. Heero's walls grabbed at him, squeezing and rippling along his length as he slowly moved in and out.

The sensations were driving Heero wild, the slide of Duo's length against his inner walls stimulating the many nerves there and sending his nervous system into overdrive. As he relaxed further so Duo began to move faster and deeper.

Vocal skills deserted both men, reducing them to simple grunts, moans and gasps as the pleasure coursed through them both. Duo managed to retain enough of his brain cells to slide a hand between their heaving bodies to locate Heero's shaft and curl his fingers around it. He began to stroke the organ in counter rhythm to his thrusts.

"Ah... More," Heero ground out as he raised his own hips to meet his husband's and increase the depth of penetration.

Duo's next thrust hit Heero's prostate, the rider barely catching the scream of pleasure that wanted to tear from his throat.

Smiling to himself, Duo angled his hips a little more and managed to strike that sweet spot on his next two thrusts.

The brush against his prostate sent Heero's nervous system into overdrive. Fireworks went off in his head, unadulterated pleasure flooded his body and he was helpless against the onslaught. The end was drawing close and Heero was more than ready to welcome it.

With his own orgasm hovering on the fringes, Duo increased his tugging of his partner's cock in a desperate attempt to bring his lover off. Another thrust and angle of his hips saw him connected with Heero's prostate once more and he knew that was the end for his partner. The channel he was ensconced in began to tighten, muscles clamping down and rippling along his length as Heero's balls constricted and pushed the rider's seed along his shaft to explode from the tip and coat Duo's hand and both their bellies.

It also triggered Duo's orgasm and the vet gladly gave into the waves of pleasure that flowed over and through him. His engorged cock spurted forth, flooding Heero's passage with hot cum, Duo managing to get a couple more thrusts in before collapsing against his husband's chest and riding out the last waves.

Heero's body twitched and jerked a little as the last of his climax faded, the weight of his husband against his chest a welcome feeling and Heero wrapped his arms tightly about Duo's still shaking form. Pressing kisses to the side of the vet's face, Heero sighed softly in contentment.

With normality beginning to return, Duo managed to wriggle himself to the side of Heero, his now limp cock slipping from his partner's passage to lie sated against Duo's thigh. Immediately Heero snuggled close, keeping the contact they both needed as they lay together in the afterglow.

"That was amazing," Heero managed to murmur when he finally located his voice.

"It was incredible from my end too, Heero," Duo returned.

"I think we should take another shower." Heero could feel the semen trickling from his rear end and also the flakes from his own orgasm starting to itch at his skin.

"Might be an idea," Duo snickered. "We are a little on the sticky side."

"We won't have time in the morning."

"I agree. Speaking of the morning, we'd better make it a quick shower and get some sleep otherwise we'll be knackered trying to drive home."

Heero raised an eyebrow at Duo's choice of words.

"Well, we will," Duo defended.

"I don't disagree, but, knackered?"

"You know what I mean," Duo snickered and raised himself from the bed. "Come on, lazy."

Heero gave a yawn and tracked his partner with his eyes. "Nice view," he stated, openly ogling his lover as Duo walked to the bathroom completely naked.

"The landscape is better from the front," came the cheeky reply.

Heero could only agree.

# # #

The trip home was quicker than the trip to Werribee, Heero sharing the driving with Duo and stopping for one night at Simon's in Seymore and the second night at the Corowa show grounds on the way home. It was late in the afternoon on the Wednesday when they finally arrived back at the stables.

Frank was there along with Carl and June to help the pair unload the horses and settle them back into their stables. They also helped with the unpacking of all the gear which again seemed to have multiplied and put it all back in the tack rooms. Carl gave Heero a run down on the horses that had remained behind, Heero feeling the sense of relief wash over him when Carl told him everything had gone perfectly fine in his absence.

After taking a walk along the stables and checking each horse with his own eyes, Heero felt a lot more relaxed. Not that he didn't trust Carl, he did otherwise he wouldn't have left the horses in his care. Zero was especially pleased to see his master again and wuffled loudly at the sound of Heero's voice, banging his stable door until his master came and petted him – and gave him some carrots.

Wing and Shini exchanged whinnies and snorts, Wing curious to know where his 'big brother' had been and what he'd gotten up to. Lunar and Angel greeted Nataku with soft wuffles, the bay mare pleased to be home and back in her familiar stable. She'd enjoyed her time away, enjoyed the jumping and all the praise she'd gotten; but she was more than ready to return to her own stable.

Jester did his usual trick of prancing back into the stables, tail kinked over his back and snorting loudly to any of the other horses who cared to listen. Zero was the only one that took any notice of the big bay, and then it was only to give a squeal in reply followed by a warning snort.

Orion ambled off the gooseneck and followed calmly beside his mistress and into his stable. He was tired from all the competition and traveling and looking forward to sleeping in his own stable once more.

With the stabled animals all settled, Heero went out to the paddocks and yards to check on the other horses. Missy was trotting around her yard with her tail kinked up and snorting. The arrival of the gooseneck and occupants had stirred her up quite a bit. She was still getting used to the routine of equines disappearing for a day or a few days.

Comet was calmly eating her dinner, her belly swelling with the unborn foal she carried. Sandfire and Hyperion were also busily feeding their faces, neither one of them at all perturbed by the goings on.

With everything done for the equines, Heero thanked Frank, June and Carl for their help, waving them off as they all departed and went to their separate homes. Turning out the lights, Heero slid the door across the stable block and looked around for his husband. Spotting Duo over at Missy's yard, Heero walked across and wrapped his arms around his lover's waist.

"I guess we should unpack the living section of the gooseneck," Duo sighed, turning around in his husband's arms.

"Let's leave it until tomorrow. We can just grab our clothes and necessities for now. The food stuffs won't come to any harm being left overnight. Besides, I'm too tired to do anything else."

"Amen to that." With a peck to his partner's lips, Duo broke the embrace and the pair fetched their respective bags from the gooseneck. Heero locked the vehicle up and they made their way back between the paddocks to Duo's cottage.

tbc...