Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Dawn ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Thanks everyone for reviewing . Sorry this part was so long in coming. It was just impossible to find time to write amidst finals. Now that they're done, I should be updating much more frequently. Anyway, this chapter is longer than the rest. Hope you enjoy!




Standard disclaimers apply: I don't own Gundam Wing or its bishounen, nor am I making any monetary profit from this fic whatsoever.

Pairings: 6x1, 13+5 ( possible 13x5 later), 3+4
General Warnings: AU ( the pilots are 18, Zechs and Treize are 23) yaoi, angst, sap, lemon
Archive: http://angelfire.com/gundam/asanctuary
Rating: NC 17


Warnings for this chapter: sap, a little angst; limish


Feedback: craved ^_^







Beautiful Dawn 15/?
by: Michalyn











A loud insistent rapping sounded at the front door.


"Coming!" Relena called, hurriedly stuffing bundles of soiled sheets into the old-fashioned washing machine. The scant illumination provided by the naked bulb overhead - the sole source of light in the entire basement - made it almost impossible to see, and the task of measuring out the right amount of detergent for the wash, was transformed into a delicate endeavor. Squinting in the semi-darkness, she selected the correct cycle, poured the soap in and sprinted lightly up the stairs.

The swift staccato beat was repeated, this time more loudly-and insistently.

"Coming, coming," she muttered, moving towards the heavy oak door. "Hold your horses." Panting a little from her run up the stairs and just the slightest bit irritated at the visitor's impatience and her own exertion she swung the door open with an annoyed sound.

"I said I was --" She stopped, rendered speechless by the vision of a man lounging negligently against the doorframe. Very tall, very blonde -* very* sexy -he was the stuff of female fantasies. Of course, Relena reminded herself as she surreptitiously smoothed her skirt, he was a mere candle compared to Heero's dark fire.

The Adonis removed his sunglasses, tucking them into his breast pocket and revealing pale blue irises.

-- Okay so maybe more than a candle.

"Good morning, is Heero in?" The deep, velvety - almost husky - timbre of that voice was mesmerizing, - the kind of voice a girl could just imagine tickling the shell of an ear as it whispered sweet nothings in the heat of passion.

The cornflower blonde cleared her throat. "Ah-H-Heero?"

The man frowned, peering at the number over the door as if making sure that he had the right address.

"Yes." The slight frown again. "Heero Yuy?"

A small, sheepish smile flitted briefly across Relena's face as she was finally able to decipher the man's words through her fascinated daze. "Ahem… yes--" She cleared her throat, trying again. "I'm afraid he's already left for the day."


~~~~~




Zechs glanced at his watch, a frown marring the smoothness of his brow: Heero had already left?

Of course, he was only slightly acquainted with Heero's schedule after the few times he had picked him up, but he had been positive that the younger man's classes would start well into the morning today - just before noon in fact - and had thoroughly expected him to still be at home. He had not liked waking up alone this morning, and would have much preferred to spend the early hours dallying with his new lover, but Heero - albeit a flushed, sexily tousled Heero - ever the pragmatist, had adamantly insisted on returning home last night. Of course, he had not wanted to let his stubborn, little lover go, but after being reminded of the brunette's missed work shift, Zechs had relented and allowed Heero to return home to whatever odious responsibility he had undoubtedly imposed on himself. But it had been with the full expectation that his would be the first face Heero would see the next morning.

He turned to the young woman before him, who, from her outfit appeared to be a nurse or an attendant of some sort - a detail puzzling enough in itself.

"Did he just leave?" he asked, vainly clinging to the hope that perhaps they had just narrowly missed each other.

The girl shook her head, blinking guileless blue eyes up at him. "Oh no, he left quite some time ago - much earlier than he usually does in fact." A small hint of disappointment colored the blonde's voice before it was concealed, and it was more than obvious that she harbored a crush - * and * just whom the object of her affections was. Her eyes searched Zechs'. "Are you a friend? Was he expecting you?"

Zechs opened his mouth to answer, then paused. What exactly * was * he to Heero? -Friend, lover - both? Their relationship was so new and tenuous, that he hesitated to define the seed of whatever it was that was so cautiously blooming between them.

"Ah-- a friend," he said, deciding that it was the most innocuous description- and at this point the most accurate. He ran an almost frustrated hand through his hair. It was becoming more than clear that Heero's disappearing act had been deliberate. He sighed. "- And I assumed that he was expecting me, but it appears that I was wrong." "Still," he said, inclining his head slightly as he turned to leave. "Thank you for your trouble."
" Wait!" Relena called him back.
Zechs stopped, a tawny brow raised questioningly.

"I'm sorry your trip was wasted," she said earnestly, a smile lighting her eyes. " But if you don't mind waiting for a little bit I'll make it up to you with a hot cup of cocoa?"

Zechs was about to protest, but something about the expectant look on the girl's face changed his mind. It was the look of a younger sister coercing her older brother into some mischief - and Zechs, who, in his secret heart had always bemoaned the fact that he was an only child found it impossible to resist. He smiled. "That sounds lovely."

Relena beamed. "Good," she said, leading him through the dim interior of the house with a wave of her hand. "Just make yourself comfortable while I go see about Heero's Dad." She turned to Zechs with an almost conspiratorial look. "I don't know how Heero manages, what with J not being able to do anything for himself-and between his job and schoolwork."

Clearly she had assumed that Zechs was familiar with the finer details of Heero's life. Pretending cognizance, the tall blonde nodded - surprised and more than intrigued by the new turn the conversation had taken.

Relena sighed. " Sometimes I think Heero takes too much upon himself - though he's too stubborn to ever admit it." She smiled warmly up at Zechs " But I'm glad that he has some friends."

Zechs managed a small smile as a sliver of frustration and dare he say it -hurt- stabbed through him at the realization that Heero had not trusted him enough to tell him about his life. He tried to remind himself that their relationship was new, that they had hardly had the chance to really get to know each other. Reminded himself of Heero's difficulty with all emotion and not just trust. But it still stung damn it - and a lot more than he expected.

And he was afraid he was beginning to understand why.





~~~~~






< br>

A thousand questions were swarming through Zechs' head as he made his way from one class to the next: How long had Heero been taking care of his sick father? Why had he never mentioned it? Was his mother alive - and if so where was she?

It had been surprisingly easy to coax the details of Heero's life from the young nurse, who, clearly enamored with the brunette had been more than happy to talk about him - and at length. That she believed Zechs acquainted with much of what she had related had helped of course.

Still, it had been obvious that even she was not too clear on many aspects of his lover's life. He had surmised that Heero was as stingy with the details of his personal life with her as he was with everyone else, and her account of his past was as much speculation as her own observation.

What worried Zechs the most though, was the burdensome responsibility Heero had decided to shoulder on his own. Was there no one he could turn to for help? If not for anything but the simple, but much needed comfort that human contact could provide in such times?

But, of course, Zechs knew the answer: Heero's wariness, his stifled emotions and deeply concealed vulnerability were evidence enough. Whatever had happened, Heero had obviously been forced to make some very difficult decisions - too difficult for one so young Zechs thought sadly - at a very early age and at great expense. Respect for the boy's bravery - his silent courage - swelled within Zechs, even as he mourned the loss of innocence, which had undoubtedly been robbed from the younger man by the harsh circumstances of life.

The longhaired man was no stranger to pain - and innocence snatched and lost like so much dust in the wind. And yet, he had always had Treize - friend, confidante and brother - when the sorrow threatened to overwhelm him. He could not imagine what he would have done if the ginger- haired man had not always been a solid, reassuring presence in his life.

Heero had no one. Had been facing the blows and blasts of fate alone for God only knew how long.


It suddenly put many things into perspective: Heero's distance, the utter exhaustion he had witnessed when they first met and which was a constant, faint shadow hovering about him - his insistence on leaving last night even after what they had shared...

Zechs frowned. They definitely needed to talk. But Heero had been conspicuously absent for the whole day. Not even Trowa had been able to tell him of the brunette's whereabouts. But that was another thing he was becoming accustomed to: the way Heero simply ignored those parts of his life that he didn't want to or, more importantly, didn't know * how * to deal with. He simply pretended that they did not exist - or valiantly tried to eliminate them. And at the moment, Heero was trying to ignore him - or more aptly, was suffering from a serious case of post-sex jitters.

And it had been sex, Zechs thought with an atavistic rush of heat - even if he had not taken the slender brunette. He could not recall a single night in all of his lifetime spent in such intense passion. He knew his own sensual nature. He had always taken as much enjoyment in the giving as in the receiving of pleasure, but with Heero it was if he could never have enough. When he touched Heero he wanted to taste him, when he tasted him he wanted to have him and when he had him he knew he would want a thousand more things that he had no capacity to express. If he, who was no stranger to the delights of love, was at a loss to understand it, he could only imagine Heero's inner turmoil at the moment.

His understanding of Heero's reasons did not make his desire to see the younger man any less urgent, however. In fact, it had only been strengthened by his discoveries of his lover's past. Besides the desire that always burned beneath all his thoughts of Heero, was genuine concern for the young man's welfare and a determination to provide the support that he had been so cruelly denied till now.

The problem was, Heero was proving as efficient in evading him as he was in everything else. If he were found, it would clearly be through no choice of his own.



~~~~~






Having almost given up on his search, Zechs was on his way to the cafeteria for a much-needed coffee break; when, by some fortuitous twist of fate, he spotted a familiar, jeans- clad brunette disappearing into a nearby men's room.

Zechs did not hesitate. Casually strolling over to the door, he pushed it open and slipped inside. This was as private an arena as they would get to talk - and Heero was clearly not going to give him another opportunity for them to do so. He lingered just inside the door for a moment, waiting until he heard the unmistakable sound of water spiraling down the drain before venturing further inwards. It would be difficult enough to coax any kind of response from Heero, and attempting conversation at a urinal, with an already skittish youth was not part of his plan.

He glanced around the tiled room, noting with no small sense of relief that they were alone. The last thing he needed was someone interrupting them, and knowing the youth as he did, Heero would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to disappear in to the safety of a crowd and evade his questions.


Heero was bent over at one of the many sinks; unruly locks falling into his eyes as he briskly scrubbed his hands clean. He was either so lost in his thoughts or so used to shutting out those around him, that he did not even look up as Zechs approached.

The blonde leaned against the wall next to him, crossing his legs at the ankles in a deceptively nonchalant pose.

"You've been avoiding me." Zechs got straight to the point.

Heero started, his hands stilling under the cold spray for a moment, before resuming their brisk, lathering motions. He fixed the taller man with a cold glare. "I have no reason to do such a thing."

Not at all fazed by the younger man's hostility, Zechs did not reply. Simply raised an elegant, disbelieving brow; tracking Heero's movements across the bathroom; the brunette pointedly ignoring him as he shut off the water with a quick twist of the faucet, then moved to the paper dispenser to yank down the lever that released the coarse, brown, sheets that seemed the standard fare for public restrooms. Yet Zechs could tell that Heero found his presence unnerving. He was noticeably flustered; the normally graceful, efficient, hands fumbling a little at the task as a faint, telltale blush crept up his cheekbones. And for all his valiant effort, he still seemed unable to meet Zechs' eyes.

Zechs moved so that he stood between Heero and the door, making it impossible for the brunette to leave without somehow getting by him.

Heero wiped his hands, and tossing the crumbled wad of tissue into the bin, he turned around, more than aware of Zechs' eyes following his every move and of his pointed, insistent silence. Effectively denied any means of escaping the uncomfortable scrutiny, Heero stood uncertainly facing Zechs - body rigid with apprehension.

Last night, a combination of grief, exhaustion - and simple shock at the responses of his own body under Zechs' knowing caresses - had conspired to tumble all his well-placed defenses, and somehow he had become lost in the experience. Reason, caution-- he had surrendered * everything * to the blonde.

Morning's cold clear light however, had put the previous night's events entirely in perspective. And everything that had been blurred in the haze of passion returned to Heero in explicit, heated, detail. Unacquainted the ways of lovers and confused by his own passion, the thought alone of facing Zechs had filled the younger man with panic. In a desperate attempt at reconstructing his shattered world, he had determinedly sought to avoid the larger man. As hour after hour passed without his once encountering Zechs, Heero had felt more at ease - more secure - the cracks in his armor slowly sealing.

All of it had crumbled the moment Zechs walked into the room.

The flood of feelings returned, assaulting him, dreaded tension increasing until Heero was wound as tight as a spring. Zechs loomed before him - a calm, immovable obstacle in his path, broad shoulders blocking out even a glimpse of escape.

And there was no mistaking the determination in the blonde's stance: He would not be moved until he got what he came for.




~~~~~

"I stopped by this morning to pick you up," Zechs said softly. "But you had already left." He searched Heero's expression for a reaction to the implicit demand for an explanation.

Heero eyed the taller man warily, but said nothing.

Zechs was not in least surprised by the younger man's stubborn silence. Neither did his seeming indifference fool him. His eyes honed unerringly on the telltale tightness of Heero's mouth.

"Funny -" Zechs tone was absent - mildly speculative, but the azure brightness of his eyes remained sharply focused on Heero's cool visage. "-I was certain that you had late classes today."

He paused meaningfully. Not long enough to give Heero a chance to respond -because truly he was expecting none; he knew that Heero would remain silent, rather than ever admit to the near panic that was clear in his cobalt gaze - but just long enough to ensure that his point was received.

"Nevertheless, it's good to know that it was entirely a coincidence - and that you were not trying to avoid me." The sensuous lips lifted in an almost roguish grin. "I must admit, for a while there I was beginning to think the worst."

The large blonde stepped closer to Heero's tense form. Bending until his warm breath kissed the delicate shell of Heero's ear and the pale gold strands of his hair brushed the shorter man's shoulders, he murmured softly. I 'd hate to think that you would feel that you could not face me--For any reason."

Heero stiffened slightly, startled by the blonde's warmth and his nearness. He had been expecting a confrontation. Had welcomed it. Anger, whether his own, or - especially - directed at him, was an emotion he knew how to deal with. What he had not expected was this tenderness, and the soft words that hit too close to home. And once again he found himself confused and hurled off balance by the older man's actions.

The scent of Zechs' skin, clean and sweetly masculine, brought the memories of last night rushing in, and he willed himself to pull away, but his body seemed inexplicably rooted to the spot. He remained as he was. Unable to move - with the long strands of Zechs' hair caressing his cheek and the movement of his lips against his ear sending heat shivering through his body.

Zechs' voice darkened subtly as he pulled Heero's slender form into his arms, bringing their bodies closer until they were pressed intimately together from knee to chest. His lips found the fine hairs at Heero's temple. He kissed it once, softly, and felt a faint trembling overtake Heero's limbs at the caress. He repeated the movement, murmuring against the softness of silk and skin.

"--Especially after last night."

Immediately Heero froze, going rigid in the blonde's arms. Zechs only tightened his hold on his precious armful, riding out the tide of emotion as Heero twisted, trying to put distance between them. His struggles subsided when he realized the futility of his efforts. Zechs strong arms around him had not slackened in the least.

When Zechs felt Heero finally go limp in his arms in surrender, he brushed another kiss on the crown of the dark, unruly head. "There, that's better," he whispered, rubbing Heero's back in small, soothing circles as though he were a small child in need of comfort. He looked meaningfully into Heero's eyes. "I meant every word I said last night. You can trust me.

I care about you Heero and I want to see you happy.

But--" he said, a hint of steel returning to his voice, "it means nothing if you don't believe that I speak the truth." Zechs tilted Heero's face up with a long finger.
"We don't have to play these games, Love. I'm tired of spending my days searching after you when I'd much rather spend them like this - with you in my arms--" He kissed the pert tip of Heero's nose. "--Or in my bed."

A faint redness spread over Heero's cheeks and he frowned, opening his mouth to refute or deny, but Zechs shushed him with a single finger to his lips. "Your body speaks for itself, sweet." His hand moved lower, gently cupping Heero's intimate heat. Instinctively, the brunette's thighs tightened, trapping Zechs' palm against the slowly hardening ridge of flesh. His hands fisted in Zechs' shirt and his teeth came down hard on his bottom lip, even as a soft groan helplessly escaped him. Zechs' eyes blazed as he took in Heero's closed eyes, and the tender lip caught between small, pearly teeth; and he felt an answering surge of desire in his own groin.

"There is no denying the way you respond to my touch," he said almost roughly, caressing Heero slowly through the rough fabric of his jeans before releasing him; leaving the smaller man trembling and flushed, and his own hands shaking with want. "--Or I to yours."

He held Heero for a moment, waiting for them both to calm down before taking Heero's slender palm in his own.

"Come," he said, leading Heero away. "We need to talk."



~~~~~





They lay comfortably sated under the shady coolness of a large, wizened tree. The grass stirred gently in the breeze, and the picnic basket they'd just gotten through lay discarded on its side in the silver-green carpeting.

After they'd left the washroom, the men had hopped into the blonde's car and Zechs had called one of his favorite restaurants and asked them to prepare a basket large enough for two. Zechs had driven Heero to one of his favorite spots - a cool, grassy area not far from his home - one he frequented as a private spot, unknown to even Treize - a place of contemplation and relaxation. And when they'd unveiled their meal, even he had to admit that the chef had outdone himself. There were sweet, flaky pastries, warm fragrant breads, a bright salad and rich meats steeped in delicate sauces. Not to mention the cold, lemon tinted iced-tea. Heero had actually seemed to enjoy the meal, and it had been a pleasure watching the reticent brunette relax for once.


Presently, Zechs sat with long legs spread out before him, back resting against the gnarled trunk of the tree. Heero lay stretched out beside him, head resting comfortably in Zechs' lap. It had taking some convincing on his part to get the younger man in that position. Because Heero being Heero of course, still looked upon human contact - especially human comfort - as a thing to be mistrusted.

Still, he looked more than comfortable now, Zechs mused with a smile. The youth's blue eyes were closed, and though Zechs was not optimistic enough to believe that Heero had let his guard down so much as to fall asleep in his lap, there was calm, almost serene expression on the brunette's face that he had never seen before.

And which made him even more beautiful in the blonde's eyes.

He couldn't resist brushing those softly parted lips with his own, or the soft moan that escaped him when Heero, eyes still serenely shut tentatively responded in kind, granting him access to the soft, wet recess of his mouth. Neither could he stop the downward straying of his hands on that delicious body. Before the dazed brunette had a chance to process the smooth stroking down his arms, the feather-light caresses against his throat, long fingers had already deftly unbuttoned Heero's crisp, cotton shirt, exposing an enticing strip of warm, smooth skin that started at his throat and ended just above his belly-button.

A large hand, slipped inside the soft folds, seeking and finding a small velvet nipple, and Heero shuddered as Zechs' fingers delicately rubbed, stroking the sensitive nubbin to aching rigidity. He tried to speak, but his voice deserted him when Zechs' knowing fingers lingered on the tiny point, tweaking it gently, before moving on to its partner. Heero's breath came in harshly, and he gasped helplessly as another burst of pleasure shot through him. He became so lost in his lover's exquisite torment, that it was only when he felt the cool breeze teasing the already violently aroused buds that he realized that his shirt was completely unbuttoned - its edges shoved to either side to expose him to Zechs' heavy-lidded gaze.

When Zechs realized that Heero was looking up at him with passion-dilated eyes, he doubled the caresses - holding the dark beauty's gaze - savoring the way he trembled beneath his touch.

"You are so delightfully sensitive - here," he purred, punctuating the statement with another tantalizing caress.

Heero writhed helplessly.

"What would you do if I put my mouth on you?"

Zechs watched as Heero's breathing hitched, and a delicious flush spread over his skin. / Hmm, so he liked that thought did he? / The beautiful blonde was just about to comply when Heero abruptly sat up, pushing Zechs' hands away.
Buttoning the edges of his shirt together, he glared at the older man. But its effect was completely ruined by the heightened color in his cheeks that spoke blatantly of arousal, and only succeeded in making the brunette look more delectable in Zechs' eyes.

If he weren't so violently aroused himself, the older man would have grinned. He wasn't in least fooled. Heero had clearly enjoyed his attentions. And though he knew that the dark beauty would never admit it, Zechs suspected that the only reason Heero had put an end to the teasing caresses, was because the brunette was afraid that he'd begun to enjoy them * too much *. Zechs shook his head in amusement.

As if such a thing were possible.


He pulled Heero into his arms again, ignoring the boy's resistance and the cold glare shot in his direction.

"Zechs…" Heero's voice held a note of warning.

The blonde held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. "I'll behave - I promise," he said, offering as close as he could manage to an innocent look. Heero regarded him suspiciously for the space of a breath before warily settling once more against Zechs' broad chest. Zechs' raised an elegant eyebrow in surprise, even as his arms tightened around the small form.

Now * this * was interesting.

~~~~~


He stayed true to his word, only pausing now and then to place a chaste kiss on Heero's cheek, or to brush a few stray strands away from his eyes. And by degrees Heero relaxed in his arms, leaning into Zechs until his head was comfortably pressed into the blonde's shoulder.

They stayed in each other's arms, letting the breeze lull them into sweet lethargy and Zechs was amazed at how content he felt - how * right * Heero's soft weight felt in his arms. He studied his lover's profile, hands absently stroking the light dusting of hair on Heero's arms.


"Heero, tell me about your father."