Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cowboy ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

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

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 don't own the song 'Rodeo' either. It belongs to Garth Brooks and as such all rights remain his. This fic is based loosely on the lyrics. Written for pleasure not profit.

Pairing: 2x1x2, past 1xR (sorry!) 3x4

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, fluff, sap, yaoi, Lemons, Lime, AU

Summary: Heero is a rodeo rider, the best on the circuit and looks set to remain there until an up and coming young cowboy appears on the scene.

AN: This fic is based loosely on the lyrics of 'Rodeo' by Garth Brooks - although it is not a song fic.

Dedication: To my lovely beta; Sakura for giving me the plot bunny and for all her hard work in editing my stuff. (No easy feat!) Thanks hun! You're the best!

“Cowboy”

October 2010 ShenLong

Chapter 6

[Itfs the ropes and the reinsAnd the joy and the painAnd they call the thing, Rodeo
Rodeo ? Garth Brooks]


Once the saddle broncs were finished with, the cowboys had a bit of a break before the bulldogging and roping events started. During this break the barrel racing took place. The arena was cleared and three barrels set out in a triangular fashion, one barrel being each point of the triangle.

Out in the mustering yard, Trowa sat calmly aboard his palomino mare, Heavyarms resting one hind leg as she dozed in the warm sun. Trowa’s attention was focused on the arena, watching as the cowgirls were finishing their event. A soft voice to his side had him turning in his saddle and he couldn’t help the warm smile from gracing his lips as he noticed the blonde pick-up guy. “Hey,” he said softly.

Quatre rested a hand on the mare’s neck and looked up at the clown. “How do you think you will do?”

Trowa shrugged. “Anyone’s guess.”

“I’m sure you will be in the top three,” Quatre returned and gave the mare a pat.

“Depends on how determined the others are.”

“She’s a good horse, Trowa. I’m sure she will give them all a run for the money.”

Smiling, Trowa ran his hand fondly along the golden neck. “As long as we don’t knock down any of the barrels I’ll be happy.”

The cowgirls finished and amid cheering and applause from the crowd, they went in to collect their prize-money. A quick check of the barrels and it was time for the men to have their turn.

Heavyarms remained calm, still dozing with her eyes partially shut, but it was all deception. Inside she was wide awake, knowing her turn would be coming soon. Many a fellow competitor had underestimated the mare simply from looking at her. She gave the appearance of being lazy with her relaxed stance, but those that knew the mare knew different and rivals soon changed their opinions after seeing her race just once.

Heavyarms didn’t believe in wasting energy. Trowa called her a very economical horse, saving her energy for when it was needed.

“What number did you draw?” Quatre asked politely.

“Five.”

Rider three was just entering the arena at a flat out gallop. The first rider had done a good round, his time an impressive eighteen seconds. Rider two had also gone out fast, but had an extra five seconds added when he floored a barrel. Rider three managed to leave all barrels standing and flashed out with a time of just over seventeen seconds.

Noting the fourth rider about to enter, Trowa shifted his weight and took up a little contact with his reins. “I gotta go,” he told the blonde.

Turning his blue eyes to meet with emerald, Quatre swallowed hard and moved his hand to rest on the cowboy’s calf. He gave it a squeeze. “Good luck,” he offered.

Trowa was caught a little off guard by the touch, but it did warm him inside. He smiled and nodded. “Be here when I come out?”

Quatre positively beamed. “Of course.”

With a nod of his head, Trowa turned the mare and rode to where the official was waiting.

Rider four came galloping through the finish, a time of eighteen and a half seconds on the clock and then it was Trowa’s turn.

Heavyarms had woken up by now and was eager to go. She obediently cantered a circle, the flag dropping for Trowa to start whenever he was ready. Turning the mare, Trowa kept a light contact, shifted his weight forward slightly and then urged the horse on.

The mare flattened her ears back against her skull as she streaked forward. She knew what needed to be done and thoroughly enjoyed racing around the barrels. She shot into the arena, aiming for the barrel to her left; Trowa held the reins with just enough contact to keep the mare on track, his other hand was grasping the saddle horn to keep him on the palomino’s back as she suddenly slammed on the brakes, dropped her shoulder and haunches and pivoted around the barrel.

The obstacle remained standing and the mare was once more pushing forward. Her hind legs dug deep into the arena surface, muscles straining as she propelled herself back into a gallop and towards the next barrel. Reaching it, she spun again, circling the barrel and almost wiping Trowa’s leg off on it. The clown only barely managed to avoid contact with the barrel and as the mare came out of the turn, he hauled himself back into balance with her and urged her forward again.

The top barrel appeared and Heavyarms again hit the brakes, her shoulder dropping to allow her to pivot, those strong hind quarters driving deep under her body and swinging her around.

Trowa had no idea of the time, he just stayed with the mare and pushed her on towards the finish. Her head and neck extended flat out as golden legs began to piston beneath the large body. For such a big horse she had a very tight turn on her and a tremendous pick up of speed. She galloped flat out for the finish, nostrils flaring as she drew air into her lungs.

Once they’d passed through the finish, Trowa sat back in his saddle and used his weight along with his reins to slow the mare down. Heavyarms responded immediately, coming to a sliding stop and then walking calmly back to where she’d been standing before. Once her master brought her to a halt, she rested a hind leg again and promptly went back to sleep – much to Quatre’s amusement.

“Trowa Barton and Heavyarms completed the barrel race in a time of fifteen seconds! That’s the new time to beat, folks,” said the commentator.

“Wow! She sure is fast,” Quatre enthused as he patted the mare.

Trowa smiled and dismounted, standing close to the pick-up guy and petted his mare. “She’s a good girl,” he said and offered the mare a slice of apple, the mare taking it politely and enjoying the treat.

“I’m sure you’ve won,” Quatre said shyly and gave the clown a soft smile.

Trowa thought it was now or never and before he could change his mind, he blurted out, “If I have won, would you allow me to take you out for dinner to celebrate?” He quickly ducked behind the safety of his long bang, certain he’d overstepped the mark.

Quatre was a little stunned at first, but quickly regained his composure. “I’d like that,” he replied in his quiet voice. He was graced with a warm smile in return.

Trowa’s time was too fast to beat and he won the barrel racing competition for the men that day. Once it was confirmed, he made certain to hold Quatre to his promise to join him for dinner and celebrate.

* * *

“Steady, Wing,” Heero soothed, the paint stallion continuing to jog and snatch at his bit. Heero continued to ride the stallion around and gradually the paint settled into an easy walk. “Much better.” Heero patted the black and white neck before him.

The bulldogging was about to start and Heero would be third to ride off. He’d spent the last half an hour loosening his horse up and trying to avoid Relena. He knew she would be trying to give him advice, begging him to be careful with his leg still healing and right now Heero didn’t need that. He needed to try and focus on the event ahead. The bulldogging was one of the toughest events and would test out the strength in  his leg by itself, without Relena bothering him about it too.

Timing was crucial, break too early and risk disqualification, break too late and the calf would get too far ahead for him to get a good time. Wing was usually a good cow pony and loved this event. The stallion had a sixth sense for it and Heero just hoped that the break they’d had from the circuit hadn’t dulled the stallion’s senses.

Doing his best to relax, Heero let his gaze wander over his fellow competitors. Most of them he was familiar with, two or three he could count as friends. Heero was usually a pretty reserved guy, preferring to keep himself to himself, but he had allowed a couple of the other cowboys to get to know him a little better; he’d also made good friends of the pick-up guys.

He nodded to a couple of the other cowboys as they warmed their horses up, noting who was likely to present him with the most trouble in regards to getting a good score. Everyone was out to score well, whilst it wasn’t completely cut throat competition, it was pretty fierce. He caught the movement of a horse he wasn’t familiar with from the corner of his eye and he turned to see who it was.

A tingling sat in his gut when he recognized Duo. The man was sitting astride a very eye catching appaloosa and looking like he’d been born in the saddle. His willowy frame moved perfectly with his mount, reins held easily in one hand, body relaxed. His horse was a nice one too.

Heero knew a good piece of horseflesh when he saw it and aside from his beloved Wing, this animal was one of the best Heero had seen.

The landscape got even better when the cowboy began to work his horse around.

Heero shook his head and cursed under his breath. What the hell was he doing?!

‘Admiring another cowboy,’  his conscience told him.

That only confused Heero even more. Reluctantly he dragged his eyes away when the cow hand called for him.

He backed Wing into the ‘box’ as the steer was let into the chute. On the opposite side, Wufei sat upon Nataku; he was playing the part of the hazer. [1]  Once he was satisfied that Wing was inside the area, he shortened his reins and prepared himself for the jump.

Wufei watched carefully from the other side, Nataku ready to jump as soon as Wufei gave the signal. The arena fell quiet; Heero took a  deep breath and then nodded.

The steer shot out of the chute and bolted for the far side of the arena. The second the steer took off, Heero urged Wing forward, the stallion’s ears pricked as his hind quarters bit into the dirt and pushed him out of the box and after that steer. On the other side, Nataku was a split second behind the paint, gaining speed rapidly and keeping the steer straight.

Wing caught up to the steer within a couple of strides and steadied his pace. Heero’s eyes were fixed solely on the animal, concentrating hard and picking his moment to dive off Wing and grab the steer. The reins were released, feet kicked out of the stirrups and Heero slid off Wing’s off side, slipping his right hand and arm around the steer’s head and neck and hooking his elbow under the horn. His boots dug into the dirt, his left hand coming to the assistance of his right and twisting the steer’s head around.

The steer knew he was beaten and the headlong rush ceased as the steer went down on his knees and then his side. Heero released the steer and stood up, a broad grin on his face. Wufei gave him a nod of acknowledgment and Heero returned it. Picking up his hat from the dirt, he flourished it at the crown before putting it back on his head.

“A time of four seconds for Heero Yuy, folks! Not bad at all,” the commentator announced.

Wufei returned to Heero’s side with Wing in tow and handed the reins over. Heero took them and thanked the cowboy, mounting quickly and heading for the exit so the next cowboy could have his turn.

Duo had watched the display from the mustering area and was quite impressed. The guy sure knew how to bring a steer down really quickly. The guy’s horse wasn’t all that bad either, fast and efficient. Duo knew he would have his work cut out for him in trying to best that time.

“We can do it though, can’t we, Scythe.” Duo stated. The appy gave a soft snort in reply.

Heero rode back into the mustering area and accepted the congratulations of his fellow cowboys. He was really pleased with how he’d done; and the fact that his leg appeared to be handling everything just fine was a bonus. Much to his surprise, he found himself scouring the area for what was becoming a very familiar braid of hair.

‘Shit! I must be losing my mind,’ he chastised himself. But despite his confusion as to why he should be seeking out the other cowboy he couldn’t stop his eyes from roving. He did spot Duo eventually; the man was waiting by the chutes for his turn at the bulldogging.

Subconsciously, Heero nudged Wing forward in an attempt to get closer to the rails and watch the other cowboy in action.

As the seventh cowboy finished and exited the arena, Duo rode Scythe in and backed the stallion into the ‘box’. The steer came charging into the chute and Duo took a quick look at it, noting the size of the animal so he’d know how far he’d need to drop from Scythe to get a good grip on it. Quatre rode in on the other side and gave Duo a smile.

The cow hand was waiting by the chute release, eyes focused on Duo and waiting for the cowboy’s nod.

Duo dropped his weight a touch and shortened his reins; Scythe began to dance on the spot, knowing what was coming up. The stallion didn’t move forward though, he knew to wait for his master’s signal.

Duo gave the nod, the chute gate was opened and the steer bolted out. Duo dug his heels into Scythe’s sides, the appaloosa bounding forth in hot pursuit. Quatre was right behind them, covering the other side of the steer and keeping it on track.

Scythe’s haunches strained as he pushed his body forwards. He wasn’t all that big, but he had a good turn of speed on him. He caught up with the steer in no time, Duo starting to lean towards his right and then dropping completely from the saddle and landing with his upper body on the steer, hands and arms wrapped around the head and horns. His boots dug into the dirt as he twisted the steer’s head around, the animal dropping in defeat to the ground.

Sucking in a couple of lungfuls of dust, Duo coughed and released the steer, getting to his own feet seconds later and brushing the dirt from his jeans and shirt whilst trying to get clean air into his lungs. Scythe waited for him just to the side, ears pricked and breathing quite normal considering the effort he’d just put in.

“That was a great display of bulldogging from Duo Maxwell. His time a short, four and a half seconds!”

Duo whistled through his teeth. That was his best time so far, usually he was around the five second mark. Feeling really pleased with himself, Duo mounted Scythe and waved to the crowd.

Heero couldn’t help the grin. He’d quite enjoyed watching the other cowboy trying to beat his time.

“You’re still leading the bulldogging,” came Relena’s voice from beside him.

He looked down from where he was sitting on Wing’s back. “Yeah, I know,” he replied.

“Why don’t you come back to the trailer and give Wing a rest?” Relena suggested carefully.

“I’d rather stay here and see how the rest of the guys go,” Heero replied.

Relena frowned. “Don’t you want to spend a little time with me?” she asked, putting in a pout for extra measure.

“Of course I do, but I want to see if anyone manages to beat my time,” Heero said, his tone clipped. He didn’t look at the woman so the effect of the pout was wasted. He couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering across the milling group of cowboys though, searching for one in particular.

Relena wasn’t sure what was going on, noting Heero’s distracted air. Wanting to stay and see what times the others got was reasonable, she thought, but she couldn’t help a gnawing in her gut. With Heero’s attention on the crowd, she took a moment to study him. Her eyes narrowed as she watched where his attention was wandering. His eyes were scanning the crowd of cowboys in the mustering area, alighting on one then flickering off to another. Then his eyes stopped and she couldn’t help but note the cowboy they were fixated on.

It was that one with the long hair.

The uneasy feeling inside began to grow, her eyes watching Heero’s carefully. She couldn’t help but see how they sparked a touch when they found the other cowboy, a small smile graced his lips and his body relaxed a bit in the saddle. Her eyes moved to gaze at the other man. He sat his horse with ease, body fluid and following the motion as the appaloosa walked around. The cowboy himself wore a cocky grin, his eyes smiling along with his mouth as he accepted congratulations from the other cowboys. Then his eyes turned in her direction and Relena had to drop her own for fear of being caught staring. She did note the unusual color of them though, and the warmth that filled them when they alighted on Heero.  

Her heart twisted inside and a green haze filled her vision. Then she blinked as rational thought returned. She chastised herself for those thoughts she’d had. Maybe she was reading too much into this. Heero was simply acknowledging a fellow cowboy who had made a good score – nothing more.

At least she hoped so.

* * *

Heero won the bulldogging event, Duo finishing in third spot. The way the scores were going it was anyone’s guess as to what the final standings would be at the end of the day’s events. Duo was quietly confident he’d managed to hold his position or move up, Heero was sure he hadn’t slipped any further behind, but whether or not he’d made any ground he would have to wait until the end of competition to find out.

The final event of the day for those competing for the title of all round cowboy of the year, was the roping. Duo had drawn to go sixth, Heero was tenth.

Duo knew this was an important event and took Scythe away from the crowds a bit and out back by the trailers to have a short practice. There wasn’t enough room in the mustering area for what he wanted to do. Finding a spot where he wouldn’t run the risk of colliding with anyone else, he started his warm up. He had Scythe stand, body quivering as he waited for the signal from his master. When Duo’s heels touched his sides, Scythe sprang forth into a gallop. Duo swung the lariat around his head and tossed it at an imaginary calf. Once the rope hit the ground, Duo started to dismount, Scythe pulling up short and ready to take the tension on the rope.

A couple of run throughs and Duo was satisfied his horse and himself were ready to tackle the roping. Swinging himself back into the saddle, Duo coiled the lariat back up and hung it off the horn. He checked his ‘piggin’ [2] string’, coiling that up as well and slipping it over the horn too. The loudspeakers informed him that the roping was about to start and with a pat to Scythe’s neck, Duo rode back to the muster area.

Heero had also worked Wing out the back of the trailer area, fine tuning the stallion for the event ahead. Once he was satisfied that the paint was listening and ready for the competition ahead, Heero turned and made his way back to the mustering area. Relena had gone off to find something to eat, leaving him alone to his thoughts and his horse, something he was grateful for. So lost in his mind wanderings, he didn’t register arriving back at the muster area, not until Wing stopped short and snorted. Only then did Heero realize he’d almost run into another cowboy.

“I’m sorry,” he began to apologize.

“Seems to be becoming a habit, your almost colliding with people,” came the amused voice.

Heero looked up and felt his mouth go dry. Sitting on his appaloosa, the long haired cowboy smiled back at him. “I really am sorry. I don’t know why I’m so distracted,” he mumbled.

“It’s okay, you didn’t connect,” Duo grinned. “Trying to nobble the opposition?”

“No! No I would never...” Heero trailed off, the blush staining his cheeks, realizing the other cowboy was just teasing him.

“It’s okay, I’m just yanking your chain,” Duo returned with a laugh.

The horses broke the moment when Wing gave a couple of loud grunts, Scythe responding with a squeal and stamp of his foreleg. The pair had been sniffing at each other, quite content to check each other out, until Wing decided to assert his dominance. Scythe wasn’t about to have any of that and retaliated.

“Hey, easy boy,” Duo soothed and eased Scythe back a bit.

“Wing, cut it out. Be nice,” Heero scolded the paint.

Both horses obeyed, but continued to eye each other off. Wing gave a few soft snorts; Scythe blew back at him through his nostrils.

“I don’t think we’re the only ones trying to win in this rodeo, the horses seem to be just as competitive,” Duo stated.

“Seems that way,” Heero replied, happy to be able to continue the conversation. “Wing is usually quite polite.”
“Wing? Is that his name?”

“Yeah. His coat patterning over his back looks like a pair of wings,” Heero clarified.

“Nice horse,” Duo said as his eyes roved over the stallion.

“Yours is one of the best I’ve seen for a while,” Heero returned.

“Scythe? He’s a damn fine cow pony. Moves like lightning when he wants to.”

“Scythe?”

“Short for Deathscythe,” Duo explained. “When he was a colt he’d cause havoc wherever he went. He was always getting out of his stable or paddock and picking fights with older stallions. Cost me a fair whack in vet bills, but since he’s been broke and competing he seems to have settled down a lot. At least until now. Dunno what’s gotten under his skin just then.”

“Probably Wing. He likes to be top dog,” Heero said with a fond pat to the paint’s shoulder.

“So does Scythe,” Duo grinned. Hearing the commentator in the background announcing a cowboy’s time for the roping, Duo sat up in his saddle with a start. “I’d better shift this ass, it’s my turn in a minute.”

“Good luck,” Heero said with a smile.

“Thanks.” Duo grabbed his piggin’ string from around the saddle horn and nudged Scythe. “Good luck to you too,” he returned.

Watching the other cowboy ride off, Heero felt a longing inside him, something he’d not felt before. Pushing it to the back of his mind to be brought up and analyzed later, Heero nudged Wing forward to get a good spot to watch from.

~ * ~

tbc...


Notes: [1] Hazer: this is a cowboy that rides along the opposite side of the calf to the cowboy to keep the calf straight.

[2] Piggin’ string: The short rope used by the cowboys to tie the three legs of the calf together in the roping event.
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