Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cowboy ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

[ 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 12

[It’s the ropes and the reinsAnd the joy and the painAnd they call the thing, Rodeo
Rodeo – Garth Brooks]  


With the conclusion of the rodeo many of the cowboys packed up their gear, horses and trailers and began their treks homeward. The bulls, calves and broncs were moved to a couple of large holding paddocks adjoining the grounds that the rodeo was held in; they would be transported out after a few days of rest to the location of the next rodeo.

Some of the workers associated with the rodeo decided to take advantage of the couple of days ‘downtime’ and hit the local town in search of a good time. The remaining cowboys and rodeo hands settled their animals for the evening and either settled themselves or prepared for the party Trowa had organized.

Having fed Scythe and made sure the appaloosa had a full bucket of fresh water, Duo turned his attentions to his own appearance and comfort for the evening ahead. With a large number of people having left, it was much easier to get a stall in the ablutions block, something Duo was grateful for as he wanted to wash his hair. It always needed a good scrub after a rodeo, the sweat, dirt and dust finding its way into the thick plait and causing his scalp to itch. Normally he would wait until he got home to wash it as it took a large amount of shampoo, hot water and time to clean it properly. With there being only a few people left, he felt no guilt about the amount of hot water he used.

Washing his skin, he couldn’t help the tingle in his nether regions when he thought about Heero and the challenge. He wondered what Heero would want for his prize? Would it be something simple? Or something a little more... involved? Duo shivered. He knew that whatever Heero asked for, he would give.

He could sense that Heero was still a little uncertain, but Duo wasn’t completely sure what Heero was uncertain about. Was he unsure of his feelings? Was he wary about feeling something for another cowboy? Duo could guess that Heero had never been involved with another male on any level other than friendship. He’d let Heero know he was interested and Heero had confirmed he wasn't sure what he wanted, but all the signals seemed to be there.

All this thinking was starting to confuse him!

Wringing out the excess water from his hair, Duo shut off the faucet, wrapped a towel around his hair and another around his waist before stepping out of the stall. One thing was for certain, they did need to talk. Before they went any further with whatever this was they were currently doing, they needed to find out just what the other person wanted or expected.

‘Now that could be a little tricky,’ Duo thought. With Relena practically attached to Heero’s hip it would be difficult to get a moment alone to try and talk. They’d tried all day during the rodeo, but every time Duo had approached Heero, Relena had been there and so he’d stayed away. Heero had warned him that Relena just might be suspicious of them; but what was there to be suspicious about?

‘That kiss,’ conscience informed him.

But it had been dark, there was no way Relena could have possibly seen anything – could there?

Duo pulled on his boxers. Regardless of anything else, they had to talk tonight.

* * *

“Are you sure I look alright?” Relena asked yet again as she turned in front of the mirror, checking her outfit.

“You look fine,” Heero replied wearily. They’d been having this conversation for the past fifteen minutes and three changes of clothes.

“Maybe I should wear the blue blouse?”

Heero glanced at his watch. “Relena, what you have on is perfectly okay. We need to get going, the party started ten minutes ago and I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on anything.”

“Oh dear, is that the time already? Maybe you’re right, I’ll leave my outfit as it is. I’ll just grab my purse.”

Rolling his eyes and letting go a soft sigh, Heero opened the trailer door and stepped out. Duo’s trailer was in darkness, the other cowboy having already left for the party. Scythe stood by the side of the trailer resting a hind leg and dozing. Wing was busy licking his feed bin clean and scouring the dirt for any stray bits of chaff.

“I’m ready,” Relena stated as she stepped out of the trailer.

“Thank god for that,” Heero muttered under his breath and closed the trailer door, locking it and pocketing the key. With Relena’s arm linked through his own, they set off across the paddock towards the rodeo arena and grandstand. Just behind the grandstand was a large building.  The building contained the stewards and officials offices to the one side, the rest of the space housed many food vendors, various stalls and a large bar area at the one end when the rodeo was in full swing. Tonight, it was just a huge, open area, bar still operating and several tables and chairs scattered around. A band made up of several of the cowboys themselves were off in one corner and a makeshift dance floor in front of them.

By the time Heero and Relena entered, the party was starting to get into full swing.

Duo had dressed carefully. He wanted to appear casual, but entice Heero as well. His black jeans rode low on his hips, fitting snugly around his groin and ass. His shirt was a black silk, top three buttons left undone to hint at the creamy skin underneath. A silver buckle on his belt was matched by the silver buckles on his black boots. Hair was neatly braided and a black hat sat jauntily to one side on his head. The cologne he wore was subtle, a musky scent that mixed perfectly with his own, male odor.

He oozed sex appeal.

And he knew it.

“Oh, Duo. If I wasn't already with someone I’d jump you without a second thought,” Quatre said as Duo approached the table he was sitting at.

“Not trying to get someone’s attention, are we?” Trowa teased.

“All I can say is if they don’t react to you dressed like that then they must be blind, or a member of the religious order. Shit, I think even the Pope would renounce his religion when confronted by you,” Wufei stated as he ran an appraising eye over Duo.

Duo snickered and gave them all a cheeky grin. “Thanks, guys.” He turned and ran his eye over the gathering crowd of people.

“He’s not here yet,” Trowa informed in an amused tone.

“Who?” Duo asked, trying to appear nonchalant

“Heero.” Trowa rolled his eyes.

“Is it that evident?” Duo asked with a sigh.

“No, Duo, it isn’t,” Quatre replied. “We can see it, but then we are already aware of your interest and your orientation. I doubt anyone else would give it a second thought.”

Duo heaved a sigh of relief. “I think I’ll go get a drink. Anyone else need one?”

“I’m fine,” Quatre replied.

“I wouldn’t mind another beer, thanks,” Wufei said.

“I’ll sit on this one for a bit,” Trowa stated and lifted his half full bottle.

“Back in a few.” Duo sauntered off towards the bar to fetch himself a beer and one for Wufei.

Several eyes glanced approvingly at the young cowboy as he worked his way through the crowd and by the time Duo returned to the table with the beers he’d already been asked to dance four times, had his ass pinched twice and no less than  two proposals of marriage.

“Shit, you can get the beers next time, Wufei,” Duo growled.

Wufei laughed. “Serves you right for dressing like that.”

Just as Duo was about to come back with a smart retort, he stopped, bottle half way to his mouth and eyes firmly fixed across the floor to the door.

Trowa nudged Quatre and nodded his head in the direction of Duo and then the door. “And he says he’s not looking for anyone,” he whispered.

Quatre chuckled, watching the various emotions playing around on Duo’s face. The cowboy was certainly smitten. Quatre couldn’t blame him either. Heero was handsome in a rugged way, but dressed as he was in low riding, hip hugging blue jeans, dark blue shirt and black hat on his head, he positively smoldered.

Heero entered the party area, Relena still holding onto his arm and began to scan around. He spotted a few familiar faces, but not the one he was seeking out. A second sweep of the area and he found where Duo was.

“Come on, Heero. Let’s get a table. Oh look, there’s Cody and Ginny.” Relena waved to a cowboy and his girlfriend sitting across the room. “Let’s go sit with them.”

Heero didn't get the chance to protest, he was dragged across the floor and to the table where the cowboy sat before he knew what was going on. At least he had the comfort of knowing there were only a couple of tables between himself and where Duo was sitting.

Duo frowned when he saw Relena drag Heero to another table. He’d hoped they would sit with him and the others, in fact, he’d been counting on it. He had planned on getting Quatre to chat with the woman and keep her distracted whilst he managed to get Heero alone and have that talk – not to mention give Heero his reward for winning the challenge. Now he’d have to change his plans.

A pair of hands covered his eyes and Duo froze momentarily. “Guess who?” came a familiar voice.

“Hilde,” Duo said in relief and relaxed as the hands moved away and his vision was once again restored.

“How are you, Duo?” the woman asked as she sat down next to him and pinched his beer.

“I’m fine,” Duo replied swiping his beer back. “Where’s your shadow?”

“Right behind you,” came another voice.

Duo jumped in his chair and whirled around to see the red headed woman laughing at him. “Geeze, don’t sneak up on me like that,” he wheezed out.

“Getting old, are we?” Catherine asked as she took a seat next to Hilde.

“Never,” came Duo’s reply. “How come you two aren’t working?”

“Trowa organized this shindig with some of the other cowboys so we told them they could supply the bar staff too, we wanted the night off to join in,” Hilde told him.

Hilde and Catherine were also a part of the Rodeo staff. They worked in the bar area, serving the drinks to the patrons of the Rodeo wherever it was being held. They knew most of the cowboys and had a soft spot for Duo. Hilde had been sweet on Duo for a while, but when he’d politely told her he wasn’t interested, that he was gay, instead of being horrified and calling him everything under the sun, she’d been quite accepting and they had become firm friends ever since.

When Duo had thought about it, Hilde’s acceptance probably had something to do with Catherine. Cathy was Trowa’s sister and having a gay brother didn't make one bit of difference to Catherine. With Hilde being Catherine’s best friend it stood to common sense the woman would also be accepting.

“Fair enough,” Duo replied. The girls switched their attention to the other cowboys at the table, chatting easily with them all. Duo’s attention wandered back across the tables to where a rather bored looking Heero sat with the leech still stuck to him. Suddenly, Duo had a thought.

Heero wasn’t enjoying himself at all. He’d made idle conversation with Cody, but talking wasn’t one of his strong points, he preferred to remain silent unless he had something worth saying. The chatter had petered out, another cowboy joining their table and conversing with Cody. Relena and Ginny were quite involved in their own gossip, and that left Heero free to sit and brood over how the hell he was going to manage to get away from Relena long enough to talk with Duo and claim his reward.

The hairs on the back of his neck began to prickle and he sensed someone staring at him. He raised his eyes and glanced across to be met with soft violet.

As their eyes locked, Duo gave a soft smile of sympathy. He raised his beer and motioned to the outside, raising his eyebrows in question at the same time.

Heero returned the smile and followed it with a slight incline of his head in Relena’s direction and a small shrug of his shoulders.

Raising his beer again, Duo tapped it against his forehead and then pointed to the bar, holding up five fingers to indicate five minutes. Heero nodded to say he understood. With his message having made it across, Duo turned to the women to put the plan he’d come up with in action.

“Hilde? Can I talk to you for a moment, please?”

“Sure, Duo. What’s up?”
Duo briefly explained to Hilde what was going on and made his request. Hilde listened, a grin spreading across her face. She glanced across to Heero’s table and then back to Duo. “Ohh... he’s cute,” she said.

“Would you do it for me, Hil?”

Hilde’s smile grew even more wicked. “You betcha.”

“Thanks, I owe you big time.”

“No problem, Duo. Hey, Catherine...”

Duo leaned back in his seat for a moment to calm his rapidly beating heart. Taking a swallow from his beer, he glanced at Heero and gave him the thumbs up.

Heero had no clue as to what was going on, all he could do was trust he’d interpreted Duo’s signals correctly. Discreetly, he kept a watch on the other cowboy.

Catherine’s eyes lit up when Hilde explained Duo’s predicament what she wanted to do and she agreed immediately. Stealing a glance at Heero, Cathy turned to Duo and whispered, “Don't worry, Duo. We will keep her occupied. Just give us a few minutes to get the ball rolling.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate this.”

“No problem. Now, sit back and let the ‘masters’ get to work.” Cathy stood up, Hilde right behind her and the pair walked over to the table Heero and Relena were sitting at. Both women had met Relena several times and whilst they were by no means close friends, they were good friends.

Relena looked up as the pair arrived at their table and gave a polite smile.

“Mind if we join you?” Hilde asked.

“Feel free,” Heero replied and stood up. “I’ll just get a couple more chairs.”

Whilst Heero fetched another two chairs, Hilde made sure to sit in the one Heero had vacated – right next to Relena. When Heero returned with the other chairs, Catherine immediately took the one next to Hilde, leaving Heero to sit between her and Cody.

Watching the scene unfolding from across the room, a smirk crossed Duo’s face. He caught Heero’s eye and nodded towards the bar. Heero nodded back. Duo stood up. “I’ll be back shortly,” he told the rest of the group and before they could say a word, he strode off towards the bar.

“Would anyone like a drink?” Heero asked.

“I’m fine,” Hilde replied.

“I’ve still got a full glass,” Catherine responded.

Ginny and Cody both declined, along with Relena.

“Okay, I’m just going to get myself another beer. Back soon,” he said and got up. He didn’t look at Relena, the woman not being able to protest as Hilde was engaging her in conversation and it would be rude to interrupt. With a deep sigh of relief, Heero made his way through the crowd, eyes looking for Duo.

Managing to get to the bar without any problems on the way, Duo sidled around until he was in a position where he would be able to see Heero approach but keep the pair of them out of view of both his table and Relena’s eyes. He kept a close watch on the people around the bar and when he spotted Heero walking up, he gave a small wave.

Seeing the wave, Heero threaded his way through the gathered crowd at the bar and around the side to where Duo was standing. “Hey,” he said quietly, a soft smile on his lips. “Thanks for the distraction and letting me escape.”

Duo returned the smile. “No problem. Hilde and Catherine will keep Relena occupied for a while, long enough for us to have a bit of a talk at least. Want to stay here and chat or go outside?”

“I think I’d prefer to go outside, it’s a bit quieter out there and more private,” Heero replied nervously.

“Fine with me.” Picking up his beer, Duo turned and led the way through the crowd to a side door and slipped outside. Glancing around, he continued to walk away from the building, moving towards the grandstand and disappearing underneath it. Once he deemed they were far enough away from the party, Duo stopped and turned around. His breath caught as he took in Heero’s form in the moonlight that penetrated through the wooden frame of the grandstand above them.

Heero was equally in awe of the other cowboy. The soft light of the moon bathed Duo in her silvery glow, the man seeming to belong to a completely different world, one only the fey dared to inhabit. The confusion grew a touch in his mind, but he vowed to know one way or the other what he wanted by the end of this night.

“Heero?” Duo’s voice was low, soft and husky. “I think we need to have that talk,” Duo began.

Moving closer, Heero looked deep into sparkling violet. “I think we should.”

Taking a deep breath, Duo decided to take the plunge. “Heero, you said before you weren’t sure what you wanted, that you were confused. Have you figured things out yet? I’m not trying to push you or rush you into anything at all that you’re not comfortable with, but I feel we do need to get a few things out into the open first, then we can move from there if there is still something between us.”

“I’m still not sure what is going on in my mind, what it is I want or need, Duo; but I am starting to figure a few things out and maybe once I tell you what is going through my mind, you might help me to understand better.”

“I think that’s a fair trade,” Duo smiled. “Heero, in case you hadn’t already figured it out, I’m gay. I’ve been gay for as long as I can remember. I don’t make it common knowledge though as there are still quite a few bigots around and I don’t need my life becoming an unbearable hell just ‘cause someone else doesn’t believe I have a right to exist and love another man.”

That made sense to Heero and he nodded.

“I like you, Heero. I like you a lot,” Duo breathed as he stepped a little closer. “And I think I may be right in saying the signals you seem to be sending out to me, mean you like me too. Am I right?”

“Duo, I’ve never been with another man in my life other than friends. I always thought I was only attracted to women. I’ve been with Relena for a few years and I guess I’d planned on marrying her at some stage, settling down and having the whole wife, kids, white post and rail fencing and herd of cattle thing.”

Duo snorted. “Don’t you mean the white picket fence and dog?”

“Nah, not enough room for the herd of cattle. I’ll already have the dog anyway.”

Duo snickered.

“It wasn’t until I saw you that I began to question my entire existence. For the first time I was attracted to another person, more specifically a male person. For someone that’s only ever been with women, that scared the shit out of me. I didn’t know what to think, how to react. Suddenly I was having all these unusual thoughts and feelings, things I should only be having towards another woman, but I was feeling them for a man. Have you any idea how frightening that can be?”

Duo nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“The hardest part of all though, is that despite how scared I am, I wantto know you better. I do like you, Duo, I like you a lot too, but I don’t know how to proceed, what to do; hell, I don’t even know if I’m gay!”

Resting a hand on Heero’s shoulder, Duo looked into Heero’s blue eyes, his own full of sympathy and compassion. “No one can answer those questions but you, Heero. To answer those questions you need to let go of any and all inhibitions, forget all the negative shit you’ve been fed over the years in regards to gay men and learn for yourself.”

Heero lowered his eyes and gave a frustrated sigh. “I know what you’re saying, but I don’t want something that’s going to last just a couple of days.” Heero raised his eyes to meet with Duo’s again. “If I am gay, or even bisexual, I want a relationship, I want to share a deeper connection with the other person, wake up with them beside me in the morning, share the chores, the laughter and the tears, not be alone with the scorn...” Heero swallowed, closed his eyes and shut up, he figured he’d said enough and Duo should be able to interpret what he was trying to say from the information he’d given him.

Thinking long and hard on Heero’s words, Duo could fully understand what was going through Heero’s mind now. The cowboy wasn’t completely sure of his orientation and didn't want to risk a one night stand or similar to get an answer. He wanted more from his chosen partner. Put simply, Heero was afraid.

Afraid of making a commitment to another man only to have his partner dump him after a one night stand and leave him to the ridicule of society.

Heero stood to lose a lot.

“I’m glad you feel that way, Heero.”

Blue eyes opened and blinked. Duo’s soft smile greeted him.

“I don’t want a one night stand either. I’ve had many men try to get me into the sack over the years. Just because I have long hair I guess they all seem to think I’m an easy target, more likely to play the feminine role; but they soon learn otherwise. I want a career – breeding cow ponies. I want my own ranch, secure life, money in the bank – but I also want a special person to share it all with. I want someone who cares about me for who I am, is interested in the mind as well as the body. Someone who will share my hopes and dreams, work with me to succeed in them, support me when I need it and accept the same in return. I want to be able to wake up in the morning with that special person beside me, go to bed at night and snuggle together, share a cocoa and watch movies. I want a partner, an equal, a lover... But most of all, I want someone I can love with all my heart who will love me back, unconditionally, and spend the rest of their life with me.” Duo ducked his head when he’d finished his speech.

It took Heero a moment for the words to completely register and when they did, he felt warm all over. Here was someone who, like him, was scared of making a commitment in case it all went wrong. The fog began to thin in Heero’s mind and for the first time since he’d laid eyes on Duo and felt those first stirrings of interest, he knew what he wanted.

Duo.

“I – I’m still unsure of how to react, what to do, but, Duo, I’d really like to learn more; and I’d like it very much if you were the one to teach me, show me, help me to come to terms with all this. I want to discover these new feelings, but only with you. What you said, what you want, I – I want the same things. Do you think there’s a chance for us?”

Duo raised a hand and cupped Heero’s cheek. “I think there’s a very good chance, Heero. I’m willing to give it a try if you are... but...”

“But?” questioned Heero as he raised an eyebrow and leaned into the touch.

“What about Relena?” Duo’s thumb began to caress Heero’s cheek.

Crap.

“I’m not sure about Relena. What I mean is, I know I don’t care for her other than a friend any longer, I haven’t for a while now. I know I need to break up with her, tell her that her goals and aims in life aren’t the same as mine and end this now before it gets ugly.”

“She isn’t going to be happy and could make life difficult for you, Heero - and me. Somehow I can’t see her taking the news that you’re leaving her for another man going down too well,” Duo stated.

“She doesn’t need to know I’m involved with another man, that’s none of her business and I have no intention of telling her. She knows we’ve been drifting apart for a while now, she doesn't want me to continue with the rodeo and I’m not about to give it up yet. Leave Relena to me, I’ll settle things with her just as soon as I can.”

Duo smiled. “Okay. I trust you to do that. Now, I do recall there being a bet on before, a bet that you won? What would you like for your reward, Heero?” Duo’s voice turned low and seductive, his eyes half closing as he moved closer until their bodies were almost touching.

Heero felt the heat rise several notches. He knew what he wanted all right, but asking for it was another matter.

“Heero? What do you want?” Duo’s breath was ghosting across Heero’s lips.

“I want... I want...”

“Yes?” Duo purred.

“I want another kiss, a proper one,” Heero whispered out.

“It will be my pleasure,” murmured Duo and brought their bodies together. His hand that had been cupping Heero’s cheek slid behind to the nape of Heero’s neck. Duo’s other arm raised up and wrapped itself around Heero’s waist. Tilting his head slightly, he licked his lips and moved in, closing his eyes.

Heero’s arms hesitantly wound their way around Duo’s waist, head also tilting slightly as he watched Duo’s lips closing in on his own. Blue eyes fluttered shut as warmth flooded his body. Duo’s lips were soft, pliant and moved sensuously against his own. The tip of a tongue flicked lightly over his bottom lip and Heero obediently opened his mouth slightly. That tongue teased gently before sliding inside and exploring, traveling around and locating sensitive spots.

Groaning softly, Heero shyly brought his own tongue forth and touched it to Duo’s. The slick muscles stroked against each other before Heero followed Duo’s retreating tongue with his own into Duo’s mouth and let himself explore the inner sweetness of the other cowboy.

The kiss broke when air became a vital necessity, both men opting to remain in each other’s arms whilst they recovered from the intensity of that one kiss.

Heero knew without a doubt now that he’d fallen and fallen hard for the other cowboy.

~ * ~

tbc...





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