Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cowboy ❯ Chapter 39 ( Chapter 39 )

[ 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 39

[She does her best to hold himWhen his love comes to callBut his need for it controls himAnd her backs against the wall
Rodeo ? Garth Brooks]  


The steer bolted out into the arena, Quatre on his one side to keep him straight. Scythe bounded forward, eyes fixed on the steer and intent on getting as close as he could to that steer. Duo's sore body followed the movement of his horse, mind doing its best to block out all pain and concentrate only on the steer.

Scythe's stride caught up to the steer pretty quickly and he edged closer. Duo kept his eyes on the animal's body and as Scythe drew close he picked his moment.

Feet were kicked free from the stirrups, Duo's body leaning over and then dropping to the steer's back. His right arm reached across the steers back and along its side until he located the horn,  hooking his arm around that horn and locking it with his elbow. The left arm came up and grasped the left horn whilst Duo's feet dug into the arena surface in an attempt to bring the forward charge to a stop.

As the steer slowed,  Duo pulled as hard as he could on the left horn and turned the steer's head around. Once the animal's head was turning his left hand released the left horn and worked its way under the animal's head to grasp its muzzle and twist the head further, throwing the steer completely off balance and causing it to fall to the ground on its left side.

With the twist of the head, the left horn made contact with Duo's abdomen, but nothing registered in the cowboy's mind, the pain he was already experiencing from his shoulder and ribs was more than enough to block out anything else and he continued on with his attempt to wrestle the steer to the ground.

Following the motion of the steer, his body hitting the dust but remaining clear of the animal and those horns, Duo continued to push the steer down. His shoulder screamed in protest at the abuse, his ribs also adding their pain filled presence to the mix.

The flag went up from the judge to signal the all clear and Duo gratefully released the animal, both getting to their feet. The steer shook itself and charged off to the corner of the arena and the exit, Duo standing and waving to the crowd.

“A good effort there by Duo Maxwell, folks. The judge has signaled the all clear and the time is also good; a six second score for Duo Maxwell!”

The crowd applauded and cheered their approval.

Quatre led Scythe back and handed the reins to Duo. gDuo? You okay?h he asked in concern.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” Duo replied but couldn't stop the wince as his shoulder let him know it was in serious need of some attention.

“Duo? I think you should see the medic,” Quatre said quietly.

“I'll do that,” Duo replied. “The shoulder is a bit more sore-”

“Duo, your stomach.” Quatre paled a touch as he interrupted.

Seeing the white appearance of Quatre's skin and the mention of his stomach, Duo glanced down at himself. gAh, shit!h he growled as he spotted the light, crimson line appearing on his shirt. At that moment the adrenaline decided to leave his body too and the wound made its presence known by stinging.

“It's okay, Quatre,” Duo informed the other cowboy, “Just a scratch.” Duo wasn't sure if it was a scratch or not, but his shirt wasn't torn and it didn't hurt all that much so he assumed the damage must be minimal.

Quatre nodded and kept further comments to himself, trusting his friend would keep his word.

Managing to mount, Duo nudged Scythe forward and the appy moved into a lope and left the arena. As soon as he had exited, Duo pulled his shirt free from his jeans to check the damage and heaved a sigh of relief. The steer's horn had caught him a glancing blow, just a scratch across his abdomen about four inches long. It hadn't done much in the way of injury, the skin only being broken enough for a small amount of blood to ooze through. In fact, the wound had already stopped bleeding. Tucking his shirt back in, Duo noted the thin line of blood on the fabric was becoming more difficult to see and hoped no one else would notice. He didn't have time to go and change his shirt, Heero was up after the current cowboy and Duo wanted to not only watch, but wish his boyfriend good luck too. He quickly hightailed it around the outside of the arena to where he could see Heero waiting to go in.

“That was a great effort, Duo,” Heero greeted his returning partner.

“Yeah, wasn't too bad,” Duo replied.

“Are you okay?” Heero questioned with a raise of his eyebrow.

“Not too bad, but I think I should see the medic again as the shoulder needs re-strapping.”

Heero was immediately on alert. gYou did injure yourself then?h

“Not really, just possibly pulled a few more muscles I think.”

“Then go see the medic now.”

“I'll wait until you've had your go, then I promise I'll go see him,” Duo returned.

“I'll come with you then.”

“Okay. You'd better shift, they're ready for you,” Duo said with a nod in the direction of the arena. “Good luck.”

“Thanks. I'll see you shortly.” Gathering his reins, Heero nudged Wing and rode into the arena to take his place in the start 'box'.

“Next up in the bulldogging event is Heero Yuy. Heero is currently in the running for the title of Cowboy of the Year along with Duo Maxwell and Jake Darcy. It's going to be a close finish this year too with all three cowboys very close in the points right now. This final event though will most likely sort out who will be our eventual winner!”

“Just so long as it's either Duo or me,” Heero muttered under his breath. Heero turned Wing around in the start box and positioned himself. The steer was let into its box and Heero took a good look at the animal. His mind began to do the calculations. The steer didn't have very long horns which was both a blessing and a curse in this case. A blessing as it meant less chance of him getting injured by a wayward horn, a curse as there wasn't as much there to grab hold of and would make it a little more difficult to convince the steer to lie down.

“Everything okay?”

Heero glanced up and across to Wufei who had spoken to him.

“Yeah, fine,” he replied.

“Good luck,” Wufei said.

“Thanks.”

Taking a deep breath, Heero focused his attention on the steer and nodded.

The brown and white spotted steer shot out of the gate and hightailed it across the arena. No sooner had the steer made its break for freedom when Wing was hot on its tail. Nataku galloped along the other side keeping the steer running straight.

Concentration firmly on the steer, Heero urged Wing after the animal. The paint closed the distance, Heero tense and ready to slip from his horse when the time was right. Everything else was pushed to the back of his mind.

As Wing tore after the steer he wondered just what it was with his master and his fascination for animals with spots?

Judging himself to be close enough, Heero edged to the side of his saddle and reached out with his right arm. Falling through the air from Wing's back, Heero's feet slipped free from the stirrups, his right hand making its way along the neck of the steer until it found the horn. His left hand grabbed for the steer's left horn and held on tight. Heero managed to work his right elbow around the horn and hooked it in close as his left hand pulled on the other horn to turn the steer's head.

Left hand released the horn and slid underneath the jowl until it found the steer's muzzle. Wrapping his arm up and over the muzzle, Heero twisted with all his strength, feet having dug into the arena surface to try and slow their momentum as he swiftly brought the steer to its side.

The steer reluctantly gave up the fight and let its body follow the twist to its neck and head, flopping  down onto his side with a soft grunt.

Releasing the steer, Heero jumped to his feet, a wide grin on his face. He knew he'd done well, but just how well he was curious to find out.

The judge raised his flag to give the all clear and the crowd exploded into cheers.

“What an effort from Heero Yuy, folks! He must surely want that title. That's a score of five seconds and puts him into the lead for the bulldogging!”

Once more the crowd went wild. Heero acknowledged their cheers with a wave of his hand. Backtracking, he picked his hat up from the dirt, dusted it off and put it back on his head. Wufei appeared in his peripheral vision leading Wing towards him.

“Thanks, Wufei,” he said politely as he took the paint's reins and swung himself back into the saddle.

“Good time,” Wufei stated with a small smile.

“Yeah, not bad at all,” Heero replied with a grin. “But will it be enough to give me that title?”

Wufei shrugged. gIt might be.h

“Oh well, whatever my score, there's nothing I can do now. That's the last event so I guess we will just have to wait and see what the results are when the judges do their final adding up.”

“I'm sure that either you or Maxwell will take the title,' Wufei said. “Now, I think we best clear out of the arena and let the next victim have his go.”

Nodding, Heero turned Wing and loped towards the exit.

Standing just outside, Duo wore a huge grin on his face. gThat was some steer wrestling, Heero,h he congratulated.

“Thanks,” Heero replied.

“It's going to make the final scores very close I think and I don't even want to hazard a guess at who will take the title.”

“As long as it's either you or me then I don't care,” Heero stated with a smile. “You ready to go see the medic?”

Duo sighed and nodded. As much as he didnft want to face being poked and prodded, suffer through the lecture the medic was no doubt going to give him, he knew he had to and the sooner he went, the sooner he could get it over and done with.

“I'll come with you and hold your hand,” Heero teased.

“You promise to kiss it better too?” Duo teased back.

“I'll kiss everything better later,” Heero said, his voice dropping to a husky purr.

“I think I'll just have to hold you to that.”

“Come on, let's get you looked at and then return to watch Trowa in the barrel race.”

“Right with you, Heero.” Duo turned Scythe and the pair rode off in the direction of the medic's office.

* * *

Duo was right, the medic wasn't at all happy with him and frowned when he saw the state of the strapping. Muttering about crazy cowboys with no regards for their health, he busied himself removing the strapping and checking Duo over.

Wincing when the medic moved his arm a little more than it wanted to go, the medic just grunted. gI told you to be careful. It feels to me like you've stressed those muscles a little more and also torn another tendon. You're damn lucky those ribs haven't gotten any worse either, otherwise I would be sending you off to the hospital again.h

Duo opted to remain silent, if he did say anything he knew it would only antagonize the medic and that wasn't a good idea right now, especially if he wanted to remain here at the rodeo and not at the hospital.

“I see you've added another injury to the list,” the medic muttered when he spotted the thin, red line on Duo's abdomen.

“It's just a scratch,” Duo protested.

“What's just a scratch?” Heero asked, his voice concerned.

“The horn of the steer in the bulldogging just brushed me as I was taking him down,” Duo replied hastily. “It's only a scratch,” he repeated.

Heero wasn't having any of that and despite the medic being there and checking the scratch, Heero shoved his way in to satisfy himself that Duo really was okay.

“If you don't mind?” the medic said sarcastically to Heero. “I'd like to treat my patient.”

“Ah, sorry.” Heero stepped back, a sheepish grin on his face, but he did feel better for having taken a look and noting that the wound wasn't anything more than the scratch Duo had said it was.

Sitting quietly, Duo let the medic continue his treatment. The scratch was given a wipe over with antiseptic just to be safe, Duo biting his lip as the sting of the antiseptic made itself known. More strapping was brought out and Duo's ribs were again bound tightly.

“Easy, doc,” Duo said as the breath was almost squeezed out of him with the tightness of the strapping.

“If you had paid attention to my words in the first place and taken it easy, I wouldn't be having to redo this,” the medic growled.

Duo promptly shut up.

With the ribs now bound, the medic moved onto securing Duo's shoulder. The tape was wound tightly around the shoulder, upper torso and arm, allowing Duo some movement but not a great deal. Duo scowled as he felt the restriction to his arm and shoulder, but had to admit, it did feel a lot better for the support.

“Now, I'm going to give you another shot of pain killers,” the medic informed. “Are you driving your rig home tonight after the rodeo?”

“Nah, we're staying tonight and driving back tomorrow. Heero here will be doing the driving anyway,” Duo replied. “Why?”

“This is a much stronger pain killer than the last one I gave you and it may make you a little drowsy. It's not recommended that you drive for at least twelve hours after having had it. As long as you're not planning on driving tonight or you have someone else to drive you home I can administer it, otherwise all I can give you are mild pain killers.”

“I see.” Duo's shoulder was throbbing a bit.

Looking to his partner after the medic's information, Heero could see that Duo was in quite a bit of discomfort, even though he would never admit to it. gI'll be doing the driving, you have my word on that.h

“Okay.” The medic moved across the room to fetch the injection. Swabbing a spot on Duo's upper arm, he injected the drug and stepped back. “It should start to work in about fifteen to twenty minutes. Please make an appointment to see your own doctor when you return home.”

“I will. Thanks.” Duo pulled his shirt back on, albeit a little stiffly and did up the buttons.

“All the best, Duo. I hope the pain was worth it and you win the title,” the medic said in a soft tone.

Duo grinned. gSo do I. Thanks again and I hope to see you next year on the circuit, although not in this capacity.h

The medic laughed. gI agree with you there.h

“Come on, Duo, we might just catch Trowa in the barrel race if we hurry,” Heero said as he opened the door to the medic's office and stepped outside.

“Right with you, Heero.”

* * *

“How is she feeling?” Quatre asked from his position standing beside the shoulder of the tall mare.

“She's her usual self,” Trowa replied with a smile.

Heavyarms was resting a hind leg and dozing, looking for all the world like she was fast asleep. Although those eyes may have been half closed, her mind was fully awake. She knew her turn at the barrels would be coming up very soon and she was more than ready to show all these people what she could do. She didn't believe in wasting energy like a lot of the other barrel racers did with their prancing and dancing around. No, Heavyarms preferred to save her energy for what mattered ? those barrels and getting around them as quickly as she could.

The barrel race was the last event on the program and once it was finished the grand parade would take place. With this being the final rodeo of the current year, once all the competitors, cow hands and the like were in the arena for the grand parade, they would form up and the various awards would take place, culminating in the announcement of the winner of Cowboy of the Year.  

Wufei arrived with Meiran at his side, Nataku being led. Raven was still in the small corral and busy with a hay net. Meiran thought it would be best to leave him there until it was closer to the time they would be leaving and had asked Treize for permission to use the corral for him; Treize had agreed, seeing the sense in the woman's logic. Not long after, Heero and Duo rode up on their cow ponies.

“Have you been yet, Trowa?” Duo asked as he brought Scythe to a halt, making sure to keep a little distance between the stud and Trowa's mare.

“Not yet. There's another four to go before me.”

“Good luck, I'm sure you will do very well,” Heero said as he also kept Wing at a safe distance from the mare.

Wing scented the air and knew this pretty thing was a mare. He arched his neck and raised his tail a touch to try and attract her attention.

Seeing what the paint pot was up to, Scythe grunted and also arched his neck to get the mare's attention. Spots were far more appealing than those big splotches.

Heavyarms opened one eye and noted the display for her benefit. She wuffled softly and closed her eyes again. She really wasn't interested in anything other than those barrels she'd be spinning around very soon.

Both stallions immediately perked up with the wuffle and did their best to look important. Nataku snorted at the pair, Sandrock completely ignored the two showing off.

The four riders before Trowa were soon through their runs, each completing the course but the times, whilst good, were no where near as fast as Trowa knew his mare could do. With further calls of good luck following him, Trowa rode the mare into the starting area of the arena.

“Feel like a good run, girl?” Trowa murmured softly as his hand slid down the warm neck.

Heavyarms tossed her head, eyes fixed on those barrels out in the arena. Calmly she walked into the starting area and turned around. The clock would start once she broke the invisible barrier as she passed through the end of the start area  and into the arena.

“Whenever you're ready, Barton,” the cow hand stated.

Trowa gave a nod of acknowledgment and shortened his reins a touch. His mind closed off from everything other than the three barrels waiting in the arena. He took a breath and pushed his legs firmly against the mare's sides and the palomino surged forth.

A blur of golden body and legs shot out and into the arena, the mare's eyes on the first barrel to her right. Trowa kept his hand light on the reins and guided the mare out a touch before swinging her in tight. 'Arms dug deep into the dirt with her hind legs, her right shoulder dropping as she spun around the barrel and pushed back into a gallop for the next one.

Hanging on tight to the saddle horn, Trowa urged the mare on. His other hand was gently guiding the horse out a little again before asking for the tight turn to the left. Heavyarms responded immediately, this time dropping her left shoulder as she spun in a tight circle around the barrel. She didn't really need Trowa's guidance, she'd been doing this race for so long now she knew exactly what was expected, when to slow up and where to turn. But if it made her master feel happier, she let him think he was in charge.

Coming out of the turn, Trowa lined up the last and top barrel, legs pushing the mare forward and out again to the right a touch.

Heavyarms propped, dropped the left shoulder again and spun around the barrel. Once she was straightening up, her hind legs came right underneath her body as she pushed herself forward into a gallop.

“Fricken' hell she's got a turn of speed on her,” Duo commented.

“That she has,” Quatre replied with pride in his voice as he watched his lover and the mare sprinting for the finish line.

“You wouldn't think a horse that solidly built and tall would be so quick on her feet,” Meiran mused. “Just goes to show that looks can be deceiving,” she added with a look at Wufei.

Wufei opted not to comment, he knew Meiran was letting him know in her own way how she felt Wufei had misjudged Raven. Wufei figured he'd been perfectly justified in his opinion of that black devil ? not that he would ever tell Meiran that though.

“It's going to be a good time,” Heero stated as he noted the clock ticking down the seconds.

“Go Trowa!” Quatre yelled, bouncing up and down on his feet with the excitement.

Both Trowa and Heavyarms had their attention fixed completely on the finish line, the big mare's stride eating up the ground as she flattened out. Trowa was leaning forward, urging the mare on.

The pair flashed through the finish and broke the timer beam, Heero's eyes shifting quickly to the clock to see what Trowa's time was.

“Well shit!” he said, blinking at the display.

“Well, fuck me,” Duo stated, a look of stunned shock on his face.

“Yes!” Quatre screamed. “Fourteen and a half seconds, that's his best time ever. I've gotta congratulate him.” The blonde shoved Sandrock's reins into a stunned Wufei's hand and took off at a run in the direction of the area where the barrel racers started and finished their event.

“I take it that's a good time?” Meiran said in an amused tone.

“Hell yes! Most of the top barrel racers average around the sixteen to eighteen second mark, Trowa mostly scores between fifteen and sixteen seconds; that's his best time yet,” Duo answered the woman.

“Then I think we should all congratulate him on an excellent score.” Meiran smiled at the group.

Having passed through the timer beam, Trowa sat down hard in his saddle and pulled back gently on the reins. Heavyarms responded immediately, dropping her hind quarters and coming to a sliding stop. Turning, she ambled slowly across to the exit, her breathing a little elevated but not overly so. She looked calm and relaxed, nothing at all like the golden streak that had just been flying around those barrels. Spotting a blonde head just outside the exit, Trowa aimed for his lover, a smile on his lips as he glanced to the clock to see what his time was.

“Well done, Trowa, that's a fantastic time,” Quatre enthused and rained pats on the mare's neck. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out several apple slices and offered them to the mare. 'Arms lipped them up daintily and crunched happily on the treat.

“It's my best time yet,” Trowa smiled and patted his horse. “She's such a good girl.”

“She's just great, aren't you, 'Arms,” Quatre said and continued to feed the mare apple slices.

“I think we should go back and join the others.”

“Yes, yes of course. I know they will all want to congratulate you too,” replied Quatre.

With Quatre walking beside the mare, Trowa guided his horse through the people to where his friends were all waiting patiently for their turn to rain praise on Heavyarms and him.

* * *

Trowa's time was the fastest and he won the barrel race, his closest rival managing fifteen and a half seconds.  Once more Heavyarms was praised and petted, stuffed with apples and generally spoilt by Quatre.

With the barrel race being the last of the rodeo events, the call came for all the cowboys, cow hands and others involved in the rodeo to prepare for the grand parade.  The staging area came alive with activity as everyone moved about and got themselves ready.

The commentator was busy revving up the crowd, explaining to the many spectators what presentations would be taking place once the grand parade was over and all competitors were present in the arena. Those that had been following the rodeo and the cowboys were just as eager as the cowboys themselves to see who had taken out what awards. Aside from the title of Cowboy of the Year, there would also be the awards for Barrel Racer of the Year, plus bronc, bull and saddle bronc of the year.

“Okay, everyone form up,h Charlie shouted as he did his best to get everyone into some sort of order.

The cowboys stopped their milling around and began to slot into various places. At the head of the parade, two cowboys sat on their horses, each carrying a flag; one was the USA flag, the other the Rodeo Association flag. Behind the flag bearers the cowgirls waited, they were followed by the cow hands, pick-up guys and other personnel; finally came the cowboys themselves.

Heero glanced at his partner as they formed up with the other cowboys. gYou feeling okay?h he asked, noting a soft flush to Duo's skin.

“Yeah, I'm fine. That pain killer the medic gave me is kicking in big time,h Duo replied with a grin.

“You're not going to fall off or anything, are you?h Heero asked in concern.

“Nah, I feel a little light headed, but not much. Don't worry, I'll be okay,h Duo reassured.

Heero pushed Wing a little closer just to be sure he was right there should Duo need any help. gReady?h

“Yup.h

“Looks like we're moving.h

Duo glanced to the head of the parade where the flag bearers were pushing their horses forward into a lope and entering the arena. The music blared out over the loud speakers and the crowd roared its approval as the grand parade got underway.

~ * ~

tbc...