Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Forged Together ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6

A/n- most of the spellings, I've found on Wikipedia

 

“Where're you going?”

 

Wufei spun around, then relaxed as he saw Duo watching him curiously, his braid half undone, looking half asleep. He was dressed in a pair of shorts and a white t-shirt, which probably belonged to Quatre. He ran a hand over his face a couple of times and yawned widely.

 

“I've… got to go,” he said evasively, as he rolled up his sleeping bag and put his books in his back pack.

 

“You aren't sneaking out, are you?” Duo asked curiously, leaning against a three-legged table, which served to divide their sleeping areas, looking for the world as if he didn't care whichever way the answer turned out to be.

 

“I'm not sneaking out,” Wufei snapped, more because it had been what he'd planned to do. Not exactly sneak out but at least wait until the last moment before telling the others. He didn't need them and he operated alone; it was better that way. “I'm going to take Altron and it's not something I can tip-toe away with.”

 

“But still,” Duo protested, walking forward. “Does Quatre know you're leaving?”

 

The 04 pilot was the one who kept them all together, using reason and force where necessary, ironing away the rough edges and making them work as a team. It seemed his main aim in life was to ensure that all five of them where fed and cared for as if he had realized that among the five of them, he was the only one who'd had a privileged life. Quatre was the one who had brought all of them clothes and found a place where all five of them could hide and work as a team.

 

“I'll tell them as soon as they wake up,” said Wufei, raising an eye brow inquiringly.

 

“Quatre's not up yet,” Duo answered, shaking his head. “He didn't even stir when I got in last night and I should be sleeping too, instead of trying to find out why anyone would use the outhouse instead of our inbuilt deluxe…I don't know about the rest but if I heard you moving around then Heero and Trowa must have heard you as well.” He yawned again, arms over his head, his t-shirt riding up to reveal a washboard stomach with a foot shaped bruise on to the left. Although he'd made his mission sound like a walk in the park he hadn't walked away unscratched.

 

“How did it go?” Wufei asked, ignoring the obvious. If Maxwell wanted to talk about it, he would.

 

“Compared to everything, fine.” Duo shrugged. “I left Deathscythe a couple of miles from here, didn't want to lead anyone to the safe house…just in case. Will have to go back and pick it up later on.” The gundam might not show up on radar but a fifty foot metal structure was really hard to hide in an open space and everyone was weary of those.

 

Which explained his late night return. Wufei had been up until later, going over his systems, and had seen Duo and Quatre in a tangle of limbs, in the pale over head lights. Wufei knelt down on one knee to pack the last of his items and closed the zip, when a hand fell on his shoulder. He looked up slowly to find that Duo had moved much closer to him without setting off his proximity alarms. “Where in the world are you running off to?” he asked. “You know the war is over, you don't have to hide from us as well?”

 

“Is it?” Wufei asked, still bend over the place where he had slept for the last couple of weeks. “People are still fighting, trying to hold on to the last vestiges of power. Some of them don't want peace and they don't want us either.”

 

“Sheesh, man,” said Duo, sounding amused. “Do you mind? It's a little too early for this shit. What's gotten into you?”

 

“Nothing,” said Wufei straightening, pushing Duo's hand off his shoulder.

 

“At least, let us know you'll be safe whereever you're going,” Duo said, hands on his hips. “We'll contact you on one of your old frequencies from time to time, you know… when Quatre gets us that new safe house with attached bathrooms, hot water and actual beds.”

 

Wufei had long since decided Duo was obsessed with hot water, probably since he spent so much time washing his hair. “I'll… be back,” he admitted finally. He might have operated alone but now that the actual war was over, he didn't have a reason to live for. It seemed the fractions disputing the Queen of the World were getting smaller, and White Fang was but a small group of insane space pirates. They all assumed trouble would come, and that was what kept them going because, like once Quatre had pointed out, without anything to fight for, they became obsolete. Redundant at sixteen was not something they were used to and Wufei had found out that he was comfortable only when he was with his fellow pilots. No one laughed if you ducked when a car backfired or if you slept with a gun under your pillow. They had been through a lot and their shared experiences put them apart from anyone else in the world.

 

“You'd better,” said Duo with one of his cheeky grins. “Any particular reason you're running off…? If it is because of something I did…”

 

Wufei looked up, his eyes fierce, and though Duo did not pull back, his grin faltered.

 

“Idiot,” he snarled. “Of course not. Sally called and said she needed my help. There is a small force of OZ soldiers holed up somewhere in the mountains and she needs me to clear them out.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “I owe her…even if she is a woman… and…”

 

“And to think you think you're straight with an attitude like that,” Duo said rolling his eyes. “Does this mean I get a good bye kiss, at least?” He edged forward until he was standing chest to chest with Wufei, his posture relaxed. Looking down, Wufei could see that his fists were clenched and his legs were tense, almost as if bracing himself for a blow.

 

With a sigh, Wufei dropped the bag he was holding and used his left hand to cup Duo's chin.

 

“Hey,” said Duo protesting, jerking his head back. “I…” poke finger in the chest “…am not…” poke “…a woman. You don't go all mushy on me as if…”

 

“It's the hair,” Wufei said biting back a smile before reaching for Duo again. He used both hands to steady the other pilot by the shoulders dragged him up and captured those lips with his own. Duo stiffened for a moment then molded himself into the embrace, his body still ready break free at a moment's notice, but a little more relaxed than before. This time Wufei put all his `less than considerable' skills into it, letting his instincts guide the motions. He pulled Duo close, until their chests were pressed together, while the analytical part of his mind told him that it was very bad position to be in since he couldn't defend himself. It was Duo broke off first after half a minute, panting slightly.

 

“Wow, man, I know you can hold your breath but you really don't want me to pass out on you, right?” he joked, his face flushed and Wufei could see his pulse hammering away at the juncture where his neck and chest.

 

In reply, Wufei leaned forward and let his tongue run over the skin of his neck, feeling minuet scars under the sensitive skin. In return, Duo tipped his head back, eye fluttering shut, almost involuntarily, biting back a moan and Wufei had to sneak a hand around Duo in case he leaned too far back.

 

“You have to bring out your arsenal, now you're leaving,” Duo said, his eyes still tightly closed, his chest heaving slightly. “Where'd you learn to do that? I thought you were the most repressed guy of the bunch?”

 

“That really doesn't matter, does it?” Wufei said, feeling a little pleased with himself. “I told you I had experience.”

 

“Yeah?” Duo said with a self-deprecating grin, standing straighter but making no move to break free. “After that, I must be like a rank amateur where kissing is involved.”

 

“It's still better than Heero's,” Wufei said trying to make Duo feel better. “The time he kissed me, I wound up with a split lip and…”

 

Suddenly he was being pushed against the wall by the lapels of his collar and an angry face was thrust into his view. “What do you mean better than Heero. You kissed the guy! You …you…when did you kiss him? Or was it more than a kiss?”

 

“Duo,” said Wufei calmly, ignoring the voice inside his head, which was suggesting a couple of punches to the stomach, followed by a kick to the groin and another to the knee. It was almost as if he was inside Zero.

 

“When was this?” Duo asked, the grip slacking but not letting go entirely. “Long time back?”

 

“While you were on the mission,” Wufei said, realizing how it sounded the moment he said it. “But it wasn't exactly as if the two of us have an agreement or anything.” He added defensively.

 

“Of course not,” said Duo, pushing off and stalking off. “I was gone two days and you turn into a slut.” He was walking around in a circle, throwing his hands up in the air, his posture one of aggression and hurt. He looked slightly ridiculous in his get up but at that moment Wufei did not think it wise to point it out. “I know it wasn't as if we said we were in a life long commitment or something but give guy a little warning. You and your stupid ideals and you suck face with Mr. Perfect Solider the moment my back is turned. What's with that guy…? I mean, he's got the personality of sand paper with acid thrown on top, and you have people falling all over him? You'd think that stupid chit Relena would look at someone who's not out to kill her or Trowa would find someone else to … to play whore with but… noooooooooo, it had to be him.”

 

“You are jealous,” Wufei observed.

 

“Oh no,” said Duo stopping his pacing to face Wufei, looking aggressive. “It's not as simple as that. I can't believe you…”

 

“It was an accident,” Wufei said. “It wasn't as if I planned on…”

 

“I don't want to know,” Duo said, turning away. “Like you said, it wasn't as if we were married or anything.” He pretended not to notice Wufei wince. “You were going to go, so go. Just as well if I never see you EVER AGAIN” He shouted the last words out over his shoulder, his eyes blazing. Wufei could see the God of Death peeking out at him, but also a confused teenage boy who didn't know what to say.

 

“Uh,” said Wufei.

 

“I don't like your slant eyes or your oily hair,” Duo pouted and though he must have said that with every intention of riling Wufei, the only thing the Chinese pilot could think was that Duo looked adorable when he pouted.

 

“What's all the shouting about?” came a dazed voice and Quatre shuffled in, looking for the world like a five year old with tussled hair, shorts and a shirt, which was buttoned wrong.

 

“Justice is about to leave the building,” Duo bit out acidly. “For good.”

 

“Already?” said Quatre blinking himself awake. Suddenly his lips twitched into a teasing grin. “Do stay for breakfast; it was long night for some of us.”

 

In the end, there was no time for breakfast with Heero showing up to demand where he was going, probably to make sure their missions would not overlap. The war maybe over for the civilian population but they were still moping up the mess and a mission was mission on matter what. It would not do to accidentally shoot a fellow pilot while infiltrating the same base from two different sides. No one wanted to wind up on the wrong end of a sword.

 

It felt strangely odd to leave when everyone decided to see him off, in their own way.

 

“It was stupid of you to disable your ground scanners,” Heero told him as he did the final system overhauling on the computer. He also entered the known mission parameters just in case it turned sour. Wufei looked up from the keyboard at the silent boy who was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest, legs crossed. Heero didn't even look at him while speaking, choosing to study the floor instead though Wufei knew that he was very, very alert.

 

“I know,” said Wufei when it became obvious that nothing else was forthcoming.

 

“Next time, scan everything,” Heero said firmly. Wufei turned around to ask what he meant but by then the spot where the dark haired pilot had been was bare.

 

Trowa caught up with him as he was about to get into the gundam. “Take a carrier,” he said as if it was the most natural thing.

 

Wufei hesitated, knowing that his gundam could not fly and being caught out in the open with such a huge machine could result in a few unnecessary fights but still… They only had three carriers and even with Wing's flight capabilities, it would mean he was going to leave them short of a means of transportation.

 

“Rashid will show up with a carrier for Quatre,” Trowa said quietly and Wufei nodded, taking in the unspoken message.

 

“Thank you,” he said, looking up to meet with one green eye and that annoying swatch of hair he had always wanted to brush away. Trowa had nodded once and walked off silently as if he hadn't been there. Wufei watched him with a frown then turned around and almost ran into Quatre who was standing directly behind him.

 

“I don't know much about where you're going but do you need supplies?” he asked calmly.

 

“Supplies?” Wufei asked in surprise.

 

“Yes, you know food, clothing, bandages?” Quatre said pronouncing slowly as if he was a halfwit. Seeing Wufei's face change color, he suddenly smiled, kindly. “Wufei, this is the first time all five of us have been together since the Peacemillion, and no matter what, you going away is making people uneasy.”

 

“What in the world for?” Wufei snapped, more to cover his confusion than anything else.

 

“You know why,” those eyes were penetrating and Wufei was the first to look down. “We worked as a team and we've bonded… so try to get back as soon as possible.” He continued, not letting Wufei speak. “Take something to eat if you want to,” he said. “Rashid always brings food and I don't know about Sally but having a couple of cans stashed somewhere is always a good idea.”

 

“I don't have the time to…”

 

“Trowa is getting one of the carriers ready and it'll take some time for Heero to load Altron into the back,” Quatre said. “Why don't you speak to Duo before you leave?” he added. “He seems to think you aren't coming back.”

 

Wufei ignored the last comment in favor of packing a few dried rations and few bars of chocolate to keep himself going. He didn't know what to think of Duo and his behavior and as a result was starting to find the whole thing frustrating. He was not anti-social, as most believed. Instead, as a warrior, he simply lacked the knowledge to interact with people; after all, it wasn't as if he'd had conversations with his sword.

 

Finally, he was ready, and by then the only person in the hangar area was Duo who was pointedly not looking at him. Wufei shouldered his backpack and walked towards the driving side of the carrier when he stopped. He just couldn't leave without saying anything, and he did remember what Quatre had told him. He kept on walking until he was standing alongside Duo, but did not look at the braided boy. Instead, he looked down and spoke softly. “Look after my bike until I come back,” he said. He heard a faint gasp of surprise and the swish as the braid cut through the air, which meant Duo had snapped his head around but he didn't wait to see if there would be any last words.

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

 

“What was all that about?” Quatre asked as he poured himself a cup of tea.

 

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Duo said as he shook his head when the blond motioned him towards the tea pot.

 

“Wufei,” Sandrock's pilot said.

 

“You don't beat around the bush do you?” Duo asked grumpily.

 

“What in the world happened between the two of you?” Quatre murmured. “One minute you were all over him and today you were shouting the house down as if…”

 

“He kissed Heero,” Duo said as he slumped into the chair. “And he was supposed to be mine.”

 

“I didn't know you two were an item,” Quatre said.

 

“It's insignificant,” Duo said sitting up, pulling his legs under him. “I mean we are not… all right, it's not like I'm in love with the guy or anything, but he is …impressive. You weren't there in the OZ prison cell when we were running out of air; he was so calm about it and he could put himself into this suspended animation state…” he trailed off when he saw Quatre regarding him with amusement over the rim of his cup. “He was great, all right. So…I like him…you said it before or did I say it. And we did kiss and he didn't exactly say no.”

 

“When was this?” Quatre asked carefully.

 

“Before I went on my mission, and don't you use that Mr. Winner voice on me,” Duo said in one breath. “Here, give me a cup of tea. It'll give me something to do, even if I don't have to drink it.”

 

“So you came back and found him in lip-lock with Heero,” the blond pressed.

 

“I don't know what happened,” Duo mumbled looking down at his hands, blushing slightly. “He told me, it's not like I saw him. I didn't exactly ask him to explain… but I do like him. I just never got the time to tell him that and before I finally do, Heero just waltzes in and grabs him from under me.”

 

“It's not as if Wufei had a brand on him,” the blond reasoned, pushing a dainty china cup into Duo's hand. “Are you sure you're not getting your feelings mixed up over everything? You were trying to keep Heero away from Trowa because you seem to think Heero is a big villain, and then you find out he's making moves towards the one guy you liked.”

 

“Not exactly…” Duo protested and was given a stern glare.

 

“But I don't think even Wufei knew you like him so you can't blame him,” the voice of reason said. “Unless you told Wufei. I seemed to have missed out a bit on the mating rituals of gundam pilots somewhere along the way.”

 

“There was no one else to…you know,” said Duo, biting back the urge to say something crude just for the sake of making Quatre blush. “…to make a move on. I mean,” he added hastily. “Trowa is nice but you are already interested in him and…”

 

“He's either getting laid or being laid by Heero,” Quatre said with a wry smile as Duo spluttered the first mouthful of tea he'd sipped.

 

“I can't believe you said that,” Duo gasped as soon as he could catch his breath.

 

“I can't believe you fell for Wufei,” Quatre countered.

 

“Why ever not?” Duo shot back. “He's got a better personality than Heero.”

 

“And you figured that out by tossing a coin, right?” Quatre gave back.

 

Duo suddenly threw back his head and laughed. “All right,” he said tossing back the tepid tea in one gulp. “You win; score 1 to you and …”

 

“Message to you from the Maganacs,” Heero appeared suddenly as if he had been standing out side the door and both boys turned around startled.

 

“What does it say?” Quatre asked once they'd both recovered, looking at Heero's palmtop.

 

“They will be delayed,” Heero said without looking either of them directly. He gave no indication whether he'd overheard their conversation or not, but it was too late to take back his words.

 

“For how long?” Quatre asked in his infinite patience. Duo rolled his eyes and waited.

 

“Two weeks at the most,” Heero answered.

 

“Oh, man,” Duo wailed half-heartedly. “Do you know what that means? No chocolates. Wu took the last of the lot and now we're all dried out.”

 

“We also don't have enough proper food to last us another two weeks,” Quatre said as he swept his eyes across the kitchen. “One of us will have to go for supplies.”

 

“Pick me, pick me,” said Duo pretending to jump up and down in eagerness.

 

“Send Trowa,” said Heero abruptly.

 

“Why not me?” said Duo miffed.

 

“You stand out,” Heero said pointedly looking at him. “Your hair attracts too much attention. Barton is a much better choice.” They were lying low dispite everything. No one was going to be treating gundam pilots as war heroes.

 

“Says who?” Duo snapped back.

 

“Duo, drop it,” Quatre said firmly.

 

“Fine,” said Duo, knowing that he was getting aggravated over a minor detail. After all, Trowa was the best bet. He was silent and polite, and people seemed to treat him like an adult because he was taller than the rest of them. Quatre did not shop very well since he never seemed to understand the words `economize' and `limited budget'. Heero tended make the shop keepers uneasy and reaching under their counters for the hidden button, and Duo always left the shop with more than he'd paid for. All of which made them unsuitable for shopping when they were supposed to be `lying low'.

 

“You should cut it,” Heero continued with all of his amazing people skills.

 

Duo froze halfway towards the inner exit. Quatre froze reaching towards his tea pot. There was a stunned silence.

 

No one ever, ever said anything to Duo about cutting his hair.

 

“The war is over,” Heero went on. “You don't need a security blanket any more. All it does is hamper your movements and you…”

 

“That's it,” snapped Duo, straightening. “Yuy, meet me out in the sparing area and I'll show you how this…” he waved towards his braid. “…affects my movements.”