Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Touched ❯ Chapter 6

Touched

(6 / 7)

Pairing : 2x5x2

Rating : R overall

Warnings : Yaoi, lime, mild angst/sap/violence

Disclaimer : GW belongs to Sunrise, Sotsu and Bandai. I wish I owned it though.

Summary : A mission finished at the expense of one pilot getting hurt. Two boys find themselves sharing space in the same safehouse, and finding a connection while learning to live with each other.

+++++ : Change of scene

~~~~~ : Scene break

< > : Recalled speech

// // : Thoughts

A/N : This doesn't follow the canon storyline. ^_^ Feedback appreciated!

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He pulled the cap low over his forehead, half obscuring his eyes, shading his face from public eyes. He knew what he looked like to the scores of townspeople milling about him - a young nobody, much like the other dirty street urchins that skirted the main streets and darted about the back alleys.

He watched as he walked, his gaze never letting up. The slightest bit of carelessness could prove too costly even if he died a hundred times to pay for it. His grip tightening on the neck of the small, rough sack in his hand, he hoisted it a little more firmly over his shoulder. The miserable thunks of the few cans in there reminded him sorely of the fact he managed to get only a few cans of edibles, plus a laughably tiny batch of medical supplies. At least however, they would last them for the few days before they were picked up.

He slipped one hand into the thin coat he wore outside of his regular attire, and felt around for the pouch he knew was there. It had greatly diminished in size since the moment he had lifted it from someone he had bumped into earlier. It had been some time since he had resorted to stealing, but the disinfectant solution had all but finished…and bandages were almost used up. He was still worried about Wufei's injury getting infected, or flaring up again, looking at the way the Chinese boy seemed to behave like he was invincible.

He paused at the last shop of the street he had trawled, looking up and through the grimy glass of the shop front. What he saw made him smile. A toy shop. Not the pretty, shiny, well-furnished type that appealed to all children. This one was old, stacked with odd bits and pieces of play things he suspected were picked from the trash heap, and other knick knacks fashioned by hand. He stared at a pair of rather rough-looking wooden swords hanging by one wall. They reminded him of the stick fight he had with Wufei, and this made him smile a little more. A quick glance at his wrist-watch - late afternoon. It wouldn't hurt to dally a tiny bit longer, would it?

Taking quick stock of his surroundings and satisfied he was safe for the moment, Duo pushed the rickety door opened and stepped inside.

++++++++++

Wufei had stayed outside, preferring it to the silence in the safehouse. Earlier, he had also stood staring rather foolishly after the car as it disappeared amongst the thick forest trail.

He should have objected more strongly at Duo's insistence on going to the town! So, he had no good reason to object, but at least it will put his mind more at ease. He just had this nagging feeling inside that something would go wrong.

That was one reason why he stayed out, so he could see the car rattling back to the safehouse with Duo inside and in one piece, and then he'd chide himself for worrying needlessly. Maybe if they both felt by better then, he'd also tell Duo about his silly little insecurities and Duo could laugh at them too.

The other reason was his daily training. Ever since…*that* day, he hadn't practised, because simply put, it brought a flush to his face every time he remembered what had, or rather had *not* happened. And this wouldn't do at all.

Now that he had some time to himself, with Duo out of way, out of sight and out of mind, maybe he could be a little more productive. Feeling a rising sense of peace and self-satisfaction, he bent and picked up a spare branch next to his feet. He waved it around, rolling his wrist in slow turns. A reasonable enough weight for him to actually get some serious practise done.

Wufei smiled to himself as he thrust it out, spearing an imaginary opponent.

++++++++++

Duo grinned as he waved the wooden toy through the air. He was sorely tempted to get both of them, just as souvenirs of their stay in this part of the Earth. But that would be ridiculous. He could already imagine the look of contempt on Wufei's face if he went back with those two wooden swords strapped to his back.

He studied the workmanship, ignoring the look of suspicion from the shopkeeper, and decided it was nowhere as good as the random branches he and Wufei held in their hands. Branches those might be, but they were the objects of spontaneous and unexpected fun - of *joy* for both of them. Not like these artificial, man-crafted things. He sighed self-deprecatingly as he waved the toy again. His bouts of sentimentality were getting embarrassing even to himself.

It really was time to get back.

Shrugging, Duo reached up to replace the toy on the wall, when he noticed the tiny window at the back of the shop. He hadn't noticed that before. It opened his view to the street that ran behind the shop, and also the adjacent alley, where he could see -

Duo froze.

Where he could see OZ officers.

The uniform was unmistakable.

Fuck!

His heart missing a beat, Duo quickly returned the toy to its original position, nearly dropping in his haste. He needed to get the fuck out of here right *now*.

The sudden chime of the doorbell made him jump. People.

Duo stilled his breathing, his mind and body reacting instinctively to calm himself down. People. Civilians. Nothing to panic. Just turn and walk out of the -

His ears picked up the chillingly familiar thud of heavy boots against the wooden flooring as they entered the shop.

OZ officers - in the same goddamned, fucking shop as him.

The big difference? They were armed, and he wasn't.

"Hey, you!"

Duo closed his eyes. He was officially fucked.

++++++++++

He held his stance, remembering the instructions of past Masters, their stern voices and barked commands every time his limbs quavered or his posture slackened. He also remembered the disapproving glares when his gaze had lingered a little too long on ancient Chinese scrolls, instead of the curving broadsword that was designated for his training.

He drew his makeshift weapon through the air, drawing a wide arc. His legs flowed with the change in stance, stretching, recoiling as he moved through the series of exercises.

<This is it, huh?>

Gasping, his eyes flew open even as he felt his supporting ankle gave way, and he fell. Landing awkwardly, he laid there for a moment, just taking in shuddering breaths. It took a while before he could sit up and start checking himself for any possible injuries. There was none, to his utmost relief. Yet with relief came a wave of self-directed anger. He should know better than to let his concentration deviate while practising. He was lucky this time not to have incurred any injury, except for a mild strain on his ankle. Incredibly lucky.

Irritated, he tossed away the branch and glanced around him. This was the place where Duo had joined him during practice. Even when he closed his eyes, he could still hear echoes of their laughter in the air. And just several feet away was the exact place where he had laid half-reclined on the ground while Duo hovered above him. He could see Duo's eyes, violet orbs which always looked sad beneath the sparkle. He could feel Duo's breath against his mouth.

He gave in and yelled, letting his cry reverberate around the silent ranks of trees bearing witness to his frustration.

+++++++++

From the sounds of it, there were two of them. Duo's gaze swept around him, picking out suitable weapons. He'd take them out swiftly, with as little commotion as possible, and with absolutely no civilian casualties.

"Hey, did you hear me?"

Duo steeled himself and started his mental countdown. One…two…thr…

"I heard you! Can't you even take pity on some old bones?"

Duo exhaled slowly, finally remembering how to breathe and trying not to seem too relieved as he shifted aside to let the shopkeeper pass through. He picked up something random from the shelves that flanked him, pretended to examine it, all the while trying to gauge his situation from where he was. He heard the two OZ officers openly discussing some of the items for sale; one of them mentioning his children at home. He heard the grizzly shopkeeper bargaining with them.

Now.

He eased along the narrow strip of space, biding his time cautiously. He could see the doorway from the corner of his eye, and his freedom just beyond that glass.

"…the girl just likes blue so much! And toy guns, swords, you name it!"

The voices faded to a dull hum after that; all his energies just concentrated on getting out of *here*. They were so close to him, he could practically feel the air tremble from each of their movements, their raucous chatter. And in that instant the shopkeeper said something in reply, he reached for the handle.

He didn't see the OZ officer until it was too late. Not those behind him, but a new one, rushing into the shop and nearly knocking him to the floor as the door swung inwards.

Duo took his chance as the man thundered past, shrinking sideways and slipping through the half-bared doorway. Just before the door swing shut behind him, he vaguely picked up the words `seen' and `boy' among the terse exchange between the officers.

He wasted no time, then, breaking into a sprint across the street and blending into the streams of townspeople. He had several seconds of head start before actually hearing frenzied shouts and the rapid thump of boots on the gravel that told him the officers were finally onto him. Slow, as usual. Smiling grimly to himself, Duo veered into a back alley, praying that his memory of the whole network of streets and alleys of this town would not fail him.

++++++++++

Wufei stared at the digits for several long seconds. Evening would set in in thirty minutes. This was not good. At all. True, Duo was the one person whose carelessness with words seemed unprecedented, but he wouldn't be flippant about something like this. If he said he'd back quickly, he *would* be back quickly.

He never should have let Duo taken the risk.

In a moment of utter frustration, he dashed out of the safehouse, into the small open space. Instead of the relief he was seeking, his helplessness only compounded as he stopped short, overwhelmed by the dense silence that choked the air around him.

His mind was already going into auto-desensitisation. Duo would be fine. He was probably just distracted by something insignificant. He was probably just hanging around until he had forgotten the time. He was also probably just doing this to annoy Wufei.

That last attempt at reassurance was so absurd Wufei wished it to be true. He'd take absurdity over reality at this point in time.

Turning, he stared after the beaten forest track.

There was only one thing he could think of doing right now.

++++++++++

Duo dove, hitting the floor and quickly rolling away from the spatter of shots that rattled after him. He was just in time, before several pairs of boots thundered past his hiding place. Christ! He was not going to last much longer at this rate. And the car - he did not have high hopes that it'd secure his safety either. Chances were the OZ had already found it.

He tightened his grip around the rough fabric of the sack. Even as he ran and hid for his life earlier he had stubbornly refused to discard it. Wufei was still waiting at the safehouse, and yes Duo intended to keep his word of returning in one piece, complete with groceries.

His breathing was so shallow he could barely feel it himself; just knew that it was in rhythm with the rapid staccato of his heartbeat. Hunkering down to the stacks of crates shielding him, he crept on all fours slowly towards the small opening. Razor fragments of shattered glass bit into his palms and knees as he moved, leaving trails of bright crimson, and he clenched his teeth to keep from gasping.

Shifting until his back was against the rough brick wall, he picked up a larger fragment of glass, cursing softly when it nearly slipped from his blood-slicked hand. He gingerly held out the glass, turning his wrist so he could see catch his surroundings on the grimy reflection. He adjusted until he saw the familiar image of the battered car that brought him here, and he was right. There were several OZ soldiers milling around it, most possibly waiting for him.

He squeezed his eyes shut, slumping against the wall.

The despair lasted for only briefly however. He managed a grin. It was far from over yet. But first, he'd have to do something about his position. Holding out the glass in one hand, he retrieved the tiny remote he had fashioned in the morning with the other.

His thumb settled on the tiny switch. Muttering a silent farewell, he activated it.

Nothing happened.

Duo was beginning to feel a moment of true panic, when the deafening explosion rocked the air. Frenzied shouts and screams followed quickly, mingled with the acrid stench of burning metal and rubber. Duo angled the glass, watching the scattered group of OZ soldiers, some obviously injured in the blast, others trying to keep their order amidst the swarms of panicked passers-by.

Before the dust had even settled, Duo was out of there and slipping through the tight weave of back streets. No more but a small, dark figure scurrying along even darker alleys, his shadow tattooed on the walls by the erratic illuminations of the explosion flames.

++++++++++

High overhead, the moon shone so bright it almost hurt. Wufei felt reassured by it, and grateful. At this point in time, he was thankful for any source of light, natural or not. He picked up the only torchlight in the safehouse and flicked it on. The light it gave off was reasonable. His right hand was gripped tightly around the gun.

He knew this was foolish, that the only thing he should rightly do was to stay in the safehouse and wait. Maybe he should even start planning his escape since it seemed likely the OZ had caught onto them. And he knew he couldn't do it, even if he wanted to. He wasn't panicking, or frantic. All he felt was a heavy sense of calmness and purpose.

The one other comrade that came with him on this mission was missing. Wufei now knew why he never liked to work with others - the risks and worries were just too great.

Well, too bad for that. He had not much choice now. By hook or by crook, he'd find out what happened to Duo.

He stood at the fringe of the forest that he had been staring at the whole day. By night, it certainly looked more intimidating. He counted himself lucky this time that the forest wasn't as dense as it could be; the moonlight shone through in spare shards.

He took the dirt track that led to the outskirts of the trees, picking his steps carefully, and still nearly tripping. Around him, gnarled branches crowded him and he swiped at them impatiently. The ground beneath his feet was soft with layers of fallen and decaying leaves. At certain places, the forest canopy all but shut out whatever little moonshine that managed to creep through.

It was a long way.

You'd never quite understand the usefulness of a damned vehicle until you had to traverse the same distance on foot. He nearly laughed at this thought. It was just about the most retarded thing he could think of at such a moment. Maybe he should even start worrying about wild animals.

The first drops came right after this thought. He raised his head in disbelief. A few seconds later, the drizzle escalated into a steady patter. Fat droplets assaulting the leaves, swaying the branches, and soaking him to the skin as he trudged on wearily. The dirt turned to sluggish mud, dragging his steps even slower. He cast one more look towards the unforgiving skies. What would Duo have said under such circumstances? //Fuck you.// Yeah, that's right. Those exact two words. He repeated them in his heart. So, he'd never say it, but it didn't mean he couldn't think it.

His legs refused to stop even when the sense of abject foolishness mounted with each step. What was he trying to prove? That he valued the life of his comrade? And not so much his own?

He needed to answer Duo's unanswered question.

//Stay alive.// Wufei willed himself and Duo, wherever the boy was right now.

Maybe he was too focused on his progress that he took the sharp fork in the trail without thinking. He heard the sudden thud of approaching footfalls too late. The unseen stranger was almost upon him when he fell back, bringing up his weapon to fore.

He cocked the trigger, the sharp click sounded abnormally jarring against the dull drum of rainfall.

"Freeze!" he warned sharply, and he heard the sudden halting of the footsteps. "I'm armed. Step out slowly. Let me see you."

The figure emerged as told, slowly, almost awkwardly from the veil of branches and misty rain.

Wufei kept a tight hold on his guard even as he directed the torchlight's weak beam towards the stranger. He couldn't really see anything at first with the raindrops stinging his eyes. He blinked, heart thudding so hard he was sure the stranger could hear it too. If that was an OZ soldier -

Then, he saw it. The waxen paleness of the skin first, then the cuts and gashes, and finally in sickening realisation, the face underneath. "Duo!" he gasped, almost in disbelief.

"Honey, I'm home," the pale apparition laughed hoarsely, taking an unsteady step forward, before toppling right into Wufei.

~*~ end Chapter 6 ~*~