Adult-FanFiction.org : Gundam, Beyblade, DBZ, FMA

Equus	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2855 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I do own the equines though, please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
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 do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU

Rating: NC 17

Betaed by Sakura *snugs*

Summary: Having achieved his goal of riding at the Olympics, success has opened many new doors for Heero. Having left Treize's employ, Heero is now his own boss and with Duo's support Heero sets out to make his own mark in the equine business world.

Dedication: to all my lovely readers who have asked for a continuation of this 'Universe'.

Fic 4 in the Equine Intervention Arc.

Commenced December 2011 - ShenLong

“Equus”

Chapter 16

“You know, I could easily get used to this,” Duo commented as he carried an armful of gear out to the goose-neck.

Heero gave his lover a confused look. “I don't follow.”

Duo tucked the grooming kit away underneath the saddles that were hanging up on the small pegs. “This,” he said with a wave of his hand around the area of the goose-neck allocated for the gear. “It sure beats the hell out of trying to cram everything into Henrietta.”

A soft snicker came from Heero when he understood what Duo was referring to. “Hai, there is a lot more room for everything.”

“And just because there is I don't want you getting any ideas on cramming it full of stuff we don't need. At least I'll be able to locate everything easily enough.” Duo observed his packing so far. “Just gotta put the spare haynets in and the carrots and it's all packed.” He jumped as a pair of arms encircled his waist and a nose nuzzled at his neck.

“Thank you, Duo. I don't know what I'd do without you.” Heero pressed a soft kiss to the nape of Duo's neck.

“You'd probably get pulled over and booked for being overloaded,” Duo snickered and turned around in his lover's arms to partake of a gentle kiss.

“What's left to pack?” Heero asked when they broke apart.

“As I said before, just the spare haynets and carrots for in here. Don't know if you want to put the other haynets inside now for the horses to munch on tomorrow or leave that until the morning.”

“I'll put them in now I think, that way if we do have a problem with any of them loading it's one less thing to worry about.”

“Okay. I'm gonna pack a few things into the kitchen area too.” When Heero raised an eyebrow in question, Duo elaborated a touch. “I thought I'd take some tea, coffee, milk, that sort of thing and some snacks. That way we can make our own lunch and not have to pay the exorbitant prices those food vendors want; it will also be healthier,” Duo said.

“Sounds good to me. I'll go put the haynets in now and give you a hand with the food stuffs afterwards.”

“Thanks.”

* * *

The sound of the alarm clock broke through the very interesting dream Heero was currently enjoying and his hand reached out to slam the thing off in disgust. He took a moment to orientate himself, blinking sleepy eyes and yawning widely. Beside him, Duo remained an oblivious lump under the bed clothes.

Another yawn and Heero decided he'd better get up and get moving, he had quite a bit to get through before loading up the horses and leaving for the show. Tossing the covers aside, he slipped from the bed and grabbed for his sweat pants and a sweater; it was a little on the chilly side.

“Wha' time is it?” came Duo's mumble from deep under the doona.

“Just after five-thirty.”

“Crap, that's way too early.” Duo burrowed back under the covers.

Heero snickered. “You sleep some more, I'm going to go feed up and get started on the stables. I'll wake you when breakfast is ready.”

“Mmhmmm.”

Still snickering to himself, Heero left the bedroom and made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself and wash his face. Dawn was just breaking as Heero stepped outside with his mug of tea in hand and headed for the stables.

By seven Heero had all the horses out in their paddocks - or yards in the case of those that were going to the show – fed and had completed his stable chores. All he had left to do was put the night feeds in and fill the water buckets. He figured that could wait until he got back from the show as it wouldn't take long to do. Grabbing an armful of rugs, he went back out to the yards and changed the horse's heavy rugs for something lighter to travel in. The heavy rugs were put back inside the stables, draped over the door of their respective 'owners' and Heero once more went back out, this time with a stack of floating boots in his arms. He dropped a set of the boots next to each horse's yard to be put on before loading them up into the goose-neck.

With everything done for now, Heero grabbed his empty mug and walked quickly back to the cottage to start on breakfast. He was looking forward to the show, not only for being able to get out and compete again, but to see how the goose-neck handled and how the new horses would go in competition. He was especially curious in regards to Wing, the youngster not having competed at a show as yet; although Heero had taken him to a couple as a companion for Shini and to get the youngster used to the atmosphere of the show and all that went with it.

Today would be a true test of Wing and his abilities.

Putting the kettle on to boil again, Heero rummaged around in the fridge and emerged with bacon, eggs and sausages. Depositing the foods to the counter, he grabbed a fry pan and set about getting breakfast on the go. He could hear the shower running and knew Duo must be up already. The kettle boiled and Heero made them both a coffee, setting Duo's on the kitchen table along with flatware and condiments.

By the time Duo emerged, dressed and hair neatly braided, Heero was in the process of plating up their food.

“Thanks, Heero,” Duo said and kissed his lover before sitting down to his meal.

Heero took his own place and began to dig in.

“You manage to get all the stable work done?” Duo asked, his tome a little guilty at leaving his lover to do all the work whilst he took the chance to get in a few extra 'z's'.

“Everything is completed other than the filling of the water buckets and putting in the night feeds,” Heero replied around a mouthful of sausage.

“The horses?”

“All in their yards and fed. I've changed their rugs and only have their float boots to put on before loading them up.”

“Okay.” Duo finished his breakfast, running a mental check list over the gear he'd packed. Whilst he knew he had everything packed that they would need, it didn't hurt to check. Having finished his breakfast, Duo took his plate to the sink and ran the hot water to wash the dishes. Heero brought his dishes over and went to grab the tea towel to start drying, but Duo pushed him away. “Leave it, Heero. You go grab your clothes and boots, I'll finish the dishes and meet you down at the stables in a few.”

“You sure?”

“Of course I'm sure,” Duo snorted. “Go on, go get your stuff, I'll be along in a couple of minutes.”

Leaving his partner to fetch his clothes, Heero also ran a mental check list that he had all the horses' paperwork with him.

One by one Heero loaded the horses into the goose-neck. He put Shini in first, then Wing and Orion. Lunar went on last and had the gelding between her and the two stallions.. The ramp was put up and secured, Heero and Duo climbing into the cab and settling in for the drive.

Tilbury wasn't all that far away and it took just under an hour and a half for Heero to arrive at the showgrounds. The goose-neck had handled well, the horses never moving in the back as Heero had navigated his way along the roads. Duo had kept a close eye on the road map and given Heero directions as necessary and they arrived with plenty of time before Orion and Wing's class.

Driving carefully across the grass, Heero found a nice place to park, close to the ring and under some shady trees. Once the engine was cut the pair climbed out, Duo stretching to ease the kinks from his spine.

“You want to get them off first or take a look around?” Duo asked.

Heero stuck his head in the side compartment and checked the horses. Four sets of calm eyes gazed back at him. “I think we'll leave them inside for the moment. We'll go find the secretary and pick up my numbers. Hopefully they will have an idea of what time the classes will be on and when the courses can be walked. I'd also like to get a look at the draw too.”

Duo snickered. “Don’t want much, do you?” he teased.

Heero chose to ignore the jibe and opened the grooms compartment to remove the water buckets. “Come on, we can fill these while we're at it,” he said and began to walk off in the direction of a building he assumed would hold the show secretary and the answers to his questions.

Fifteen minutes later they trudged back across the grass carrying the four water buckets.

“Remind me to see if we can't fit a second, larger water tank to the Drumstick. It would make water bucket fetching a thing of the past,” Duo muttered as they arrived back at the goose-neck.

“Drumstick?” Heero asked, clearly confused.

“Yeah, the goose-neck,” Duo replied in a tone that clearly said Heero should have known that.

“You called the goose-neck; Drumstick?”

“Well, you can't keep calling it a goose-neck, that sounds horrible,” Duo replied.

“And how is calling it Drumstick any better?”

“Everyone likes a drumstick, Heero, not many people like goose necks.” Duo disappeared inside the small living area.

Heero shook his head and closed his eyes in frustration. “First it's Nrobbuts, then Gertrude, if that's not bad enough we have to have Fido and Daisy, not to mention Camel and Henrietta. Jaws I can understand, but Drumstick?” he muttered to himself, reeling off several of the names Duo had given to various appliances and inanimate objects he used in his daily life. “What's next? Martha for the microwave?”

“The microwave is called Myrtle.” Duo's voice wafted on the breeze from inside the goose-neck.

Heero nearly choked.

*

“Hello, Duo.”

Duo almost jumped out of his skin and spun around to see June standing before him, a smile on her face.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you,” she apologized.

“That's okay, I wasn't paying attention to anything around me, just watching Wing over there,” Duo replied.

June stepped forward and patted Orion's neck. Duo was holding the black while Heero finished warming up Wing. Orion had already been warmed up and now stood with his rug tossed over the top of his saddle and resting while Heero worked on the gray.

“How long until his class?” June asked.

“Another fifteen minutes and the course should be open for walking; the class should start about ten minutes after that,” Duo said.

“Good, I haven't missed anything then. Traffic was horrendous, a car had broken down on the freeway and sort of held everyone up. I'd hoped to be here for when you guys got here and give you a hand with Orion. I know Heero's got a lot on his plate today with jumping four of them.”

“That's fine,” Duo smiled. “Heero's already warmed up Orion and once the Novice class is finished there's the D grade event before Luna's C grade class so he'll have enough time to warm her up. Shini's not on until the last class so he'll have a good hour or two to loosen him up before competing in the Open event.”

“I'll still help you out if you like,” June said. “I know Heero said Carl was coming along to give you a hand, but I can't just stand here and do nothing, not in my nature I'm afraid.”

Duo laughed and June laughed with him. “No problem, actually, it will be nice to have some help, especially as Heero's jumping the two of them in the Novice.”

“Then feel free to boss me around,” June returned with a grin.

Heero had finished warming up Wing, pleased with how the gray had settled into his work. He wasn't quite as headstrong as Shini, but still had a streak of independence in him. So far the gray had done everything Heero had asked of him, listening to Heero's aids and keeping his attention on his master. When Heero had put him over the practice jumps, Wing had approached them eagerly and cleared them with several inches to spare. Deciding the gray was ready, Heero brought Wing back to a walk and rode over to where Duo was waiting with Orion. He spotted June there too and gave a warm smile.

“Hello, Heero,” June greeted. “How are you?”

“I'm well, and yourself?” Heero returned politely.

“I'd be a lot better if this morning sickness would go away,” June groused.
“How far along are you?” asked Duo.

“Two and a half months. How do you think Orion will go today, Heero?”

“I think he has every chance of finishing in the top four,” Heero replied. “I'll know more once I've walked the course though.”

“What did you draw and how many are in the class?” June began to walk back to the goose-neck neck with the pair.

“There's ten in the class, Orion is fourth to go, Wing ninth.”

“I'm sure you will do well. Orion has improved a lot since he's been with you, Heero. I don't think I could have gotten him as far along in his education as you have in that amount of time.”

Heero turned an interesting shade of red with the praise, Duo snickered.

“Come on, let's tie these two up and go walk the course, they're saying it's open now,” Duo said as he heard the information over the public address system.

“I'll stay here and keep an eye on the horses if you like?” June offered.

“Thanks, June, that would be wonderful. I was hoping I could walk the course with Heero, but didn't want to leave these four alone for long,” Duo said.

“No problem.”

Leaving June to watch the horses, Heero grabbed his whip and helmet and with Duo by his side, set off to walk the course.

Five minutes later they were back out the ring and discussing the course. With Tilbury being a relatively small show, the course would remain the same for all the classes, only the heights and widths would change. That suited Heero just fine as it meant he only had to remember the one course for all four horses and by the time he came to jumping Shini, he should know the course well enough to know where to take short cuts.

“What do you think?” Duo asked as they made their way back to the goose-neck. It hadn't looked all that difficult to Duo; well it was, any course looked hard when one didn't jump, but it didn't look as terrifying as a lot of the courses he'd walked with Heero in the past.

“It's quite a nice course, especially for the Novice class. Lots of room between jumps to settle the youngsters into their stride and yet once it gets to the higher grades it will become more demanding as the jumps will be a lot higher so it will be harder to keep the impulsion there between fences.”

“Ah, okay.” Duo wasn't quite sure he completely understood but knew he'd have a better idea later on once the course was raised and the higher grades had their go.

By the time they returned to the goose-neck, Carl had arrived and was busy brushing Lunar. Greetings were exchanged again and Carl filled in on the course, the draw and what Heero thought about it in relation to each of the horses he would be competing on. Heero was quietly confident that Orion should finish in the top four, Wing he wasn't worrying about placing – he'd be happy if the youngster managed a clear round and got into the jump off.

The commentator came over the airwaves, calling for all competitors in the Novice jumping to make their way to the collecting ring. With Orion jumping before Wing, Heero mounted the black and gave him a few minutes warm up before catching up to the others on their way to the ring.

Once inside the collecting ring, Heero informed the ring steward he was there and moved to the side to watch the first rider. Duo stood with him holding onto Wing, June and Carl standing alongside Duo. As Heero had said, the course was flowing and gave the horses enough room to settle and didn't ask any serious questions until around the fifth jump.

The first rider was unlucky and caught a refusal at jump seven; the wall. They cleared it on their second attempt and left the ring with four faults.

“Not enough impulsion,” Heero muttered to Duo. “That's what I meant earlier when I said it was a good course in the way that you can get your horse settled into a stride, but you need to continually ride them together otherwise you won't have the impulsion needed to clear the jumps.”

“Ah,” Duo nodded. “I see what you mean.”

The second rider rode a careful round, seemingly crawling along for most of it, but came out with a clear round. Duo was surprised they didn't get any time penalties, he was sure they had gone over the time allowed. Still, they would need to move faster than that if they wanted to finish in the ribbons in the jump off. Providing there was a jump off, his mind told him. There would need to be more than one clear for a jump off to take place.

The third rider appeared to be doing quite well until they approached the double. The horse came in on the wrong stride and although he managed to clear the first element, he was completely wrong for the second part and sent poles flying in all directions. This upset the horse somewhat and he refused the next jump. The rider did his best to soothe the horse and they cleared the jump at the second attempt, finishing the course with no further mishap but a score of eight faults.

Then it was Heero's turn. With calls of good luck following him, he rode Orion into the ring and saluted the judge. The bell rang and Heero was on his way.

Orion felt calm and relaxed beneath him and that gave Heero further confidence. They passed through the start and were quickly clearing the first jump. The upright rails were next, Orion meeting them perfectly and sailing straight over. A left turn brought them into the first spread fence, Orion lengthening out his stride and jumping cleanly.

“Good boy,” Heero praised and collected the black up for another left turn. The barrels lay ahead and Orion pricked his ears when he spotted them. “Nothing to worry about, they're just barrels,” Heero reassured and pushed harder with his seat.

Orion grunted, picked out his take off point and pushed his body into the air.

“I can't believe how well he's jumping,” June said, her tone excited as she watched Heero and her horse clearing jump after jump, in perfect harmony with each other.

Having cleared the barrels, Heero rode the black towards the parallel bars. The double would follow and Heero fully intended to have the gelding completely between hand and leg for it. Muscles bunched and flexed as Orion launched himself into the air and cleared the jump with inches to spare. Immediately he touched down, Heero was there with his seat and leg, driving the hocks underneath and collecting the black together. They made another left turn, Heero looking ahead for the first element of the double and riding his horse for the center of it.

“Doing well,” Carl murmured, his excitement showing in his eyes. June nodded, her eyes fixed on the pair in the ring.

Duo was doing his best not to bite his fingernails which had not long recovered from the abuse he had inflicted on them at the Olympics. Instead he was pulling at the tufted end of his braid and reminding himself not to start chewing on that either. Wing gave the nice human a sidelong look and shifted slightly. He didn't fancy having the human chewing on his mane.

Orion's ears went forward when he spotted the jump ahead. Lengthening the stride, he bounded up to it and sailed over the first part. Forelegs took the brunt of the landing, his rider immediately there with seat and leg to push him together. Orion drove his hocks underneath, took a stride and launched into the air again.

The second element was cleared and it took Heero a couple of strides to get the black back in hand. Orion was feeling rather pleased with himself and wanted to put on a bit of speed. “Save it for the jump off,” Heero muttered to the black and made a right turn to bring them into jump seven; the wall.

Spotting the wall ahead, Orion decided it was probably a good idea to listen to his rider and settled down. Strong, black hindquarters pushed the big body into the air, the gelding clearing the wall with ease.

“Only two to go, keep it going, Heero,” Duo mumbled to himself. Carl was watching intently and June was hopping from one foot to the other.

The oxer was next, Orion jumping it as if it wasn't there and once all four feet were back on the ground he was turning right again and lining up for the final jump, the triple.

Heero dropped his weight and kept a firm hold on the reins, checking Orion's stride. With the gelding's full attention on him, Heero used his seat and leg to build the impulsion, driving the hind legs deep under the body and containing the energy. Three strides away and Heero was moving forward, allowing Orion to stretch out a touch. Reaching their take off point, Heero went completely forward in his saddle, pushing Orion's hocks well under.

The black responded perfectly, powerful hind legs digging deep into the dirt and sending the body upwards and forwards. Front legs came up against the belly, poles passing beneath and then stretching out to meet the fast approaching ground. Once the black had landed, Heero gave him his head and rode him forward between the finish flags.

“Clear round for Heero Yuy riding Orion,” the commentator announced.

Back in the collecting ring, Duo was grinning from ear to ear, pride shining in his violet eyes. Carl was equally as excited and cheered loudly with the commentator's words. June was almost in tears, she was so proud of her horse and grateful to Heero for all the time and effort he'd put in.

“Well done!”

“Congratulations, Heero, that was fantastic.”

“That was a great round, Heero.”

Heero patted the black neck and blushed with all the praise. “Thanks, “ he said, “Orion was such a good boy, he did all the hard work and deserves the credit, not me.”

“You were a good boy, weren't you,” June praised her horse and fed the black a few apple slices.

Duo had some carrots tucked away in his pocket and decided to leave them there for now; Orion was doing pretty good in the reward stakes as it was.

Heero slipped from the saddle and ran the stirrups up before loosening the girth. Duo produced the black's light rug which was tossed over the top to keep Orion warm whilst they waited for the jump off.

“I'll walk him around for a bit if you like, Duo,” June said, knowing Duo also had Wing to tend to.

“Thanks, you sure you don't mind?” Duo really did want to stay and watch the other riders go through, plus Wing would be on very soon as well, but he didn't want to neglect his duties as groom either.

“Of course I don't mind,” June scoffed. “I told you, I'm here to help out where I can.”

“Okay then.” Duo handed Orion's reins over to June once Heero had finished securing the rug and the woman led her horse away to walk him around just outside the collecting ring. With Orion taken care of, Duo quickly removed Wing's light rug and did the girth up a bit. He handed the reins over to Heero who proceeded to check the girth again and then mount up.

“I'm just going to loosen him up a little,” Heero told Duo and turned the gray around to do just that outside the collecting ring.

“I'll keep watch on the rest of the riders and get you when rider seven goes in if you like?”

“Thanks.”

With Heero off working Wing, Carl and Duo turned their attention back to the remaining riders.

*

“Rider seven is half way through,” Duo informed Heero as he beckoned his lover back into the collecting ring.

“How did the others go?”

“There's three of you into the jump off so far,” Carl stated. “Rider two, you on Orion and rider five also went clear. This one seems to be having a few problems.”

Heero glanced at the rider currently in the ring and saw what Carl meant. The pair were at war with each other. The chestnut was fighting for his head, the rider hanging onto the reins with a steely grip. Consequently, the chestnut was going around the course with his head in the air and hollowing his back and that meant the rider couldn't sit into the horse, collect him up or keep any impulsion there. Although the horse continued to jump, everyone could see he was barely scraping over the fences.

“He needs to go back to basics, start with trotting poles and cavaletties to get him to soften, lower his head and neck and round through his back,” Heero muttered.

“I agree,” Carl said as he continued to watch the pair.

When the chestnut approached the double it was clear to everyone watching that he wasn't going to clear it. Still fighting for his head, the chestnut got in too close to the first element and sent poles flying in all directions. Despite that, the rider insisted the horse jump the second element. There was no way possible that the horse could regain his balance and any impulsion at all to even attempt the jump. Consequently, the horse did the only thing he could do – he slammed on the brakes and refused. Unfortunately, the rider hadn't anticipated the refusal and he continued on over the jump - minus his horse.

The chestnut tossed his head in the air, spun around and with a defiant neigh, trotted towards the exit. The rider managed to pick himself up and after being checked by the medic and found to be okay, was allowed to leave the ring and collect his horse from the steward holding him.

Once Duo knew the rider was okay, he couldn't help but voice his opinion. “Serves him right if you ask me. He's not at all sympathetic to his horse.”

“As much as I might agree with you, Duo, I don't think it's really fair we judge the rider so harshly. It may be a case that the rider simply doesn't know enough himself to understand what he's doing wrong,” Heero said softly.

“I suppose so,” Duo conceded, “but if that's the case and he's serious about jumping, surely he should find a good instructor and get some lessons?”

“That would seem the logical thing to do, although not everyone thinks like you do, Duo,” Carl said with a smile.

Duo sighed. “Yeah, I get where you're coming from.”

The subject was dropped as rider eight entered the ring for her round.

Rider eight looked nervous and as she rode around the course, that nervousness grew. Unfortunately her nervousness was transmitted to the horse. The equine mind is a funny thing and in the bay's case, it began to work overtime, trying to figure out why his mistress was so nervous. He concluded that there must be something really nasty hiding out amongst the jumps and if she was so worried about it, what the hell was he doing out here and jumping?

The bay refused the barrels, digging his hooves in determinedly and flatly refusing to budge.

With riders seven and eight both being eliminated, Duo could only hope and pray that it wasn't a case of things coming in threes as Heero and Wing were next.

“Good luck, Heero,” Carl said with a smile.

“You'll be great,” June offered from where she was standing with Orion.

“Take care of your master, Wing,” Duo muttered to the gray as he slipped him a carrot.

Wing nuzzled the nice human and asked for more treats.

“Not now, Wing. You be good out there and do everything Heero asks you too and I'll have a bucket load of carrots waiting for you when you get back.” Duo gave the neck a soft pat and turned his eyes to Heero. “Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Good luck, you will do just fine. I have every faith in Wing.”

Heero gave his lover a secret smile, one he reserved for only Duo. “If Wing goes clear I'll be more than happy.”

“Heero Yuy?”

“I'm here,” Heero replied and rode towards the ring marshal.

“In you go.”

Carl, June and Duo all stood together as Heero rode into the arena and Wing's debut as a show jumper.

~ * ~

tbc...

AN: The goose-neck Heero has bought and uses is not the traditional one that requires a 'truck' to pull it,. I've based it on a sort of 'converted' type where the truck is actually a part of the overall item. For a better idea of what Heero's transport looks like, click on the link below. This is what I've based his goose-neck on. http://www.majesticmotorhomes.com/articles/case_studies/float_conversion/
- 15
- 16
- 17
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Equus