Pull the Trigger and the Nightmare Stops�

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Gundam boys, I just like to imagine them in my own little world (which is totally of my making). No profits are made from this story, just gratuitous pleasure.

Summary: They were thrust together at the age of 14, members of an assassins guild, then rudely ripped apart at the age of 21. Now, three years later, Duo walks back into Heero's life. The rollercoaster ride has just begun as they must learn to live together once more and to love each other again. Life isn’t always easy, living with Duo, and Heero has to fight hard to remember that.

Rating: NC-17

Warning Codes: Anal,Angst,AR,H/C,Lang,M/M,OC,Oral,Violence,WAFF,WIP,Yaoi

Pairings: 1x2


Feedback is appreciated. I enjoy hearing from all of my readers. That you take the time to read is great, that you take the time to write is awesome. You are what makes writing worth while. I hope that you enjoy reading it and I look forward to your comments.

My sincere thanks to the following:

Fujin: I’m glad to hear that you are feeling better, I did miss you. I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather myself. Duo and Quatre will have a bit more to play out together before we’re done with everything. And I like the fluff, too. Sometimes it’s good to just let the reader imagine what is going on without the graphic detail. I don’t like to have to describe everything all of the time. I think it gives the story a softer edge. Thanks for all of your continued support, I really appreciate it.

Diane Rainwater: Thanks for the spelling, that word just gave me fits and spell checker wasn’t interested in cooperating with me. I liked the nicknames, too. I think they described them well. Thanks for the kind words, they mean a lot to me.

Rucina: Thanks for the review. Heero and Duo are my favorite pair as well. I hope that I can continue to keep your interest. It’s always nice to hear from someone new and here’s a little something to feed your addiction.

~*~

Pull the Trigger and the Nightmare Stops…

“dear my friends in the time we've spent forever after beyond this when will our nightmare ever end?
pull the trigger and the nightmare stops...”

Part 19

Duo awoke in the early afternoon light to deep blue eyes that were watching him as he slept. He smiled and raised his face for a kiss from his hover, which Heero gladly bestowed.

“Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi, yourself,” Heero replied. “So, are you ready to go party tonight?”

“Ummm. I forgot that was tonight,’ said Duo. “I’m glad you made it back.”

“Nothing in the world could keep me from showing up at that party with the prettiest boy in the world on my arm and watching all of those girls cry in their drinks because they’ll know that it is you that has taken the prize right out from underneath their noses,” Heero smirked.

“Am I the prettiest boy in the world?” Duo asked coyly.

“You are to me,” replied Heero smiling down at him.

“Oh! I’m going to need to do my hair! That’s going to take the rest of the afternoon to get it dry,” exclaimed Duo, stretching and rubbing up against Heero.

“Would you like me to wash it for you?” Heero asked, pulling Duo in close for a cuddle.

“Would you?” replied Duo, pleased at the offer.

“Of course, but you’ll owe me for it,” Heero commented, stealing a quick kiss.

“Pay you in the shower?” asked Duo, batting his eyes.

“You got a deal, babe.” Heero replied. “Before or after lunch?”

“After, so we can take our time,” Duo said. “I want to make sure you do a good job.”

“I always do, brat,” retorted Heero, and kissed him on the nose.

~*~

They ate a leisurely meal together, Heero making pancakes for Duo, who drown them in syrup and ate them enthusiastically. They washed up the dishes, then headed for the bathroom where Heero prepared to do battle with Duo's hair.

The process of washing Duo's long mane of hair could be tedious and tiresome, but Heero attacked the job with vigor, scrubbing his hair with a nice apple scented shampoo, working up a good lather, making sure to get it all clean, then thoroughly rinsed. Then he slathered on a handful of conditioner to help it stay smooth and shiny. Heero spent the time waiting for the conditioner to sit extracting payment for his work in the form of kisses. Then he rinsed the hair again, letting it flow like a coppery waterfall down Duo's back.

After the hair, the two spent some time washing each other’s bodies, which inevitably led to caressing and more kissing, which led to Heero making very wet love to Duo under the shower. Duo was pushed up against the wall while Heero once more took possession of his body, leaving Duo a quivering mass of post orgasmic flesh that needed scooping up from the floor of the bathtub when Heero was finished with him.

Heero hauled him out of the bath, swathed him in towels from head to toe then, himself still naked, carried Duo into their bedroom to deposit him on the bed. Heero left him briefly so that he could dress and straighten out the bathroom.

Duo lay on the bed enveloped in a cloud of bliss, waiting for Heero to return to help with the drying of his wet hair. Ah, what Heero did to him, the assault on his senses, his mind and his body, the feelings that Heero pulled out of him. Feelings that he’d never had for any other person. His love for Heero was a wondrous, albeit scary thing, that threatened to consume his whole being, if he would let it, and little by little, Heero was battering down the walls that he hid behind, exposing him to the love he so unsuccessfully hid from. Maybe one day he would just let himself be consumed by this love, burned in it’s flame until there was nothing left of himself, to rise like a phoenix, reborn in Heero's love for him. Maybe one day soon. But not yet. There were still some stones to hide behind, and he was still too afraid to let himself become completely in love with Heero Yuy. But he knew Heero was persistent, and there was no doubt in his mind that soon, very soon, Heero would own him, body, heart and soul. And he waited for that day when Heero would finally take the collar off of his neck and free him from himself. He had all the faith in the world that his Heero could do for him what he could not do for himself. And so he waited.

Duo was almost asleep by the time Heero came back, even though he had only been gone a short time. Heero smiled down at his drowsing lover, reached over to pull the towel away from his butt and brought his hand down on it with a satisfying smack. Duo yelped and jumped, instantly awakened and ready to fight, hissing and spitting angrily.

Heero just laughed, cocked an eyebrow at him and held up his hand. Duo subsided immediately, but sat grumbling to himself, trying to see if there was a hand print on his smarting posterior. Humph. Heero was such a bully, abusing his tender flesh in such a manner. But it did tingle, now that the initial pain was gone, and it felt… kind of… kinky.

Actually, the smacks he had received the other night, when they had gone to the movies, had been a bit of a turn on, now that he though about it. Duo could feel his cock starting to stir. Heero noticed it as well, smirking at him.

“So, maybe you like kinky sex, huh babe?” he asked slyly. “You want to try a little of that instead of drying your hair and getting ready for the party?”

“Ahhh…” Duo could only look at him, unable to get words to come out for a change.

Heero just laughed a bit, smacked his butt once more, and pulled the towel back over his hips. He leaned forward, kissed Duo, then pulled him into a sitting position and started to dry his hair.

“We’ll play another time,” he said, kissing Duo on the neck and getting a delightful little shiver in return. “At least with the kinky stuff. Maybe we’ll do some other playing when I’m done with your hair. What say, babe?”

And he kissed Duo again, this time getting a little moan. Duo leaned his head back, eyes closed and mouth open slightly and gave a breathy sigh that just about undid Heero's resolve to wait.

“Oh, god, babe. You turn me on so much,” Heero whispered into Duo's ear and Duo melted back against him, turning his head for a kiss, which Heero was more then happy to supply.

“We’re never going to get done at this rate, and you won’t get to wear you pretty new clothes to the party if I keep you here in bed for the rest of the afternoon,” said Heero, after a long caressing kiss, and he pushed Duo back up into his sitting position. “One of us had to be strong about this, and I’m guessing it’s not going to be you.”

Duo just shook his head dreamily, letting go of another couple of stones from his crumbling resolve.

They finally got his hair dried and then Duo was ready to dress. Heero grabbed the clothes that he was going to wear and headed for the bathroom, knowing that was the safest course of action if they planned to leave the house that evening. He had been fighting his arousal, refusing to give in and so far had done well, but he knew if he was to undress in the same room as Duo, they wouldn’t be leaving the house at all, and perversely, he really wanted to show Duo off tonight.

Finally dressed, Duo in his new finery with his hair up in a ponytail, held in place by a scrunchie that matched his lavender shirt, and Heero in his black pants, midnight blue silk shirt and a crimson tie, they headed for Duo's sporty red car.

~*~

They pulled up in front of the hotel where Quatre had told them the party was being held and Heero gave the keys to the valet, then he took Duo's hand. This was his moment of truth, the moment he proclaimed to the world (at least the one he worked in) that the person on his arm was the prettiest boy in the world, and that he, Heero Yuy, was proud to have Duo Maxwell-Yuy as his wife and partner.

Smiling, he kissed Duo lightly on the lips, then they walked casually in through the front doors of one of the most luxurious, up scale hotels in the city.

Duo started to feel nervous as they crossed the lobby and his grip on Heero's hand tightened noticeably.

“Heero, do I look alright? I’m not going to embarrass you, am I?” he asked, a trace of apprehension clouding his eyes.

“You look fantastic, Duo, and I will never be embarrassed by you. I love the way you look,” Heero answered him, smiling into the worried indigo eyes. “You are gorgeous, never doubt that. And I love you, never doubt that, either. Now, let’s go make some little girls cry, shall we?”

Still, Duo hesitated, suddenly afraid as his training kicked into gear. His mind started to blur, fear and apprehension chasing around like a whirlwind as the reality of the situation came crashing down on him. He was used to having people looking at him. That was what he had been trained to do, draw the eye away. And the one to draw it away from was Heero, so could he really have everyone staring at the two of them? How could he do his job, with people staring at the both of them? How could he protect Heero Yuy? He couldn’t do it if they were looking at the both of them. This went against all of his training, and it was a struggle for him to allow the two of them go any further into the building.

Heero could feel the panic starting to radiated from Duo, and so decided to try to relieve him of some of his anxiety. He took Duo's face between his hands, kissed him and looked straight into Duo's frightened eyes.

“Relax, babe, it’s just a party. It’s going to be great. You’re beautiful and I want everyone to see that I do, indeed, have the prettiest boy in the world on my arm. Now, sweetheart, let’s go knock ‘em dead,” and Heero led him through the doors and into the crowded ballroom.

~*~

The talking stopped, and all eyes were on them as they entered the room. Then the talking started again.

“It’s Heero Yuy…” “He never comes to any of these functions…” “Who’s that with him?” “…from personnel says it’s his WIFE!” “That’s a boy!” “What a pretty boy…” “…looks familiar…” “ ’Lena, it’s Heero!” “He’s here with a boy?” “Look, they’re holding hands…” “So, should I care?” “Who’s that boy with Yuy?” “But ‘Lena…” “Wife?” “…a boy!” “He sort of looks familiar…” “…chosen a different sort of relationship…” “…didn’t know Yuy was married…” “To a boy?” “But, ‘Lena, you and Heero…” “Such a cute couple…” “…because he’s GAY!” “Oh, ‘Lena…”

And so Heero and Duo ran the gauntlet of comments from every group of people that they passed, but Heero didn’t care. He was happy to be here, happy to show off his beautiful Duo.

“'Ro, there’s Quatre and Trowa, lets go talk to them, ‘kay?” asked Duo anxiously, starting to breath a bit hard, wanting to draw the eyes away from Heero, to do what he’d been trained to do, to protect Heero Yuy.

“Sure, babe,” Heero agreed, noticing Duo's discomfort.

“Heero, Duo, you’ve created quite the stir,” Quatre commented as the approached. “Duo, you look gorgeous. Doesn’t he, Trowa?”

Trowa nodded and smiled. He was dressed in a black tux and Quatre wore white, and he stood protectively at Quatre's shoulder, eyes ever alert for signs of trouble. Heero knew there was a gun under his fitted jacket and nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Trowa returned the nod, knowing that Heero also carried a gun concealed on his person. Duo's dress, on the other hand, left nothing to the imagination about what he concealed, which was very little, but then he didn’t need a weapon. He was the weapon.

Duo was on display, and true to his training, all eyes were drawn away from the others and focused on the exotic beauty that was Duo Maxwell. He was on and he was playing it to the fullest, protecting his lord and master. Then Heero broke the spell that Duo was working so hard to weave.

“Would you like a drink, babe?” Heero asked him.

“Sure, 'Ro. A vodka and orange? Light on the vodka?” he requested.

And Heero kissed him. In front of everybody! And the fragile web he wove was broken as the people near them turned to stare.

“I’ll be right back, babe,” Heero said and headed for the bar, all eyes in the vicinity following him.

Duo looked panic stricken. Now what would he do? Heero had broken cover, how to fix that? Duo started to pant in his anxiety, and Quatre could feel his panic and discomfort. His eyes looked wild and he appeared to be on the edge, teetering dangerously, mind whirling. Heero walked back to him a couple of minutes later, drinks in hand, appearing nonchalant, but he knew instantly that Duo was on the verge of self-destruct and he needed to defuse him quickly before all hell broke loose.

He sat down the drinks, smiled, reached out his hand and grabbed Duo around the waist and pulled him close, holding him to his side. He looked into the distraught indigo eyes and began to murmur softly as he turned Duo away from the crowed room and led him out onto a balcony.

“Babe, calm down,” he soothed. “It’s a party, it’s alright. It’s people I work with. That we work with.”

“NO! No, you broke cover,” Duo agonized, almost hysterical in his blind panic. “How can I protect you if you don’t stay behind me? Everyone is looking at you, not at me. It’s not supposed to be this way!” Duo was now panting, almost hyperventilating.

“Babe, we’re not on a job. It’s a party, people we work with,” Heero repeated.

“But they saw you! They were all looking at you! You’re not supposed to break cover! How can I protect you? I’m failing you! I can’t protect you this way!” Duo rasped in near hysterics, unable to disengage his conditioned response to his training.

Quatre stepped out just as Heero's eyes went cold and he slapped Duo sharply across the face. Duo looked at him, stricken and crumpled to fall at his feet, sobbing. Then Heero's eyes took on a look of pain as he knelt to shield Duo from the world around him, holding him close and comforting him.

“Duo, stop it. Stop now. Listen to me. Babe, we’re at a party. We’re not working. You can relax. You don’t need to be my guard dog tonight. It’s alright,” Heero told him softly.

Duo raised his distraught face, his indigo eyes looking huge in his pale face, a tear tracking it’s way down his face slowly. Heero gently reach out to wipe it away.

“It’s alright? I haven’t failed you?” he whimpered from the shelter of Heero's arms.

“No, you haven’t. You’re doing a great job, but you can relax. We’re here together, you and I. You aren’t out there alone, and I’m not hiding behind your shadow. It’s a party, and it’s okay for me to be out in the open,” Heero told him soothingly. “Alright?”

“Alright,” Duo agreed with him. “But Heero?”

“What, babe?” asked Heero.

“I still need to protect you,” Duo said firmly.

“Yes, I know. But on low security tonight, alright?” Heero asked, knowing he couldn’t fight Duo's training completely.

“Alright,” Duo agreed, and Heero could sense him starting to relax somewhat. Heero stood and pulled him to his feet, kissing him once more, then looked to see if he had left a mark on Duo's face.

The pink mark was already starting to fade and Duo visibly pulled himself back into a watching mode, his eyes never leaving Heero. Quatre breathed a sigh of relief and waited for the two to rejoin him.

“Everything alright, Heero?” he asked, worried about the volatile Duo and what might happen.

“It’s fine. The crowd was just a bit much for Duo. Crowds make him nervous where I’m concerned,” Heero replied. “He was trained to protect me at all cost and he takes that very seriously.”

“I see that,” said Quatre.

“Let’s go back in and get our drinks, alright babe?” Heero asked, taking Duo's hand and leading him back into the ballroom.

Duo remained relaxed, but watchful and Heero relaxed, the impending disaster averted. They chatted with Quatre and Trowa for a few more minutes, then Heero spotted Simon with Azrael Winner.

“Trowa, Quatre, would you excuse us? I see Simon and your father and I’d like to take Duo to say hello to them,” said Heero.

“Of course. We’ll talk to you later on,” said Quatre. “We’ll get a table for the four of us for dinner, and see you then.”

Heero took Duo's hand and started to lead him toward the two men when they came upon Sally, who was accompanied by WuFei.

“Heero, how are you today? It’s a surprise to see you here. You usually avoid these things like the plague,” she joked as they stopped to say hello to the couple.

“Yes, I usually do, but when Simon sends the invitation through Quatre…” Heero shrugged and she laughed. “WuFei.”

WuFei nodded and returned his greeting as the two friends shook hands.

“Duo, you’re looking lovely. By far the prettiest boy here,” Sally complimented him.

“Thanks, Sally. Heero likes me to be showy,” said Duo, then also shook hands with WuFei, smiling at the silent Chinese man.

“Of course. How else can he do his job if every eye in the place isn’t on you? And you do it so well,” Sally complimented him.

Duo blushed slightly at her words, but Heero could see that it made him happy to hear that he was doing an outstanding job. Heero smiled at his flighty lover.

“Well, I see that you two were heading towards the boss, so I guess that we should let you go,” said Sally smiling. “Oh, by the way, Duo, you’re causing quite the stir. Everyone here is trying to figure out who you are and why your face seems so familiar.”

Duo blushed again, this time looking a bit uncomfortable. Heero shot him a sharp look, but didn’t say anything, for which Duo was glad. He was relieved to see that Sally noticed as well and refrained from saying any more, just smiling enigmatically at Duo as she and WuFei walked away.

Heero and Duo headed off hand in hand once more, and again the voices seemed to follow in their wake.

“…heading towards Mr Winner…” “Do you think he actually approves?” “Bold move in public…” “ ‘Lena, won’t you at least…” “He’s so pretty. I love his hair…” “No! I told you…” “…is really gay? I thought it was just a joke.” “But…” “That boy looks so familiar…” “I hate him!” “…look so comfortable together, don’t they?” “ ‘Lena…” “Don’t cry…” “Come back…”

Finally they approached the clear area around Simon and Azrael and stopped. All eyes were on them while trying to seem as if they were being focused any place but there.

“Heero,” said Azrael, smiling and shaking his hand, then he turned to Duo.

“Mrs Yuy,” he said, then glanced surreptitiously at Heero as he reached for Duo's hand. Heero nodded slightly, a small smile on his face and Azrael took both of Duo's hands in his, lifting them to his lips to kiss Duo's fingers. “You’re looking beautiful tonight. I envy Heero that he has such a gorgeous and charming partner. He is a lucky man.”

“Thank you, Mr Winner,” said Heero as Duo blushed prettily. It seemed to be Duo's night for blushing and Heero though it looked good on him, that faint trace of pink on his ivory skin. “I am lucky to have Duo. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Simon, how are you tonight?”

“Fine, Heero. Just trying to keep Azrael from wanting to steal Duo away from you,” Simon joked.

“It wouldn’t last. Duo would drive him crazy,” said Heero, smiling fondly at Duo.

“Heero!” exclaimed Duo indignantly.

“I doubt that I could ever steal Duo away, but at least I can give him a kiss now and then,” Azrael remarked, pulling Duo closer and kissing him on the neck just under his ear before releasing him back to Heero.

“Well, I don’t know. What would you have to offer?” asked Duo playfully. “It would take an awful lot to beat out Heero Yuy, but I’d be willing to listen to what you have to say.”

“Ah, sweet Duo, I’d love to make you an offer you couldn’t refuse, but I don’t think Heero or Simon would let us get very far,” said Azrael, regretfully. “So, I must just admire you from afar, like the beautiful song bird that you are. And speaking of songs, we are having a karaoke tonight. Perhaps you could be persuaded to give us a song later?”

Duo looked at him sharply for a moment, wondering what Azrael knew but wasn’t saying, but only smiled as Heero came to his rescue.

“Simon, I think that I should take my wife on to dinner before the two of them decide to ditch us for each other,” said Heero, putting his arm around Duo's shoulder. Duo snuggled closer and nuzzled at Heero's neck.

“Yes, Heero, perhaps you should,” Simon agreed. “I think these two start to act hormone addled teenagers when they are around each other for too long,”

“Now, Simon, you know you are the only one,” said Azrael softly, smiling at his long time lover and confidant.

“I know,” Simon answered, smiling back.

“Alas, Azrael, it seems that they are bent on separating us, so I guess it’s fare well for now,” Duo quipped, and gave Azrael his hand for one last kiss before Heero laughingly swept him away. This time as they passed, the voices were muted and unintelligible, as if shocked by the scene just played out before them.

“Thank you for not getting angry,” said Duo softly when they were out of ear shot from everyone.

“I told you that I was going to try harder not to get jealous and angry. I want to show you that I trust and love you,” Heero replied.

“Thank you,” said Duo again and moved into his arms for a hug and a kiss, ignoring the hissing intake of breath from the astonished surrounding crowd.

“Let’s go find Quatre and Trowa and get something to eat,” suggested Heero as he released his flighty lover.

That had probably been the hardest thing that Heero had had to do lately, stand beside Duo while he’d flirted back ever so slightly with Azrael Winner. He’d just kept telling himself it was all for show, that Duo was completely his and in no way was he interested in the older man. And he’d kept calm and smiled. In fact, he was still able to be rational and push it aside. Of course, having Duo in his arms helped push the doubts away. One look into Duo's adoring eyes told him all he needed to know: that Duo love him and him alone, completely and unconditionally.

~*~

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