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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.

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“Equus”

Chapter 2

Heero moved his horses into the new stable block and was pleased to see that they accepted their new accommodations without any fuss. With the paddocks on the new property having been re-fenced into smaller pastures there was no chance of over grazing either. Duo's stable complex and paddocks were freed up for those sick equines that needed them and everything began to settle into a new routine.

Zechs had been very interested in renting the farmhouse and after discussions with Heero and Duo, a lease agreement was drawn up and Zechs moved in a couple of weeks later.

Shinigami had been turned out for a much deserved rest after the Olympics which gave Heero a little more time to work with young Wing. The colt hadn't completely forgotten his lessons and after a couple of training sessions, remembered everything he'd been taught. The colt was eager to please and a pleasure to handle. He had inherited his mother's gentle temperament, not that Zero was a nasty horse, but Wing was a lot less head strong than his half-brother, Shini. Although he was docile to handle and did everything he was asked, Wing also had a mischievous streak in him. It was that streak that often saw the young colt get into trouble.

He was naturally curious about everything around him and felt compelled to investigate anything and everything. He'd very quickly learned how to get out of his paddock – much to Heero's annoyance and Duo's amusement. Returning home from Treize's one day, Heero had gone out to get the colt only to find he wasn't in is paddock, the gate wide open and no sign of the dappled hide. At first Heero presumed that Duo maybe had taken the colt out of his paddock for some reason. That thought sent a mild dose of panic through his system. Duo wouldn't have taken Wing out if there hadn't been something wrong. He quickly hightailed it back to the surgery stables to see if Wing was there and being treated.

Sprinting into the stable block there was no sign of Wing or his lover. Turning, Heero headed for the surgery, knowing that would be the only other place he'd fins his lover considering Duo's car was parked up and he hadn't been in the house when Heero had gotten home. Hearing the tinkle of instruments as he entered the surgery through the back door, Heero aimed for the operating theater.

“Hey, Heero,” Duo said when he spotted his lover. “I'm just about finished here.” Seeing the panicked look on Heero's face, Duo paused in his stitching. “Is everything okay?”

“Have you seen Wing?” Heero asked, trying to keep the agitation out of his voice.

“He's in his paddock, isn't he?”

“No, he's not. I thought maybe he'd had an accident or something and you'd taken him out to treat him.”

Duo frowned. “No, I haven't taken him out, he was fine earlier when I checked at lunch time.”

“The paddock gate is open and he's gone,” Heero replied.

“Shit!”

“I think I should call the police, he could have been stolen,” Heero replied in a grim tone.

“Hang on a minute, Heero,” Duo said, his logical side coming to the fore. “Have you looked for him? He could be somewhere on the property. Maybe he's in with Shini or one of the others?”

“He's not in with any of the others. I haven't checked the rest of the property though.”

“Look, why don't you go and start searching the property? I'll finish up here and join you in a couple of minutes. If we can't find any trace of him I'd suggest we ring around and see if anyone has seen him. You never know, he could have gotten out if the gate wasn't latched properly and gone for a bit of a wander. Most people around here are pretty good and if they see a horse wandering around loose, they will catch it and put it in a paddock or something and try to find the owner. You could also try ringing Quatre and Trowa to see if they've had any reports of a horse being found. If we still can't locate him after all that, then ring the police.”

“Okay. I'll go start searching around the stables.”

“I'll be with you shortly.”

“Thanks.” Heero left the vet to finish up and headed back to Wing's paddock to try and trace where his horse may have gone.

Within ten minutes, Duo had joined him and the pair were busy scouring around the buildings searching for the colt. He wasn't in the stables and the hoof prints Heero had found by the paddock gate didn't give him any clue as to which direction the colt could have gone in.

Another ten minutes passed before Duo gave a shout, Heero immediately sprinting towards where his boyfriend had called from. “Duo?” he called as he approached the barn.

“In here, Heero. I've found him.”

Heero entered the barn and stopped dead. “How the hell did he get up there?”

Duo stood with his hands on his hips, staring at where Wing was currently standing and happily munching away oblivious to the commotion he'd caused. The barn was stocked with hay bales, the bales being stacked almost to the roof at the rear. Near the front, where Heero had been taking the bales from the stack was a little lower, rising steadily towards the back. About half way up the stack stood Wing, his front feet firmly planted on a hay bale, his hind a couple of tiers below and his face buried in the middle of another bale with his jaws working methodically.

“I'd say he climbed up,” Duo replied and cocked his head to the side. “I thought he was a horse, not a mountain goat?”

“I need to get him down,” Heero growled. “God knows how much hay he's eaten.”

“I think it would be a good idea to get him down too. I'll check him over for you, depending on how much he's eaten, he could get colic.”

“Thanks, Duo.”

Between the pair of them they managed to convince Wing to leave his feasting and come down from his position – easier said than done. It took a lot of cajoling, pushing and pulling followed by a couple of near misses with wayward hooves before Wing was safely back on the barn floor.

“I hope it's only the hay he's gotten into,” Duo muttered as he assisted Heero in getting the gray down.

“So do I.” Heero returned with a grunt.

With Wing now back on firm ground and still trying to nose around for scraps of hay, Duo disappeared to the section where Heero stored his grain and hard feed for the horses. He breathed a sigh of relief when he noted all bags were still stacked neatly and none showed any signs of being opened or 'attacked'.

“Looks like he's confined himself to just the hay,” Duo reported when he returned.

“That's one thing to be grateful for, I guess.”

“Come on, let's get him up to the surgery and into the crush so I can check him over properly.”

Wing didn't seem all that concerned about the fuss the nice humans were making, but he was a little disappointed that his feast had been taken from him.

Once safely in the crush, Duo went about checking the horse over from head to hoof. “He's lucky, there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with him at all. The main concern is colic of course, gorging himself like that could easily bring about an attack, but his insides sound just fine, gurgling away quite merrily in fact,” Duo reported with a grin.

“That's good news then,” Heero sighed. “What I want to know is how did he manage to get out of the paddock in the first place?”

“Are you sure you closed the gate properly?”

“Hai. I'm always particular about that,” Heero huffed.

“I know you are, but I had to ask,” Duo said as he attempted to soothe his partner's ruffled feathers.

“Someone must have let him out.”

“I haven't seen anyone around the property,” Duo said and scratched his head. “In any case, if someone was going to let the horse out, why not let them all out? Why just the one? If it's someone who has something against you for whatever reason, surely they would have gone for Zero or Shini, they're the more valuable ones given their history; no offense to Wing.” Duo gave the colt a pat.

“You do have a point,” Heero stated. “I'll check all the paddock gates twice in future. If it is someone trying to get at me through the horses or just an idiotic prank, it might pay for me to get a watch dog or set up some sort of security surveillance.”

“I'd put Wing back into his paddock for now, meanwhile, we can try to keep a closer eye on things and if anything should happen again, then we look at other measures, including letting the police know we may have an offender on the loose.”

“Okay.” Heero took his horse back to the paddock and double checked he'd locked the gate.

Two days later, Wing was missing again, this time they managed to locate him in one of the old sheds nosing around some sacks. Heero was not amused, Duo even less so when he saw how dusty and moldy those old sacks were. Another check was done and Wing none the worse for his adventures.

Heero disappeared into Salsbury later to purchase a couple of security cameras and spent the remainder of the day and the following one setting them up. He rigged the cameras to point down the raceway between the paddocks and another on the back of the house to pick up anything from the yards. He figured if someone was letting his horse out those two spots would pick up on any activity.

A week later the pair had their answer to Wing's escapades.

Having returned the colt to his paddock after finding him in the feed shed this time, Heero quickly brought up the recording of the past twelve hours. Sitting in the lounge room with Duo on the couch, the pair scrutinized the recording carefully.

Wing stood by his paddock gate, head hanging over and looking up and down. Shifting a little, he dropped his muzzle to where the chain came through and looped over the catch. Dexterous lips began to play with the chain and slightly larger 'loop'. After a couple of minutes, Wing managed to snag the chain in just the right spot and pull it back up and over the 'catch'. Once the chain was swinging free of the catch he put his chest to the gate and pushed. The chain slid through the hole in the gate as the gate opened. Once it was wide enough, Wing walked through and made a beeline for the feed sheds.

“Well I'll be,” Duo muttered.

“Crafty bugger,” Heero growled.

Duo began to laugh. “He's certainly a smart horse, Heero. Maybe you should rename him, call him Houdini.”

“I'll have to see what I can do about re-enforcing that gate. I can't have him getting out all the time.”

“All I can say is good luck.”

Heero attached a second chain to the gate, a little further down and with a bull-nose clip on it, one Wing wouldn't be able to manipulate. The colt did continue to try to escape his paddock, but although he could get the top chain undone, he couldn't open the clip on the second chain, much to his frustration.

“There, that's fixed him,” Heero smirked after two weeks and no further escapes.

The next morning Heero found Wing wandering up and down the breezeway of the stable block, having managed to open his stable door...

* * *

The stud season was upon them again and Heero had put an advert in the local paper and 'Hoofbeats' magazine offering Zero's stud services. This time, after the success of Shinigami at the Olympics, he'd put the service fee up to four thousand as Relena suggested in the past. He'd contacted the woman again to pick her brain in regards to having mares stay on the stud property whilst being served. He needed to have some form of legal paperwork drawn up to protect both himself and the mare owner.

Relena had helped as much as she could, reiterating that Heero should increase the stallion's stud fee. Heero had and the adverts duly appeared. Within a week, Zero had eight mares booked to him, three of those would be coming to stay on the property to be served, the others would visit daily once they came into season.

With this being Zero's second season at stud, and given the success of Shinigami, Heero had decided to increase the number of mares for Zero to serve to ten maximum. He fully intended to put Angel back into foal as well once the mare was ready.

Having gained valuable experience during Zero's first season as a stud stallion, both Heero and Duo felt a lot more confident about handling and serving the mares. Heero had the necessary paperwork drawn up, modifying the previous forms from last season to suit the increase in Zero's stud fee. He still asked for fifty percent of the stud fee up front with the balance to be paid once the mare was confirmed in foal.

Agistment papers were also drawn up in readiness for the mares that would be staying on the property and Heero was all set for the breeding season.

As yet, Heero hadn't done anything about taking in horses to educate, still content to work at Treize's and gain further experience. Whilst Treize was more than happy to keep Heero on, he couldn't help but wonder what the rider planned to do.

“I think that's enough for him today,” said Treize. “He's working really well.”

Heero patted the bay neck and relaxed the reins, allowing the horse to stretch out his head and neck as he walked around to cool off. “I think he would be ready for his show debut in a couple of weeks,” Heero said as he circled his boss.

“I was thinking the same thing. There's a small show coming up in three weeks, it's got a novice jumping class in it which I think would be suitable for him and also Peacemaker.”

Heero thought on Treize's words for a moment. “Sounds good. Where is it?”

“It's not too far away, Clarkson I think it is,” Treize replied. “I’m sure I've got the schedule up in the lunch room.”

“Okay.”

“Bring him in and we'll take a look.”

“No problem.” Heero turned the bay towards the schooling paddock gate and back to the stable yard. Joe came out once he heard hooves and took over settling Dollar, leaving Heero free to talk 'shop' with Treize.

“Now where is it?” Treize muttered as he searched through a pile of papers on the table in the small lunch room. Heero wandered in and put the kettle on to boil, making them both a hot drink and sitting himself down.

“Thanks, Heero,” Treize said as Heero set the mug down. “Ah, here it is.” Picking up the paper, Treize also sat and scanned over it before passing it to Heero. “Class three, Novice jumping. Should suit both of them as it's only a maximum height of three foot which means the first round will most likely be anywhere between two foot six and two foot nine.”

“They're both jumping three foot six in training so the height shouldn't worry them,” Heero said as he studied the entry form along with the show rules.

“The height won't be a problem to either of them, it's the atmosphere and keeping them focused that will be the problem,” Treize said with a grin.

“Yeah, first shows can be like that.” Heero thought back to when Shini had attended his first show. The stallion had been totally stunned by all the activity and had proven to be a handful. But that's how it went with horses. You couldn't expect an animal that worked calmly and quietly at home in the paddock to be the same when faced with all the hustle and bustle of a show. It took time for them to accept it and settle properly.

“Perfect way to start them off, I think.”

“I'd say so too. You want to go ahead and enter them then? Did you want me to ride both or would you prefer to ride one or both yourself?”

“I think we should ride one each,” Treize mused. “Which would you prefer?”

Heero thought about that for a moment. Dollar was a bay stallion, a five year old Peacemillion son who was showing a lot of promise and stood just shy of sixteen hands. Peacemaker was also by Peacemillion, but a chestnut mare, also a five year old and stood just fifteen two hands. She could be headstrong at times, but generally listened to her rider. For a small horse, or small by show-jumper standards, she made up for the lack of height in her powerful hindquarters. She had one heck of a jump on her as Heero had found out one day when she'd put in a huge leap over one of the training fences and literally jumped Heero off!

“I'll ride Peacemaker if that's okay.”

“That's fine. I'll ride Dollar then. I'll fill these entries out and post them off tonight. Once I have confirmation of the entries I'll work out with you what time to be at the show and such.”

“Thanks, Treize.”

They sat in silence for a couple of minutes until Treize couldn't contain himself any longer. “Heero? Pardon me for asking and you can tell me to shove off and mind my own business if you like, but have you done anything about taking in any horses to educate and jump yet?”

“No, I haven't,” Heero replied. “I've been so caught up in getting the property all set up that I've not really given any thought to how to go about getting any clients yet. I suppose I really should.”

“It might be an idea,” Treize said, his tone amused. “That's why you bought the property and spent all the money on renovations for. No point in having all those facilities and not do anything with them.”

Heero grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, I guess so.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Ummm... I'm not really sure how to go about it.”

“Ah.” Now Treize could understand that. Heero's situation was a little different to Treize's, he had an arrangement with Relena that saw his stables constantly filled with future showjumping prospects. “May I suggest something?”

“Feel free. I'm open to any and all suggestions seeing how I haven't got a clue what I'm really doing here.”

“It's not that hard, Heero. Look, I'd suggest putting an advert in the horse magazines, like what you did for Zero.” Seeing the blush appearing on Heero's cheeks, Treize thought he'd better clarify his words. “Not and advert for stud services; although I'm sure you would have plenty of takers.”

“Treize!”

“I'm only teasing you, Heero,” Treize chuckled. “But seriously, you are one hot guy-”

“And I'm happily involved in a relationship, thank you!” Heero growled.

“Okay, okay, I'll stop with the teasing.”

“Thanks, I'd appreciate it.”

“Getting back on topic, I'd place an advert in the horse magazines, something that states you are now taking in horses to educate and train, and, or are accepting horses to not just educate, but compete on for their owners too. There are a lot of people out there that have good, top quality jumpers going to waste because the owner doesn't have the time, experience or confidence to take the animal to the top. They are on the lookout for someone to do all that for them.”

“Sounds a bit complicated.”

“It's not really. Have you thought about teaching?”

“I don't think I'd have the patience for it.”

“I don't know. You could always take on a pupil or two. Maybe agist their horses on your property and give them a few lessons each week. It would be another way of improving your bank balance and believe it or not, you do have an aptitude for teaching, Heero.”

“I'll think about it.”

“Heero?”

“Hai?”

“Why don't you give Michael a call? He's doing exactly what it is you want to do and I'm sure he would be able to advise you a lot better than what I can. He'd also give you a better idea on what sort of fees to charge for the various services too.”

“That's not a bad idea, Treize. I think I'll do that.”

“Good. Now that's settled, we really should get back out there and carry on working these nags, although god only knows what I'm going to do when you leave.”

“If you'd rather I didn't-”

“Heero, don't you dare. I'll admit I will be really sorry to lose you, but this is your big chance to make even more of yourself, establish yourself in the world of horse training. The equine world already knows how good a rider you are and the rapport you have with your horses, now it's time to add more to your name. Just remember one thing; if for whatever reason this venture doesn't work out, there will always be a position here, at my stables for you.”

“Thanks, Treize, that means a lot to me.”

* * *

“Duo?”

“In here, Heero.”

Heero wandered into the lounge room where Duo's voice had come from and stopped in the doorway, a smile on his lips as he took in the sight. Duo was lying on the couch; Heero assumed from his lover's position the vet had been trying to take a cat nap, but that's where the problem lay. Smokey, the cat, had obviously decided that Duo would make a nice cushion and had sprawled herself half on the couch and half across Duo's stomach and unless Duo wanted to disturb the cat's sleep, he hadn't a hope in hell of moving.

“Got a bit of a problem there?” Heero asked as he entered the lounge room.

“You could say that,” Duo snickered.

“I think she likes you as a pillow.”

“No shit. I've got news for her though, she’s gonna have to wake up and move otherwise I'm likely to have a bit of an accident.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah, I'm kinda getting a bit desperate for the bathroom.”

Snickering softly, Heero walked over and picked up his wayward cat, Smokey giving a meow of protest but soon settling again as Heero wrapped her up in his arms.

“Thanks.” Duo made good on his escape, aiming quickly for the bathroom and relief for his screaming bladder. A few minutes later he was back, a much relieved look on his face. Plonking back on the couch next to Heero, he stole a kiss. “How was work today?”

“Not too bad. Treize is planning on entering Dollar and Peacemaker in a novice jumping class at the Clarkson show in a couple of weeks time.”

“You going to be riding them?”

“I'll ride Peacemaker, Treize will ride Dollar. It should be a good first show for them, give them the chance to get used to the atmosphere without a lot of pressure.”

“Sounds good then. Now, tell me what else is on your mind.”

Heero smiled. “Can't hide anything from you, can I?”

“Nope,” Duo grinned. “Now, spill.”

Heero explained about his conversation with Treize earlier in regards to his starting out in the world of equine training and Treize's suggestions for how to get started.

“I was wondering when you were going to get around to putting those facilities to use and chasing your dream,” Duo said with a smile.

“It's not that I don't want to, I wasn't sure about how to start off, what sort of fees I should charge and so on,” Heero defended himself. A gentle hand rested on his arm and he looked into the warm violet of his boyfriend and lover.

“Heero, it's okay to be scared.”

“I'm not-”

“Hush,” Duo cut him off. “You are, I can tell. No, not scared as in terrified type of scared, but worried you won't succeed, that you won't make it. Fear of failure happens to us all, Heero and it's nothing to be ashamed of. When I first bought this place and set the practice up, I was so worried I wouldn't do any good. Many people had told me I was an idiot to set up a practice out in the bush, that it would fail within the first year and I'd be back in the city, tail between my legs and licking my wounds. Despite all that, I had to try. The fear of failure is always there, Heero; it's how we meet it, challenge it and overcome it that matters. Yeah, the practice was slow in the early stages, but look at it now. I now have a full time receptionist and another vet on the payroll; if things continue the way they are I may have to look at putting on a third vet and possibly an assistant for Catherine.”

Duo paused for a moment. “It's going to take time, Heero. You have a good reputation already from your success with Zero and now Shinigami. Once word starts to get out that you're accepting horses to train and jump I'm sure they will be beating down the door just to get a spot with you and you'll end up having to take a waiting list as well.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know you, I know what you're capable of and believe it or not, there's many people out there who would jump at the chance to have you ride, educate and jump their horses. You're an excellent rider who is sympathetic to his horse and knows how to get the best from any animal. You also love what you do.”

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” Heero said softly and leaned in to press his lips in a tender kiss to Duo's.

“Fell into my life?” Duo returned as the kiss broke. “Literally?”

Heero chuckled. “I love you so much. Thanks for having faith in me, Duo.”

“I love you too, Heero, and it works both ways. You support me too when I need it.”

“I'll call Michael in a minute and see what I can learn from him.”

“Good idea. I'd like to cuddle a little first though.”

“Me too.” Easing Smokey from his arms and placing her on the couch, Heero drew Duo into his embrace instead, snuggling close and feathering kisses all over Duo's face and lips.

~ * ~

tbc...
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Equus