Pull the Trigger and the Nightmare Stops�

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Gundam boys or their world, I just like to imagine them in my own little world (which is totally of my making). No profits (as in no money made by me) 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

Finally, an update. I sincerely apologize for taking so long to get this out. I don’t know why, but I am having trouble getting the words from my head and onto paper (or computer screen, as it were). I know what I want to say and what is going to happen, but I just can’t seem to get it to come out right. That and the time just seems to keep ticking away from me. Thank you for waiting and I hope the next parts will come along quicker.

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, so please review, it makes me so happy.

fairywm: Thank you for the review, and I am sorry that you will most likely never read this, but I guess that can’t be helped, given the way you really feel. I have gone over those 16 chapters and I fail to see where you are coming from. You complain of repetition, of me telling the exact story over and over, but all I have tried to do is give new information about the past in different places, because the story does not deal directly with what happened when they were young. I am sorry of some of the same info creeps in, but that’s the way the conversations worked out. I am trying to build a plot and characterization, not just assume that everyone knows everything. And as Duo is meeting new people, and given the fact that Heero was never forthcoming about his earlier life, it is reasonable that various explanations would be needed. In regards to the “cut and paste” of the bar scene between Quatre and Heero, I fail to see that either. Perhaps I am reading differently. Anyway, further explanation is really pointless, as everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and you are free to express yours as you see fit. Still, I thank you for voicing your opinion, that is what makes this a great place, the fact that we can voice our opinions. And I sincerely hope that one day you will continue to read and to perhaps come across this message.

My sincere thanks to every one who has waited so patiently and continued to read.


~*~

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 33


~*~
The car slowed and Duo sprang out almost before the wheels had stopped turning. Heero followed a little more slowly, actually letting the car come to a complete halt before exiting. He smiled slightly as he watched Duo looking around in wide-eyed wonder.

The two agents exited the car a couple of moments after Heero and waited awkwardly for him to turn his attention to them, which he did after a moment.

“Agents, I thank you for your efforts over the last two days, and your patience. If you’ll pop the trunk, I’ll gather our possessions and you’ll be free to head out,” Heero told them.

Wisely, neither agent said anything. Agent Green walked around to the back of the car and popped the trunk, then stood aside while Heero gathered their assorted weapons and put them into the new bag they had acquired along with their clothing the day before. He closed the lid and turned his back on the car, the agents effectively dismissed completely from his mind and turned his complete attention to the house Duo was admiring.

It wasn’t an extremely large structure, but it was by no means small. A wide staircase led up to a massive porch that had large pillars supporting a balcony above it. Two wings of the house stretched out to either side and the porch seemed to wrap around the sides somewhat. From what Heero could see, the house went back for quite a ways. He was sure that Duo could get lost in the place for long hours at a time. He took a moment to glance around the grounds as well.

The front lawns stretched out in smooth emerald green perfection, and flower beds marched smartly down all sides of the grassy expanse. To each side appeared to be large gardens that disappeared around the sides of the house. Heero could only imagine what the back of the establishment was like if the front was any indication. But this was one of the Winner’s private estates, and Heero expected nothing less then magnificence from anything that the Winner’s personally possessed.

Meanwhile, as the two men stood in their silent contemplation, the vast front door opened and a middle aged couple stepped out, a young girl hovering closely behind them.

Heero took Duo's arm and gently guided his, for the moment, silent lover up the steps. The man bowed slightly as the two stopped before him.

“Mr Yuy? And Mr Maxwell,” the man greeted them. “I am Sully. James Sulliman, actually, but Sully will do. I am the manager of this estate. Welcome. And this is my wife, Berta. She is the housekeeper and cook. And this bit of fluff is Trisha, general helper from the village. Please, won’t you come inside?”

Heero nodded at the introductions. The woman nodded, smiling pleasantly. She was a slightly plump, motherly looking woman who seem genuinely pleased to have the company in the house. The girl, a gangly blonde, slightly cute in the looks department, giggled and blushed when Heero looked her way.

Sully shooed the two women in the door before gesturing for Heero and Duo to proceed him into the entry way of the imposing structure. A quick glance at the giggling girl was enough to send off warning bells in Heero's mind. The girl could spell trouble if not watched carefully. And from the coy glances she threw him before scurrying into the house ahead of Berta, Heero was sure at whom she was planning to wave her seventeen year old charms. He sighed and shook his head slightly, then put it out of his mind for the moment. Time to think about it tomorrow. Right now, he just wanted to get Duo settled in for the night.

Berta paused for a moment before heading off for the kitchen.

“Have you gentlemen eaten yet?” she asked in a low, pleasant voice.

“If you can call it that,” quipped Duo, speaking for the first time. “But I can always go for a snack, if you know what I mean.”

Duo flashed her his patented, known to charm Maxwell smile and got a big grin in return. He knew that he had already made a hit with the most important person in the house, (well, right after Heero, that is) the cook. It always paid to be on the cook’s good side.

“I’ll be after sending you up some sandwiches and coffee once you’ve gotten settled into your rooms, then,” she replied, instinctive knowing that she was going to like this long haired boy a lot. Then she swept off to her vast domain of the kitchen, prepared to do battle with the already smitten girl that was waiting there.

“If you would like to follow me, I’ll show you the rooms upstairs,” Sully told them as he gestured towards the grand staircase. The men followed, Heero's hand resting gently on the small of Duo's back as he escorted the love of his life into their new home.

~*~

Back in the kitchen, as she knew she would be, Berta was bombarded by a seventeen year old with her hormones in overdrive.

“Oooo… did you see that Mr Yuy’s gorgeous blue eyes?” Trisha gushed. “And what I wouldn’t give to run my hands through that messy hair of his. Isn’t he just the most marvelous man you’ve ever laid eyes on, Miss?”

“He is a fine looking gentleman, and you’d best be keeping your eyes to yourself and your thoughts on your work, girl,” huffed a slightly harried cook. “That gentleman is way out of your league, and you’d be better off not even trying to go down that road. Now, get yourself off home, it’s getting late and your mum will be wondering where you are.”

Berta shooed the gushing girl towards the back door, trying to gently persuade her that home was the best place to be at the moment. But the girl was persistent.

“But Miss, don’t you want some help here in the kitchen? You offered sandwiches and coffee. I can help make it, then take it up to the room for you,” the girl offered in what she hoped was an innocent, helpful manner.

“I don’t need help for a few paltry sandwiches and Sully is more then capable of taking the lot up stairs. Just you take yourself off home. I will be seeing you on Tuesday afternoon. Now, have a good weekend and behave yourself,” stated Berta, seeing completely through her subterfuge. She push the reluctant girl out the door and closed it firmly behind her. Then, shaking her head at the girl’s unsuccessful attempt at being subtle about her intentions, she turned to the refrigerator to see what she could come up with on short notice.

A chuckle at the kitchen entrance drew her attention.

“Seems our bit of fluff is quite taken by that Mr Yuy,” said Sully.

“She’ll be better off not thinking about that young man,” returned Berta, the food now ready to assemble on the counter. “Just put on a fresh pot of coffee, will you Sully?”

“Now, nothing wrong with a young girl trying to catch the eye of a handsome young man,” soothed Sully as he readied the coffee pot for the water. “She could do worse for herself, and Mr Yuy seems to be an affluent gentleman.”

“That’s just wishing heartbreak on her, you are, James Sulliman,” retorted his wife.

“Why do you say that?” Sully asked as the fresh coffee started to drip down into the carafe.

“The only one that will be catching the eye of young Mr Yuy is young Mr Duo,” she replied. “From the looks of them, they have been committed to each other for a good long time, and no bit of fluff is going to come between those two boys.”

“You think that they are a couple?” Sully asked.

“I’d be willing to bet pretty much everything I have on that, and I’m pretty sure that I would win that bet,” Berta stated, putting the finished sandwiches on a plate, and the plate on a serving tray. “Which rooms did they take?”

“Ah, yes. They did take the master suite, not two of the separated bedrooms,” replied Sully, adding coffee cups and saucers to the plates and cutlery that already waited on the tray.

“There you go then. Only them that was together would be taking one room for the two instead of spreading out comfortable like in separate rooms,” said Berta, a knowing look in her eyes. “Those two boys won’t be wanting anything to do with a lass of any kind, you can count on that.”

“Ah, well, to each his own. It’s not our place to judge,” said Sully. “We are here to make sure that they receive the best care we can give them, that’s all. And I am sure we all will do our best to uphold the Winner standards while they are here.”

“Here’s hoping that they will be comfortable with us,” said Berta as she put the filled coffee thermos on the tray and opened the door for Sully as he took the loaded tray up to the gentlemen in question.

Berta cleaned up after herself and got the kitchen ready for the morning, then sat with a cup of coffee, waiting for Sully to return before heading towards the cottage that the couple had the privilege of sharing.

~*~

Heero had opted for the master suite when given the choice of rooms by Sully. He knew that the more room Duo had to sprawl out, the better. And, as it seemed as if they would be staying at this estate for some time, they might as well be as comfortable as possible.

Sully had given them a quick tour of the rooms, showing them the fully stocked bar in one corner of the sitting room, the doors that led into the master bedroom and the balcony beyond, and the door leading to the spacious bathroom. He left the two to find out the rest of the details on their own, letting them know that he would be up in a few minutes with the promised snack. Then Heero and Duo were alone in the spacious quarters.

“Wow,” exclaimed Duo. “This is almost as big as our penthouse was. Azrael lives good, doesn’t he, Heero?”

“I think all of the Winners live good,” replied Heero, poking around in the bar before settling on a bottle of water for the time being.

Duo dashed off, looking into every corner, opening every door and drawer he came too, poking into every nook and cranny. Heero looked on amused, thinking that Duo looked like a nosy ferret, checking out everything he possibly could. Then Duo disappeared into the door that led into the bathroom. The next sound that Heero heard was that of running water, Duo's voice shouting over it.

“Heero, you gotta see this bathroom. I could live in here!” Duo exclaimed. “It’s got a separated room for just the bathtub. I think I’m in love!”

Heero snorted softly to himself and followed Duo's voice into the bathing chamber. True enough, it was big enough to live in, with a separate room just for bathing. The room with the toilet and sink also contained a large shower for the person who opted not to soak themselves in hot water for a prolonged period of time.

After giving Duo some much needed assistance, Heero left him to his worshiping of the magnificent bathroom and wandered back over to the bar in the sitting room. He mixed himself a drink then sprawled out to relax on the comfortable, overstuffed loveseat with a sigh of relief.

He smiled faintly to himself as he could hear Duo singing happily in the bathroom, an occasional splash of water accompanying him. He felt very content at the moment.

~*~

Upon seeing the large, sunken Jacuzzi tub that dominated the bathing room, surrounded by all of the necessities of a proper bathing experience (bath salts, oils, body washes in every fragrance imaginable and a sizeable variety of shampoos and conditioners) a look of unparalleled bliss seemed to come over Duo's face, and he immediately started trying to remove clothing while adjusting hot water and trying to peruse the various bath products available to him all at the same time.

After the events of the last few days and the confinement of the car, relaxing in a tub of hot, scented water seemed to be a necessity to him at the moment, even replacing the thought of the forth coming food.

After watching him struggle with the various uncooperative items of clothing, Heero stepped in to lend a hand before frustration caused Duo to simply rip everything off. Heero also took the added precaution of pinning up Duo's long plait of hair, so as not to let it get completely soaked in the endeavor, much to Duo's disgust.

“But I need to wash it,” he whined.

“Not tonight,” replied Heero, ignoring his attempt to dodge away. “It will take too long for it to dry before we go to bed.”

“But it feels gross,” Duo complained. “It’s all oily and nasty and I’m sure that there is still dried blood in it somewhere. Please?”

“No,” said Heero, “because I’m the one that has to do the washing, and I don’t feel up to it tonight. Tonight I just want to relax. Tomorrow is soon enough. One more night won’t hurt it.”

“But Heero,” Duo tried again, only to be quelled by a stern look from Heero. With an indignant snort, Duo turned back to his running water, and began to add various condiments to his bath. At least Heero wasn’t telling him he couldn’t soak.

He had been a bit apprehensive about that because of his stitches, but Heero had simply taken off the old bandage, inspected the area, then left Duo to his own devices, with only a warning not to soak the stitches too much. So now Duo was happily soaking all of his cares away, the frustrations of the last few days melting away with the steam.

~*~

Heero was enjoying the peace and relative quiet, eyes closed, drink in hand, when the soft knock on the door brought his lazing mind back to reality.

He ambled lazily over to the door, opening it to find Sully bearing a fully laden tray in his hands. Heero stepped aside to allow the man to enter and sit down his burden. The sandwiches looked great and the coffee smelled heavenly. After the dry burgers and limp fries that had constituted “dinner”, the simple fare looked like a feast.

“Everything is to your liking, I trust?” Sully inquired as he glanced around the room. A splash from the bathing room let him know where the other occupant of the suite was at the moment.

“Everything is perfect. We couldn’t ask for anything better,” Heero replied. “Thank you.”

“Our pleasure, sir. We seldom have guests at this residence for any length of time, so it will be a delight to have you here. Will you be staying for a while?” Sully asked as he sat the food and drink on the bar, laying out the dishes and cutlery as well.

“We aren’t sure how long we will be here, but most likely it will be several months,” Heero replied. “And as to a pleasure, we’ll see how you feel about that after you’ve experience some time with Duo in residence.”

Sully only smiled slightly in response. After having Miss Irina and her children for the summer, what trouble could two young men possibly be?

“Just to let you know, sir, I usually set the security alarms for the house at 11:00, just before I retire for the night, and I disarm them at 6:30 when the staff begins to arrive,” Sully told him. “That means that while you can go out on the enclosed portion of the balcony, if you use the door that leads to the open portion, the alarms will go off. If you would like me to make any changes to the times, please let me know so I can call the monitoring company and let them know.”

“That sounds fine for now,” Heero replied. “I’ll let you know if we need to make changes later on. Also I would like to check out what you have in place for security tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”

“That will be no problem, sir. I am at you disposal. Will there be anything more that you require for tonight?” Sully asked.

“No, I think we’re good. I’m going to go drag Duo out of the tub so he can eat, then I think we’ll turn in,” replied Heero.

“Very well then. I will see you tomorrow,” said Sully as he exited the suite and closed the door behind himself, then headed for the kitchen and his patiently waiting wife. He could hear Heero calling out to Duo that the food had arrived, and the endearment that the man used left no doubt in Sully’s mind that his wife had been correct in her assessment of the situation. Not that it mattered to him. What other people did in the privacy of their own lives was their own business.

~*~

Berta was waiting patiently when Sully entered the kitchen. After depositing the tray on the sink, he sat to join her in a cup of coffee before they left the main house.

“Did they get settled in alright?” she inquired.

“They seem to have. Mr Duo was enjoying the tub when I got there. He seems to have a nice singing voice from what I could hear,” Sully replied. “I spoke with Mr Yuy and he said they would likely be here for several months. And it looks as if you were right about them being together. I guess that will mean keeping a close eye on that bit of fluff to see that she doesn’t bother the gentlemen unnecessarily.”

“I thought as much,” replied Berta. “If Trisha proves to be too much of a handful, I will let her have a vacation for a couple of weeks. That should help her get her mind back to where it belongs.”

Berta rose, picked up the used cups and deposited them in the sink for the morning, then made ready to leave for the night. Sully followed her out, locking the back door as he departed. It seemed as if their quiet life would be a bit more lively for the time being.

~*~

Thanks for reading, hope your visit has been a good one. Please review, I enjoy hearing from you and every word of encouragement makes me want to write more.