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Cowboy	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5572 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. Written for pleasure not profit.

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“Cowboy”

October 2010 ShenLong

Chapter 38

[She knows his love’s in Tulsa

And she knows he’s gonna go

Well, it ain’t no woman flesh and blood

It’s that damned old Rodeo

Rodeo – Garth Brooks]

By the time the guys returned to the main arena the calves were all waiting inside a corral and the rest of the cowboys competing waited patiently in the staging area for the roping to begin. Heero had drawn third to go and made his way closer to the gate area, Duo rode along with him.

The first cowboy was already in position, lariat ready as he positioned his horse. The calf shot out, the cowboy and horse hot on his heels.

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

“Thanks.”

“You're gonna do just great.”

“I hope to give you all a time to chase,” Heero replied with a smirk.

Duo gave a shrug. “Don't matter what time you get, I'll beat it and then some,” he replied cheekily.

Heero shook his head. “We'll see.” Turning Wing, he rode over to the entry gate to await his turn.

“You're up next, Heero,” the cow hand told him as Heero stood beside the entry to the arena. Heero nodded and watched the cowboy before him set off in hot pursuit of the steer.

Once the other cowboy had finished and cleared the arena, Heero rode in and took his place in the start box. On the other side, Wufei sat on Nataku, his face in a grim line. Heero wondered what on earth could be up with the pick-up guy. Right now though he didn't have the time to question the other man so he filed it away in his mind to ask Wufei about later.

The calf entered the chute where another cow hand placed the barrier rope around its neck, checking it was in the correct place. Satisfied all was well, the calf was allowed into the next chute.

Wing stood perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the arena and waiting for the calf to break and his master to give him the aid to chase after it. His ears were pricked, muscles taut and ready to spring forth.

Heero lifted the piggin' string from around the saddle horn and slipped it into his mouth. The lariat was next and he let it drop to the ground, partially coiling it back up into his hand but leaving the looped end dangling free. He gave a couple of experimental swings and prepared himself.

All ready, Heero gave the nod to the cow hand and the calf was released, the animal bolting for freedom. The barrier rope reached its limit and fell away, snapping the thin string that held the rope in place across the front of the 'box' Wing and Heero waited in. Once the rope dropped, Wing exploded into action.

Black and white haunches dug deep into the ground as they propelled the body forward and after the calf. Within three strides, Wing was at a full gallop and chasing down the steer. On the sidelines, Duo watched, his heart racing as the adrenaline began to run through his blood.

Heero swung the lariat around as his body moved easily with Wing's stride. His blue eyes were fixed completely on the calf ahead. The rope sailed through the air and landed neatly around the calf's neck. As soon as the lariat had left his hand, Heero was throwing his body from the saddle, feet hitting the ground running and one hand on the rope that stretched between the calf and the saddle horn.

Feeling his master's weight leaving his back, Wing slammed on the brakes, hooves digging deep into the arena surface as he brought his headlong gallop to a sliding stop. The rope pulled taut and Wing began to step backwards very slowly, keeping the lariat tight.

Heero sprinted down the line of the rope, trusting Wing to keep the pressure on. Reaching the calf, he grabbed the animal and expertly turned it onto its side. The piggin' string was yanked from his mouth, three legs grasped and pulled together and the hand flew through the air as it wrapped the string around the calf's legs and secured it. Letting the calf go, Heero raised his hands into the air and the crowd went wild.

The judge checked the calf and Heero's handiwork, raising his flag to indicate the all clear.

“Fantastic, ladies and gentlemen! Heero Yuy scored eight seconds for the steer roping and that score puts him into first place right now. I'm sure the other cowboys will all have something to say about that though!”

Heero smiled and waved to the crowd as he walked back to where Wing was still taking a step back from time to time, keeping the rope taut. “Easy, boy. You can come forward now,” Heero told the horse as he rested a hand on the black and white neck.

Wing gave a soft snort and stepped forward, the rope going slack and enabling the cow hands to release the calf. Once he was free, the calf stood up, shook himself and with a loud bellow, charged off out of the arena to join his mates in the corral.

The cow hand walked over and handed Heero his piggin' string and lariat, Heero thanking the man and sliding the ropes back over the saddle horn. Grasping the horn, he shoved his foot into the stirrup and remounted. Taking up the reins, he nudged Wing and the paint spun around, breaking into a lope and heading for the exit.

Waiting just outside the gate was Duo, an excited look on his face. Heero couldn't help but grin back.

“Great work there, Heero,” Duo congratulated as his boyfriend rode out.

“Thanks. Wing was really good too,” Heero said and patted his horse.

“Yeah, he's a damn fine cow pony alright and I'd love to see what he throws out of some of the mares we buy for the ranch.”

Wing lapped up the pats and praise, sticking his nose into the air at the speckled freak. Scythe wasn't at all happy and glowered at the paint pot. It would be his turn soon and when it was, he'd show that two toned excuse for a pony just how it was done. Things weren't as black and white as that hide seemed to think.

Several other cowboys all took their turns at the roping and whilst all but one roped their calf and tied it, none were close to Heero's time.

“Be careful out there,” Heero said softly as Duo checked his lariat and piggin' string.

“I will,” Duo returned with a gentle smile. “But I warn you, your time is about to become history.”

“Really?” Heero cocked an eyebrow.

“Just sit back and watch. You never know, you just might learn something,” Duo replied with a cheeky grin.

Heero snorted.

“Gotta go,” Duo said and with a nod of his head to Heero, he turned Scythe and began to ride over to the arena gate.

Nudging Wing, Heero tagged along and brought Wing to a stop beside Duo. “I'll be watching. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Duo replied, his mind already focusing on the task ahead.

The cow hand nodded to Duo as the preceding cowboy remounted his horse and left the arena.

Giving Scythe a light squeeze of his legs, he urged the appy forward. Scythe responded, cocking his ears and prancing forward, kicking up a little dust in his wake and sending a shower of dirt in the direction of Wing. The paint snorted and shook his head as dust and dirt caught him on his muzzle. He gave that disappearing tail a hateful glare.

The calf came into the chute where the cow hand set the barrier rope around its neck. With the calf all ready, Duo turned Scythe in the 'box' and removed his piggin' string. Placing it in his mouth for easy access, he pulled the lariat free and gave a few swings. Scythe was on his toes, black ears pricked and eyes on the spot where he knew the calf would break from.

Quatre sat relaxed on the other side, ready to help out should the need arise; Sandrock watched in anticipation as he eyed the spot the calf would break from. The blonde gave Duo a quick glance and Duo smiled back in reassurance.

With the rope twirling in his hand, Duo gave the nod to the cow hand who released the calf.

The brown animal shot out of the chute and tore across the arena, the string snapping and dropping the rope that kept Scythe in the 'box'. With the rope falling, Duo dug his heels in and Scythe shot out in hot pursuit. Duo swung the lariat around and released it towards the calf.

The instant the lariat touched the calf, Duo was kicking his feet free of the stirrups and pushing himself from the saddle. His shoulder and ribs screamed in protest and Duo bit his lip to keep from crying out with the pain. His body worked on auto pilot, feet running before they hit the dirt, one hand on the rope and eyes firmly on the calf ahead.

Scythe threw his weight back onto his haunches as his master departed, front hooves propped hard out front as his hind legs sank into the dirt and brought his headlong gallop to a sudden, sliding stop. He began to back up, pulling in the slack until he could feel the weight of the calf on the other end and keeping the tautness to the rope so Duo could do his part of the job.

Racing down the rope, Duo ignored the pain in his ribs and shoulder, forcing his body to cooperate with his mind. He reached the calf and expertly grasped it around the neck and flank, turning it onto its side and grabbing for the three legs. The piggin' string was deployed, Duo's hand moving so fast it was a blur as it wrapped the string around the calf's legs. String secure, Duo released the calf and stood up, throwing his hands into the air for the time to stop.

The judge walked over and checked the calf and string, raising his flag to indicate all was clear.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that was some piece of roping by Duo Maxwell; but was it good enough?”

“I fuckin' hope so,” Duo muttered and winced as he raised his hand to wave to the crowd. Reaching Scythe he paused to catch his breath and let the throbbing in his shoulder ease a touch.

“That's a time of seven and a half seconds for Duo Maxwell, folks!”

The crowd went wild, cheering and applauding the cowboy.

“That effort puts Duo Maxwell into first place in the roping for now. Heero Yuy is hot on his tail though, just half a second behind and with another eight cowboys to go it's still anyone’s competition.”

“Well, shit,” Duo snickered and feeling a little better, he managed to heave himself back into the saddle. He waved to the crowd again, easing Scythe forward to release the pressure on the lariat so the cow hand could let the calf loose. “Thanks,” he said as his lariat and piggin' string were handed back.

“Good roping, Duo,” Quatre praised as he rode over to Duo who was securing the lariat and piggin' string around the saddle horn. “Are you okay?”

“Thanks, Quatre and yes, I'm fine,” Duo replied.

Quatre didn't look completely convinced, but he let it slide.

“Best get out of here,” Duo muttered and turning Scythe, he pushed the appy into a lope and aimed for the exit gate where he knew Heero would be waiting for him.

Stepping out of the arena, Duo spotted Heero sitting on Wing just to the side, a wide smile on his face. He guided Scythe towards his boyfriend, a reciprocating smile on his own face.

“That was just fantastic, Duo,” Heero praised as the pair met up. “I didn't think anyone would manage to beat my time, but once again you've proven me wrong.” There wasn't any malice in Heero's words, just the acknowledgment of a fellow cowboy for a job well done.

“Thanks. I didn't think I would manage to beat your time either, although I knew I could go close. Guess luck was on my side this time.”

“How is your shoulder and ribs?” Heero asked, a touch of concern in his voice.

“Aching a bit, but they're holding up just fine,” Duo replied honestly

“You promise to let me know if they start to play you up too much, I can always get them re-strapped for you, although I think another dose of pain medication will be out for a while yet.”

“Thanks for the offer and I'll let you know if they do need attention, but for now I think I'll just relax and rest for a bit.”

“Good idea. You want to ride over to the side and watch the rest of the roping from there?”

“I'd love to.”

* * *

The remaining eight cowboys all completed their turns at the roping and while each was successful in roping their calves, none beat Duo's time – or Heero's either. Duo was the winner of the roping with Heero a close second.

With the roping event finished, the bulldogging would be coming up shortly. It would take a little time for the cow hands to remove the calves from the roping event and herd in the fresh steers in for the bulldogging, so while that was happening the cowgirls got their chance to shine in the ladies barrel race and the cowboys all got the chance to take a rest and discuss how they thought the standings were for the title.

The discussion was running hot, everyone agreeing that Heero and Duo were most likely back in the lead after their success so far; but just which one of them was leading and by how much was something no one wanted to speculate on. Heero was pretty certain that Duo was in the lead, that score he'd gotten for staying on Reaper would have boosted his overall total points. Duo knew he'd managed to move up with that ride on Reaper, but he wasn't sure if would be enough to put him in the outright lead. Heero had been consistent through all of his events too and that had to give the other cowboy a good chance.

“It's definitely going to be one of you two,” Quatre said as he leaned against Sandrock's shoulder, a soda in his hand as he took time out to recover from the events.

“The question is, which one?” Trowa mused.

“You know, it would be nice if we could draw for the title,” said Duo and took a sip from his soda.

Beside Duo, Heero stood, a bottle of water in his hand and a thoughtful look on his face. “If that happens they will probably make us ride off to break the tie,” he said.

“Huh? Why can't we share the title?” replied Duo. “If they were to have a tie breaker, what would it be?”

Heero shrugged his shoulders. “I don't know why they wouldn't allow a draw, I don't think it's ever happened before. As for what they would use as a tie breaker, might be another bull ride or a roping or something.”

Duo shuddered, the thought of having to sit on a bull, bronc or repeat any of the events from earlier not sitting well with his sore body. It was going to be tough enough to complete the bulldogging in his injured state without having another competition added. “You know what? I don't care if the title ends in a draw, just so long as either Heero or I get the title that's all that matters to me. If it should come down to a tie breaker then I'd quite happily step down and let Heero take the title. At the end of the day, we're both after that title for the money to continue to establish the ranch and it doesn't matter which one of us wins, just so long as it's either Heero or me.”

Heero smiled. “You know, I happen to agree with you on that. As long as one of us gets the title and the money then that's all that matters. I'd happily step down too and let you have the title if we do draw, Duo.”

“I suggest you both wait and see what the scores are after the bulldogging. That title is still open and if neither of you scores well in this last event, someone else could snatch that title out from under you,” Wufei stated.

“Good point. One should never count their chickens until they've hatched,” Quatre recited.

“I'm just gonna go out there and give it my best shot,” Duo said. “Whatever happens, happens.”

“Amen to that,” Heero said and then turned his attention to Wufei who still had a scowl on his face. “Is there anything wrong, Wufei?”

Immediately the other three turned their attention to the Chinese cowboy and noticed the unhappy look registered on his features.

“Is everything okay, Wufei?” Duo asked. “Meiran's alright, isn't she?”

“Meiran is fine,” Wufei growled, the scowl deepening.

“You two didn't have a fight, did you?” Trowa asked.

“No, we didn't.”

“Something is bothering you, you want to share?” Quatre questioned keeping his tone neutral.

With a sigh Wufei caved. “It's that black demon,” he began.

“Reaper?” Duo shuddered. “He hasn't hurt her has he?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Wufei was quick to reply. “Quite the opposite in fact. She's been in that corral with him ever since she finished the paperwork with Treize. They're getting along just fine. You know, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed that was the same horse. She even had me pet the damn thing.”

“Really?” Heero's eyes widened. “And you still have all your fingers and hand?”

Wufei snorted. “Of course I do, although I do admit I was a little worried there for a bit.”

“Shit! I'd have been more than worried,” Duo stated. “You're a braver man than me, Wufei. I've seen enough of that black devil to last me several lifetimes.”

“Is that why you're not happy, because Meiran had you patting Reaper?” Quatre asked.

“Not quite.” Wufei took a deep breath. “She wants me to transport him home in my rig with Nataku.”

The other four fell silent, each looking nervously to each other and then back to Wufei.

“You agreed?” Heero managed to whisper out.

Wufei nodded. “I had no choice.”

“Well, Wufei, all I can say is good luck and it's been nice knowing you,” Duo snickered.

“Thanks, thanks a lot, Maxwell. Next time you need rescuing don't look to me to save you,” Wufei huffed.

Still grinning, Duo spoke again. “You'll be fine, Wufei. Meiran obviously knows what she's doing if that demonstration in the corral is anything to go by and from what you've told us about the two of them since, I'd say he'll be fine.”

“I hope so,” Wufei muttered.

“So, any idea if you want to be cremated or buried? Any particular type of flowers for the funeral?”

“Maxwell!”

Duo laughed and took off running as Wufei chased him.

* * *

“How are the ribs and shoulder feeling now?” Heero asked as they stood side by side near the gates to the arena. The bulldogging would be starting in a few minutes and Duo would be fifth to ride off, Heero seventh.

“Still a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle,” Duo replied.

“Try not to hurt yourself any further out there, if you find it's too much for you just call it quits, getting hurt again isn't worth it, Duo.” Heero knew better than to ask his partner to simply forgo the event, Duo was a cowboy, just like him and a cowboy grit his teeth and got on with the job.

“I'll survive, Heero,” Duo returned with a smile. “Once this event is over that's it for me, I'll have the full off season to rest and recuperate.”

“And I'll be there to make sure you do rest and recover. I promise I'll look after you.” Blue eyes softened as they gazed upon the man he was falling in love with.

“I think I can be persuaded to allow you to nurse me back to health.” A wicked gleam appeared in Duo's eye. “Does that care extend to mouth to mouth if I need it?”

“I've been told I have an excellent bedside manner,” Heero teased back.

“I'd be more interested in finding out about the in-bed manner.”

“I think that could be arranged.” Heero's voice was low and husky, sending shivers down Duo's spine.

“Just you wait until we get back home, I'll show you things you've never dreamed of, if you want?”

“I'll hold you to that.”

“Oh, god, Heero. What are you doing to me?” Duo moaned as he felt his jeans becoming tight.

“I'm not doing anything – yet.” Heero's grin was positively wicked.

“I think we should stop now whilst I can still control myself.”

Scythe and Wing stood behind their masters, both horses knowing they would be competing again very soon. Wing was dozing lightly, Scythe had his eyes half closed but was wide awake. A fly landed on his flank and Scythe twitched his muscles to shake it off. It didn't budge. The insect began to bite, Scythe lashed his tail around to swish at the annoying fly, some of the tail hairs catching Wing as they sailed past. The paint jumped as a sting registered. His eyes opened wide and he glared at the appaloosa, but the spotted excuse for a cow pony was standing completely still, eyes half closed and looking completely innocent of any wrong doing.

Wing knew that freckled freak had managed to get him in some way, but just how was a mystery to him. With a low snort, he rested a hind leg and let his eyes partially close.

Scythe snickered to himself.

The commentator came over the address system and announced the starting of the bulldogging competition, giving his usual run down on the event and what the cowboys were doing on the off chance that someone in the crowd wasn’t aware of the event and its rules.

“Guess we'd better mount up,” Duo said with a smile and turned to his horse.

Heero tossed his reins over Wing's neck and shoved his foot into the stirrup, grasping the saddle horn and pulling himself up and into the saddle. “Ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I'm ever going to be,” Duo replied.

The pair rode side by side to the arena entry and waited just outside where they could see the start 'boxes' where the steers, cowboy and hazer would come out from.

The first cowboy was taking his place inside the 'box', his cow pony dancing with excitement. Giving a nod to the cow hand, the calf was released, the cowboy and hazer shooting after it.

Duo felt the adrenaline beginning to surge through his veins, his heart rate quickened and his eyes sparkled. Beneath him he could feel Scythe quiver as he watched the action taking place in the arena. Soon it would be their turn and Duo was determined to get as good a score as he could.

Likewise, Heero also sat and watched, his own excitement building as he anticipated the match between himself and the beast to come. It wouldn't be easy to get a good time, it never was in these events. So many things could happen to make it all go wrong and end up with a no score. The steer could veer off course despite the hazer being there, your cow pony might not get a good start out of the box and the steer could get away. Then there was the actual act of getting from your cow pony and grasping the steer in the right way. Dropping too quickly and the steer could baulk causing the cowboy to miss the target, dropping too late and the backside of the steer was all you were likely to see as it disappeared ahead of you.

There was also the small matter of those horns and managing to dodge them.

Yes, the bulldogging was certainly one of the more dangerous and harder events to compete in and also required a certain amount of strength as well.

It was a tough enough event when a cowboy was at one hundred percent fitness – to be competing with injuries only made it that much more difficult. Heero could only hope that Duo would not only wrestle his steer to the ground in a good time, but do so without further injury to himself.

Hearing Duo's name called, Heero escaped his mental wanderings and wished his boyfriend good luck. He sat alone on Wing to watch as Duo gave him a warm smile and nudged Scythe forward into the arena.

“Stay safe,” he said softly.

“I will,” Duo replied and took his place inside the 'box'. Duo took a deep breath and pushed everything from his mind. The adrenaline coursing through his blood dampened the throb and ache from his still healing body to the point where Duo could completely ignore it. He settled himself deeper into the saddle, glancing across to the side to nod to Quatre who was playing the role of hazer for him.

“Everything okay?” Quatre asked.

“Yeah, all good,” Duo stated.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.” Duo's attention turned to the steer that was waiting in its enclosure, his mind taking in the appearance of the steer, calculating weight and height so he would know just when and where to drop from Scythe and how much effort he would need to bring the steer down.

Satisfied with his mental efforts, he closed his eyes and sent a silent prayer. Opening his eyes again, his jaw was set in grim determination, concentration firmly on the task ahead.

He nodded to the cow hand and the steer broke forth.

~ * ~

tbc...
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