Fathoms

Author’s Note: This is non-canon, because I’m new to the Gundam Wing fandom and I’m still watching my way through a whole mess of YouTube episodes. Expect alternate verse and familiar characters acting slightly OOC (or very OOC). Reviews welcome, but no rotten tomatoes, please. *ducks*

Title of this story comes from I Used to Love Him by Lauryn Hill. I don’t own the lyrics, nor do I make any money from their use, either.

*

If he swam up just high enough, he could see sunlight.

Zechs lingered behind him, several fathoms below, communing with a mother whale and crooning to her three-day old baby. His brother turned eyes like liquid blue diamonds on him and reached for him, hand outstretched.

Don’t go too far.

I won’t.

Famous last words. Father’ll have both our hides.

Zechs caught Duo’s grin and sighed.

What does he find so fascinating up there?

You’ve got me. The mother whale crooned back to him in sympathy.

Duo’s deep, cobalt blue tail rippled and whipped through the placid deep. He swam higher, reveling in the light that broke through the darkness. It was so pure and beautiful.

Duo!

In a minute!

*

The sun felt so good on his back.

Heero picked up the Starbucks cup and took a long gulp of the strong brew. This was how he loved to wake up.

The morning was placid as he cast off from the pier a half hour ago, but the farther out he motored, the denser the clouds overhead became. Still, it was a balmy day so far, perfect to get a few decent shots.

“I don’t like those clouds.”

“Why? They haven’t done anything to you.”

“Cute.”

“I don’t be out that long.” Heero was nonplussed as he slid into his black and green wet suit. Wufei helped him tug it into place and zip up the heavy neoprene at his lean back.

A strong breeze ruffled both men’s hair, making it lash their faces. Heero took another gulp of his coffee to warm himself while Wufei continued to help him with his equipment.

“Why can’t you use the shots we nabbed last week?”

“Because we can do better.”

“I liked the manta. It looked like it was smiling at you.”

“Probably because I looked good to eat.” Wufei made a sound of disgust.

“I’d spit you out.”

Heero adjusted his heat packs while Wufei unpacked his amphibious Nikon, checking the housing for problems. Both men were talking at a near-shout over the building winds and the rhythmic chug-chug of the Zero’s motor. She was a modest yacht, but Heero paid for her himself once his father cut him loose.

Wufei ran through all of the preparations that were second nature to him after diving with Heero for the past two years. Heero trusted him for his sharp attention to detail, and because Wufei was no-nonsense and quick on his feet.

Heero donned his mask, obscuring his intelligent sapphire blue eyes, but Wufei knew they looked amused at his expense. He gave the seals on his suit and his oxygen tank one more check and nodded, satisfied. Wufei clapped him on the shoulder gruffly.

“Come back in one piece.”

“Aw. You care.”

“It’s your turn to buy lunch.” Wufei almost smiled. Heero’s snort was muffled by his mouthpiece. He climbed down to the second rung of the ladder and Wufei held his breath almost imperceptibly as he watched him leap neatly into the clear green.

“Why do I waste my breath?”

*

Why do I waste my breath?

Zechs followed Duo at a distance. DUO!

He swam heedlessly toward the warm glow, so high that Zechs could pick out shapes of things above the water’s surface. His vision was sharp, like that of all merfolk. They were still at least a mile deep, but he didn’t feel anymore comfortable.

Duo swam after something small that had sunk into the deep, dragging a trail of bubbles in its wake.

*

Above deck, Wufei cursed as he stared after the pocket knife that slipped from his hand. “Shit!”

*

Look! Finders keepers!

Why would you even want that hunk of flotsam?

Zechs caught up to him and watched Duo’s face change as he focused only on the trinket in his hand. He turned it this way and that, large violet eyes taking in the minute details and craftsmanship.

But he knew why. It was shiny. Duo was as bad as a surface-dwelling mockingbird in his love for glowing, shining or sparkling things. To his credit, his first love was gadgetry or items that were functional, since he had a knack for them.

His eye for such things had served him well again, it seemed; he toyed with the object, prying it open by a small notch in the side of the blade that was there for that purpose.

Ouch. He pricked himself on the tip, drawing his finger into his mouth to suck on the tiny wound.

Blood. That’s the last thing we need. Give Father one more reason to kill me, if you bring the sharks after our tails.

We’ll be long gone by then.

We’d better be.

Zechs was interrupted from his lecture by the sudden flurry of schools of fish rushing past, seemingly fleeing from some threat.

That doesn’t look good.

Don’t worry so much.

If they’re running, don’t you want to know why?

But Duo turned away, irritating Zechs when it seemed he was ignoring him.

Listen…

Zechs’ scowl was replaced by a look of caution. What was that?

I don’t know…

There was a low hissing sound that was unnatural, artificial; it accompanied the faint whoosh and swish of fins that didn’t sound like the signature of any creature beneath the waves that either brother had encountered.

Zechs reached for his brother, ringing his wrist in an unrelenting grip. Go! NOW!

Duo didn’t argue. Their tails whipped through the current like lightning as they propelled themselves toward their grotto.

Behind them, a dim light flashed as an underwater lens caught the ripple of movement.

What was that?

*

Heero surfaced nearly a half an hour later, just as Wufei really began to go stir crazy.

“Like watching water boil,” he muttered as Heero’s shining head broke the surface. “It’s about time,” he snapped as he reached down to help Heero climb up the ladder, trying to get a strong grip on his gloved hand. Heero wasn’t heavy himself, but his tank added to his weight. Wufei was strong but slightly built himself; his own hands were strong from handling ropes and rigging every day.

“Well?”

“More of the same,” Heero said. “Except for my last two. I wasn’t sure of what I saw on the first frame, so I had to try again.” He stared at his friend in amusement as he removed his hood, ruffling his hair with his fingers. “What’s the matter?”

“Lost my good knife.”

“Shit. Sorry.”

“Could’ve looked for it while you were down there.”

“Sure. While I’m at it, I’ll let you know if I find your contact lens or your car keys.”

But Heero was sympathetic. He knew it was ‘Fei’s favorite knife. The tight, frustrated expression on his face stopped Heero from nagging that he probably shouldn’t have insisted on bringing it on their trip. It wasn’t worth it.

“Damn it.” Wufei pounded his fist against the rail and glared out over the expanse of clear green, as though he was willing it to spit his most valued possession back onto the deck.

“C’mon. Let’s go back to the lab and see what we’ve got.”

*

Author’s Note: This is all I’ve got. Not for lack of trying. If it sucks, no biggie, I’m happy to chuck this one and stick to my X-Men and Archie fics. If you have any plot development suggestions, I’m happy to hear them.