Author's Note: My abject apologies! I have NEVER gone this long between updates. I know how frustrating it is to love a story and have to wait...and wait...and wait. Maddening. I can only plead exhaustion and having a serious battle with this chapter to make it right. So, finally, here it is, and I hope others will follow faster, as in the past.
Boot Camp Part 24
Skirmishes
When it was time for supper, the boys readied themselves to go, except for Duo, who was on his bunk reading one of their martial arts texts, frowning in concentration.
"It's time for supper, Maxwell," Heero said, pausing beside the braided boy.
"I'm not hungry," came the quick, curt reply.
"Are you sick?" Heero asked abruptly.
"No. I just want to keep reading," Duo shrugged. "You all go on and eat. I'll be fine."
Heero scowled up at him. "Maxwell, I'm not going to lie on the bunk underneath you and listen to your stomach growl all night. Come to supper."
Duo looked over Heero's head to Quatre. "Hey, Quat. Can you bring me back a sandwich and something to drink?"
Quatre glanced at Heero for guidance, but when the Japanese boy ignored him, he nodded. "Sure, Duo. Anything in particular?"
"You know me. I'll eat anything," Duo said with a brief, insincere smile.
Heero eyed him suspiciously. "What's going on, Maxwell? What are you up to?"
Duo looked him in the eye. "Nothing, Yuy. You wanted me to study more...so let me study." He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Go eat!"
Looking slightly unconvinced, Heero turned a wary gaze to Quatre. And then, apparently satisfied, he shrugged and headed out the door.
~*~
As they crossed the yard, Heero glanced aside at Quatre, deep blue eyes intent. "So, are you going to tell me what's up with Maxwell?" he asked pointedly.
Quatre gave a noncommittal shrug. "Maybe he's taking what you said this morning to heart. Y'know, that we aren't here to...how'd you put it? Bond?" He gave the team leader an almost accusing look. "Duo's trying to follow your lead." Quatre chose his words very deliberately. If the Japanese boy was really the hypocrite Duo thought he was, Quatre was going to rub it in big-time!
Heero gave a skeptical snort. "Right."
They were almost to the commissary when Jason's team joined them. The boy from L2 immediately looked at Quatre questioningly. "Where's Duo?"
"Not hungry," Quatre said carefully. "I'm taking him back a sandwich for later."
"Oh." Jason fell in step beside Quatre. "It's not because of me, is it?"
"No," Quatre assured him. "He's studying...trying to get serious about this whole boot camp thing. Don't worry though; I'll make sure he eats."
Jason nodded, looking relieved.
At least, he did until Kyle and his team nearly bumped squarely into them as they were headed into the mess hall.
Kyle eyed Heero and his team, sneering at the sight of Jason and his three teammates with them. "Well...if it isn't the whole group of fags all together," he drawled snidely. "Except Maxwell. Where's your bitch, Carroll?"
Heero turned sharply at that, his eyes going cold. "If you have something to say about one of my teammates, Norton, say it to me."
Kyle glanced between Heero and Jason, a faintly knowing look spreading across his face. "Oh...I just thought since Maxwell and Carroll were making out at the showers this afternoon, he was his bitch, not yours, Yuy." At the startled look on Heero's face, Kyle leered triumphantly. "Or d'you two share the L2 whore?"
Jason was on Kyle before the end of the sentence, bearing the other boy to the ground, even as his teammates rushed to intercede. Within seconds, there was just short of an all-out brawl going on between Kyle's team and Jason's. It might have gone further, but when one boy yelled "Guards coming!" everyone scattered.
The boys from Team Clip quickly hauled their leader aside, while the boys from Team Faction dragged Kyle into the commissary. The three from Team Wing strode briskly into the mess hall, before they could be associated with the disturbance.
~*~
"Winner, I want answers, and I want them now!" Heero hissed in an urgent whisper. "What happened at the showers?"
They were in the food line by this time, and Quatre picked up a tray, not looking back at the team leader. "Jason's team helped Duo and me out when Kyle and his buddies showed up to make trouble," Quatre admitted, keeping it vague on purpose.
"And neither you nor Maxwell thought to mention this?" Heero snarled.
Quatre shrugged. "It didn't seem like much," he insisted. "First it was Kyle's four against Duo, me, and Jason, and then the rest of Team Clip showed up, and Kyle ran off. No punches were thrown. It just seemed like the usual posturing."
"And what was that about Maxwell and Carroll?" Heero asked coolly.
Quatre frowned at him. "You'll have to ask Duo about that. I was in the showers, and came out in time for Kyle to show up on the scene." He eyed the team leader warily, sensing a lot of confusion, and something else he couldn't quite identify; perhaps jealousy?
"What was that you said about Maxwell following my lead?" Heero said snidely. "Sounds like he's at the same games he's played all along, Winner."
Trowa was glancing between them with a puzzled expression, feeling like there were two different conversations going on.
"Duo's as serious about this boot camp as you are," Quatre said accusingly to the Japanese boy.
"I doubt that," Heero snorted.
Quatre couldn't say much more without coming right out and confronting Heero about what Duo had overheard, so he shut his mouth, picking up the tray he'd filled with dinner, and heading over to a seat.
There were enough guards and soldiers present in the dining room that when Jason and his teammates casually entered, Kyle's group kept silent. But dinner was a tense affair, and each team kept to itself and left separately.
~*~
As Team Wing headed for the barracks, Heero set off with a purposeful stride, while Trowa dropped back to walk with Quatre. "So, d'you know what's going on between Maxwell and Carroll?" he asked.
"They're friends, Trowa," Quatre insisted. "I mean, sure, Jason has a crush on Duo, but he knows Duo just wants to be friends."
Trowa smiled wryly. "Is that why they were making out, like Norton said?"
"Long story," sighed Quatre. "And they weren't 'making out.' It was just a kiss."
"Another one?" asked the auburn-haired boy. He shook his head. "I thought Maxwell had his eye on Yuy."
Quatre looked at him in surprise, not realizing that Trowa had been paying that much attention to the situation. He'd seemed so caught up in Nanashi's training. "I think he does, Trowa, but when Heero doesn't seem to feel anything in return, how long is he supposed to wait?"
"You've got to understand Yuy...and me too, I guess," Trowa said with a shrug. "We're not the demonstrative type...and not quick to feel emotion, let alone show it." He looked away uneasily. "But once we do...it runs pretty deep."
"You think Heero feels something for Duo?"
That hadn't really been who Trowa was talking about, but he wasn't ready to correct the blonde. "I think maybe he does," he said at last. "Just don't expect to see him stand on top of the obstacle course wall and yell it to the world."
Quatre laughed aloud at that image, and was still chuckling as they walked into the barracks.
But he stopped laughing when he saw Duo sitting up on his bunk, back against the wall, with Heero standing glaring at him, hands on hips and his face taut with anger.
"--if you can't stay focused on this camp for one fucking day--"
"Me? You're one to talk, Yuy! You fucking hypocrite!"
"I'm not the one who was groping my boyfriend in front of half the camp!"
"No, just the one who was--" Duo darted a glance at Quatre and Trowa, who had stopped in shock at the doorway. His face was flushed, eyes glittering with anger. "Y'know what, Yuy? Just fucking go to Hell, why don't you?" He jumped off his bunk, pushing the team leader aside and brushing past Trowa and Quatre to head out the door.
Heero turned a heated glare on Quatre. "Winner, would you go with that asshole before he gets himself into more trouble?"
"Uh, sure," Quatre shrugged, hurrying after his friend. "Duo! Duo, wait up!" He caught up to the braided boy halfway to the library. "Duo!"
Duo stopped, turning to face the blonde Arab.
"What happened?" Quatre asked quietly, wincing at the deluge of emotions pouring from the other boy.
"That asshole Yuy came into the barracks and started yelling at me about what happened with Norton's team today--and Jase." Duo's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare he? Goddamnit, Quat--while you and I were at the shower, he was fucking his latest boy toy, and he's got the nerve to chew me out for a kiss? A fucking kiss, Quatre!"
The blonde shook his head. "I know, Duo. I can't understand why he's being so--inconsistent. It's not like him." He shrugged slightly. "Maybe he's more worried about next week's competition than he lets on."
"Bullshit!" Duo spat angrily. "He's just an arrogant, two-faced bastard." He paced restlessly as he talked. "It's none of his business, anyway. If he didn't want me kissing Jase, he shouldn't have--" Duo stopped in frustration. "Goddamnit, I don't know why I even give a damn." He shrugged elaborately. "He's just a guy, damn it. There're plenty of others out there. I don't know why I even care."
"Because you like him...a lot."
"I fucking hate him."
Quatre managed a wry smile at that. "Well, both emotions are full of passion, Duo. And it's pretty easy to go from one to the other in a heartbeat."
"Well I don't think that'll be a problem," Duo muttered. "I'll just stick with hate...it's easy to maintain, and hurts a lot less."
"But it's kind of lonely, isn't it?" Quatre said wistfully.
Duo gave him a dark smile. "I'm used to that, Quat. I've been lonely most of my life." The bitterness in his tone made the blonde curious, but before he could ask Duo to elaborate, the boy from L2 changed the subject. "Hey, Quat. I know I'm a piss poor excuse for a friend right now, but, d'you mind if I lean on you a little--while I work through this?" It had occurred to him that inasmuch as he wanted to protect Quatre from getting his heart broken by Trowa whenever the relationship with Heero became obvious, that this was a chance to start. He planned to stay close enough to his best friend to catch him when he fell.
"Of course I don't mind."
"Good." Duo sighed, looking up at the twilight sky. "I suppose we should go back?" he asked wearily.
Quatre shrugged. "We're scheduled for library time in less than an hour. I imagine Trowa and Heero will show up here." He held out the sandwich he was still carrying, and pulled a bottle of juice from a pocket. "I brought you some food. Why don't we sit out here where it's peaceful while you eat?"
"I'm not very--"
Quatre shoved the sandwich into Duo's hands. "You're going to eat, and I'm going to watch you eat...every bite," he said sternly. "Jase was asking about you, and I promised him I was going to bring you food, and make sure you ate."
Duo blushed at the mention of the other boy. "He's so damned nice, Quatre. I wish I could feel the way about him that I do--did--about Yuy." He took the drink Quatre was brandishing at him, and they settled onto a bench by the library.
That was where Heero and Trowa found them half an hour later, when they arrived at the library for study time. All four boys were supposed to work on a research project they'd been assigned. It involved the planning of a base infiltration, and each boy had a part of the research to complete. Duo was to be in charge of blueprints, while Quatre looked up utilities and water supplies, and Trowa checked on the terrain. Heero was scheduled to gather data on the contractors and subcontractors who'd built it, looking for possible information leaks about security systems and layouts.
Heero eyed both boys, his gaze finally settling on Quatre. "I take it you two are ready to work on the project?"
Quatre nodded. "We hung out here so Duo could eat his sandwich...and by then, it was almost time for our turn at the library, so we decided to wait for you two."
The Japanese boy's glance then went to Duo, who scowled at him. "All business, Yuy," he said curtly. "Consider my latest screw-up a closed subject, unless you want to go a few more rounds."
"Hn." Without another word, Heero walked into the library, Trowa close behind, and Duo and Quatre following.
The braided boy had given both Heero and Trowa a careful once-over, trying to decide if they'd had another fun-filled hour, but there was no evidence that they'd taken the opportunity of being alone to have sex again. Yet the very thought still made Duo's stomach churn with jealousy, and he heard Quatre suck in a sharp breath full of sympathy pain.
"Sorry," he muttered wearily.
~*~
The next morning it was clear that Captain Chang had another full day planned. The teams spent the morning hours fording a river several miles away from camp. They learned the best approaches, how to string a line across, and how to negotiate the rough current while keeping their gear high and dry. Their weeks of calisthenics and obstacle course training came in handy, as they had to make their way hand over hand along an overhead line for one exercise. Needless to say, they were a wet and weary bunch as they hiked back to camp barely in time for supper.
When Trowa started to walk alongside Quatre, Duo pointedly edged his way in between, striking up an animated conversation with his best friend in order to keep the green-eyed boy at arm's length. He also very deliberately threw an arm across the blonde boy's shoulders in an almost possessive way. And although Quatre gave him a slightly puzzled look, picking up on the protective gesture, he couldn't pinpoint the braided boy's reasoning.
At first he thought it was that 'leaning on him for support' Duo had suggested the night before. But he sensed some genuine hostility directed at Trowa. A little puzzled by that, he wondered if Duo was still resenting Trowa's relationship with the warden. Then he thought perhaps Duo felt that their friendship might be jeopardized by the auburn-haired boy. But it wasn't jealousy that dominated Duo's emotions; and in fact, they were still so muddled it was hard to discern a single cause for his anger towards Trowa.
Quatre decided to forget it for the moment, and talk to Duo about it later. He didn't want to make false assumptions and end up in the kind of angst-filled situation that existed between Duo and Heero. So he resolved not to jump to conclusions, but to have an honest conversation with his friend when he got the chance.
He even went a step further, and tucked an arm around Duo's waist, pulling the braided boy closer to give him the reassurance that no one would ever come between them; not a friend, or a lover. He'd make sure the boy from L2 wouldn't have to feel alone any more.
~*~
Friday morning dawned cold and rainy, but fortunately the boys were scheduled for indoor activities most of the day. After the obligatory morning calisthenics, run, showers and breakfast, they headed for the gym for martial arts.
Lieutenant Li had decided to run some practice matches, much the way the next week's competition would be held. They were doing "elimination rounds," where three hits in the designated target zones, or a take-down would win. The referees were three of the lieutenants, as well as Li, and Captain Chang joined them to oversee the whole event.
Things ran smoothly enough through the first few rounds, with all four boys from Team Wing making it through to the next level. After the second set of matches, the number of competitors was down to ten. And that's when problems set in. The final pairings included Kyle, Jason, Austin, three other boys, and the four from Team Wing. This inevitably resulted in some grudge matches; a fact Lieutenant Li couldn't possibly know.
Quatre was the first up...paired with Austin. And although the boy from Team Chase fought fairly, he was definitely out to win.
Captain Chang wore a faint smile, watching Quatre stay one step ahead of the sandy-haired boy simply by guessing his next strategic move. "Very nice," he murmured under his breath, walking over to stand beside Heero. "You have a level-headed teammate there, Yuy. He's winning by simple forethought."
"That's Winner," Heero shrugged. "I've yet to see him lose his temper."
Duo was seated next to Heero, watching the match, but when Chang approached, the braided boy couldn't help looking between him and the team leader.
'Who taught you how to do this?' 'Chang.'
Duo eyed the Chinese officer warily, wondering when he'd taught Heero...well...whatever it was he'd been doing to Trowa that sounded so damned erotic and enjoyable. It was pretty apparent that Captain Chang knew Heero from somewhere other than this boot camp, but that they'd been lovers? Duo sighed miserably. How was he supposed to compete with the exotic Asian officer? Hell, how had Trowa done it? Sure, Trowa was good-looking...tall, slim, graceful...with gorgeous green eyes, but Chang had those piercing dark eyes, that sleek black hair, and when he smiled as he so rarely did, he was absolutely breathtaking.
Duo had his elbows on his knees, and he buried his face in his hands. What a fucking idiot I've been. Heero's got Barton and Chang to choose from...both with personalities like his...both good-looking. In what fucked-up universe would he choose a street rat from L2 over those two?
A sharp elbow poked Duo in the ribs. "Maxwell! Watch the match! You'll need to know Austin's weaknesses if you end up sparring him."
Duo looked up resentfully. "I already do," he snapped. "His stance is too open. He drops his left guard, and his spinning kicks are slow." He gave Heero a narrow look. "I could take him out in two minutes, Yuy."
Heero's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Yeah, you could," he admitted, a faint smile trying to twitch at the corners of his mouth. He glanced up at Wufei, who raised an eyebrow speculatively.
Duo missed the exchange, having once again buried his head in his hands, sighing deeply.
A moment later, as Quatre settled onto the bench beside Duo, Heero elbowed his teammate again. "You might want to wake up for this one, Maxwell. It's Norton and Carroll."
Duo's head shot up and he looked slightly alarmed.
"Don't worry. Your boyfriend can hold his own against Norton," Heero said, his voice neutral.
"My--? He's not my boyfriend, Yuy. Not that it's any of your business," Duo said curtly. Nonetheless, his face wore an apprehensive look as he watched his friend square off against their deadly enemy.
Heero eyed him skeptically, but refrained from further comment.
Jason and Kyle were glaring at one another as Lieutenant Li outlined the rules and terms of their match. But the boy from L2 spared a single, reassuring glance at Duo before focusing on his adversary again.
When Lieutenant Li gave the order to begin, both combatants immediately went for blood.
"Holy..." Captain Chang stiffened, his lips set in a grim line as he noticed the fervor with which the two boys were sparring. "Li?"
The lieutenant sidled over next to him, never taking his eyes from the mat where the fighters were engrossed in their battle. "Sorry, sir," he muttered, shrugging. "I wasn't aware there was such strong animosity between those two." As he said it he glanced at Team Wing, since it was fairly common knowledge there was no love lost between them and Norton's bunch.
"Maybe you should cut this short," suggested Wufei, his scowl deepening as Jason barely avoided a kick that might have broken a rib if it connected. "And give them a lesson in restraint?"
"Aye, sir," said Li quickly, taking a step towards the ring.
But he was an instant too late. The boy from L2 had dodged a blow, and countered with a sweep that brought Kyle to the mat. However, before Jason could enjoy his victory, Kyle kicked out sharply, taking him squarely in the side of the knee.
Jason fell with a startled cry, grabbing his leg with both hands, and Kyle sneered triumphantly, rolling over and stumbling to his feet. It looked almost like he planned to kick the other boy again, while he was on the floor.
"Match finished!" Li shouted, stepping onto the mat.
But Duo was faster, leaping from the bench and throwing himself at Kyle. "You fucking dirty cocksucker!" he shouted, his furious shove sending Kyle stumbling back several steps.
Heero jumped up too, running to pull Duo away from his adversary, before Chang had to take disciplinary action. "Maxwell! Stand down!" he ordered, grabbing the boy around the waist from behind, pinning his arms.
"Let me go!" cried the braided boy. "The stinking cheater deserves to be beaten to a pulp!"
"That's beside the point!" Heero insisted, glancing at Quatre and Trowa for help. His two teammates quickly joined him in dragging Duo off the mat, as Jason's team gathered around their injured leader, and Wufei stalked furiously onto the mat.
"Norton! Report to the kitchen for KP," he said sternly, gesturing over his shoulder.
Kyle darted a narrow look at Team Wing, and pasted a look of abject apology on his face as he turned to Captain Chang. "I'm sorry, sir. It was just a reflex. I swear I wasn't aiming for his knee."
While he couldn't argue intent, Wufei wasn't fooled by a smooth lie. "The strike was well outside of the allowable target area, Norton, and after you'd been taken down and lost the match. I don't believe for a moment that you are that inept. Report to KP now, and I'll decide whether to take further action after Doctor Po examines Carroll's leg."
Kyle obeyed the officer, glancing back at Duo with a smug smirk just before he left.
When Heero finally released Duo, the braided boy ran to kneel by his fellow L2 orphan. "Jase? How bad?" he asked simply.
The other boy managed a pained grimace. "Shit...not bad."
"Liar," Duo scolded, pushing Jason's hands aside, and gently feeling the already swollen knee. "It's gotta hurt like hell," he muttered, looking up into the other boy's eyes.
"Maxwell, back to your team," Wufei ordered curtly, kneeling beside Jason and putting an ice pack someone had handed him onto the knee.
"But--"
Now!"
Jason smiled reassuringly at Duo. "I'm okay, Duo," he managed through gritted teeth. "Go on."
Reluctantly, Duo stood and went back over to his teammates, watching with concern as Doctor Po arrived on the scene, and two of Jason's teammates lifted him to his feet, with his arms over their shoulders for support.
Quatre's hand found Duo's shoulder in a reassuring gesture. "Don't worry, Duo. He'll be fine."
Duo turned around, indigo eyes intent. "I swear, I'm gonna fucking break both of Norton's legs for this!"
"You'll do no such thing," Heero warned. "Do you want to get shipped off to prison?"
"He took a cheap shot, Yuy. He can't get away with that!" Duo snarled.
"He already did. Attacking him won't fix Carroll's knee." Heero's blue eyes studied Duo's face. "I know Jason's important to you, Duo," he said quietly. "But you can't afford to lose your temper over this."
Duo looked back, frowning at Heero's use of his first name. "You don't know anything, Yuy," he said flatly. "Jase is L2 street trash...just like me. You can never understand what that means!" He turned his back on the other boy, crossing his arms across his chest and glaring down at the floor.
When order had been restored, Captain Chang walked over, his stern gaze coming to rest on Duo. "Care to explain why you attacked another recruit, Maxwell? Again?"
Duo turned to face him, raising his chin stubbornly. "You saw it, sir. Norton was deliberately trying to hurt Jase. And he succeeded."
"Do you know what the issue was between them?" came the suspicious query.
"Yeah...Norton hates gays, Captain."
"You're saying Carroll's a homosexual?"
"Yes, he is," Duo said flatly. "So am I." The indigo eyes met the dark ones evenly. "But then, you already knew that."
A faint smile twitched the corner of Wufei's lips. "I like to think I'm reasonably observant, Maxwell."
"So am I," Duo replied. "And I 'observed' that piece of shit Kyle deliberately go for Jase's knee. What are you gonna do about it?"
"That's not your concern, Maxwell." Captain Chang eyed him sternly. "You should be more worried about what I'll do about your attempt to attack Norton."
Duo shrugged slightly. "Why worry? There's nothing I can do about it now. I lost my temper; I guess I can pay the price."
Wufei walked closer, steering Duo away from the others. He ushered the braided boy over to a quiet corner. "Why'd you lose your temper, Maxwell? Is Carroll your lover?"
"He's a friend," Duo said evenly. "He's from L2, like me. And I'd have done the same if it was Quatre that Norton hurt...or even Yuy or Barton."
"I guess you would," agreed the officer, studying the sincerity in the indigo eyes. "I'll let you off with a warning. Don't let me catch you going after someone like that again. Your rap sheet contains numerous accounts of fights; it's clear you have a few anger management issues."
"I have issues with being beat up, bullied, or nearly raped," Duo retorted. "I never picked a fight with anyone just for the sake of fighting...sir."
"So you claim self-defense in all cases?"
"I claim self-preservation," Duo countered.
Looking at him, Wufei could hardly argue the point. The boy was too pretty for his own good, and in the juvenile justice system, he most certainly would have had to defend himself. "From now on, I expect to see you exhibit better self-control, Maxwell."
"I'll try," Duo said, shrugging one shoulder.
"Try?" echoed Captain Chang, giving him an intimidating scowl.
Duo looked frankly at the officer. "I'd love to tell you I won't lose my temper with Norton, sir. But...I don't lie. Ever."
"Ever?" Wufei queried suspiciously. "You told me you didn't put the shit in Team Chase's shoes."
"I never said that," Duo pointed out. "I said I wished I had, and that was true."
The dark eyes narrowed. "So you twisted the truth until it was unrecognizable."
A fleeting smile crossed Duo's face. "I may run and hide, but I never lie." He shrugged again. "You just have to know the right questions to get the answer you're looking for from me."
"That's extraordinarily sneaky," Wufei noted. "And it's splitting hairs. A half-truth is just the same as a lie."
"Not in my book," Duo replied, shaking his head.
Captain Chang studied the boy for a long moment. "Will you promise me that you won't try to retaliate against Norton for injuring your--friend?"
Duo smirked. "Ah, y'see...I could easily promise you that, sir. I won't try. But then, I might succeed."
The Chinese officer threw his hands up in frustration. "What in hell does it take to get an honest response from you, Maxwell? Or do you want to be sent to L2 prison?"
"I honestly don't," Duo said with an irrepressible smile.
Wufei rolled his eyes. "I take it that was the truth?"
"Complete and unabridged."
"Then I'll tell you this, in all honesty. If I find that you have retaliated against Norton for Carroll's knee injury, you will go to L2 prison. I have no desire to send you there, but if you strike back at Norton, I will. Is that abundantly clear?"
Duo nodded. "I'll know the price in advance, sir."
Wufei shook his head despairingly. "Go on back to your team, Maxwell. I'm sure Yuy will pick up where I left off."
The cocky smirk faded. "I'm sure he will."
TBC...
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