Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Equinity ❯ Chapter 31 ( Chapter 31 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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Notes: All the information on showjumping, horses, etc is taken from my own knowledge of the sport having been a competitor and now judge for many years and is written from an Australian perspective. The rules and regulations are courtesy of the E.F.A Handbook. (Equestrian Federation of Australia) Should you have any questions just e-mail me.

 

Many thanks to Yami_tai for the title! *hugs*

 

 

"Equinity"

 

October. 2004 ShenLong

 

Chapter 31

 

It had been a month and a half since Heero had competed at the show and taken second place. Since then life had fallen back into a steady routine of Duo's consults and surgeries, Heero going to work at the accountancy firm and returning in the afternoon to work his horse and assist Duo. Since the episode of Zero jumping the paddock fence, both the vet and Heero had kept a close eye on the two horses. Duo wouldn't mind if Scythe was in foal, although he would miss his riding lessons; Heero on the other hand wasn't sure how he felt. In one way it would be nice to have the patter of tiny hooves around the place but Heero had to ask himself if he could afford it from the financial side of things. Horses weren't cheap animals to keep, not if you looked after them properly and there was no way that Heero would ever scrimp on feeding or looking after his horses. He'd go without food himself first.

 

Pulling into the driveway after a stressful morning at work, Heero was glad it was Friday and he would hopefully have the entire weekend to relax and recover. He was also on edge knowing that today Duo was going to do the pregnancy test on Scythe. Both horses had been kept away from each other, Heero not wanting to risk Zero jumping the fence again and injuring himself, and Duo because he went along with Heero. After all, Heero was the expert when it came to the horses.

 

Closing the car door and locking it, Heero began to trek towards the house and was met at the doorway by a cup of coffee and a smiling boyfriend. Instantly Heero felt the stress of the morning melt away. "Thanks."

 

"You looked like you needed it pretty quick," said Duo, the smile widening. "Tough morning?"

 

"You could say that."

 

"Care to share?"

 

"One of the clients suddenly 'discovered' a few items of paperwork he'd forgotten to give us. I'd just finished doing up the account and set it all out when he arrived with the new stuff. It meant I had to start all over again from scratch and the stupid bastard wants it all by Monday," growled Heero as he dumped his briefcase on the floor and sat heavily on the kitchen chair.

 

Duo moved up behind his partner and began to massage Heero's shoulders. "I take it that means you're going to be working over the weekend?"

 

"Not if I can help it," replied Heero. "I've actually managed to get most of it done already. There isn't a great deal left to do and should only take an hour or two to finish off. I'm hoping to get it done and over with tonight."

 

"I hope your boss is going to charge him extra for this."

 

"He will. Mmmm... That feels so good, Duo."

 

Duo continued to massage Heero's neck and shoulders until the tension began to slip away. "If you've finished your coffee and want to get changed we can go do the preg test on Scythe now," he said softly.

 

"Yeah, I suppose we should," replied Heero. "I'll go get changed." Heero headed for his bedroom.

 

When Heero returned he found Duo staring out the kitchen window a distracted look on his face.

 

"You okay, Duo?"

 

"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Duo as he turned around to face the dark haired man. "You haven't given me a kiss yet," he chastised gently.

 

"So I haven't. I'm sorry." Heero wrapped his arms around the vet and proceeded to kiss him senseless. "That better?"

 

"Much. Thank you."

 

"You're welcome. Guess we had better go do the deed and find out where we stand," said Heero as he released Duo from his embrace.

 

Chuckling softly, Duo opened the back door and the pair headed out to the stable block, Heero detouring via the paddock to fetch Scythe whilst Duo went ahead to get his things ready. Scythe was safely in the crush, Duo was busy pulling on the rubber glove and applying the lube, Heero watching warily from the side. Duo gave the accountant a smirk knowing he wouldn't be catching Heero out again any time soon after his last teasing of the dark haired rider. Once the glove was coated, Heero grabbed Scythe's tail and held it to the side. This time Duo inserted his arm inside Scythe's anus.

 

A few lumps of manure were removed and then Duo could slip his hand and arm in easily enough. As he was traversing Scythe's insides and recalling in his mind the internal anatomy of the horse, he couldn't help but bite his lip as a few rather lewd ideas came into his head regarding the lube, glove and stretching. He thought mentioning fisting right about now would probably send Heero screaming from the stables never to be seen again. He snickered softly to himself. He couldn't help it if he had a wicked sense of humor.

 

Feeling his way along, Duo located the mare's uterus sitting just below the rectum. Gently he worked his fingers around, manipulating the uterus carefully. Heero was watching the vet's face intently, trying to tell from Duo's expressions what the vet had found. Duo kept his face impassive though which only served to frustrate Heero.

 

"Well?" Heero demanded as Duo slipped his arm out from inside Scythe and then carefully removed the glove.

 

Tossing the glove into the trash, Duo washed his hands and arm before turning to face Heero and toweling off his arms. "I hate doing that," muttered Duo in referral to the rectal exam.

 

"I can't say that it looked too pleasant from where I was standing either but you haven't answered my question." Heero was practically thrumming with anticipation, his weight shifting from foot to foot.

 

Setting the towel down, Duo looked Heero squarely in the eye and cleared his throat. "Congratulations, you're going to be a daddy; actually I should say Zero is going to be a daddy, not you; unless there's something you're not telling me," he added with a grin.

 

"Duo! Where the hell do you get your sense of humor from? Shit. So, Scythe's definitely in foal?"

 

"Yes. I could clearly feel the fetus in there."

 

"Well..." Heero paused, unsure of what to do or say next.

 

Duo solved the issue for him by clapping him on the back. "We should celebrate, Heero. We're going to be parents in roughly nine and a half months," the vet grinned.

 

"Yeah, we should I suppose. Shit, I mean... Oh fuck." Heero sat down on an upturned bucket and cradled his head in his hands.

 

"Heero? What's the matter? I thought you'd be pleased," asked Duo as he squatted next to his boyfriend.

 

"I am, but... well... Oh hell. Look, Duo. It's like this; I don't know if I'm going to be able to afford another mouth to feed and besides that I already have two horses here on your property, adding a third isn't going to leave you with much room for stabling of horses that come in from clients now is it?"

 

Duo thought about that for a moment. "Heero, hear me out before you jump to protests, okay?"

 

Heero nodded.

 

"I don't really get a lot of large animals needing hospitalization so the accommodation side isn't going to be too much of a problem. If I do need the extra paddock space then we can always put the new addition in with either Scythe or Zero depending on what sex it is, besides, the foal will be with Scythe for the first six months anyway until it's weaned. As for the feeding side, the practice is doing really well thanks to your accounting skills so I'm proposing that you let the practice pay the costs of feeding and stuff."

 

"But that's not fair to you, Duo," Heero stated.

 

"Listen. I have my own selfish reasons for this, Heero. If Scythe is as nice in her conformation or whatever it was you said about her as you think and Zero is such a good jumper then the chances are this foal will be a good one too. Right?"

 

"That's what the laws of averages say," replied Heero. "And Scythe does have a nice conformation on her and a sweet temperament as well so in all probability the foal should be a good one."

 

"Then I propose that the practice basically is registered as the foal's owner and therefore responsible for its costs. If it turns out to be a good horse then you can break it in and take it to the shows with the practice listed as the owner-come-sponsor."

 

"Horses aren't cheap, Duo."

 

"I know that, Heero. You're a bright accountant, figure it out."

 

The light bulb went off in Heero's head. "Tax deduction!"

 

"Exactly. Now you're cooking, Heero." Duo leaned in and gave his partner a kiss. "Think it would work?"

 

"I'll make it work."

 

"Thank you. Oh, I forgot to mention, Trowa and Quatre will be dropping by soon."

 

"They are? How come?"

 

"Don't panic," chuckled Duo. "It's more of a social call. Trowa asked if he could drop off one of those collection boxes for the animal shelter, you know the sort."

 

"Hai."

 

"I said he could and Quatre is coming along for the ride, I guess he thought he would see how Scythe is getting along whilst he's here."

 

"Shit!"

 

"What?"

 

"How's Quatre or the society going to react when they find out that Scythe's in foal?" Heero's head jerked up.

 

"Knowing Quatre he'll start planning a foal shower," snickered Duo.

 

"Can you be serious for a moment," stated Heero with a small grin on his face. Despite his worry he couldn't help but appreciate Duo's humor and the thought of a bunch of horses all sitting around sipping tea and bringing gifts for a foal shower was kind of amusing.

 

"Heero, Quatre and the society won't be worried about it at all. They have signed over the lease of Scythe to you on the proviso that you look after her. Anyone with half a brain has only got to take one look at her to see she's more than adequately looked after; in fact, she's downright spoiled."

 

"Is not," replied Hero indignantly.

 

"Yes, she is and you know it," snickered Duo and gave his boyfriend a friendly punch to the arm. "Come on, let's pop her back in the paddock for a bit. You going to ride Zero?"

 

"I was but I think I'll give it a miss now seeing as how Trowa and Quatre are coming over," said Heero as he stood up and went to get the mare from the crush.

 

"Okay. I've got some paperwork for the surgery to do so I'll meet you up the house."

 

"Right." Heero took Scythe from the crush and led her back to the paddock. As he unclipped the lead rope he gave her a carrot and friendly pat. "There you go, girl. Sorry about all that prodding around but it was necessary."

 

Scythe didn't seem to worry too much, accepting the carrot and then wandering off.

 

Heero was aware of Zero's eyes watching him from the paddock a little further down and after checking the gate was secure and hanging the lead rope on it, Heero headed for the gray. Zero whinnied as Heero approached and once his master was within snuffling range, Zero proceeded to check Heero's pockets for the carrots he knew were hiding there. Heero chuckled and fed the horse his favorite treat. Pulling gently on the gray ears, Heero spoke softly to the animal.

 

"You got your way, you sly devil, Zero. You're going to be a daddy," said Heero as he continued to pet the horse. "Scythe is pregnant with your foal so it had better be a good one, especially if Duo is intent on the practice supporting it."

 

Zero nudged his master as if to say, 'Would I produce anything less than perfection?' and then went back to searching for more carrots.

 

"I wonder if it will be a colt or a filly?" Heero mused as he fed Zero another carrot. "I wonder if Duo can tell? I know they can usually determine the sex of a baby at some stage of a woman's pregnancy, wonder if they can do the same with a foal?"

 

Crunching happily on the carrot, Zero really couldn't give a damn about what his master was going on about, even if he could have understood what the human was saying. Zero knew it had to be something good, the soft tone in which his master spoke told him that much. He nuzzled his master again politely asking for more carrots.

 

"You're greedy today," said Heero. "Here, that's the last one."

 

Zero took the carrot and chewed away whilst his master petted his neck. Once the carrot was gone, Zero was quite content to stand there with his master for a while, enjoying the attention he was receiving.

 

"There's so much to do, things to organize and discuss. I haven't much of a clue as to any special dietary requirements Scythe is going to need; I hope Duo does. I guess we should watch how much work she does from now on too, although when Duo rides her it isn't all that strenuous so he should be able to continue for a while yet. I think the work should help her a bit anyway, keep her muscles in trim for when she goes into labor. Shit! What's going to happen when she starts foaling? What if she gets into trouble? The foal could get stuck or tear her..." Heero's mind began to race a mile a minute with all sorts of questions and different scenarios of what could go wrong with Scythe during her pregnancy.

 

Heero suddenly realized three things. One; he was giving voice to his words, two; his boyfriend was a vet, dammit and a fine one at that. Duo wouldn't let anything happen to Scythe and three; he wasn't alone with Zero anymore. Heero turned and caught sight of Trowa and Quatre standing just behind him, amused smiles on their faces.

 

"Crap. How much of that did you two hear?" Heero asked as he dusted off his hands from stroking Zero.

 

"Let's see; I think we came in around the 'shit' part," said Quatre with a grin.

 

"I take it you were talking about a horse and foaling?" said Trowa as he approached and held out his hand to Heero. "How have you been?"

 

Heero shook the offered hand. "I'm fine, a little stressed from working but that's to be expected and yes, I was talking about a mare foaling."

 

"Duo having problems with a mare that's due to foal?" asked Quatre as he stepped forwards and shook Heero's hand.

 

"Errr... Not quite. I was just thinking out loud."

 

Quatre gave him a suspicious look but didn't get the chance to question further as Duo appeared on the scene.

 

"Hey guys, I thought I heard your cruiser pull up." Duo approached the trio and gave Quatre a bear hug. "How's it hanging, Quat?"

 

"It was hanging good the last time I checked, Duo," replied the blonde with a laugh.

 

"Good to see you again, Duo," said Trowa as he was also in receipt of a bear hug. "Thanks for letting me put a collection box in the surgery."

 

"No problem, Tro. I'm always happy to help out a good cause. You two are looking well."

 

"Thanks. You and Heero are also looking good. Everything going okay for you both?" asked Trowa politely.

 

"Yeah, everything is going along fine," replied Duo softly with a small smile in Heero's direction.

 

Trowa couldn't help but note a touch of something else in Duo's voice and made a mental note to ask the vet about it later.

 

"Heero was muttering something about a mare and foaling complications," said Quatre, breaking into the quiet moment between Trowa and Duo. "You have a problem with a case?"

 

"Foaling complications?" echoed Duo and gazed at Heero with a puzzled frown. "I'm not treating any pregnant mares at the moment, Quat. What were you… oh!" Duo paused as he realized what Heero must have been talking about. "I see. I think I should be able to clear this up for you. I take it you haven't said anything yet, Heero?"

 

"No, I haven't." Heero turned back to Zero who was still nuzzling his master's pockets in the hope of gaining some more carrots. "No more for you, boy, sorry."

 

"Someone want to tell me what's going on? I'm getting a little lost here," said Quatre with a frown.

 

"Why don't we go take a look at Scythe and I'll explain what Heero was talking about," said Duo and began to lead the way to the mare's paddock. Trowa and Quatre fell into step and Heero brought up the rear.

 

"She's certainly looking well, Heero," exclaimed Quatre as they stopped at Scythe's paddock gate and the mare strolled over to greet them.

 

"You wouldn't pick her for being the same horse, Heero. You've done miracles with her. I take my hat off to you," said Trowa as he rubbed the mare's forehead.

 

"I couldn't have done it without Duo's help. He deserves just as much of the credit," replied Heero with a happy smile and reached for Duo's hand, squeezing it lightly.

 

Duo squeezed back and gave the accountant a grin. "I didn't do much at all, it was mostly Heero stuffing her full of good tucker."

 

"Well, I think she looks great and she couldn't have asked for a better home than with you, Heero. You certainly have made a difference to her. I know the society is going to be very pleased with my recommendation that you have her. Thanks for not letting me down." Quatre was positively beaming.

 

Quatre's words of praise only made Heero feel worse about the mare's condition. Despite Duo having told him that neither Quatre nor the society would be in the least bit concerned that Scythe was pregnant, Heero couldn't help but have his doubts.

 

"Heero? You okay?" asked Trowa noting the shadowed look on Heero's face.

 

"No, not really."

 

"I don't understand. Are you ill or something? Has something happened? Have you had some bad news?" Quatre fired the questions off in quick succession.

 

"It's nothing like that, Quat," began Duo coming to Heero's rescue. "Heero is worried that the society is going to reprimand him or take Scythe away from him..."

 

"Why the hell would they want to do that for?" Quatre interrupted.

 

"If I can finish, Quat."

 

"Sorry. By all means, please do."

 

"Scythe came into season roughly six weeks ago and at the time we didn't know. Turns out that Zero did and he jumped the paddock fence to get to her..."

 

"So? He didn't harm her in any way, did he?"

 

"Quatre!" scolded Trowa. "Let Duo speak."

 

Quatre held his hands up in surrender.

 

"Quatre; Zero is a stallion," said Duo.

 

"Eh?" Quatre scratched his head.

 

"Scythe is a mare, Zero is a stallion, Scythe was in season," Trowa said raising his eyebrows for emphasis. "Get it?"

 

"No, not really," puzzled Quatre.

 

"You want me to spell it out for you, Quat?" snickered Duo. "Zero is a stallion, you know, macho male complete with balls. Scythe is a mare, comes into season with all those hormones and stuff. Zero jumps the fence and it's a case of jump the mare and in another nine and a half months Heero and I are going to be grandparents." Duo couldn't help the grin that widened on his face as he bluntly explained everything to the blonde.

 

"Oh."

 

"Yes, Quatre. They had S.E.X. Sex. Zero is going to be a father and Scythe a mother," said Trowa softly.

 

"Oh."

 

"Look, I will understand if the society wants to take Scythe away, if they think I'm not a proper person to look after her," began Heero.

 

"Oh."

 

"I think he's in shock," snickered Duo as he waved a hand in front of Quatre's blank face. "Quatre?"

 

"Oh."

 

"Quatre, please. Can't you say something other than `oh'?" pleaded Heero. He expected the blonde to at least berate him for his allowing Scythe to fall pregnant.

 

Quatre turned his eyes towards Heero's and locked with the accountant's cobalt. "This is fantastic news! Are you certain she's pregnant, Duo?"

 

"Yes. No doubt about it. I did a preg test on her earlier today and it is positive."

 

"Wow. We're going to be uncles, Trowa! This is great! How is she doing? Is there anything we can do for her, you know, feed, blankets, stuff like that?" The inspector was simply over the moon at the thought of Scythe being in foal.

 

Heero's face had taken on a shell shocked look. He hadn't expected this sort of reaction from the blonde and it left him a little stunned.

 

"Congratulations, Heero. And you too, Duo," said Trowa and shook both men's hands.

 

"Thanks, I think," replied Heero. "Are you sure this won't be a problem with the society, Quatre?"

 

"No. Why should it? The mare was leased to you Heero to do with as you wish providing you look after her and don't mistreat her. Putting her in foal, whether planned or not, isn't mistreatment at all, so why should the society worry or take her away from you? If anything they are even more happy for her to stay with you as they know how well you are looking after her. Don't you worry about the society, Heero. They're not about to take her away." Quatre turned to pat the mare. "You're going to be a mother I hear, girl?"

 

Duo poked his partner in the ribs. "See, I told you the society wouldn't mind and that Quatre would be enthusiastic."

 

"Give him half a chance and he'll be holding a foal shower for you," said Trowa with a touch of amusement to his voice.

 

"Funny, Duo said exactly the same thing," Heero deadpanned.

 

"Duo said what?" asked Quatre, turning from his petting for a moment.

 

"Both Duo and Trowa said you would more than likely want to throw a foal shower for us," said Heero.

 

"A foal shower? Now that's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?"

 

Heero rolled his eyes, Trowa groaned and Duo went into a coughing fit of hysterics.

 

"Don't you dare!" they all said in unison.

 

***

 

It was getting late in the afternoon, Quatre had been levered away from cooing over Scythe and practically dragged up to the house for some refreshments. Now the blonde had gone back with Heero to bring the horses in while Trowa accompanied Duo to the surgery to drop off the collection tin for the animal welfare society that he ran.

 

"I'd sit it just up here, Tro," said Duo as he cleared a spot on the reception desk. "That way when they pay their bill they are more likely to drop their change into it as opposed to their pockets. Plus they can't help but see it when they come in as they have to report to the reception desk anyway."

 

"Thanks, Duo," said Trowa as he set the collection tin down. It was quite an appealing tin, shaped as a dog with a slot in the head for the donations to be placed inside. The figure of the dog was sitting on top of a circular base where the bold letters read; 'Thank You For Your Donation To The Barton Animal Shelter'. "I'll give you a call once a week to see how the tin is doing and once it feels quite heavy let me know and I'll come over to collect it and replace it with another, empty one."

 

"Okay. Nice to know I can help out a bit."

 

As the pair turned to leave so Trowa paused and caught Duo by the wrist. "How is everything really going between you and Heero, Duo? I detected a sort of frustration in your voice before. Look, I don't mean to pry but if you're having any sort of problems I just wanted you to know that I'm here if you need to talk."

 

Duo smiled at the obvious concern. "To be honest, Trowa, there isn't really a problem as such. Heero is a fantastic guy; we share a lot of the same interests as well as having a few of our own individual ones too. We get along together better than you might think and Heero is really considerate. He cares a lot about me, I can see that even clearer now and I love him for it. He's the first person to actually see Duo Maxwell the person and not Duo Maxwell the body. He's gentle, caring, great at keeping my books in order, wonderful cook, excellent receptionist and vet nurse."

 

"But?" said Trowa raising an eyebrow.

 

"No fooling you, is there, Tro?" chuckled Duo.

 

"No, there isn't. I take it there is a little something bothering you?"

 

"Well, yes and no. Ummm... this is kinda embarrassing to talk about," mumbled Duo as his face began to turn red.

 

"It has to do with sex?"

 

"Geeze, do you have to be so blunt?"

 

"It is, isn't it." It was a statement not a question.

 

"Yeah." Duo looked down at his feet.

 

"If he's tried to force..."

 

"NO!" Duo looked up in alarm. "No, Trowa," Duo began a little softer. "Heero is a perfect gentleman. He'd never try to force himself on me. Actually he lets me be the one to set the pace and stuff, if I don't want to try something then we don't. He's been very patient but I'm a little worried that his patience is going to run out soon and then I'll lose him."

 

"You haven't gone all the way yet, have you?"

 

"That obvious, huh?"

 

"It isn't hard to figure out, Duo. I gather you're a virgin?"

 

Duo blushed madly giving Trowa his answer.

 

"Ah. Is Heero also a virgin?"

 

"I'm pretty sure he is. He's never said otherwise and going by what we've done so far, I'd say he's never gone all the way either." Duo thought the heat from his cheeks would burn him if he got any hotter.

 

"From what you've told me, Duo, it makes perfect sense that you would both be cautious about going all the way and that's nothing to be ashamed of, it should be admired."

 

"Tro?"

 

"Yes?"

 

"We fool around and stuff but, I don't know, when it comes to taking that final step I seem to do nothing but hesitate and I'm afraid that Heero will lose patience with me soon and find someone else." Duo lowered his eyes.

 

"Duo, Heero doesn't strike me as the sort to just up and leave you simply because you're not giving out. From what you've said he appears to love you very much and that sex doesn't bother him as much as it apparently bothers you. Look, if you want some advice I'd talk to him..."

 

"I've already done that. We are quite open with each other in that respect, Tro. I've learnt that lesson quite well. Heero assures me that he's not about to take off just because I'm not ready for that step."

 

"Then trust in him, Duo. Don't take that final step until you are really sure that you're ready to. If you give in now just so you won't lose Heero then you may end up regretting it later on. Let your conscience tell you when you're ready, follow your instincts and your heart."

 

"If I follow my instincts I could end up like Scythe," snickered Duo. "Only not in foal."

 

Trowa laughed. "You know something, Duo?"

 

"What?"

 

"It seems to me that you're worried about being bottom."

 

Duo flushed again.

 

"Ah, so I've hit the sore spot. Duo, in a relationship between two guys either one of you can be bottom. Some guys find they like being bottom and refuse to be anything else; other guys like to top all the time and then there are those that don't mind either way."

 

"What about you, Trowa? Which are you?"

 

It was Trowa's turn to flush. He swallowed before replying. "I'm the latter. I don't mind either way. Sometimes I feel like being bottom, it's a wonderful feeling to have the person you love buried deep inside you, touching that special place and making you soar. Then there are times when I like to top, to feel myself enclosed in the heat and moistness of my partner. There are pluses to both, Duo, but only when you're ready for that step."

 

Duo thought long and hard about Trowa's words and finally began to understand.

 

"Have you spoken to Heero about his preference?"

 

"No, no, I haven't."

 

"I'd suggest that you do, Duo. You need to talk to him, let him know if you're concerned about being bottom or top. Discuss it with him and find out which he would prefer. Communication is the key to a successful relationship. But above all else, don't simply go ahead and jump into bed because you feel you have to. Respect yourself and only take that final step, make love when you feel the time is truly right and you will have something special to hold onto for the rest of your life."

 

Duo gave a warm smile and squeezed Trowa's shoulder. "Thanks, Tro. I know it isn't easy for you to talk about these things, just as it's almost impossible for me to; but your words have really helped. You've given me food for thought and once I have a few things straightened out in my head you can bet I will sit down with Heero and discuss this."

 

"Good. He's a good guy, Duo, and worth hanging onto, but not at the expense of your virginity. Although, he's never struck me as the sort to be pushy in a relationship. I'll admit I had my doubts to begin with but after seeing him around his horses and watching him around you I've nothing but respect for him."

 

"That means a lot to me, Trowa."

 

"Anytime, Duo."

 

No more words were exchanged but Duo knew he had a good friend in Trowa. The man may be quiet but he was very observant and worldly-wise when it came down to the nitty-gritty things. Duo respected Trowa's opinion and advice more than the man would probably ever know. They walked back to the stables in time to give Quatre and Heero a hand with putting the horses in and rugging them up for the night.

 

~ * ~

 

tbc.....

 

Authors Note: Many thanks to Amarin Rose for the suggestion of putting in a collection box for Trowa's Animal shelter. It gave me the perfect opening to bring these two back into the fic.