Keep Your Enemies Closer 2: Banishing Doubt

by Aneko Kitana

Dexter is finally on his way to recovery, but he likes to keep in the lab….Much to Mandark's distaste. What will it take to get them closer? How about a second catastrophe to fan the flames? Shonen-ai. Fluff. Dexter/Mandark. *Squee!* Rated M/Later CHs...

1. Chapter 1: Silvercoat Lion

Keep Your Enemies Closer 2 – Banishing Doubt

By: Aneko Kitana

Dear Readers and Reviewers:

Disclaimer: I DO NOT Own Fusion Fall Nor Any Of The Characters Herein. I do however lay claim to the scenario and all (if any) OC's, but I rarely add them in so don't worry. I hope you all enjoy! NO FLAMES PLEASE!

Content Warning: Shonen-ai. No like, no read! Gore too….so M just to be safe.

Preview: Dexter is finally on his way to recovery, but he likes to keep in the lab….Much to Mandark's distaste. What will it take to get them closer? How about a second catastrophe to fan the flames? Shonen-ai. Fluff. Dexter/Mandark. *Squee!*

Chapter One: Silvercoat Lion

Dexter leaned up, wiping his brow with the back of his gauntlet covered hand, smearing oil across his forehead and cheek. He smiled happily, flopping his head back with a sigh.

"Finished! Good." He smirked, admiring the tempered and polished mithril shell to his latest invention. "Now all I have to do is finish the tune-ups and software downloads and the "Triple F - DMT" will be completed!"

Mandark chuckled from down below, his head popping up nearby.

Dexter squeaked, startled.

"Mandark? What are you doing here?"

Mandark smirked. "Looking for you, my beloved…..What are you tinkering with this time?...This is some impressive tech you've got here."

Dexter beamed. "Do you like it! I call it the Ferocious Feral –Fusion Destruction Mobile Transport."

"Long…..but by what I can tell…..it's very fitting. How long have you been working on him?" Mandark asked as he looked over the metal and bolts and seamless welds of the outer shell.

He whistled at Dexter's marvelous handiwork. The feline structure and construction were state-of-the-art and very nicely put together. The sinews seamlessly strung every fiber and joint together, giving the bio-mech a horrific flare, but a strong appearance. A strong green pane covered what looked like a cock-pit, the treaded downwards to the sinews of a hardened rubber-like muscle coating to the neck. This coating covered all the mechanics that were to move, obviously to make the movement fluid.

"It's still not finished yet…." Dexter sighed as he moved to tighten some bolts on the other side of the mech.

Dexter had outdone himself, and he said just that.

"Dexter…..I believe you've outdone yourself this time…" he sighed in awe.

Dexter smirked tiredly, lifting his head to watch Mandark. "Thank you…I've been at it for three days now…"

Mandark gaped at him.

"Three days! Non-stop!" Mandark asked incredulously.

Dexter jumped at the odd tone in his boyfriend's voice. "Y-yes…why?"

Mandark grit his teeth. "No wonder I haven't seen you….You need to get some rest….."

Dexter shook his head. "Uh-uh…..I still have to finish it!"

Mandark turned a mock-glare upon his diminutive lover, crossing his arms and tapping his foot. "Dexter….."

Dexter pouted. "But….."

"Dexter, look at you! You look awful!" Mandark protested.

Dexter finally looked down at himself, noticing he was smeared with oil. He did look a fright….And he felt horrid, with stiff muscles and puffy eyes to match.

"I'm alright, Mandark…..And I'm almost done with the mech-"

"I don't want to hear it….What would the Professor say if he saw you like this, Dexter?" Mandark tried to reason.

Dexter looked down at the ground in shame, feeling really bad about not having told Mandark where he had been and for not having taken a rest every now and then. He really hated making people worry. 'Damn my habits….' Dexter thought as he kicked at the ground glumly.

Mandark covered his eyes with his hand, sighing. Now he felt bad. Leave it to him to inspire guilt, of all things…

"Dexter…..I'm just worried about you…" he sighed.

Dexter nodded, understanding. He moved to stand directly in front of Mandark, and gently moved his hands up to rest on Mandark's shoulders, adding small smudges of oil to the white of Mandark's usual shirt.

"I'm sorry to make you worry…" Dexter said, laying his head gently against Mandark's chest.

Mandark smiled. "I just can't stay mad at you, can I?" he asked, wrapping his arms around Dexter's slim shoulders.

Dexter smiled up at him, affirming the statement.

"I was afraid of that….." Mandark sighed, letting his head drop forward slightly.

Dexter chuckled softly.

"Don't you laugh at me!"

Dexter only laughed louder, clutching Mandark's chest as he did.

Mandark groaned. "Alright…..that's enough of that….You're coming with me to at least get a bath."

Dexter mulled it over for a moment before nodding his head in agreement. "I do look horrible…" he muttered.

Mandark gave him "the look", making him shiver.

"Alright! But just a bath!" Dexter conceded, raising his hands in defeat.

Mandark smirked. "We'll see….."

~*~*~* =(^3^)= *~*~*~

"Ahhhh!" Dexter sighed as he exited the bathroom, steam rising from his freshly washed hair and body. A fluffy purple towel was tied about his too-slender waist, and Dexter had toweled his hair to nearly dry, causing it to stand up on its ends.

Mandark snickered at the sight of his hair. Usually Dexter had never allowed anyone to see him in such a state. His bright orange locks were known to never be out of place, especially in front of others.

The snickering caught Dexter's attention immediately. Glaring in the opposite direction, a heavy, bright red blush ascended his features.

Mandark smiled. "Has anyone ever told you that you look adorable when you're mad?" he asked.

"No!" Dexter huffed, turning his un-clothed body away from Mandark.

Mandark snickered quietly to himself, watching as Dexter moved into his room.

Here at the headquarters, Mandark and Dexter had decided together that they were to share a wing of the massive building, away from prying eyes and FAR away from their duties. It was their… sanctuary, a place where they were safe, secure, and, best of all, ALONE.

Dexter re-emerged from their bedroom, dressed in his black slacks and trademark black turtleneck, newly mended from their fiasco in the lab a few months back.

Mandark watched Dexter carefully, making note of any and all changes.

A cough was starting to become evident, and there was the slight wheeze to his breaths, and always there was the presence of the bags under his eyes.

Dexter raised a brow. "Why are you staring at me, Mandark?"

Mandark snapped out of his gaze, noting once more the hoarseness to Dexter's gentle voice. "Nothing…..Nothing at all…"

Dexter shook his head and started to make his way to the small kitchen inset to their wing, when dizziness took him. He swayed in place, only to be steadied by Mandark from behind.

Mandark had come to his conclusion, and that conclusion was…

"Dexter…you've gone and gotten yourself Sick….."

Dexter stiffened in Mandark's arms, eyes widened and comeback at the ready.

"I DON'T GET SICK!"

…..

…..

….

"ACHOO!"

Mandark held back the impending laugh that was bound to surface, and shook his head. "Then what was that?"

"It was just a….a…..a BODY MALFUNCTION!" Dexter countered.

"I knew you were a robot…."

Dexter pouted. "O….Ok…..I can get sick…" Dexter shifted his eyes nervously before uttering the last part in a whisper. "Sometimes."

Mandark smirked. "Better…..Much better….Now…." Mandark grunted softly, hefting Dexter into his arms in bridal fashion. "Let's get you settled. I'm going to get you well…."

Dexter pouted again. "Don't tell my father….Please?"

Mandark smiled, and nodded his agreement. "Of course…..I would never dream of it. Now…..Anything you want in particular? Cocoa? Tea? You'll need something to wash down the medicine."

"Medicine? But I'm no-"

Mandark cleared his throat, silencing him easily. "You were saying?"

Dexter groaned, sinking into Mandark's side as they retired to the study, where Mandark had settled a BIG cushy couch, just for them. "Bastard…" he whispered.

"Just looking out for your well being, my love….." Mandark chuckled, settling Dexter down on the big plush couch, allowing Dexter's body to sink into it a bit.

"Well…..Don't do me any favors…." Dexter grumbled lovingly as he snuggled into the soft material of the couch, and into Mandark's yielding side, getting himself as comfortable as he dared.

"Well…Anything come to mind love?" Mandark asked quietly, stroking his hand through Dexter's hair silently, listening to the tell tale purr of that the gesture usually brought out of his love.

"Tea…." Dexter sighed, his hoarse voice a whisper.

"Feel better?"

"Yes….Much…."

Mandark allowed his smile to ascend his features, his secret one that no one had been allowed to see. This look was reserved for Dexter…and maybe Professor Utonium.

Mandark looked around the room, hoping to spot Gadget, or maybe his own Nano counterpart, Shade. After Dexter had created his own Nano, Mandark had broken down and helped to alter the technology in Dexter's Gadget to create his very own Shade, a lanky and tiny version of himself, with all of the little quirks, including his magical qualities. Even Dexter had been stunned by the effectiveness of the mixture of tech and magic. The little fellow even exuded a mystical air, just like Dexter's very own live copy.

"Hi!"

Mandark jerked back as two sets of miniature eyes and glasses flashed in his vision, alerting his body of the little Nanos' presences.

"We're you looking for us, sir?" Shade asked, adjusting his little glasses a bit.

Mandark, while aware of Dexter's snickering below him, adjusted his own glasses and turned to his miniature.

"Shade, Gadget…can you gather up some items for me?"

Both Nanos nodded.

"Perfect…I need you to get me a thermometer, fever reducer, decongestant, and I also need you to pick up an order I'm about to place. Alright?"

"Of course!" Gadget trilled happily, ready to be of service.

"Beef Broth, Strawberry Applesauce, and Chamomile Tea?" Shade asked, glancing knowingly to his master.

Mandark blinked, looking down to Dexter, who was wryly looking up at him with his dull and tired eyes.

Mandark smirked."I trained him well…..huh?"

"Too well….." Dexter rasped, smiling tiredly up at his love.

"That's exactly right, Shade….Can you go gather up that real quick?" Mandark asked quietly.

Both Nanos smiled and saluted to their masters before they darted away, flitting away from the two of them, leaving the two love birds alone.

Mandark quickly placed the order for the food that they would need, hoping silently that the Nanos wouldn't get lost.

Dexter looked up, his fever-bright eyes glistening. "Are you sure it was a wise idea to let those two loose?"

Mandark winced. "Not my best idea….I admit…But I'm not leaving you to suffer, my love…." He whispered, leaning down to gently nip at Dexter's exposed ear lobe.

The movement caused the boy to shiver, but not do to his building fever, but do to the sheer pleasure it caused the poor boy. Mandark had a thing about him, a power in his lips no one would ever expect from the nerd genius.

Dexter had never dared to ever think that Mandark was as able as he was, but he DEFINITELY loved it, and moaned lightly, arching up a bit despite the dull throb in his tired limbs.

Mandark smirked, and finally let the boy free of his tantalizing grasp, leaning down a bit more so he could gaze at his lover. "No more tonight, love….Just rest….The little ones will be back soon with your medicine…"

Dexter smiled, chuckling at Mandark's referral of the Nanos as their little ones. But the idea was sweet.

"What?"

"Never mind….." Dexter said, the smile still lingering on his lips.

"Fine….don't tell me…" Mandark chuckled, not really caring as long as Dexter was feeling better.

Dexter nuzzled his head down into Mandark's lap, sighing happily.

"Head hurt anymore?" Mandark sighed, running his hand lightly through Dexter's damp, red locks.

A slight nod was his answer, but Dexter also smiled into the white fabric of Mandark's button down. "Yes…..But not as bad….."

Mandark smiled.

"…..And your comfy…." Dexter nearly purred, snuggling into Mandark's side.

Mandark blinked down owlishly at his beloved, blushing brightly as Dexter snuggled deeper into his side. Then, a smile ascended to his own lips, he snuggled down deep into his squishy couch, tugging his Dexter into an embrace beside him.

~*~*~* =(^3^)= *~*~*~

"Should we split up, Shade….? I've never been past the elevator…"

Shade adjusted his glasses, floating in place at the elevator entrance. "I know where the kitchens are…..Med Bay is on this floor….So we can grab the medicines here."

"Alrighty…..So, which way?" Gadget squeaked happily, waiting for Shade to lead the way.

"It's this way… Follow me…" Shade said with a smirk, floating fluidly past Gadget, and towards the end of the hallway they were currently occupying.

Gadget smiled and followed the mini of his master's lover down the hall.

Upon phasing through the door, Gadget and Shade were met with the eyes of Professor Utonium, Dexter's adopted father, who raised an elegant black eyebrow at their intrusion.

"Hello there, little ones…..On an errand?" he asked, smirking as Gadget hid behind his magical counterpart.

"Yes, sir, Professor. Master sent me and Gadget to retrieve medici-"

"Medicine? Why? Is Dexter sick?"

Shade smirked and nodded his head in affirmative. "Yes, sir….. My master sent us to retrieve the items he needed to aide young Dexter, as he had to look after him…."

Gadget nodded fervently.

The Professor sighed, yet smiled. Worried he may be, but if Dexter's long standing lover was watching over him, he didn't have to worry as much. It had been six months since the accident in the lab, and all he could do was offer encouragement to his son, seeing as Mandark was making him happier by the day, which he sorely needed. Too long a time spent alone can do that to a person. Despite the obvious love and affection he received from his new friends and family, he craved the deep love that Mandark had offered to fill the hole he had created between them so long ago. Utonium saw this deep love almost every time he saw the pair together, and who was he to deny them that happiness. He'd already warned Mandark once, and the body of a shrew would be his punishment if he caused Dexter any pain.

He nodded, pleased to hear that Mandark was taking good care of Dexter at least. "How about I help you two out….I'll grab the medicine that you needed here, and I'll take it to them now…"

Gadget answered this time, getting over his shyness of the Professor. "That will help greatly! We still have food to pick up!"

Shade nodded. "That is correct…. We have to gather up the Master's order of soft foods for the little Master…"

"Alright….Go on ahead then. I'll meet you two in-"

"Mandark and Dexter's room!" Gadget piped.

The Professor smiled, nodding to the two.

"Don't forget a thermometer!"Gadget added.

Utonium chuckled."Yes. Of course, I wouldn't want to leave that out. Now shoo, you two…" he said, motioning for the two to hurry along while he moved to get some medicines from the cabinet on his left.

When Utonium looked back, the Nanos were gone, having flitted away to get the food that Mandark needed.

Utonium shook his head, chuckling to himself. "Those little things amaze more and more as time goes on. Better get these items to the boys…. No telling how long Dexter locked himself away this time…."

He pocketed some aspirin, decongestant, cough syrup, a spoon, and the thermometer he promised to bring up, and then, after snatching up two cups for the boys as he went, he exited into the hall, and strode towards the boys room.

~*~*~* =(^3^)= *~*~*~

Knock. Knock.

"Huh…? C-…Come on in…." Mandark stuttered, startled that someone had come up to their suite. He hadn't called for anyone…..

"It's me, Mandark…"

Mandark smirked. Leave it to Dexter's loving father to find them out.

"Hello Professor…."

"Gadget…and your little Nano met me in Med Bay…I came up after I gathered up the medicine. What happened?" he stated, moving into the warmth of the boys room, watching the pair like a hawk, already assessing Dexter's sleeping form with a loving and critical air.

"Shade…..We named him Shade…..Seemed to fit…And as to what happened…Well….Dexter ended up stuck in the lab….For three days…So I kidnapped him," Mandark explained coolly, smiling up at the man that well understood his logic.

"Good on you…Did he get a bath?"

Utonium moved over to the couch, ruffling Dexter's tousled wet locks a bit.

"Yeah…I made him do it first…"

"Good job…." Utonium stated, ruffling Mandark's longer hair with his other, now free, hand. "Thought about cutting your hair? It's getting long….." Utonium mused.

Mandark smirked at the comment. "I need the change… The bowl cut no longer suits me….But this does….I think…."

Utonium glanced over, taking in the tapered sides of Mandark's new style. Long in front, but short in the back. Very stylish, considering. But it was usually a girls' cut which the boy now sported, but Mandark was right. The length added to his natural beauty, and made the boy more appealing, as well as framed his angular face. It fit him well, and Utonium smirked."I certainly like it… What did Dexter have to say?..."

"I don't think he noticed just yet….. He IS sick, sir…."

"So. Shall we wake him and get him to a proper bed, then get some medicine and food into him?" Utonium asked, smiling at the black haired boy to his side.

Mandark smiled, and tucked his hair back behind his ears. "That sounds good. The Nanos should be back soon…."

"I met them on their way to Medical…" Utonium chuckled.

Mandark nodded. "I sent them for food."

"Yes. Well, let's get some meds in you young man…." Utonium whispered as he moved to lift Dexter up off of Mandark's lap.

Stirring slowly, Dexter opened his tired baby blues to stare up at the fuzzy outline of his beloved adopted father, Utonium.

"D-dad…?"

Utonium smiled, hefting Dexter up into a sitting position. "Hey there….Got yourself sick, huh?" Utonium chided quietly, looking Dexter in the eye.

Dexter merely nodded, already starting to wake up and feel guilty about how long he had hidden away. "I..sorry…." he slurred, wiping his eyes tiredly with his hand.

"Yes….well…..I think you've been punished enough. Mandark assures me that he got you to bathe, and has already ordered up some food."

Mandark nodded, while blushing hard at the praise.

Dexter nodded tiredly, stretching out his body.

"Let's take a look….Your throat sore?..." Utonium tilted Dexter's head gently back, feeling about the glands to Dexter's neck.

"Just a bit…You lied to me, Mandark….." Dexter whined quietly, glaring a bit in Mandark's direction.

Mandark shook his head in defense. "I didn't tell him, love…..The Nanos bumped into him….."

Dexter still pouted adorably.

"Say "Ahhhh", please…."

Dexter blinked, and unconsciously opened his mouth, roving his eyes upwards to look at the Professor.

Dexter's throat was a bit on the red side, but Utonium tutted none-the-less, moving to release his charge. He cupped Dexter's cheek with on hand, while his other went to cover his forehead.

"A bit warm….You may just have a cold, but food, meds, and bed anyway…We'll wait for the food to-"

"HI!"

All three genii jumped, eyes wide.

The Nanos floated nearby, food in hand, grinning like idiots.

Mandark let out the breath that he didn't know he had held in due to the fright, and growled as he rounded on the floating miniatures.

"Don't DO That!" he hissed.

The Nanos chuckled. "We won't!" they chimed.

Mandark still glared, but his gaze softened considerably over the next two minutes.

"We got the food!" Gadget exclaimed, showing Mandark the tray they had pushed in.

"You did good…..You two can head to bed, if you want….." Mandark praised, moving to pour Dexter, Utonium, and himself a cup of Chamomile Tea.

Utonium smiled and got the medicine ready for Dexter to swallow.

Mandark handed Utonium two of the steaming cups of tea, moving to get the bowl of broth ready for when Dexter had downed the offending medication.

Utonium smiled, taking the mugs. One he set on the bed side table, the other he held in his hand until Dexter had downed the pills he offered the boy with his other hand. "Here…These will help…."

Dexter nodded, offering a small smile to his father as he took the offered medicine, and downed the pills in a gulp that caused him to cough roughly after they went down.

"Easy….easy….Drink this down…."

Dexter took the drink, and gulped down half the glass to get his throat to stop hurting. The liquid did wonders.

"Thank you both…..I feel better already…." Dexter said, smiling brightly at his two favorite men in the world.

Mandark smiled back, offering up the soup. "Eat and you'll feel that much better…."

Utonium passed the bowl to Dexter, who took the soup gratefully and slowly started to eat.

"Thank you," he piped.

"Eat it all…..You two going to be all right up here alone..?" Utonium asked, sipping on his own teacup.

Mandark nodded. "Still got some work to do Professor?"

"Yeah….. I have some more paperwork to file…"

Again, Mandark nodded. "We'll be alright…..We're going to bed after this anyway…."

"Good boy, I'll be down the hall if you two need me…." Utonium stood, moving to Dexter's side. Leaning over the boy, he placed a kiss to the top of his head, smiling. "Get well soon, buddy..."

Dexter grinned. "Yes sir!"

And with that, Utonium left the pair to their devices, confident that Mandark would handle it.

And just as soon as he was gone…

"Applesauce?" Mandark offered.

~*~*~* =(^3^)= *~*~*~

It took three days for Dexter to get better, due to the fact that he had actually caught the flu from his sister, who had the illness the previous week. But Mandark was the sweetest he could be, and was always by his side. When Dexter was sleeping, Mandark had been doing work from the living room of their suite, so as to keep up with the work they both we're missing.

Hopefully the lack of sleep, care, and constant contact with his ill boyfriend wouldn't bite him in the ass.

~*~*~* =(^3^)= *~*~*~

COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED! I don't know how many times I have to say that! Please Read and Review or I'll have Shade dismantle yout computers!XD