---------
Duo: ..............ero...*gasp*....Hee....ro!...*heavy panting*
Heero: *grunts, unwilling to come out of such a wonderful sleep. Hears the desperation, though, and eyes snap open— used to it now because of his new companion— wide awake. Lifts his head.*
Duo: *gasps for air, pushing on his shoulders to lift Heero up farther so he can breathe properly* Heero~~!
Heero: *snaps up to the demanding hands with question gleaming in his eyes.*
Duo: *hands fall back down to his chest, panting and sucking in air* Ah-thank-you-...*obviously much happier now*
Heero: *watches him then lays back down at Duo's side and nuzzles his nose into place under Duo's chin but suddenly jerks back again, before his eyes can close, and blinks wearily.*
Duo: *blinks at him, a little confused at Heero's actions* Are you okay...?
Heero: *lifts a hand to his head and rubs an eye lightly, scooting away with a light flush on his cheeks.* Fine.
Duo: *slowly starts sitting up, brushing wavy bangs and squints around them*...Where are we now...?
Heero: Still where we were.
Duo: Wherz zat? *yawns sleepily and rubs his eyes*
Heero: In the forest. *looks at the burnt kindle that once was a fire.* Are you all right?
Duo: *looks over with one eye, wiping the other. Slowly lets it drop in his lap with the other one and looks away* Yeah. I'm okay.
Heero: ... Together. I don't want you leaving my sight.
Duo: *looks over quickly* Nani?
Heero: *stares at the fire that should be there in front of him.* Every time I'm not with you, when I can't see you, when you leave me, you get in trouble.
Zechs: *walks back to the same tree he was at last night, leaning against it heavily as he strains to hear every word*
Duo: *stands up slowly, tugging the blanket up over his shoulders* I can take care of myself, don't worry!
Heero: *looks up at him slowly.* But I do.
Duo: *tilts head* Why, 'ero? *smiles slightly* I thought I was the captive, remember?
Heero: *smirks lightly at him.* No, just a willing slave.
Duo: Slave!? *face flushes slightly* When did I become that!?
Zechs: *smiles slightly to himself and leans more heavier against the tree*
-...Shinigami...a slave to the Perfect Soldier. What irony...-
Heero: *reaches over and tugs the blanket casually then suddenly grabs Duo's leg, pulling him down again and right onto his lap, sitting cross-legged now. Holds him securely so he doesn't get away and grins faintly.* You never ran away, but always came back to me.
Duo: *cheeks start getting a little redder, pouty mouth a little parted as he grips Heero's neck gently so he can lean back without making Heero support him* I never did such a thing!
Zechs: -...Interesting...- *eyes slip close and reaches back into Heero's mind*
Heero: Then why are you here with me right now? I've given you so many chances to run, and you didn't take them.
Duo: You were? Those looked like chances to-*blushes suddenly at his way of thinking and starts struggling to get up where he can clear his head*
Zechs: *brow furrows* -...Odd...This wasn't here before...-
Heero: *grins lightly again and then suddenly shudders, a chill running over his spine. Notices he doesn't have a shirt before getting the chills again and pulls Duo closely to him, putting his face into Duo's silky hair.* (whisper) I'm not giving you the chance to run now, Duo, I've taken a liking to having you.
Duo: A...A liking? I'm annoying. I get you in trouble. You haven't had a decent night's sleep since I've joined you. And... You don't know anything, 'ero.
Heero: I don't know anything? *pulls back his face from the sweet scents and looks at the young face again with an arched eyebrow.*
Duo: Last night...My hands aren't clean.
Zechs: *wipes the small sweat from his brow, concentrating hard*...What...What is this...?
Heero: *takes one of Duo's hands, mind urging him to reassure the boy. Lifts the hand to view it with his firm Prussian eyes, running his thumb over the palm.* Doesn't look dirty, doesn't feel dirty... *moves the hand toward his face then closes his eyes and allows Duo's hand to slide onto his darker cheek, hot breath on the wrist as he holds it there.* The scent is still sweet.
Duo: *slightly confused and leans back farther* Sweet with the scent of blood. *watching him intensely*
Heero: Hai... Your blood, your life. *slowly tilts his head and kisses the wrist before nuzzling Duo's fingers open more so his lips press against the palm.*.. And your taste is so pure.
Duo: *cheeks begin to get hot* No...Heero...You don't understand...
Heero: *licks lightly at the skin then lifts his head and moves the hand on his own cheek again, head tilting to the feel.* I could only dream of belonging to something so innocent and beautiful. *eyes open now in a dreamy haze as he speaks to Duo, a soft -smile- at his lips.*
Duo: *eyes widen gradually, staring at the man before him and leaning back so far that he is practically off of Heero's lap* H-Hee-*cough*-ro? Are you all right?
Zechs: *backs off his new finding slowly, feeling the discomfort of the other individual* -...Baka...Not acting quite himself, is he, Shinigami?...-
Heero: *blinks slowly a few times, looking lost in his dream state then lets his eyes drift back to the burnt kindle.*
Duo: Heero...*strokes his cheek, trying to get his attention* What do you mean? Are you okay? Maybe you need some more rest. Come on, I'll-
Zechs: ~All right, Perfect Soldier. Act normal...but tempting...Bring Shinigami to you...~
-...While I try to figure out what this thing is in your head...-
Heero: *parts his lips finally to speak.* I feel fine, Duo. *slowly looks at him again, his eyes clear and just watches him like he did when they were separated at the restaurant.*
Duo: Are you sure? *returns his hand on his shoulder slowly* You were acting really weird...and...you weren't listening to me.
Heero: *shifts under him.* Of course I was listening. You told me last night that you killed them, but that doesn't change you from my perspective. You don't need to apologize to me or regret your actions. You had a reason to and I understand that.
Zechs: *starts pressing back in again*
Duo: ...Really, Heero?
Heero: *nods slowly.* Yes, I enjoy being with you no less.
Duo: *smiles, relaxing slowly* Thank you, Heero...
Heero: And I... trust you, Duo. I wish you would tell me about what happened and why.
Duo: What...happened...*looks down heavily but unconsciously scooting closer in his lap as he feels chill run down his spine*
Heero: *holds him delicately and lifts a hand to brush back strands of hair from Duo's face.* ... And... when both of us were captured, I remember nothing but pain and the poison they had injected in me... but then you were there.
Duo: Mother...told me...to never...To never use.... You...You know how you can make things move and stuff, 'ero...?
Heero: Hai, Duo, I have telekinetic…power.
Duo: My...Mom and Dad had something like that, 'ero...
Heero: ... So I assumed. What talents that you know of?
Duo: For...me?
Heero: *nods again*
Duo: *slowly lowers his head upon Heero's shoulder, tilted away from him and staring out across the forest floor and whispers* Death...
Heero: ... All the powers can bring death, Duo...
Duo: No, Heero... *begins shuddering, taking in a large breath* No...
Heero: *puts a hand into Duo's hair and strokes the cascade of honey to comfort him, concerned eyes never leaving the form.*
Duo: *hands circle around Heero in a desperate hug, hoping the deadly chill will leave him* I can...kill...by just thinking about it...I see things...
Heero: *slowly tucks the blanket around him but continues the petting of his long locks, just silent and waiting.*
Duo: I...I can hold their lives in my very hand, Heero...All I have to-to do is squeeze and ...and they start falling...Always fall...
Heero: You have no control of it..?
Duo: *sobs softly* Very little...But I call it forth...it's my fault in the end... Heero...I wish I was as strong as you...
Heero: *runs a light finger tip over Duo's cheek as he runs his hand through his hair.* ...I don't...
Duo: Why? Why, 'ero?
Heero: *watches his working hand in silence for a moment then sighs softly.* Then I wouldn't have anyone to protect.
Duo: *lifts his head slowly* Protect...me...?
Heero: Hai. *doesn't look at him, just watching his hand contently.* Since my time in the woods began I have had to relations no anyone, never getting close to anything. I never protected anyone, especially protecting them from me. And I never protected myself. Yes, I... worked for food, but I always ask myself why. Why I go on, why I work to fuel myself if I have nothing to live for. If I have no one…
Duo: *eyes soften slowly, tears slowly disappearing* You...don't have to say anymore, Heero.
Heero: *swallows lightly with a small gulp and shyly lifts his gaze to look at Duo.*
Duo: I understand...I...I guess.
Heero: Iie, it's all right. No one has ever understood.
Duo: Am I your excuse?
Heero: M-my excuse?
Duo: To keep on living?
Heero: *gulps again slowly and works his jaw for a few moments then slowly opens his mouth to reply but falters.*
Duo: I am...
Heero: *diverts his eyes back to his now still hand and nods cautiously.*
Zechs: -...There's the key...- *concentrates harder and presses against the 'switch'*
Duo: Is that what you are trying to say? You'll protect me so you can live longer? *smiles faintly* What kind of twisted logic is that, 'ero?
Heero: *shivers lightly.* No... I'm protecting you so that you will live longer. *looks like he's not finished but stops anyway with another falter and suddenly his lips and skin tone tint a blue-ish hue with his eyes closing as his breath comes out of the parted lips as a stream of escaping steam from his suddenly cold body.*
Duo: 'eer-Heero?
Heero: *shudders, the hand in Duo's hair seeming to cause some of the strands around the cold flesh to freeze as if it were wet. Trembles before his skin flushes again and pulls the hand away, eyes opening wide and gasping a deep breath.*
Duo: My, God, what's wrong with you? Heero! *shakes him, as if afraid he's dying* No! Don't die!
Heero: *pants and heaves, hunching slightly then goes to lay back tiredly to rest, eyes slipping closed again.*
Duo: No! Heero! Don't go! *doesn't even hesitate and starts using his healing power, hair bursting with the wind at the sudden, desperate need of energy*
Zechs: *relaxes slowly, panting lightly against the tree*
-...Finally...-
Heero: *stays immobile, his body feel as though it's freezing from the inside out then feels a gush of warmth through his body and opens his eyes again with a groan at the pleasurable waves of heat to right his chilled form.*
Duo: *grips onto Heero with all his strength, face buried into his chest, as he squeezes his eyes shut, concentrating on healing his protector*
Heero: *lays there, staring up at the enveloping trees around them then body tenses. Closes his eyes again then opens them with a deep breath to break the freeze over his lungs. Lifts a hand and puts it on Duo's head slowly.* Life...
Duo: *eyes snap open and lifts his head up quickly, staring at him*'
Heero: *exhales softly.* Your powers gave me life, Duo. I... Thank you...
Duo: I...gave you life...? *eyes slowly begin to soften again* You're welcome...Heero.
Heero: ... *pauses for a moment, before continuing his interrupted thought* Y-you want me to protect you then?
Duo: Silly. As if I could stop you!
Heero: *cheeks flush lightly and looks over at the trees then down at the ground bashfully.* You.. didn't have.. to...
Duo: *lifts up on his arms slowly, smiling* You didn't want me to?
Heero: *instinctively grips at Duo's body, holding his sides, but relaxes his hold again.* I haven't done much for you...
Duo: Just saved my life. *eyes roll sarcastically*
Heero: That doesn't happen often?
Duo: Of course not!
Heero: ... Oh... *lays back in the grass, more relaxed and shivers slightly with a sigh.*
Duo: You look cold. I'll start a fire for you. *starts getting up*
Heero: *watches him with an intense gaze then just lays there when he's standing.* You're warm.
Zechs: *takes a deep breath and enters again, searching*
Duo: *winks* That's because I'm very hot. *turns around and goes to the rubble of the fire* Want something to eat?
Heero: *puts a hand behind his head after running through his hair. Settles back again and looks at the tree canopy.* No, I don't eat very much.
Duo: No wonder you're skin and bones. *trying to get the fire started.*
Heero: Opposing your baby fat and feminine curves? *smirking now.*
Duo: *gasps, looking at him, fake insult marked on his face* I _do not_ have baby fat! It's all muscle! Besides, you like my feminine curves. You proved THAT the first day we met. *sniff*
Heero: ... Possibly. You leave my skin and bones— which happens to be all muscle, opposed to your…baby fat— and I'll leave your feminine curves alone.
Duo: *eyes flicker towards him again* Aw, you still wish I was a woman, don't you?
Heero: ... Possibly. But then again you might not be here now if you were a woman, unless I liked you a lot... *smirking as he views the birds perched in the trees then looks down at Duo.*
Duo: *stops trying to get the fire going and looks over* So, Heero, are you saying you prefer boys more then women?
Heero: I don't really know. I can't really explain myself... Too stupid, you know. Feeble minded.
Duo: Ah, trying to dodge the subject at hand, ne?
Heero: No, just telling you, if you haven't noticed. *shifts and puts his other hand behind his head.* Doesn't look like you're well with the fire, Duo. *looks at him again.*
Duo: *meets his eyes and grunts, a faint blush beginning to come*
Heero: *smirks slowly.* I thought you said you were hot.
Duo: *blush deepens looking at the sticks he was rubbing together* Yeah...well...I...*trying to think of some witty comment*
Heero: *smirk broadens.* You have a nice mouth, but I guess you're hands aren't as talented.
Duo: *puts up a hand to hide his burning cheek from Heero* Yeah, well, I'm sure I would if I knew how!
Zechs: *brings up the memory of the Duo's first kiss with
Heero and smirks to himself*
-...Ah...I see...-
Heero: *leans up on his elbows then up into a sit and pulls a knee up to his chest, hanging an arm around it. Watches Duo closely then sets his chin down on his lifted knee.* Try again.
Duo: *lowers his hand again, head lowering in bashfulness and takes the stick, twisting it against the wood*
-...He's...starting to get that look again...-
Heero: *just watches him silently then blinks slowly and looks at the sticks in Duo's hands, observing his handy work. Grins faintly and lets his eyelids fall slightly with a slow exhale.*
Duo: -...I...I wonder what it looks like if I look now...- *bites his bottom lip, keeping his eyes forcibly down*
Heero: *looks back up at Duo's young face and lifts his arm from around his leg and puts his hand into his hair, gripping and tugging lightly for no reason. Shifts and dazed eyes never leave Duo's face for any reason now.*
Duo: *feels his cheeks begin to burn hotly now, shifting uneasily as he tries to at least light a spark from his stick*
-...Oh, God...Stop blushing, idiot!...-
Heero: ... Just relax and use both hands sufficiently. Rub the stick between them and blow lightly when smoke rises from the kindle... *still not even paying attention to the hands. Looks over Duo's rosy cheeks and -smiles- faintly at the lovely compliment to his milky skin.*
Duo: A-Al-All right...*leans down to get closer to the wood*
-...Idiot! I'm stuttering like the village idiot!...-
*purses his lips, ready to blow lightly when any smoke appears*
Heero: *follows his head's movements then relaxes again and waits patiently, seeming lost in his own mind.*
Duo: -...I...I feel so hot...Oh God...-
*closes his eyes tightly, hands dropping from the sticks* Ano, Heero...I can't do it...
-...when you are watching me like that...-
Its too hard.
-...especially when your stare is lighting up my whole body...-
Are you still cold...?
-...'cause I'm certainly not...-
Heero: *sits silently for a few moments before replying, voice soft and just above a whisper.* I think I'm fine now, Duo.
Duo: -...DONT LOOK, DONT LOOK, DONT LOOK...-
*slowly rises his eyes, looking over his crouched position on the ground, staring at the hard, yet certainly enough, muscle of his arms. Ignores the urge to raise a hand and press against his abdomen where he certainly feels butterflies dancing inside of him. Bites his bottom lip again, looking up at Heero and meeting that intense, hazed stare, body and mind freezing over. Leans heavily on his hands and knees, suddenly going stark still as if being caught doing something horrible, eyes growing wide*
-...'ero...?-
Zechs: *smiles and finds the switch*
-...Now what will this do, Heero?...-
*presses hard against his vulnerable mind*
Heero: *just sits there, silently watching with his pupils dilated to see around them easily, but completely focused on Duo. Eyelids suddenly flutter as a wave of heat rushes over his once cold body that had returned to normal temperature, but now is over heated. Parts his lips lightly in a silent pant.*
Duo: ...'ero...? *slowly sits back on his haunches, dust startling up from the ground, as if trying to get away from that incredible amount of heat beaming off his friend's body and eyes that start to warm his own body and groin*
Heero: *snaps out of the daze just slightly, eyes narrowed lightly at Duo's smooth voice. Tilts his head slowly and lifts his chin from his knee, tugging at his hair again.*
Duo: A...Are you okay...? *bites his bottom lip again*
Heero: ... Fine. *hides the pants, closing his mouth again so he breathes heavily through his nose.*
Duo: Y…You don't look...
Heero: Just hot. *shifts and fluidly gets into a crouch, elbows resting on his knees, light sweat beginning to show on his bare skin.*
Duo: Extremely hot...*eyes wander all over him, eyes milking him in*
Heero: *smirks faintly and nods lightly.* Hai. *slowly puts a hand down into the grass and dirt to hold himself as he leans forward slightly to balance his weight out more instead of on his feet.*
Duo: *cheeks begin to flush, making his own heat apparent as he tips forward onto his hands, eyes hazy* I...feel...rather hot myself...I...
Heero: *licks his lips and allows silent pants to escape as he watches Duo intently.*
Zechs: *pants heavily himself, gripping the tree as he fights the last block*
Duo: Heero...You're...making my...
Heero: *makes a soft noise and leans more to hear the trailing words with hazy-dazed eyes.*
Duo: Hot...*leans forward until he's on his hands and knees, mouth nearly a breath away* body...hot...again...I...*feels his heart nearly break through his chest, body seeming on fire as he closes in the minimal space between them to brush his lips over his protector's*
Zechs: *gasps loudly as he finally breaks all the locks and eyes snap open*
Heero: *eyes slip closed slowly then snap open again, grabbing Duo around the chest and twists so Duo lays beneath him, seeing light from the corner of his eye, and covers Duo as the kindle suddenly bursts with flames and some of the already used wood goes snapping out of place beneath the flames.*
Duo: *gasps loudly, against Heero's body, heart beating even harder then before and the musky smell filling all his senses. Feels incredibly dizzy all of a sudden, looking up at Heero as best as he can*
Heero: *pain surges through his back as the kindling hits him in random places then exhales, eyes opening and looking around them quickly then down at Duo.* Duo?
Duo: *stares hazily up at him, oblivious to the world around them with Heero on top of him*...Mmm...?
Heero: *lifts up, so not to squish him like before and shifts slowly, a very faint and distant looking scar on his chest.* Are you all right?
Duo: I'm all right...why...?
Heero: *leans on one hand and lifts the other to reach over his shoulder. Reaches for something then pulls his hand back down and looks at some wood with blood at the tip. Tosses it away and looks back at the content burning fire.*
Duo: *suddenly blinks out of his day dream and jerks up on his elbows, looking at the fire* ...Heero...I...That... Y...Your back...?
Heero: I'm all right, Duo. *cautiously gets up and stands over the younger teen, looking around them with narrowed eyes. Turns slowly in the direction of Zechs and looks about, bruised and lightly bleeding back to Duo now as he starts walking to scout.*
Duo: W-Wait! *scrambles up* Your back! Let me heal you!
Zechs: *holds his breath desperately, praying to flee at that time*
Heero: *tilts his head slightly to see around some trees from a distance, still walking slowly and feet silent.* (mumbled) I'm fine. *puts a hand on one tree and inhales deeply, looking into the dark forest.*
Zechs: *lets out the air he was desperately holding, intertwining with fear of being caught*
Heero: *eyes narrow more and silently steps back, looking at Duo to keep him quiet, and then walks around one of the trees and up to another, avoiding snapping twigs or crushing leaves. Stands there, staring at the tree in front of him then slowly begins to slip around it with his hands out and ready. Suddenly clamps a hand over Zech's mouth, the other grabbing him and pulls him out of hiding. Swiftly presses him to a tree (back against it) and lays his arm securely over Zechs' chest to keep him captive while the other hand slips from his mouth and to his throat. Face comes close to the blonde's with his eyes narrowed and glaring dangerously.*
Zechs: *gasps, staring at him with wide, blue eyes and hands curl around Heero's to save himself from a crushing grip on his lungs* No...
~...Master!!...~
Heero: *growls.* Who are you?
Trieze: ~…Zechs? What's wrong, my son?…~
Zechs: *rasp* N-no one...
~...I've been caught, my Master...Please help me...~
Heero: *glare intensifies and begins to tremble helplessly and Zechs' throat begins to get cold and moist.*
Trieze: ~…Relax, Zechs... Relax...~
Heero: *fist clenches tightly where Zechs' throat should be, frost forming over the fist. Looks around quickly for the stranger who seems to have disappeared without a trace, and then looks back down at his hand.*
Duo: ....Heero!! Heero, where are you!! *leaves the warm fire and searches through the woods for Heero, suddenly very frightened at being left alone*
Heero: *eyes snap up to his surroundings and runs toward the voice quickly, his hand returning to warm flesh, angered at himself for leaving Duo alone. Jumps sideways and out in front of Duo.*
Duo: *squeaks, startled out of his mind when Heero jumps up out of no where, and leaps back*
Heero: *looks around them for good measure then approaches him.* Duo, we must leave right now.
Duo: W-Why?
Heero: Someone knows we're here. *stops in front of him and looks around again, completely tense and cautious.* Now. Come on. *takes Duo's hand and leads him back toward the camp to gather their things.*