Author's Notes: This is a fusion with the book: So Worthy My Love by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. While there will be no text reproduced here, the story line will follow the book's almost exactly, any changes made not too drastic.

Category: Yaoi, AU, Gundam Wing, fusion with a book
Pairings: 5p2, 1p2, assumed 3x4, will be 1x2
Warnings: shonen ai, minor limish, hints of minor angst
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina (a) hotmail . com
Complete Archive: www . geocities . com / arigatomina

Bonds of Love

Part 13

"And this...Duo, I knew that color would be beautiful on you."

The boy blushed with obvious pleasure and Heero watched from across the room, taking in how bright he was. Duo had ducked his head, but he could see the boy's grin when he finally glanced up at Wufei.

The two of them were completely absorbed in Duo's outfit, but Heero didn't mind. It gave him the opportunity to look as well. And what Wufei had said was true. Duo kept more and more lovely.

"I usually wear black," Duo said, meeting the man's eyes.

His smile widened a bit as he was careful to focus on Wufei. The captain had come back just that morning, and Duo doubted if he'd ever been so happy to see someone. Since it was impossible to avoid Heero completely, he'd been glad to have someone else to talk to. But even talking to Wufei didn't help that much. He could feel those eyes on him at that very moment.

"Yes," Wufei nodded, his dark eyes sparkling. "And the color definitely suits you, but this..."

He ran a hand over the silk shirt Duo wore, barely feeling the boy's arm beneath before pulling back. "It matches your eyes."

Duo laughed, and Wufei turned, glancing back at the table near the fireplace. His eyes narrowed for a moment when he caught sight of the intense way Heero was watching them. Wufei lifted his chin.

Stepping to the side, he got Heero's attention before glancing at Duo again. "I'm not sure I should leave you here any longer."

Duo blinked, and Wufei gave a wry smile, his eyes flicking toward Heero again. "If you keep getting prettier, you may become too much of a temptation for Heero."

Duo looked before he thought about it, and he was frozen for a moment, dark blue eyes staring into his. Tearing away, he managed to snort softly, a weak smile curving his lips.

"I wouldn't worry about that," he laughed quickly. "Heero's much too busy thinking about his beloved Relena. After all the trouble he went to for her."

Wufei smiled, and Duo lay a hand on the man's offered arm, letting himself be escorted to the table. The black-haired captain pulled a chair out for him, and he sat down, still keeping a smile on his face.

He ventured a glance at Heero as Wufei sat down, and he blinked, uncomfortable that he couldn't read the man's expression. They hadn't spoken for days, but he couldn't believe the man had forgotten the encounter, not when he felt as if he were being devoured by that gaze.

"Nothing to say, Heero?" asked Duo.

Heero didn't so much as blink, his eyes swallowing the boy. It was obvious Duo was trying to taunt him into something, but he wasn't interested. Heero wasn't interested in verbal games, especially since the boy had been ignoring him up until now.

To give Duo credit, Heero didn't know how to deal with what had happened any more than he did. Despite his lust, he knew that it was a good thing they'd stopped. While Duo's father wasn't really a nobleman, Ramsey Maxwell had been a very respected man, with an honorary title of Lord. Heero understood that Duo wouldn't willingly disgrace himself when it would reflect on his father as well.

Unfortunately, that didn't leave much of an alternative for Heero. He didn't think Duo was up to hearing a proposal just yet, not from him. The fact that Wufei was planning his trip in two day's time didn't help matters either.

"You're in an odd mood," Duo said softly, a cool chill moving over his back.

He turned his head a bit and saw that Wufei was watching him with one eyebrow raised. He smiled at the man. Leaning forward, he took a tray of delicacies from the table and offered them to Wufei man with an impish grin. "Care for a sweetmeat, Wufei? I simply adore your chef."

"To no one else would I have sent him," Wufei said solemnly, selecting one. "But I can't have you go hungry," his eyes narrowed, and a smile curved his lips, "You're much too thin."

"Enough of these and I'll be as big as the cook," Duo quipped.

Wufei laughed softly, and Duo smiled, pleased that he'd managed to lighten the mood a bit. Then he held his expression, turning to Heero to offer him the tray. Heero was still staring at him, and Duo felt like groaning, well aware that the long looks weren't lost on Wufei. Then Heero dropped his eyes to the offered sweets and he sighed in relief.

"Actually," Heero said slowly, his eyes flicking up to Duo's as he took one, "I've been craving something sweet...for a long time now."

Holding the boy's gaze, he took a small bite, violet eyes widening as Duo stared at his mouth. He heard Wufei clear his throat as he finished it off. Heero glanced at his friend, raising an eyebrow.

"Well," Wufei murmured, not quite glaring at Heero as he pushed back in his chair. "I brought something."

Duo turned in his seat, and he enjoyed the curiosity in the boy's eyes. Reaching into a pocket on the inside of his vest, he pulled out a small bundle. He unwrapped the white handkerchief slowly. Instead of showing what he held, he stood and crossed the room to the doorway. Duo followed him curiously, and Wufei sent a smile over his shoulder.

"It's mistletoe," he said softly, tying the stem so it hung over them. "The druids believed that kissing under a mistletoe inevitably led to marriage."

Wary, Duo looked from the small, seemingly harmless white berries to the dark-eyed man. "They did?"

"Yes," Wufei nodded, stepping forward. "Tell me, Duo. Would you hold to the custom if I were to kiss you?"

Violet eyes widened, but Wufei didn't wait for an answer. He curved an arm around Duo's waist and drew him close. He vaguely heard the sound of a chair being pushed back sharply behind them. Then he brushed Duo's soft lips in a firm but chaste kiss.

Lifting his head, Wufei took in the Duo's wide eyes with a pleased expression. "Are we engaged now?"

"I...no!" Duo pulled away, letting out a quick breath and shaking his head as he tried to smile at the man. "Of course not..."

Suddenly he felt horrible for having played up to Wufei, and he felt as if his back were on fire. He could feel a dark glare scorching his skin without even looking to where Heero was. "Wufei, don't be ridiculous."

Wufei brushed the knuckles of one hand over Duo's cheek, giving him a patient smile. "Well, then. I suppose I'll have to settle for that...for now. Sleep well, Duo."

His breath was still quick, but Duo turned, following Wufei's progress as he climbed the stairs to the room he was staying in. The burn in his cheeks told him he was still blushing, but he quickly forgot his embarrassment, and his guilt. His shoulders were caught from behind and he was turned roughly.

"Heero..."

The man was glaring at him, and Duo nearly flinched from the tight hold on his shoulders. For good reason, he was suddenly very nervous.

Heero didn't speak for a minute, his rage still blazing through him. He'd nearly killed Wufei, and he wanted nothing more than to take his anger out on the suddenly skittish boy. Instead, he slowly trailed his eyes up, glancing from the small plant back to Duo. Those violet eyes seemed to grow wider than humanly possible, and Duo gulped audibly.

"We must honor tradition," Heero mocked, "right?"

He didn't give Duo a chance to respond as he jerked him forward. His mouth bore down on Duo's, kissing him with bruising force in a twisted parody of what Wufei had done.

Duo seemed dazed, and he gasped a quick breath. Heero's eyes latched onto his open mouth and he dove for it. His tongue thrust inside and he wrapped his arms around the boy's slender waist.

Duo seemed to forget his decision quickly, kissing him back and encouraging him. Heero's arm curved upward, his hand closing around the boy's thick braid as he rubbed his other palm against the small of Duo's back, fingers tracing his waistband. The boy pulled away for a quick breath, giving him a clear view of passion-fogged eyes. Then Duo pressed forward again, fingers digging into Heero's shirt.

A loud humph broke them from their embrace. Duo jumped away, and Heero's fists clenched as he whirled to glare at the woman who stood behind them. He was about to curse at her when Duo stepped forward. Heero blinked at the dark tint in those eyes, contrasting with the boy's furious blush.

"I am very displeased with your manners," Duo said coldly, his own embarrassment surpassed by pure fury.

He knew the woman had no reason to respect him, especially since she'd just caught him playing the whore once more. But it was inexcusable for a servant to show such disrespect of her lord. He could tell that Heero was included in her derogatory gaze. "You will show proper respect, do you understand?"

Darla nearly sneered at the presumptuous boy, but her sense of self-preservation kept her calm. Looking past the boy, she took in the furious glare Heero was sending her and bowed her head quickly. "Forgive me, Lord Yuy, for...interrupting. I'll just clear the table now."

Duo turned to follow the woman with his eyes and see to it that she did just that. Then he looked at Heero again. He could read the hunger in the man's dark blue eyes. "Heero..."

He sighed, shaking his head slowly, a small pained smile marring his face. Not speaking, he walked past Heero and didn't stop till he reached his room. There wasn't anything he could think of to say to him. Once again his baser instincts had gotten the better of him.

'This can't keep happening. Not only is it unfair to Wufei, but Heero...I can't keep leading him on like this. I won't be his lover, I won't!'

- - -

..-..-..-..

Duo sighed, tilting his head as warm lips move over his neck, hot kisses sending sparks of fire through his skin. Warm hands caressed his chest, fingers massaging his sides, and he opened his mouth, kissing the man. Wrapping his arms around the man's strong back, he leaned into the embrace, warmth rising inside him as he was held close. Then the hands left his back and his wrists were taken suddenly in a grip tight enough to bruise. His eyes flew open.

A face, hidden in shadows, moved towards him and he shook his head furiously, struggling to pull away.

Something solid hit his back, and the man pressed forward, a hard body digging into him. Duo gasped, turning his head aside. He tried to cry out, but he couldn't move or make a sound.

His hands were released and he hit the man with both fists, his heart pounding painfully in his chest when the blows didn't faze him at all. Then his face was gripped, turned towards that dark face. He stared in horror as only glinting eyes were visible in the shadow. He closed his eyes and managed to make a mournful sound as his mouth was forced open, the man kissing him.

He gasped when his face was released, but he didn't dare look, not wanting to see those glowing eyes.

"Duo..."

His eyes snapped open, and he lunged forward with a sharp cry. Heero was suddenly there, with warm dark blue eyes. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck, burrowing against him as he was lifted. Then he was being lowered onto softness, Heero pulling him close. Strong arms held him tight and he looked up at that familiar face, staring for a long moment before pressing his face to the man's neck.

"...love you...Heero..."

..-..-..-..

Violet eyes snapped open to a dark, empty room, the dull flickers from the fire sending pale red shadows over the ceiling.

"I don't believe this," Duo whispered, brushing dampness off his cheek as he blinked slowly. "I can't be in love with him..."

- - -
TBC