Author's Note #1: First, please let me thank all of you who have left such kind comments for this fic. Never have I "broken" 100 reviews before, not even when all my old (lemony) stuff was archived here, before the ban. I was very excited to get past 100. Thank you, thank you!
Author's Note #2: This is an extremely edited chapter. If you would like to view the unedited chapter, please visit my profile and click on my Web site. My fanfic site is called "Message in a Bottle" and you can read the unaltered Chapter 10 from there. I apologize for this action; however, the NC-17 ban forces me to heavily edit the lemon scene from this fic.
Part the Tenth: Over, Under, In and Out
Duo was lost in a haze of passion that pervaded his mind as Heero kissed him. Heero tugged him close, pulling him into his lap so that Duo was straddling Heero's thighs. Their tongues twisted together, writhing in Duo's mouth until Duo could do nothing but cling tightly to Heero's shoulders and moan his reluctance away. He pulled his mouth away to breathe and Heero immediately latched onto his neck, suckling a tender patch of skin where his neck met his shoulder, causing Duo to gasp aloud and tilt his head back.
Oh god, he'd wanted this, wanted it from the first moment he'd seen Heero, staring down at him from the bed. He'd fought that feeling for so long, not wanting to take advantage, wanting to give Heero some time to himself. And he'd ended up hurting him with his reluctance. Duo buried his face in the crook of Heero's neck and squeezed his eyes shut. Wave after wave of emotion crashed through him - need, hunger, guilt, lust, reluctance, hesitation... love. Oh god, he was falling in love with Heero... and he couldn't keep him.
A sob escaped from the back of his throat. Heero pulled his mouth away from Duo's neck, his hands sliding up to cup Duo's face. "What's wrong?" he asked softly, searching Duo's eyes. "We can stop if you want.
Duo shook his head furiously. "No, no... I don't want you to stop..." He choked on the words, moving one hand up to bury his fingers in Heero's thick, soft hair, clenching as if afraid the man would disappear at any moment. "I just...I haven't... not for a long time and..."
His words died as understanding crossed Heero's face. The other man leaned in, silently kissing the lone tear that slipped down Duo's cheek before whispering in his ear, "I'll go slow then, all right?"
Duo could only nod, then gasp as Heero slipped his hands inside the terry cloth robe, pulling it open, baring his body to Heero's gaze. He felt Heero shiver before slightly trembling hands smoothed their way down his chest. Duo sucked in his stomach on reflex as wandering fingers found a ticklish spot. Heero gave him a wicked grin, but Duo's expression told him he'd better move on or be prepared to face the consequences. Heero hesitated for a moment, and Duo suspected that had he not been weak from 'hunger,' Heero might have given in to the temptation.
Strong fingers wrapped themselves around Duo's half-hard cock, stroking him to fullness. Duo let out a small cry, dropping his head to Heero's shoulder as the man's fingers worked their magic over him. Dimly he was aware of pulling hard on Heero's hair, but Heero gave no sound of protest. Duo panted against the man's shoulder, suddenly overwhelmed by Heero's touch. He squirmed in Heero's lap and bit his lip to keep from coming. But then Heero's hot breath was against his ear, and his warm, deep voice whispered, "Give me this. Let me feel you."
Duo squeezed his eyes shut, his back arched and he moaned aloud as Heero's deft fingers brought him to the edge and then pushed him over. His whole body shook in Heero's lap as he jerked and spilled over Heero's hand and onto his stomach. His face was still half-buried against the crook of Heero's neck and he inhaled the man's sweet-salty scent as he gasped for air.
Heero held him until he stopped shaking, then he eased Duo back a bit, his hands cupping Duo's face and brushing back strands of damp, loose hair. "Are you all right?" he asked softly, letting his thumb brush over Duo's bottom lip.
Duo nodded, still trembling with the intensity of his release. He blinked away the tears he could feel forming, threatening to spill over. He took a deep breath and smiled shyly at Heero. "Did... did that help?"
"A little. It took the edge off... for both of us." He blushed a little and looked down. "But I still need..."
Duo reached up and placed a finger on his mouth. "Shhh. I know. I'm not going to back out." He removed his finger and replaced it with his lips. Heero moaned softly as Duo slipped his tongue into his mouth. The kiss deepened and hands clawed furiously at the robe still hanging off Duo's shoulders. Duo shrugged it off before wrapping his arms around Heero, pressing closer against him.
Heero's hands smoothed down the small of Duo's back, stroking softly, sending shivers up Duo's spine. Duo whimpered his pleasure into Heero's mouth, tongues tangling together, locked in a hot, wet dance. Heero tasted so good ... he couldn't really describe it, and he was sure he'd never taste anything similar. He tried to commit the man's taste to memory, just in case...
Heero's fingers slid lower, exploring the curve of Duo's hip, the rounded plane of his ass. Duo sucked in his breath as a wandering finger delved into the crevice to brush over his entrance. His breathing came in harsh, short pants as Heero moved to nibble his neck, fingers caressing him intimately. When Heero pushed the tip of one finger inside him, he hissed in surprise.
"W-wait," he gasped, pulling back.
Heero withdrew his hands, looking at him curiously. "Did I hurt you?"
Duo shook his head. "No. But you could. I'm not... my body's not... used to this, not anymore. We'll need help." At Heero's confused look, Duo leaned in and kissed him quickly on the lips. "Come with me."
Duo pushed himself off of Heero's lap and stood, offering his hand down at the man still sitting on the floor. "Can you stand?"
Heero took his hand and used it to pull himself up. He swayed in place for a moment before letting go of Duo. "I am fine. For the moment."
Duo smiled at him again, standing unabashedly naked in front of Heero, hair falling haphazardly over his shoulders. He crooked his finger and motioned Heero to follow him into the bedroom. He had Heero sit on the bed as they entered, while Duo slipped into the bathroom, returning a moment later with a small, plastic tube. He crossed the bedroom floor and climbed back into Heero's lap, tube in hand.
"This should help," Duo said, pressing the tube into Heero's hand.
Heero looked at, turning it this way and that, frowning. "What is it?"
Duo's blinked. "You've never used lubrication before?" When Heero shook his head, Duo popped open the cap and squeezed some of the cool, slippery gel onto Heero's fingers. "It's used to help... you know... ease the way." He blushed and laughed nervously over having to explain lube to a two thousand year old sex 'demon.'
Heero's eyes widened as he rubbed the gel between his fingers. "Amazing. This would have been useful with some of the old hags I had to bed in the Middle Ages. Dry as a stinking desert, they were."
Duo wrinkled his nose. "Ew! TMI! Don't go there!" Duo literally felt sick to his stomach at the thought of Heero with anyone else. And to picture him with an old granny, demanding he service her... he blanched. "Ugh. You just gave me a mental image I so didn't need."
Heero locked his arms around him and swung him around to lie on his back in the center of the bed. "Then let me give you one you do," he said, as he bent his head and swirled one pebble-hard nipple into his mouth…
A long time later, Heero pressed a soft, fleeting kiss against Duo's forehead, brushing back sweaty, wet locks of hair from Duo's face. "Are you back with me?"
Duo swallowed, his mouth so very dry. He nodded. "Uh-huh." His eyes fluttered open to meet Heero's gaze. "And... and you? Do you feel... better?"
Heero smiled down at him and brushed a kiss over his lips. "Much."
Duo breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, he could see some of Heero's color returning to him. He hadn't realized how pale his friend had become over the past few days. He reached up to push Heero's hair out of his eyes and run the back of his hand down Heero's cheek. An overwhelming surge of guilt once again threatened to consume him as he silently berated himself for not noticing Heero's deterioration earlier. "Are you sure?" he asked, snaking his arm around Heero's neck.
Heero nodded, then wrapped his arms tightly around Duo, flipping them before Duo could protest. "But I'm still not one hundred percent," Heero said, rolling his hips again, smirking up at him. "Think you can go again?"
A moment ago, Duo probably would have pleaded exhaustion. But the hungry expression on Heero's face and the gentle motion of his hips gave him a second wind. He nodded silently, licking his lips, bracing his knees on either side of Heero's hips and began moving with him…
Afterwards, Heero pulled gently out of his sated body and pressed him down against the pillows. Duo reached for him, finding Heero's mouth with his own.
How long they lay there, simply kissing, touching, whispering things to each other, Duo wasn't sure. And when his body started to respond once again to Heero's touch, he was amazed. But as much as he wanted to stay there with Heero, he had other needs to attend to.
"Heero," he gasped as the man tugged at one nipple gently with his teeth. "Stop... stop for a minute." Duo drew back a little and almost laughed when he saw the pouty expression on Heero's face. "Sorry," he said, dropping a kiss onto Heero's chin. "But I, uh... I'm starting to itch."
Heero blinked at him, then grinned. "Ah. Then perhaps..." he dragged one finger down Duo's arm, "...I might interest you in a shower? I am an excellent back washer."
Duo felt himself go warm all over. "That sounds... great. Just... give me a minute or two to... you know... to um, use the toilet and stuff?" At Heero's nod, Duo slid out of the bed and scurried into the bathroom. He realized he ought to be bashful about his nudity, but for some reason he wasn't. It wasn't as if Heero hadn't seen, touched or kiss every inch of him in the past couple of hours after all. He closed the door, turned on the water and leaned against the sink, looking at his reflection in the mirror.
He took in his disheveled appearance, his swollen lips and tangled hair, and grinned. He had the look of someone who had been well fucked and enjoyed every minute of it. Perhaps too much. He frowned and stared at the running water in the sink. He realized his hands were shaking and he quickly splashed some water in his face, telling himself to stop being foolish. He knew, logically, that he shouldn't let himself become so emotionally attached to the man, but he feared it was already too late.
He gripped the edge of the sink so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He couldn't lose Heero. Not now. Not when...
He wouldn't allow himself to think it. Heero was outside, waiting to join him, and he didn't want to waste any more time than was necessary. He completed his business, then opened the door.
Their shower together was one of the most erotic things Duo had ever done. He'd never allowed Zechs to shower with him, and to be honest, the older man had never really seemed interested in water play. Heero washed Duo's hair for him, pulling the tangles out gently with his fingers and a liberal dose of conditioner. Duo returned the favor, marveling at how soft Heero's chocolate brown hair really was. They soaped each other's bodies, laughing and slapping each other's hands away when fingers found ticklish spots. But playful touches turned into more intimate ones, and Duo found himself pressed against the cold marble, hot water raining down from above as Heero made him tremble where he stood.
They shut off the water quickly, towel drying themselves as mush as they could in their rush. With Duo's hair dripping water all over the expensive Italian carpet, they tumbled out of the bathroom, hands and mouths everywhere. Duo's feet got tangled in Heero's and they went down together. Duo decided the floor was good enough, and opened his legs to Heero…
"I give," Duo panted against Heero's cheek after they were done. "That's all she wrote. I'm done. Strike three. Wave the white flag. Uncle." He swallowed hard, nuzzling his lips against Heero's neck. "I don't think I can move."
Heero chuckled and Duo eeped as he found himself lifted into the air, wrapped securely in a strong set of arms. He was carried to the bed and laid gently down on the soft, disheveled sheets. Duo immediately rolled to one side, feeling his eyes drooping. He heard Heero say something, but the words were lost as he felt Heero's warmth spoon up behind him and his eyes slipped closed...
He awoke sometime later, warm and sore. The room was dark. Heero must have turned out the lights after he'd all but passed out. He drew in a deep breath and snuggled into the arms that held him.
"Feel better?" Heero's voice whispered into his ear.
Duo turned to face the man lying beside him. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked, laying his head on Heero's shoulder.
"About three hours," Heero whispered back, wrapping his arms around Duo.
Duo sighed softly and snuggled into the embrace. Heero was so very warm. "Sorry 'bout that," he said, tracing a light pattern over Heero's shoulder. "You wore me out. I haven't erm... well, let's just say that's a new record for me." Duo was glad the room was dark so Heero couldn't see him blush.
Heero chuckled softly. "I should hope so. I know how to please women. It's been several centuries since I've had to please a man. My reputation was at stake."
Duo smacked him lightly on the arm. Then he settled down again, slipping an arm around Heero's chest to hug him close. "And um... how do you feel?"
Heero all but purred as he stretched alongside him, nuzzling his cheek next to Duo's. "Very... satisfied. Like I've eaten a seven course dinner then gorged myself at the dessert cart."
"Is that why you were eating so much?" Duo asked with a sudden realization.
"Yes. Sexual energy sustains me. I don't need to eat or sleep, nor do I get sick as long as..."
Duo sighed. "As long as you get to 'feed' off your partner."
"Yes. For a while, eating more food helped keep away the weakness. I thought I could make it the whole month for you. I've never had to do without before until..."
"Until you met me." Duo buried his face into Heero's chest. "Fuck, this is my fault. Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have..."
"You didn't seem to want it. And I wasn't about to force you. I could not even if I'd wanted."
Duo sighed again. "That's just it. I did want it... you. I was just... afraid. I don't... let people in as easily as some. I just..."
"You were afraid. I understand. You don't have to explain," Heero said softly.
"Thanks, Heero." He stretched, hissing softly at how stiff and sore he felt. "Christ, I feel like I've run a marathon with a pack of rabid bulldogs chasing me the whole way." He tried to roll onto his back, wincing as his hair got caught underneath him. He fished it out and nearly wept at the mess he found.
"What's wrong?" Heero asked.
"My hair! I didn't even brush it out after the shower. Now it's all matted and dried and it's gonna take me hours to comb through it." He'd never gone to bed without drying his hair before. Granted he'd been a little distracted at the time, but the thought of having to pull a brush through the tangles made him want to find the nearest pair of scissors.
"Will you let me brush it?"
"You'd want to?"
He felt Heero nod in the darkness. "Please. It's fascinating to me and... well, I like it when it's down." Duo was sure if the lights had been on, he could have seen Heero blush.
Duo extricated himself from Heero's embrace and limped for the bathroom to fetch his brush as Heero sat up and turned on the light beside the bed. When he returned, Heero motioned for Duo to sit in front of him. Duo crawled up on the bed and settled himself between Heero's legs, blushing a little at the intimate embrace.
Heero carefully began the arduous process of untangling his hair. "Why do you keep it so long?"
Duo shrugged. "Didn't have much money back in the foster homes, so I just let it grow out. When I met Zechs, his hair was longer than mine. I saw how the girls would go nuts over his hair, so I grew mine longer." He snorted. "Of course, this was back in the dark ages when I still thought I liked girls."
Heero paused in his ministrations long enough to lean forward and wrap his arms around Duo. "And I'm very glad you don't like girls," he whispered huskily into Duo's ear, letting his fingertips brush against one still-sensitive nipple.
Duo hissed and arched against the man behind him. "Oh god... how can you keep doing that?" He squirmed against Heero's chest, and squeaked as he felt a familiar hardness poking him in the small of his back. "Jesus, how can you still be hard! I think I may require a penis transplant just to get mine up again."
"I'm always like this," Heero said, licking the shell of Duo's ear. "It's part of my curse. Always hard, always ready..."
Duo gasped, leaning back even further. "Shit, Viagra ain't got nothing on you. If we could bottle that curse, we'd make millions." He shivered as Heero's wandering fingers found another sensitive spot. "Curse or not I can't believe you're still hard after... how many times did you come, anyway?"
Heero pulled back slightly and didn't answer.
Duo turned his head to look at him. Heero looked away. Duo thought back. His eyes widened. "You didn't!"
"I'm sorry, Duo. I should have told you before that I..."
"Oh god!" Duo clapped his hands to his mouth. "Was it... was it me?" he asked, dread spreading through his body.
"No! God, no," Heero said, pulling him into his arms again. "It's part of the curse. I can't... I feed off the energy made during sex, but I always have to be... ready for my partner. I can't come."
Duo drew in a deep breath. "Never?"
Heero shook his head. "Never. I haven't in over two thousand years."
Duo's heart thought it might break. If he thought he could ever lay his hands on the bitch who made Heero this way, he'd gladly strangle her. Heero's existence was a cruel one - to have to serve every whim of whoever possessed the medallion and never reach that moment himself... He turned and threw himself at Heero, forgetting his hair, forgetting how sore and tired he was. He just wanted to hold Heero, to let him know someone cared for him.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, laying fully on top of him, wanting to be as close as possible.
"Don't be," Heero said back, folding his arms around Duo in return. "I enjoyed every moment of it. Don't ever doubt that. It was the first time in centuries I ever wanted someone as much as I wanted you. You 'fed' me, and I am well satisfied from that. You didn't have to, you know."
"Of course I had to," Duo replied, his voice muffled against Heero's chest. "I couldn't let you suffer."
"And that is what makes you special," Heero said, kissing the top of his head. "I will never forget you, Duo Maxwell."
Duo felt like crying. "I don't ever want to let you go," he said.
Heero smoothed a hand down his back. "You'll have to eventually. It's almost dawn."
"No!" He held on tighter. "Please, don't go."
"I'm sorry, Duo. If I could, I would stay with you."
Duo couldn't speak. If he tried, he knew he'd lose it. He simply held on until it was impossible to do so. When the first rays of the morning sun kissed the eastern sky, Heero was gone and Duo was left lying face down in the warm spot where he had been. He curled up in that spot, trying to hold in the despair he was feeling.
"Don't go," he whispered against the sheets. "Don't leave me, Heero. I think I love you..."