Happy Valentine's Day Chapter 3, a gundam wing/ac fanfic

Genre: Romance, AU

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5x6 (yes, in that order), 5+4, and 3+2

Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words

Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, lime (I mean copious, copious amounts of citrus), some language, sap, fluff, silliness, whipped cream, strawberries, melted chocolate, candles, Relena bashing, aphrodisiacs

Special Note: Dedicated to loki lee, StandingOnTheRooftops, snowdragonct, Stratagirl, and Demonskid. You've all been exceptionally encouraging and loving, Valentine's e-cookies to you all!

A/N: Okay, so here's the conclusion. XD And gawd, it's a long chapter.

Part Seven: An Interview and Ridiculous Plots

When Trowa left, Duo slumped down at his desk and rested his head on his arms. Who knew breaking up would be hard. He examined his own feelings for a moment and realized it wasn't the thought of being away from Trowa that bothered him. It was the thought of winding up alone. The epiphany made the moment easier to take, and he picked up his cell phone. After a long hesitation, he dialed the number Heero had given him. It rang two or three times.

"Yuy," came the short, somewhat terse answer.

Duo's heart stuttered. With no one to hold him back, Duo was once again drowning in the man's sexiness. Even his voice was sexy. "Heero?" he said.

A tiny pause. Then, "Duo." It poured over the phone speaker in a rough purr, pleased and satisfied.

Duo had to close his eyes against the rush of desire; it hit him hard and unexpected. "Yeah," he managed in a slightly breathy voice. "You recognize my voice already?"

A deep, low chuckle. "Hn. Are you calling me to tell me you're moving in with me?"

Duo couldn't help it and grinned. Cocky bastard. "Not quite." Not yet. "Wanna have lunch with me?" The attitude was arrogant, but the attention was gratifying. It was nice to know he was wanted, and that he wouldn't be turned down.

"I'd love to. Know a place we can go?"

"Mm, I think I know just the place."

Heero could hardly wait for the afternoon hours to join Duo for lunch. He'd known the young man would call him, but that didn't make it any less delightful a triumph. He worked quickly to leave no loose ends before he left, wanting nothing to distract him from Duo. For the first time in his life he was actually looking forward to another's company.

He made his way to Hell's Garden. To his vague annoyance, a few of the ladies gave him knowing looks, but he ignored them as Duo came walking out of the back. He wore long black slacks that made his legs look like they went on forever, and a button-up shirt of pure silk that was the color of blood. Delicious. Heero wanted to take it all off---except perhaps that shirt. He was probably eating Duo up with his eyes, because Duo actually blushed a little under the scrutiny, giving him a slightly shy smile. God he was beautiful.

"Hey," he murmured. "You're a little early?"

Heero shrugged. "Finished the morning's work."

They sat at a private table, and Duo ordered wine for them both, and the salmon special. Heero didn't protest, here mostly because he wanted Duo, not lunch. After the waitress (Hilde, right?) left, Duo met Heero's gaze again. And immediately started squirming. Color dusted over his pale cheeks.

"Don't look at me like that."

An amused twitch curved up a corner of Heero's mouth. "Like what?" he crooned.

The flush deepened. "Like you're . . . thinking about pinning me down and . . ."

Heero laughed low in his throat. "Taking you right here, on this table?" he purred. "That's exactly what I'm thinking about."

Duo's pupils dilated, and he ran a hand over his face. Heero reached out and grabbed his wrist, forcing his hand back down so he could see everything that went through those indigo eyes. Embarrassment and desire. A potent combination.

"Let's not talk about sex," Duo said in a pleading tone. "I . . . I would rather get to know you right now."

Smirking, Heero backed off. "All right, I'm amenable. Tell me about yourself."

". . . I meant, I wanted to talk about you."

"Later. Right now, I want to hear about you."

Duo's jaw clenched. "Are you always such an insufferable bastard?"

"Wufei would say so. Go on, tell me all about yourself. From your favorite color to what you dream about."

Duo sighed and gave in. As their wine arrived, he wet his throat. "Favorite colors are black and red. Could you guess?" A sparkle in his eye.

"I had no idea."

"I like just about any food. And chocolate. And cherries. And---well, any fruit, really. I love dogs, snakes, and I have a thing for dolphins. I collect crosses. This one--" he reached inside his shirt--"is my favorite. It was a gift from Quatre."

The cross was simple enough. A gold chain and a plain cross, almost no embellishment. Heero immediately imagined how it would look against Duo's naked chest, that blood-silk shirt open and the cross gleaming in dim candle light, the young man wearing nothing else.

"You're doing it again," Duo all but whispered.

Heero met his eyes. "Yes, I am," he agreed, letting his eyes show exactly what he was thinking. Another blush rewarded him. God the man was enticing.

"I'm an only child," he stumbled on, "and I grew up with Quatre. He's my cousin, mom's side. My parents and I are kind of estranged, they didn't like it when I told them I was gay. I haven't seen them since I was fifteen. Maybe that's when I realized I hate being alone."

Heero resisted the urge to say he would never allow Duo to be alone.

"I met Trowa when I was eighteen. We hit it off. But I guess raging hormones aren't anything to base a relationship on. The heat just cooled and died altogether. We broke up today."

Heero leaned back in his chair and couldn't stop the satisfied smile. Good. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. It was time. I just . . . wasn't ready to admit it."

"What made you ready?"

Indigo locked with cobalt, and though Duo didn't speak the answer was there. You.

So you're already mine, Heero thought. "I'm glad you're okay," was all he said.

"I . . . I want to go out with you," Duo began in a faltering voice. He blushed again. "Trowa and I never really dated. I want that. With you. But I'm not interested in anything . . . meaningless."

Smiling, Heero captured Duo's hand in his and raised it to his lips. Making sure Duo's eyes were locked on his, he spidered feather-light kisses over each knuckle. "Then we agree," he murmured.

"You don't just want me for . . . sex?"

Heero chuckled. "I desired you first because of your beauty," he was willing to admit, "but that's not enough for me to ask you to move in with me. Regardless, I knew from the first day I met you that you would be mine."

For a short time Duo stared at him, looking flummoxed. Then he started laughing. A low sound, it made his shoulders shake as he lowered his head, bangs obscuring his face. "Cocky bastard."

Heero gently squeezed the hand he still held. "You felt the same," he countered. "I saw you watching me while you fucked your mouth with that spoon."

Duo immediately blushed. It was really very easy to make him blush. "You were being such an ass," he retorted, "I wanted to make sure you were human."

Using Duo's hand as leverage, Heero tugged him forward. "You knew the effect you were having on me," he growled, leaning forward.

By the slight widening of Duo's eyes he knew Heero was going to kiss him, because a moment later they fluttered shut. Heero pressed his lips against the bridge of Duo's nose, making Duo twitch back in surprise. Heero smirked at him.

"I had a difficult time willing away the hard-on you gave me with all your licking and sucking," he said. "Look forward to my revenge."

Duo shivered, a fine tremor that ran through his whole body.

"It won't be a spoon in your mouth," Heero went on, letting his voice go deeper, huskier.

Duo actually whimpered.

Fuck. It was amazing Heero managed to sit still and eat lunch at all.

When Heero left, Duo felt shaky and turned-on and confused and elated and nervous and anxious and excited and so fucking mixed up he felt like a soda can that had been picked up and shaken really hard. Dazed and confused had taken on a whole new meaning. Quatre obviously sensed something was up, but Duo asked him not to bother him about it---yet. He needed a little time to think it over. He went to the office and was relieved to find a distraction waiting for him.

The application Hilde had mentioned. Picking up the phone, he dialed the number. It rang three times.

"Hello?" A proper voice, slightly prim.

"Hi, this is Duo Maxwell calling from Hell's Garden. Is this Relena Peacecraft?"

"Speaking," came the reply, and it sounded more excited this time. "Are you calling about my application?"

"Yes," Duo confirmed. "I would like to schedule a time for an interview for--"

"Is it all right if I come in today?" the girl butted in. "In one hour?"

Duo blinked. One hour from now was four-thirty, which was enough time before the dinner rush, he supposed. "It's a little sudden, but I think I can squeeze it in," he decided. "Four-thirty it is."

"Thank you," she said, but her voice didn't sound grateful.

Duo couldn't quite work it out. Shrugging it off, he put on his black apron and went back out to the host podium. It was slow enough that he abandoned it after a time and allowed some of his regulars to draw him to their tables for conversation. The ladies flirted as they always did, and Duo reciprocated as he always did---in a friendly manner, but not overly interested. Of course, most of them knew he was gay . . .

At four-thirty exactly a young woman with long dirty blonde hair walked in. Duo met her at the podium and smiled. "Relena?"

She nodded curtly. "You're Mr. Maxwell?"

"Duo, please," he replied, gesturing her to follow. She was, he guessed, at least three years older than him.

In the office she sat opposite him at the desk, arranging her pale pink skirt in a fussy manner. She looked well put-together, but Duo didn't like the outfit. It was a little too . . . frilly.

"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," she began in a polite-but-cold voice. "I know you're probably very busy."

That strange tone made it sound like a hidden insult. Mystified, Duo nonetheless nodded. "This time of year we're finishing up inventory. But please, tell me a little about yourself. What made you decide to apply here?"

She seemed to consider her answer carefully. "I have never had a job before, and I don't really need one, but I would like to learn what it means to be self-sufficient without relying on my father's money."

Not the answer he was expecting. "I see. Well, it's never too late to start," he said. "Did you hear about us through a friend?"

"My boyfriend," she said archly.

Duo smiled warmly. "Is he a regular here?"

"No," she said, voice cooling even more. "Maybe you've met him. Heero Yuy?"

Leaning back in his seat, Duo gave her a bemused look. Heero, huh? Sweetheart, I've been gay long enough to know when another man is gay, and Heero ain't straight. "Yeah, I've met him. How long you two been going out?"

"Oh, for about two years now," she said primly, examining her nails.

"Huh. Well, he's a looker, ain't he?" He winked at her.

She sniffed. "I don't appreciate lewd comments about my boyfriend."

Duo bit his lip. "We're a little off-topic, I think. Why don't you tell me why you'd be a good employee of mine."

"Oh, I'm not really interested in a job, Mr. Maxwell. I just wanted to come see the little tart who thought he could seduce my Heero away from me. Heero isn't gay, and he's mine."

For a moment, Duo just looked at her. Under normal circumstances, he would take extreme exception to those words. Little tart? But they were so absurd, he couldn't summon anything except vague astonishment and amusement. "I'm sorry you've wasted both our time," he said, rising. "Heero isn't straight, he's not your boyfriend, and I didn't seduce him away from anyone. It was the other way around. Now, please show yourself out. I have a restaurant to run."

"Duo," she called, stalling him at the door, "you think that just because you're pretty he'll keep you forever. But boy-sluts like you are a dime a dozen. Heero will soon realize what he wants is a woman."

Duo froze with his hand on the door. Slowly, he turned to face her. "I'm not a slut, Miss Peacecraft, and you're not a woman. You're a catty little girl with far too little imagination and too much time on her hands."

"How dare you--!"

"Go home and play with your dolls in your daddy's mansion. I don't have the time nor desire to play house with you." Opening the door, he stepped through and closed it quietly behind him. He didn't stop until he reached the employee's bathroom. Shutting and locking the door, he leaned against it, heart thudding against his ribs in an unpleasant staccato.

"I just wanted to come see the little tart who thought he could seduce my Heero away from me."

Unwanted, the girl's words floated around in his head. He shook it as if to jar them loose. Heero was gay. It was plain. He wasn't a straight man being confused by a gay boy's pretty face. He was far too mature and smug for that.

"Boy-sluts like you are a dime a dozen."

How could she come into his office and spew such vicious words to a person she'd never met before?

There was a soft knock on the door. "Duo?" Quatre's voice. Worried.

Swallowing, wondering why his emotions felt so volatile right now, Duo unlocked it. His cousin entered, frowning worriedly.

"You okay?"

Duo gave him a wan smile. "Oh, I guess."

"What happened?"

So Duo told him, repeating the girl's words in a flat tone. Quatre's eyes widened, then he abruptly crushed Duo to him in a tight hug. They were close to the same height, but Quatre had about two inches of height on Duo, which was enough he could lay his head on Quatre's shoulder.

"Fucking bitch," Quatre growled, startling Duo. He seldom used profanity. "If I ever see her . . ." He let the threat trail off.

This, Duo thought dimly, was why he didn't like being alone. What would he do if there was no one to hold him after someone said something hurtful, or did something hurtful? He was a strong person, but the plain and simple truth was, he didn't want to be abandoned. Left behind. Written off.

Quatre kissed his forehead and held him for quite some time. Eventually Duo's emotions evened. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"You're welcome," Quatre said, tipping Duo's chin up, "but if you tell me you believed a word of what she said, I'm going to severely punish you."

Unable to help it, Duo laughed and buried his face in Quatre's neck. "No, I didn't. I was just shocked, I guess, that a complete stranger would say such . . . cruel things."

"Yeah, she just made herself look like a complete bitch. I'm going to tell all the staff so that if she ever comes in again, they will start laughing at her and she will feel like an idiot."

Grinning, Duo straightened. "Thanks, Quat. God I love you."

Quatre squeezed him so hard he yelped. "Good." Then he looked down at Duo seriously. "I guess . . . I should tell you now. Trowa and I . . ."

"I know," Duo cut him off. He smiled. "It's okay. Really. I think I'm gonna fall in love with Heero, even if he is an arrogant ass. Something about him . . ."

Quatre grinned. "Turns you on?"

Duo laughed. "Oh, yeah."

Part Eight: A Night to Remember

"Zechs, I'm going to fucking kill your sister."

Zechs looked up in surprise. He knew Heero didn't like the girl, but such violent intent? It surrounded Heero in a near-tangible aura. It made him shiver. "Um, what'd she do now?"

"She had the balls to go to Hell's Garden and tell Duo that she was my girlfriend and to stay away from me," Heero snarled, slamming his hands down on the desk. "I swear to god, if you don't keep her away from me, I'll shoot her then strangle you!"

He was deadly serious. Zechs actually leaned back away from him before he remembered he could not show fear. Like an enraged wolf, Heero tended to get even more aggressive when someone showed fear. He carefully straightened. "I've tried many times to tell her you aren't in love with her, nor were you ever," he began.

"Try harder," Heero suggested in a savage tone.

"I've told her you're gay," Zechs went on, "but part of the problem is you've never pursued anyone until now. She's never seen you going after any men."

Heero blinked. Something in Zechs' words obviously gave him reason to pause because he stood up straight, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Hn."

Daring to hope he'd weathered another Yuy storm, Zechs carefully probed, "Have an idea?"

"Yes. I want you to bring her with you to Duo's Valentine's party at Hell's Garden."

Blink. "What?"

"Bring her with you to Hell's Garden Saturday."

"Uh . . ." Had Heero completely lost his mind? Had he finally cracked and gone off the deep-end? "Are you . . . quite certain you're in full control of your mental faculties?" Was that too tactless?

To his shock, Heero let out a low, dark laugh. "Oh, yes. I've got an idea that will make Saturday a night to remember."

Zechs shivered. Dear god he scares the shit out of me sometimes. What on Earth did Duo see in this man? Sure he was one of the most gorgeous humans ever to walk the planet. But . . . "I don't want to know," he muttered, slouching into his work.

"You don't have to know," Heero said with a truly arctic smile. "Just make sure she comes."

"Okay, but don't hold me responsible for anything that happens."

"Trust me."

When Saturday rolled around, Quatre got up at the usual time and started breakfast before he realized the restaurant wasn't open today. Shrugging, he continued breakfast and sat down to read the paper. He was half through when someone rang for admittance. Getting up, he hit the panel.

"Yes?"

"It's me," came Trowa's voice. "Can I come up?"

Already smiling and feeling tingly, Quatre quickly let him in. Trowa embraced him, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I brought fresh oranges. I know how much Duo loves them."

Could I possibly love you any more? Quatre wondered. "Thanks," he murmured, giving Trowa a quick peck. "Why don't you go wake him?"

"Did you talk to him about us?"

"Mm. He's okay, Trowa. Really. The ordeal with his parents really hurt him, but he's okay now. It helps that he has a new prospect in front of him, as well. Heero has called him every morning just to say good morning. I really think those two were made for each other. Every time they hang up, Duo's just glowing."

"I was worried that bitch's words would hurt him," Trowa admitted. "He seems so fragile sometimes."

Quatre smiled. "Yeah, but he's not. Go on, go wake him up."

Leaning down, Trowa gave him a squeeze. "I love you, angel," he whispered right into Quatre's ear.

Making him shiver. "Love you too," he said a bit breathlessly.

Then Trowa released him and disappeared up to Duo's room. Quatre started making the orange juice. A few minutes later Duo came sailing into the kitchen, glomping Quatre from behind. "Morning!" he sang.

Laughing, Quatre twisted to hug him properly. "You're not usually this chipper first thing in the morning," he mused.

Trowa appeared behind him. "He's excited about his party," he observed.

"Yep!" Duo agreed, planting a kiss on Quatre's mouth.

It wasn't just a peck, either. Quatre, used to Duo's antics, opened his mouth to nip Duo's lower lip. Duo made a breathy sound, opening his mouth to give Quatre better access. A few moments later the wet kiss ended, Duo a little flushed and Quatre's eyes gleaming. Trowa stared open-mouthed at them both, and when Duo noticed he grinned wickedly.

"Serves you right," he quipped as he strode past him for the bathroom.

Quatre snorted. "Sorry, Trowa. Should I have mentioned the two of us . . . well, we're close?"

Trowa shook his head. "You're welcome to do that as much as you want."

Quatre laughed. "Pervert."

Hell's Garden looked magnificent. Duo and Quatre had added to the decorations, hanging sparkling glass prisms from the ceiling to catch the light and make it dance around the room. The tables had been pushed along the walls to clear the main floor, and a wonderful spread of food lay about the bar. The usual bartender was waiting to serve drinks, and Duo gave him his usual flirtatious smile.

The invitees were his staff, some of his regulars and their friends and boyfriends, and his closest friends. Quatre had invited his two oldest sisters, both of whom fawned over Duo until he was fair glowing with happiness. Heero arrived with Wufei, both of them looking striking. Wufei hugged both Quatre and Duo, and shook Trowa's hand. Heero's heated gaze undressed Duo, making him blush. He just couldn't help it. And he couldn't quite believe that Heero was officially his boyfriend.

His first---and last---ugly shock came when Zechs arrived with Relena in tow. Heero spotted her at the same time, and the instant Relena's gaze landed on him he turned to Duo, leaning down to brush his lips over the highest curve of his cheek.

"Come with me," he whispered, tangling his fingers with Duo's and tugging.

A little surprised, Duo went without resistance as Heero pulled him into the back, in the hall between the floor and the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Duo's waist, nibbling softly up Duo's neck to his ear.

"I asked Zechs to bring her," he whispered, barely audible.

Despite the words, Duo shivered at the wash of heated air. "Why?" he breathed.

"So she would witness this," Heero replied, sliding his tongue into Duo's ear. "She followed us. I can see her shadow."

Duo clung to Heero's shoulders, a tremor running up his spine at their nearness. This was the closest he'd been to Heero yet. Heat seeped into him, and he could feel muscle cording and flexing in Heero's shoulders. He was broader than Duo by quite a bit, but he wasn't bulky or wide. In fact he was perfect, and his hands lowered to Duo's hips to drag his pelvis forward at the exact moment he sealed their mouths together.

Somewhere in the back of his mind Duo remembered a bitchy blonde girl was watching them. Was she jealous? Was she infuriated? Duo had no wish to find out, and he didn't care as a skillful tongue commanded his lips to part and took control of his mouth. His body went limp when a strong thigh pressed between his own, lifting only the slightest bit to add the most delicious pressure against his groin. It wasn't enough to look wanton, but it was more than enough to make Duo whimper into the kiss that claimed him more thoroughly than a sign and collar.

Mine, Heero's kiss said, one hand raising to thread through the silken strands of hair at the base of Duo's skull. His fingers tightened only enough to send tingles down Duo's spine, not enough to cause even a little discomfort. Dominating, but not abusive. Every action made it obviously, blatantly plain that Duo was at his mercy, that he was in control, that he was the one doing the seducing. Somewhere in the back of Duo's dazed mind, he recognized the message the man was sending loud and clear to Relena. I can't believe he's doing this for me.

A flicker of shadow and he knew Relena had gone, but the kiss didn't stop. Heero's tongue writhed against his own, darting and probing, guiding Duo's response. Never had a kiss left him so helplessly turned on, so desperately eager for more. Kissing Trowa had been fun. In the same way that carnival rides were fun. This . . . this was . . .

Heero broke it off and Duo almost fainted from lack of oxygen. His vision grayed out and his knees buckled, but Heero caught him easily and gathered him against his chest, his thigh pulsing forward gently. Duo gasped at the slight friction against his quickly growing arousal.

"God Duo," Heero abruptly rasped, "do you have any idea what you do to me? Seeing you tremble and pant in my arms?"

Heat suffused Duo's face. It took every last ounce of self-control he possessed to stop from grinding himself shamelessly against Heero's thigh and straighten. "You can show me tonight."

Heero leaned forward and brushed his lips over Duo's temple. "I'm going to suck you dry," he promised in a husky whisper. "Then I'm going to lay you down and fuck your mouth. I want to see those full, red lips wrapped around me, stretched and wet with my cum."

Duo's legs almost betrayed him again. "Don't . . . don't be so full of yourself," he managed. "I never went down on Trowa, what makes you think I'll do it for you?"

Heero just smirked. The bastard.

Quatre watched the blonde sister of Zechs storm out of Hell's Garden, face an ugly red. He'd seen her follow Heero and Duo, and he wondered with a devilish smile what she'd seen to upset her so. He hoped she went home and cried her eyes out. It was all he could do not to follow her and 'accidentally' trip her in the parking lot so she banged her face against the concrete.

"What, angel?" Trowa breathed in his ear.

He shivered as strong arms went around him. He couldn't remember when he'd realized he was in love with the man. Two years ago? Three? In the beginning he'd written it off as physical attraction---Trowa was hot---because he'd seen Duo's immediate attraction. In his life he'd made a habit of making sure Duo got what he wanted. Who would have thought doing that would wind up hurting them both in the long run? Irony was a bitch.

"Just thinking about irony," he said after a moment. "And wishing it wasn't so taboo to hit a girl."

Trowa snorted. "It is for a guy. How about you ask one of your waitresses to do it?"

Quatre blinked. Why didn't I think of that? "Excuse me a second." He glanced around and saw Hilde. "I'll be right back."

Hilde broke into a truly evil grin when he told her what he wanted, and she stalked after the blonde girl. Quatre returned to Trowa's side, who gave him a curious look.

"What did you tell her?"

"Oh, nothing," Quatre hummed. "But it's Valentine's, right? It should be a memorable night for her."

Chuckling, Trowa drew Quatre into his arms. "I see. Perhaps I should call you my little devil?"

Quatre just grinned and snuggled into his embrace. "I love this song. Let's dance."

Just outside, Hilde grinned fiendishly as she shook her hand, knuckles cracked and bleeding a little. "Don't ever let it be said I hit like a girl."

Part Nine: Anniversaries (Making the Night Perfect)

Leaning against the host podium, feeling comatose, Duo about jumped out of his skin when a cold hand brushed the back of his neck. He let out an undignified squeak and turned to see Hilde grinning at him.

"You were almost asleep," she said with a giggle. "Feel like taking a break? Your incredibly gorgeous boyfriend is on the phone for you."

Despite his listless exhaustion, Duo still perked up. He and Heero had been dating now for almost six months. The whole duration felt like a dream. A strange and wonderful dream. Heero was an interesting mix of tender, gentle, dominating, and proactive. He simply took control of everything. He hardly asked for permission before making plans for them, and he seldom asked for a second opinion. Strangely enough, Duo didn't mind at all. Heero took care of everything, leaving Duo with nothing to do but enjoy himself. And he always did. Heero took him to unusual places for dates. Last weekend he'd taken him to a lodge that had dude horses. He amazed Duo with his horsemanship as they took to the mountain trails with no guide. He'd packed a lunch, so they'd stopped in a very secluded area for a picnic. Bliss.

Slumping against the desk, he put the receiver to his ear, already smiling. "Hi," he murmured.

"Hey, sweetheart," Heero's voice purred. "I hope you didn't make plans this weekend, because we're going on vacation."

Smile widening into a grin, Duo shook his head before realizing Heero wouldn't see it. "No, I didn't. Where are we going?" Why bother resisting? Heero was the unstoppable force, and Duo had never been an immovable object. It had been like that from the moment they met.

"A one-week cruise on the Caribbean, and then a week in Japan," Heero replied. "I'd like you to meet my family."

That cleared up Duo's exhaustion. He straightened, eyes widening and gut clenching. "Wha . . . really?" He swallowed compulsively. "You want me to meet your family?"

"Of course I do." Gentle amusement. "My brother and sister have been dying to meet you since I first told them about you six months ago."

Duo couldn't help it and started laughing. "You mean back when we first met?"

"Mm hm. I called them the night after our first lunch together. Told them I'd met the person I would spend the rest of my life with."

Mirth tempered into something sweeter. Duo actually felt tears sting his eyes. "You couldn't have been that certain."

"On the contrary," came the tender response, "I knew right away. No one else on this planet has ever moved me the way you do."

Duo covered his mouth with one hand, closing his eyes. God I love you. Not words he'd spoken aloud yet. Too afraid? Maybe. Too worried? Possibly. Or it could simply be that this relationship was moving too fast. Ever since Valentine's Day, Duo had felt like he couldn't catch his breath. And saying "I love you" weren't the only things he'd not done. Despite the undeniable heat between them, Duo also hadn't let Heero go all the way with him yet. Heero never pressed him, for which Duo was grateful. But right now, at this moment, he realized he was ready.

"Can I stay the night with you?" he whispered.

There was a brief silence. Heero, no doubt, trying to guess at the hidden meaning behind those words. Duo had never stayed the night. "Of course," he said. "Come over right after work. I'll make us dinner."

Taking charge, as usual. It soothed Duo's slight nervousness. "Okay."

Heero stopped by the farmer's market on the way home to buy the freshest ingredients for dinner. Tonight wasn't going to be like any other night. He knew without asking that Duo was ready to give the last part of himself to Heero. Their first night would be perfect, he would see to that. He would assuage the last of Duo's buried fears.

"I don't usually see you around here, Mr Yuy," said the girl behind the fresh fruit stand. "Looking for anything special?"

Heero considered the display. "Fresh strawberries," he decided.

At home he had an hour before Duo would arrive. After six months he knew Duo was not a picky eater, but he had his definite favorites and things he abhorred. Duo loved seafood---except shellfish---and red meat---except pork. Tonight was steak and lobster with a light citrus glaze for the lobster. To go with it he had fresh summer vegetables to braise in a lemon-butter sauce.

The first thing he did was set the table with his crystal and china. Six months ago he'd had no use for them. Shortly after meeting Duo he'd gotten a few sets for special occasions. And this night was definitely a special occasion. Their six-month anniversary. A year ago, that would have seemed an impossibly long time to him. Now it felt very fleeting. He smiled to himself as he put a single red rose in a cobalt, fluted vase. Around it he arranged several fat white, vanilla candles.

With about five minutes to spare, Heero had dinner finished and ready to lay out. He waited until the last minute for that, wanting things to stay hot, then he gave his appearance a quick glance. It was of lesser importance; Duo had told him repeatedly he was the most gorgeous man on the planet. And Duo, he mused with a slight smile, never lied.

His pants were straight-leg black slacks, hugging his hips and making his legs look even longer. His shirt was rich cobalt, the softest silk with even darker blue buttons. Classy, he thought, without trying too hard. Just his style.

At almost exactly five the door buzzed for admittance. Not bothering to stop the smile that tugged at his lips, Heero placed a small, wrapped box on Duo's plate and went to the wall panel. "Yes?"

"It's me," Duo's voice flowed over him. Even over the tinny speaker he sounded beautiful.

Of course it is. "Come up," he invited, wondering what his koibito would be wearing.

He did not disappoint. He wore a black button-up shirt of shimmery silk, and a very light sleeveless, v-necked shell underneathof the richest red. He didn't have his usual gold cross around his neck, and Heero smiled inwardly. Good. Taking Duo's hand after closing and bolting the door, he raised it to his lips and brushed them over each knuckle. Even such simple contact made Duo blush a little, and Heero tugged on the hand to pull Duo into a proper embrace. As he pressed their lips together, he backed up toward the table so that when they broke apart a minute later, Duo flushed and breathless, he could press the small box into Duo's hands.

"Happy anniversary."

Duo blinked and took it almost gingerly. His eyes looked a little misty as he gazed up at Heero. "Can I open it now?"

"Of course."

Duo tore off the red wrapping slowly, seeming to savor it. The velvet box revealed could only be a jewelry box, and did his fingers tremble just a little as he lifted the lid? Inside lay a silver cross. It was a bit more delicate than the gold one Duo usually wore, but it wasn't dainty. The chain sported moderately thick links, shining on the black velvelt background. The cross itself was of the Gothic persuasion, and in the center was the infinity symbol, cleverly inlaid with tiny red gems that glittered madly in the light. Duo stared at it long enough that Heero smiled and lifted it out of the box.

"A cross because you love them," he murmured, "and infinity because that's how long you'll be mine."

The first tear spilled down Duo's alabaster cheek as Heero fastened the chain around his slim neck. The second one remained trapped in his inky lashes as he whirled, throwing his arms around Heero's neck and laughing.

"Even when you're being romantic you're a smug bastard!" he exclaimed, eyes full of love. "Thank you so much, Heero. I love it."

Heero smiled and kissed him. "Then it's perfect." And it looked perfect on Duo, too.

Duo exclaimed over both the table display and dinner, and watching him eat was exquisite torture for Heero. Seeing those full, soft lips closing around the silverware, then an impertinent tongue flick out to lick them tested his self-control somewhat. After dinner he took Duo to the waterfront park, and they walked hand-in-hand along the near-deserted shore. Heero told Duo a little about his family, especially the brother and sister to whom he was close. Duo looked like he was glowing with happiness.

"I'm excited to meet them," he admitted with a shy little smile.

"They'll love you," Heero said, leaning down to give him a peck on the lips.

When Duo quietly asked, Heero took him home. He'd never seen that look on his love's face, a mix of shyness and desire, longing and determination. He hoped he was interpreting it correctly. He'd been dating Duo for six months and no sex---rather, no completing the act. He wanted all of Duo, and though he was willing to wait until Duo was ready, he'd been ready from the first moment he'd laid eyes on this beautiful, seductive siren.

Back at Heero's home, he smiled down at Duo. "Dessert?"

Looking a little relieved, Duo smiled and nodded. Heero leaned down and pressed a kiss to the bridge of his nose, earning him a sweet laugh. Breaking out his fondue fountain, he set it up and dropped chunks of chocolate into the base. He'd intentionally chosen finger foods and the mild aphrodisiac, hoping they would act as stimulants to both relax and arouse Duo. Then he laid out strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Duo watched, then gave him a smouldering look.

"No whipped cream?"

Tease, Heero thought, setting down a bowl of the white, frothy stuff. Dipping his finger into it, he offered it to Duo. The younger man swiped his tongue over the digit before closing his lips around it, eyes never leaving Heero's. He sucked on it for a moment before releasing it. Shit. At this rate, we won't be eating much dessert.

Duo stirred the chocolate as it melted and gave Heero a smile. "I haven't had chocolate fondue in . . . probably five years. I had no idea you were so romantic."

Heero snorted. "Neither did I," he agreed, dipping a strawberry into the whipped cream and sampling it. Hn. Would be better without sugar in the cream.

Duo watched Heero eat the red fruit and felt a bolt of desire shoot straight through him. His nervousness was rapidly disappearing. Still, he lacked confidence and wanted Heero to do all the work. Otherwise he felt he would lose his nerve. Kinda pathetic. I'm twenty years old, still a virgin, and I'm getting nervous about having sex with the man I love more than anything. He knew his nervousness came from lack of experience, not doubt, and he would actually be relieved when his First Time was out of the way so he knew what to expect.

Heero abruptly chuckled softly, pulling Duo to sit beside him on the couch. "Don't look so tense. Here, let's just eat dessert. The chocolate's melted."

Duo snuggled into his side, smiling and relaxing. Heero dipped a strawberry into the chocolate and lifted it to Duo's mouth. He accepted, intentionally nipping Heero's fingertip in the process. Heero fed him several pieces of fruit this way, then Duo returned the favor. Heero was more aggressive, and the sharp sting of his teeth on Duo's skin made his temperature rise. Who would have thought something like that could turn him on?

It all tasted delicious, especially when Heero dipped a finger in the chocolate. He grabbed Duo's chin with his free hand, holding him still while he smeared the smooth, liquified treat over Duo's lips. Then he leaned forward and fused their mouths together. It felt like his brain melted, tasting the chocolate and Heero in one deep, invasive kiss. He realized he was whining as Heero's tongue plunged into his mouth, taking and claiming, unhesitant and bold. When Heero finally released him he gasped for breath, vision graying out a little. He could still see chocolate on Heero's lips, so he leaned forward and licked it off. Heero nipped his tongue.

"You're always unconsciously teasing me," Heero murmured, pupils dilated.

Duo's heart fluttered at the look of aggressive desire in those eyes. God, what this man did to him. He could feel himself flushing all over his body, could feel a slight stirring in his groin just from a look. A possessive, demanding, desiring look. All for him. And the last of his nervousness vanished.

Heero saw it. He saw the slight change in Duo's eyes that told him the last fear was gone. He was ready, and he wanted it now. Well, who was he to deny his lover? Pulling Duo toward him, he kissed him. It was a different kiss, now. Gone was the furor he fed Duo, for there was no need for it anymore. Now his tongue stroked alongside Duo's slow and sensual, teasing him into responding, drinking down the soft whimpers for more as Duo molded his frame to Heero's.

Grabbing Duo around the waist, he lifted and pulled until Duo got the hint and straddled Heero's lap. He tilted his pelvis up so Duo could immediately feel he was already hard. Duo gasped, instinctively grinding himself down---which felt delicious---and Heero felt his lover swelling. He continued his languid grinding, in control and in no real hurry, until Duo was panting. His head fell to the junction of Heero's neck and shoulder, the warm wash of each breath fanning over the bare skin there. Hands gliding up Duo's back, he pushed the black shirt down over Duo's shoulders, tracing his lips over each curve and contour exposed. His skin smelled vaguely sweet, like cinnamon-apple. Perhaps a little vanilla. Delicious.

Duo obediently slid his arms out of the shirt, and Heero idly watched it pool on the floor in a shimmering pile. It would, he thought, be wonderful to see ribbons of black silk draped over Duo's body. Black against that ivory skin . . . which would be softer? That question amused him for a few moments. Probably Duo's skin. He hooked his fingers inside the red tank top and slid his fingers up the naked skin of Duo's back, marveling at the softness of his skin. The warmth radiating from the porcelain expanse almost surprised him---it looked like it would be as cool as marble.

"Heero . . ." Duo sighed against his neck. He abruptly sat up straight, leaning down to the coffee table and swirling two fingers in the chocolate. Meeting Heero's eyes, he sucked them into his mouth.

Heero watched avidly as the dark liquid smeared on Duo's lips, beading up until it trickled sluggishly from the corner of his mouth. Groaning faintly, he pulled Duo's fingers away and kissed him again, licking up the trail of chocolate. The hesitance was gone from the younger man's kiss, now he returned it with passion and a little aggression. Demanding. He wanted Heero to do something.

Never one to disappoint, Heero dropped one hand to the button of Duo's slacks and undid them. He lowered the zipper teasingly slow, keenly aware of the slight hitch in Duo's breath. He brushed the backs of his fingers over the heated swell of Duo's arousal, eliciting a breathy moan. He fingered the elastic band of his dark red underwear, able to see they were bikini-cut briefs. Duo squirmed a bit, and Heero lightly cupped his prize. He watched white teeth sink into a plump lower lip, and with his free hand he made him stop.

"Only I'm allowed to bite you," he murmured.

Duo's glower wilted when Heero started massaging the turgid flesh in his other hand. He bowed forward with a soft whine, eyes fluttering shut. Before long Heero felt warm wetness spread over the cotton briefs, and he forced himself to stop. Sure he had Duo's attention now, he nudged him to his feet.

"Had enough dessert?"

Glazed indigo eyes met his, and they darkened with passion. "Not if you're on the menu," he purred, wrapping his arms around Heero's neck and lazily rubbing himself against Heero's hip.

So much for hesitation. Smirking, he dropped his hands to Duo's hips. "Come take a shower with me." His fingers teased bare skin around the waist of the jeans. "Then we can go to bed."

Duo acquiesced with a little sigh, and Heero took his hand. He led his unresisting lover to the bathroom.

Heero didn't seem to be in a hurry, but neither was Duo as they showered. Duo submitted with a little sigh as Heero washed his hair and then applied conditioner. He returned the favor, then Heero turned to the bodywash. It had a clean, fresh pine scent. Duo usually went for warmer aromas like cinnamon and vanilla, but the pine was so Heero that he didn't protest. In combination with the water it made the man smell like a forest after a warm spring rain.

Heero's ministrations with the bodywash didn't seem all that oriented toward mere cleanliness. Unless he was being ridiculously thorough. Whichever was his intent, he had Duo rigid and panting, barely able to stay on his feet as Heero's slick, sudsy hand worked over his arousal. His knees finally did buckle when a slippery finger went further down, sliding between his buttocks and finding his hidden opening. Finding his feet, he turned in Heero's arms so they were face-to-face, draping his arms around Heero's neck to kiss him, which brought their arousals into sudden contact.

That felt fantastic. Duo rubbed against him with renewed enthusiasm, and he nearly came when Heero applied just enough pressure that when Duo ground down the single digit slipped into him. It was a completely new sensation. That single finger twisted inside him, rubbing against his inner walls until he felt like he was going crazy. It felt deliciously good, and he whimpered to let Heero know he approved.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you look like this?" Heero abruptly whispered in his ear. "I could spend a decade, just worshiping every inch of your body, exploring it all, to see you whimpering and writing against me."

Duo was already overheated due to the stimulation and the hot water, and Heero's words made him worry he might faint. When Heero finally rinsed them off and turned off the water, he felt dizzy and breathless. Fortunately (and rather annoyingly), Heero seemed perfectly unaffected. He easily supported Duo while he dried them off, then he picked him up bridal style and carried him to his bedroom.

A perfect Valentine display waited for him. Though it was late summer now, Duo felt immediately caught up in the romantic holiday's atmosphere. Red rose petals littered the bed, and vases with various amounts of the rich flowers scattered the available surfaces. Fat white pillar candles burned their vanilla aroma into the air, and on the bedside table Duo could see different-sized bottles of oils and lotions. He blushed as he tried to picture what Heero would use them for.

Heero chuckled and kissed the end of his nose. "Don't misinterpret all this, koi," he murmured. "I know very well you're not a woman. It's just . . . have I ever told you I'm a closet romantic? I just want you to know how much you mean to me. So let me spoil you a little."

Before he could blink them away, tears stung Duo's eyes and a single drop slid down his cheek. Leaning up, he pressed a kiss to the corner of Heero's mouth. "Okay," he acquiesced.

Heero laid him on the bed. The duvet was a rich satiny material, different enough in texture from the velvet rose petals that it excited Duo's senses. His nervousness managed to make a reappearance when Heero laid him down on his stomach. He didn't want his first time to be in this position, too animalistic and impersonal.

However, Heero didn't spread his legs. He straddled Duo's upper thighs, and Duo saw him reach for the collection of oils. He selected a taller, fluted bottle and pop the lid. He poured oil onto his hand, and the smell of clove and spice hit Duo's nose. Heero returned the bottle to its former spot and began smearing the rich-smelling oil onto Duo's back. Catching onto his intent, Duo relaxed almost before talented fingers applied the perfect pressure to his shoulders and back.

At first, it was the perfect massage to relax someone into sleep. Duo felt himself beginning to drift, arousal unable to fight the powerful sensation of Heero's hands. Muscles holding tension of which he'd not been aware melted. He felt like he was sinking into the bed, skin losing its surface tension like water, losing its cohesive shape. Heero massaged from the base of his skull to the base of his spine, working out every single bit of anxiety and stress. Duo hazily wondered if Heero meant to tease him into sleep this way.

That was when the pressure changed. It went from relaxing to tantalizing and light, fingertips swirling over the surface of his skin in a manner almost ticklish. In a matter of moments he was wide awake, tiny embarrassing noises escaping his throat as he squirmed for more. It reminded him suddenly and sharply that Heero was as naked as he---and every bit as aroused.

Finally, Heero's massage trekked farther down. Duo whined when warm, slippery hands glided over the rising curve of his spine, finding perfect purchase and gently gripping. Fingers kneaded firm muscle, but because of where his hands were, Duo felt tension returning. Only, this was delicious tension that made his skin shiver with anticipation. His fingers tangled in the bedcover, not quite able to catch his breath as those tormenting fingers spread him in slow rolling motions, and finally made it deeper into the cleft and danced over the clenching ring of muscle.

"He-Heero," Duo panted as the man's thumbs massaged around the outside of the ring.

Heero let out a low, strangled sort of sound. "God I could eat you all up." It sounded almost like a groan.

He stopped his ministrations, which made Duo voice his disapproval. But then Heero was rolling him onto his back to fuse their mouths together. His protests died as a talented tongue claimed him in a fierce, passionate kiss.

Tonight, Heero thought fuzzily, was going to test him to the absolute limit. Every cell in his body was screaming at him to stop being a thoughtful gentleman and to just take this delicious, squirming youth. Duo was always unconsciously teasing him. Those slightly damp, begging eyes were like a trap. Well, there would be plenty of time for rough, fast fucking later. When Duo was sure that Heero wanted him not for sex but for him. Love had to come first, then desire.

Besides, the thought of making Duo writhe all night was every bit as appealing. He was not lacking in experience, though like Duo he'd never found the right one for him to complete the act. But all of his trysts until this night had been for the sake of learning. Like a soldier, when Heero wanted to know about something he didn't stop until he felt he had learned all their was to know. And tonight, it was about to pay off.

"Heero," Duo whispered, blushing prettily, "stop staring at me like that."

Heero could neither help nor stop the slow grin that curved up his lips. "Like what?" he purred.

Duo obviously recognized the echo of a long-ago conversation. The blush deepened. "Like . . . you're thinking about pinning me down, and . . ."

The grin morphed into a smirk. "That's exactly what I'm thinking about. Only, this time I'm going to do it as well."

Duo licked his lips. "You don't need to pin me down," he breathed. "I'm not going anywhere."

Heero recognized that for what it was. Both a plea and a promise. Duo didn't want to be restrained, and he would see this through to the end. That was trust gleaming on the surfaces of his indigo eyes. One that Heero would never betray. So he leaned down and nibbled at Duo's lips.

"Then I'll just hold you in my arms," he answered.

Skin. Heat. Pressure. Moisture. Duo's body was, he was rapidly discovering, one giant erogenous zone. It didn't seem to matter where Heero touched him---and Heero touched him everywhere---it felt mind-meltingly good. Duo couldn't catch his breath, because everywhere Heero's fingers ventured, his mouth soon followed. Even something as simple as sucking on his fingers made Duo moan and feel like begging for more. He couldn't remember why he'd been nervous, and he wondered why he'd never felt like this with Trowa.

That one's easy. Because I didn't love him. I love Heero. Duo's eyes snapped open with a half-yelp, half whimper when Heero broke his pattern. His mouth descended on the rigid proof of Duo's desire with no forewarning from his hands. Duo automatically buried his fingers in Heero's unruly hair, even when being swept away by mind-numbing pleasure careful not to tug too hard.

Centimetre by agonizing centimetre Heero's mouth crept down on him. Duo slowly arched upward, spine beginning to twinge as the pleasure mounted with the increased pressure. He felt himself hit the back of Heero's throat, and then Heero swallowed. Shit it felt good. To his vast displeasure, Heero only did it once then backed off 'til only the head remained in his mouth. He suckled gently, tongue worrying the slit while Duo tossed his head, burying his face in the cool satin duvet. Rose petals stuck to his skin, clinging to drops of perspiration. For some reason the contrast of crimson looked especially stark right now against his ivory skin. One petal clung very near Heero's lips, right at the juncture of where hip met thigh.

Heero saw it too. Using one finger he slid it down, following the natural line of flesh, dragging it over Duo's entrance. The ticklish, velvelt texture made Duo's hips twitch up. Heero chuckled and rubbed it over and over the spasming ring. Duo's eyes fluttered shut. He missed Heero's movement, but he heard the pop of another bottle cap, and another smell enticed his senses. This one was even richer and warmer, a spicy aroma Duo could not name. It must have had some sort of aphrodisiac quality, because it inexplicably excited Duo even more.

His eyes flew open when Heero did two things simultaneously. He sucked Duo back down his throat and swallowed just as he pushed one slick finger into Duo's body.

Duo's eyes snapped open, back arching up as the twin sensations shot through him. The oil was warm, felt almost hot, and it tingled on Duo's inner walls as Heero began rubbing it around. Whimpers fell in a constant stream off his lips as Heero's throat worked around him, and the sensation doubled when Heero hummed. The vibration traveled all the way to the tips of his toes, and Duo buried his fingers in his own hair, feeling a bit like he was going crazy. Was it possible to die from too much pleasure? If so, certainly he was dying. He couldn't even work out the words to beg Heero to stop, to plead for more, something, anything.

Duo was burning hot inside. He would, Heero thought distantly, melt the instant he got himself inside that heat. It clenched his finger so tightly he wondered if he would ever fit inside. He'd fingered a few of his partners before, mostly to see what it felt like. None of them had been this tight. Not even close. He couldn't imagine what it would feel like, gripping and clinging to him when he entered.

While he worked his first finger around, he rubbed more oil onto his second. When the initial tightness seemed to relax a bit, he coaxed the ring to accept another. Duo's back arched up a little more, and he rather sounded like he was asphyxiating. Probing deeper, swallowing more harshly, he twisted his fingers around until he felt a slight bump. Grinning around his mouthful, he withdrew and thrust his fingers against it.

Duo came with the softest, sweetest cry of tormented pleasure. Heero backed off so he could swallow, and he didn't release Duo until he was completely limp. Duo sprawled on the bed, perspiration glimmering on his skin in the candlelight, legs splayed, entrance gone soft and relaxed around Heero's fingers. His eyes were dark with dulled passion, and Heero thought even a saint would have been sorely tempted by the delicious display. As it was, he closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to rein in near-desperate desire.

When he opened them Duo was watching. He raised his knees, planting his feet on the bed and spreading his legs. "It's all right," he murmured. "Enter me, Heero." He blushed as he said the words.

Heero felt too hot all over again. He twisted the fingers still inside Duo. "Two isn't enough. I could still tear you."

Duo shook his head. "I'm ready."

Trying to judge that for himself, Heero realized that while Duo was still tight, the resistance had softened. If he was slick and very gentle, he should be able to enter Duo without hurting him. At least, not hurting him much. He picked up the oil, but before he could pour it Duo grabbed the bottle. He poured it into his own hand, and Heero clenched his teeth when unhesitant fingers spread the oil onto his achingly neglected length. Then Duo wrapped his hand around it, giving Heero a wicked little grin as he tugged lightly.

"Come on," he said. "I want you inside me."

Feeling almost like he had a pair of Gemini twins on his hands, Heero obeyed the little siren. Duo guided him to his own entrance, which glistened enticingly with oil. When they were aligned, Heero carefully rolled his hips forward. Duo bit his lip again as the pressure against him increased, and the concentration on Duo's face almost made Heero smile. Then his careful determination defeated the resistance of muscle, and he slowly sank into Duo's body.

Duo's eyes rolled back into his head as Heero pierced into his body. The sensation was so intense he couldn't breathe, it whited out his mind. It hurt, in a burning kind of way, but it wasn't painful. Not like he'd sort of feared. It was just . . . Heero invading deeper and deeper into him, driving all the air from his lungs and all thought from his mind. Every centimetre deeper brought Heero that much closer to the core of him, and part of him wished Heero would stop moving so slowly just so this torturous burn would end. Heero was putting pressure on parts of him that had never received this kind of stimulation, and not just physically.

When Heero's hips touched his, when he could impale no deeper, Duo gasped out a breath he hadn't been aware of holding. Spots danced behind his eyelids, little bursts of color. His heart was pounding and his thoughts were spinning, he'd given it all up and made himself vulnerable and shit, Heero was inside him.

Soft lips spidered over his eyelids, making him open them. Only to drown in cool cobalt. Tumultuous cobalt.

"Are you all right?" Heero asked.

He sounded strained to the absolute limit. Duo, though he wasn't exactly hurting right now, also knew he wasn't ready for anything else at the moment. He shook his head. "Don't move yet," he whispered, lifting his feet off the bed and wrapping his legs around Heero's waist as if to hold him in place.

Heero lightly kissed him, lips trailing down his neck. "I won't," he promised, back arching up gracefully as his lips wandered lower.

Duo's breath hitched when those lips closed firmly around his nipple, sucking and nibbling. It was a vastly different sensation from the burn farther down, and Duo's brain scrambled to reconcile the two. One of Heero's hands started giving its partner similar attention while his other dropped down and squeezed his arousal.

Duo had almost forgotten about it, lost as he was. The sudden reminder made him yelp, hips jerking up in reaction. It caused Heero to shift and slide a little deeper, and the change in angle had him brushing against Duo's prostate.

The multiple stimulation almost made Duo come. "Stop!" he gasped, vision graying out as he panted through the first twinges of orgasm, fighting to get his body under control. He wasn't near ready for this to be over.

Heero, goddamn him, chuckled as he stopped his oh-so-pleasurable ministrations, hands sliding beneath Duo to his shoulders. In a massively impressive display of strength, he lifted Duo with him as he sat up. The change in positions caused Heero to move inside him yet again, and Duo gave his lover a weak glare.

Smirking, Heero brushed his lips over Duo's neck. "How does it feel?"

"Good," Duo replied, starting to feel his body come back under control. "Really good. What about you?"

Heero smiled at him, a real smile this time. "You feel amazing. It was all I could do to be gentle and not just take you."

Duo blushed, squeezing his muscles around Heero's generous length. "Really?"

Heero groaned softly, eyes flickering shut. "Shit, don't do that, Duo."

For some reason, the words had Duo's heart speeding up all over again. He managed to shift himself around so his knees were on the bed straddling Heero's hips instead of wrapped around his waist. Heero's head dropped to rest between his neck and shoulder, the harsh rasp of each breath washing warm against his skin.

"Fuck you're so hot inside. It feels like I'm melting."

The words made Duo's skin flame. Clenching his teeth, he used his newfound leverage to lift himself up off Heero until only the tip remained inside him. Then he slowly lowered himself back down. It felt unbelievable. Too intimate for words. He didn't think he'd last very long. The intensity was robbing him of all self-control.

Heero bit the skin just below his lips when Duo moved. There would be a mark, but he was careful not to actually hurt Duo. His lover whimpered, doing it again. The delicious drag against his arousal had his body arguing fiercely with him. It would still be too easy to hurt Duo, but damn it did his body just want him to throw Duo down and drive as fast and furious into him as he possibly could.

As if he would ever lose control like that. Lifting his head, he found himself lost in the breathtaking sight of watching Duo. His pace, while maddeningly slow, was obviously as much as he could take right now. It was his first time, after all. His head had fallen back, his hair cascading down all around him in a cinnamon-chestnut waterfall. The strands gleamed in the candlelight, a luxurious shine that Heero didn't resist the urge to touch. His face was flushed and his eyes closed, full lips open as he panted through each sensation. Already his body was beginning to show the signs of pending orgasm. The slight quiver in his muscles. The tensing of his thighs. The tightening skin around his mouth. He clenched his teeth, picking up his pace a little.

Not wanting Duo to feel he was doing all the work, Heero slid his arms to the backs of Duo's thighs and changed their positions yet again. Now Duo's knees were hooked on his elbows, and he got his legs under him. It put Duo at his mercy and gave him powerful leverage. Duo let out a keening little whine as he began a rhythmic piston of his hips, using his hold on Duo to pull his lover to him every time he thrust up. Duo, displaying wonderful flexibility, bent himself practically in half to wrap his arms around Heero's neck and kiss him.

Shoving his tongue into Duo's mouth, Heero felt a moment's disappointment that he could not touch Duo's leaking arousal. It didn't matter much---Duo came without any more stimulation. Heero, who had quickly found his prostate to hit directly, felt the whole-body quiver when it overtook his lover. He eagerly swallowed Duo's soft cries as he rode the sensations, trembling from his first orgasm caused by penetration and nothing else. Heero relaxed his control so he could follow him. The high was incredible, tangible pleasure whiting out his mind only for an explosion of color.

It was more intense than any other orgasm of his life, and when he came to his senses his arms were trembling slightly. Hn. That was a first. Not wanting to lose his strength and drop Duo, he slowly lowered them to the bed so Duo was lying directly on top of him. Duo hissed when Heero slipped free, and he relinquished the warmth but reluctantly. Several minutes passed before he recalled himself.

"You okay?" he asked softly, brushing a kiss over Duo's temple. His skin was salty and damp.

"Mm," Duo mumbled, and Heero saw him smile. "I can't move at all."

Heero smirked. "Good."

He heard a low laugh. "Smug bastard."

After awhile, Duo shifted against him and kissed Heero's chest. Deciding he was ready, Heero ran his fingers up the backs of his thighs to stroke over his entrance. It clenched in response. "Ready for the next part?"

It was almost two in the morning when Heero came inside him for the final time and Duo collapsed, completely unable to move. He couldn't even keep his eyes open. Heero, he thought dimly, must be a machine. Not that he regretted the man's stamina (and it didn't surprise him, really). Because of it, his first time had been an incredible experience. And his second. And third. And final fourth. He wondered if sex with Heero would always be like this.

Exhausted as he was he still noticed when Heero got off the bed. Moments later a warm, damp cloth smoothed over his skin as Heero washed away the sticky proof of their passion. He could bless the man's thoughtfulness, because waking up crusty didn't have any appeal. Then the candles went out and Heero climbed back into bed beside him, drawing the sheets over their bodies. He pulled his limp and unresisting lover against his body, and Duo happily snuggled into him.

As strong arms went around him, he began to fall into slumber. He'd always hated being alone, and now he knew there was no fear of that. "I love you, Heero," he mumbled as the last awareness slipped away.

He still heard Heero's reply, "Ai shiteru, koibito."

He fell asleep with a smile on his lips.

Owari