Genre: AU, Romance

Pairings: 1x2

Warnings: Serious fluff, sap, silliness, animals talking, adult situations, some language

Disclaimer: Forgot it in the first chapter, so here it is. Don't own nothin' but these words!

A/N: I have no excuses for the end of the last chapter. I frequently take leave of my sanity. This is not an excuse. This is a warning. Heh.

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Chapter 4 / The art of falling

It happened very fast. One moment, he was sitting there looking like his usual beautiful self, fur coat gleaming faintly in the light. Then he was gone, and in his place on hands and knees was a . . . boy.

A boy with very pale skin and impossibly long auburn hair.

Shit. I see why he chose this room. There's no windows, so no chance anyone but me can see this . . .

Heero wasn't even sure what he was seeing. All he could do was stare, mind whirling too fast to comprehend what was sitting in front of him. Or rather, kneeling in front of him.

The boy raised his head. He had large, shining eyes the color of orchids. Even in his stunned state Heero could see how beautiful he was. He was breathtaking, in fact. Unable to move, frozen to the spot, Heero just stared. Something entered those limpid eyes.

"Heero?"

The sound of his name, so hesitantly spoken, jarred Heero back into his mind. Moving so suddenly Duo started and recoiled slightly, Heero knelt in front of him, cupping that perfect face in his hands.

"I don't even know if what I'm seeing is real," he said quietly, still feeling like he was walking in a dream. "Duo?"

The boy nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with moisture Heero was astonished to recognize as tears. "It's me, Heero," he said, nuzzling the man's hand.

"You're a . . ." Heero tried. "You can . . . change." That sounded somewhat lame. But his mind wasn't working at full capacity right now.

Duo nodded again. Heero could see in his eyes the desire to please.

"Um," Heero said, trying not to ask stupid questions, but his mind was reeling. "How . . . how long have you . . . ?"

"Been able to?" Duo finished for him. He looked nervous, for some reason. "About a month after you brought me home," he replied.

Frowning, Heero realized Duo was trembling. Moving as if in a dream he stood back up, falling somewhat limply onto the couch. Duo's eyes tracked his movement, growing more and more fearful. Crawling toward him on hands and knees, Duo placed his cold hands on Heero's knees.

"Heero?" he whispered in a breaking voice. "Are . . . are you angry? Do you . . . do you hate me now?"

Heero blinked. Ah, damn it, what the hell was he doing? Duo had just made himself incredibly vulnerable. Of course he was scared! Silently cursing himself, he pulled Duo into his arms.

"Of course not," he assured the dog—boy. "You just . . . surprised me, that's all. I never even . . . damn, Duo, why didn't you show me a long time ago? There's so many places I could have taken you—oh, it doesn't matter. I can just take you now. Do you, um, can you only stay in this form for certain lengths of time? Do I have all day with you? Can you do this at any time?"

A soft, weak-sounding giggle escaped Duo's lips, and Heero felt a surge of relief. The last thing he wanted was for Duo to think this made him unhappy. In all honesty it didn't really matter to him what shape Duo was.

"I can't change when I'm tired," he said quietly, "but as long as I have enough energy to change I can stay in either form indefinitely."

Shifting to a more comfortable position, Heero settled Duo on his lap, tucking the boy's head under his chin. "I'm glad you trust me enough to share this with me, precious."

-

Duo squirmed just a little until he found the perfect position. Drawing in a deep breath, he let it out in a tremendous, contented sigh. I should have known. Of course Heero wouldn't get angry. I love him. I love him so much . . .

He realized he was nuzzling the soft, smooth skin of Heero's throat. Heero turned his head slightly and kissed Duo's forehead, hand coming up to thread gentle fingers through his long hair.

Time drifted by without measure, each moment ticking by slowly as though the world were suspended on its axis. Duo had no words to describe his feelings as he nestled in Heero's embrace, so happy he thought he would float away. He might have, had Heero's arms not served to tether him to the earth.

"Let me take you out," Heero said at length.

Pulling away enough to look up, Duo peered into Heero's blue, blue eyes. "What about breakfast?" he protested.

Heero smiled. "It's way, way past breakfast, love. Come on, I'll take you to a great steakhouse I know. How does rare steak sound?"

Duo's stomach rumbled hungrily at the thought. Smiling, he once more buried his face in Heero's neck. "Good," he said a little shyly.

Next thing he knew Heero was standing, still holding Duo in his arms. He walked to his bedroom as if carrying Duo's weight were the easiest thing in the world. Then again, maybe it was. Duo knew very well how strong Heero was.

"You're so thin," Heero commented, "you probably won't fit in my clothes very well, but I'm sure I have something to tide you over." He chuckled warmly. "Guess I'll have to take you clothes shopping today, too, hn?"

Duo said nothing. Well, Heero spoils me when I'm a dog, so I don't know why I expected that to change because I'm a person.

Setting Duo down on the bed, Heero stepped back and gazed at him for a moment. "Your eyes are violet," he said after a brief pause. Reaching out, he lightly brushed his knuckles over Duo's cheek. "You're beautiful, Duo. Still so beautiful."

The blush that stole over his countenance was involuntary and unexpected. He looked down, not entirely familiar with the emotions that ran through him.

Heero dressed him in his spandex shorts. They were surprisingly clingy, and Duo still felt naked. As if in apology Heero gave him a long-sleeved shirt to put on that dropped to mid-thigh. The thing was somewhat old, a soft periwinkle, and it was big on Heero. It drowned Duo.

Smiling, Heero took Duo's hand and led him down the stairs. "You look cute, love. Ready to go?"

This would be the first time he ever stepped out into the world in this form. It was a little frightening. But with Heero by his side he was made brave.

"Mm hmm," he confirmed. He still walked a little closer to him than absolutely necessary.

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Wow, this was really short! Sorry, I will make it up to you next week when I update. I love you all!