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: Relena bashing in this chapter. Heh.

Chapter 6 / These Quiet Hours

Duo woke the next morning to find himself tucked securely against Heero's side. Waking close to Heero wasn't new. Being wrapped around him in human form was. Since both of them wore only silk boxers, naked skin pressed against naked skin. His master's skin was like silk draped over a steel frame. Unable to help it, he nuzzled the golden-smooth flesh along the man's neck and shoulder.

A very soft chuckle told him Heero was awake. "You like doing that, don't you?" he teased.

"You smell nice," Duo explained.

A hand tangled in his hair, stroking and massaging his scalp. In moments Duo was half-asleep again. He drifted in and out for the next indeterminate length of time, drowning in Heero's warmth. His master's voice jarred him out of it.

"I have to do laundry today," he muttered.

"What a bummer for you," Duo murmured, rubbing his cheek against Heero's chest.

"How about you help me, my spoiled little love?" Heero suggested, spidering his fingers down Duo's bare back.

Squirming a little, Duo just nodded. He heard Heero sigh and get up, and he relinquished the warmth reluctantly. Then he snuggled right back into the bed.

"If I have to get up, so do you," Heero's voice said, sounding a little miffed.

Cracking open one eye, Duo saw his master's back was turned. So for the first time since revealing his secret, he phased back into his canine form. When Heero turned around, he looked up at him as if to say, I'm just a dog. How could I help?

Heero raised an eyebrow. Duo flopped back down, closing his eyes. Moments later Heero's strong hands slid under him, and next thing he knew he was tucked under the young man's arm as he tromped down the stairs.

"Lazy, good-for-nothin' critter," Heero muttered. He tossed Duo onto the grass outside in the backyard.

Duo landed easily, then turned to give his master a baleful glare.

-

Heero's irritation (if it could even be called that) turned into amusement with a grin. Duo was way, way too cute for his own good. "That's what you get," he said. Then he turned back to the kitchen.

Setting a bowl of milk on the floor for him when he came back in, Heero left the door open as usual and went upstairs to take the sheets off the bed and gather up all his dirty clothes. Just as he finished dressing, Duo came padding up into the bedroom and sat in the doorway, staring intently at Heero.

Grabbing his laundry basket, Heero ruffled Duo's ears as he passed. Heard the dog get up and follow him. Once the washer was going, he threw together a good breakfast and moved into the den. As soon as they were done Duo jumped onto the couch and laid down on top of Heero with a little sigh.

Heero slowly stroked his smooth, soft fur. Feeling peaceful and dozy, his mind wandered. How long had Duo been with him, now? Just eight months? He remembered with vivid clarity the day he first saw Duo. His two friends and coworkers Wufei Chang and Zechs Maquise had suggested to him that he get a dog.

"Because," they said, "you live alone and could use the companionship."

Heero had never really considered getting a pet. He wasn't sure why, because he liked animals well enough. So when they pushed him, he agreed to go to the animal shelter and see about adopting a dog. He didn't particularly want a cat, for some reason. Dogs suited his active lifestyle better.

The first time he laid eyes on Duo, he was shocked into silence. Little more than a pup, Duo was so thin Heero could see every bone in his body.

"That one's about seven months old," the director told him. "He was brought in yesterday by a couple that found him lying on the side of the road."

"How's he doing?" Heero asked, unable to look away from the tiny, pitiful creature.

The woman sighed. "Not very well," she replied. "We don't have the kind of money it would take to get him well, unfortunately."

"What's wrong with him?"

"What isn't?" she answered with a mirthless chuckle. "Besides the obvious emaciation, he shows clear signs of abuse. He has an infection in his left ear, a few broken bones, some half-healed breaks . . . the list goes on and on. I was planning to euthanize him tonight."

After a split second of indecision, Heero shook his head. "No, don't do that. I'll take him."

The woman was obviously startled. "I . . . are you . . . um, is that really something you want to do? I mean, I understand you feeling sorry for him. But this pup will require weeks of intensive care to return him to good health. Realistically speaking, it will cost you a great deal of money, too. And he could have any kind of temperament after abuse."

"I don't care," Heero said. "Money is not an issue. Put him in a carrier, and I'll take him to the vet right away."

Looking like she thought he was making a mistake, she shrugged. "All right. Let me get the paperwork."

As she filled it out, she told him what she knew about him. "I believe he's a purebred German Shepherd. He looks to be of good stock, so it's a mystery as to how he got to be in this condition. Like I said before he's about seven months old, and a vet will be able to tell you for sure."

Heero carried the crate to his car as carefully as he could. He secured it with the seatbelt before driving to the nearest vet's office. It was called Winner Animal Hospital, privately owned by Doctor Quatre Winner.

The blonde vet was shocked and appalled at the pup's condition. "There's so many things wrong with him I don't know where to begin," he said, raking fingers through his hair. "Mr. Yuy, I believe it goes without saying that you will have to leave him here with us for . . . I don't know how long. Hilde, take him in the back and get him started on an IV, would you? I want to ask a few questions."

Heero told him everything the animal shelter's director had told him. The vet relaxed visibly when he found out Heero had nothing to do with the pup's awful condition. He seemed touched that Heero would do this for a dog he'd never seen before.

"I should warn you," he said quietly, "that there's a very real chance he won't last the night."

Heero nodded his understanding. "Just do what you can."

Duo didn't die. He lived through the night. Over the course of the next two weeks Duo more than doubled his body weight. His injuries took more than a month to heal. For the better part of that time Duo couldn't hear out of his left ear. Heero could tell how much that upset the pup.

He took Duo home after three weeks in the vet's. Duo wasn't exactly aggressive—he still wasn't in any condition for that. But he flinched away from contact and growled in warning when Heero got too close. When Heero held him or touched him he trembled wildly.

But Heero persevered. He spoke to Duo often, getting the pup used to the sound of his voice. He made sure never to speak loudly or move suddenly. He fed Duo out of his hand. He held Duo on his lap, massaging his small body or just holding him.

After two months, Duo was finally able to move without a limp or apparent pain. During this first week of full health, he avoided Heero or snapped at him whenever he came too close. To Heero, it felt like the dog was testing him. He never reacted with anger or violence. Slowly, Duo warmed to him. Accepted his presence. Even more slowly Duo's acceptance turned into affection.

Now, Heero looked back without an iota of regret. He loved Duo fiercely, and he knew Duo loved him. Maybe other people would find Duo had too many faults. Duo was very aggressive, unpredictable around anyone but Heero. Once a pair of stupid boys had climbed over Heero's fence and surprised Duo. That had ended in tears. Their parents had been furious, of course, but Heero calmly explained they were idiots because he had a large 'BEWARE OF DOG' sign in plain view.

To Heero, all of this was acceptable. Preferable, even. It just meant Duo trusted and loved only him. What a tremendous ego-boost.

Heero groaned when he heard the washer stop. "Duo, get up, love," he said, slowly sitting up. "Gotta put the sheets in the dryer."

Duo obediently jumped down, following Heero into the laundry room. Tossing everything into the dryer, he turned to look down at the dog now sitting quietly at his feet. Duo was now a year-and-a-half old. A beautiful specimen of his breed, and Quatre had assured Heero Duo was a purebred.

Cupping Duo's muzzle in one hand, he lightly stroked the velvety fur. "Do you remember where you came from?" he asked.

Duo's dark eyes clouded. He nodded slightly.

"You probably don't want to talk about it, hn?"

This time Duo shook his head. His expression took on definite worried overtones, as if he was afraid Heero would make him, anyway.

That was something Heero would never do. "It's all right, my pet," he murmured. "You don't have to ever talk about it if you don't want."

Duo stood up, jumping up to put his front paws on Heero's shoulders. Heero easily lifted him right off the ground, kissing him between the eyes. Without much warning he dropped him, and when Duo landed he looked a little ruffled.

"When I'm done, we'll go somewhere, okay?" he said, smiling softly. "I'm bored, and you probably are, too."

Another nod, Duo's ears perking up as he looked more cheerful. Heero didn't want him to be depressed.

Forty minutes later the sheets were dry. Heero spent that time on his laptop, finishing up a little work. He really should have gone into the office today. The trouble with working part-time was he didn't want to work at all after long weekends.

Duo sat in the doorway, watching Heero with an annoyed look. Chuckling, Heero spread the bottom sheet on the mattress. "It won't take long, precious," he promised.

A moment later Duo jumped on his back. His forward momentum pushed Heero down onto the bed, tangling him in the sheets.

"Duo!" he growled.

Bright laughter was his only reply.

Twisting, pushing up with all his strength, Heero tried to wrestle Duo underneath him. Unfortunately, Duo had the clear advantage being on Heero's back. In his mirth he sounded so happy as he clung to Heero, legs clamped around his waist.

Grabbing Duo's slim ankles, he used his superior strength to inexorably force the boy's legs open. This way he managed to twist his body so they were face-to-face. Duo was panting, his bright violet eyes gleaming, his mouth grinning impudently.

"You weren't paying enough attention to me," he explained, leaning forward and licking Heero's mouth.

Laughing, Heero pulled out of reach and grappled with the boy until he had him completely ensnared in the sheets. Unfortunately, he also was trapped. Leaving him pressed against Duo, whose naked body was so close to his own. Only the barrier of his own thin shorts and tank top separated them.

Duo's laughter tapered off as he stared into Heero's eyes. Because his chest was flush against him, Heero could feel his heart start to beat a little faster. Nervous? Why would Duo be nervous? Unless . . . Duo didn't look nervous. His face was a bit flushed, his eyes brighter than usual. He licked his lips, and Heero's eyes were drawn to the movement.

"What is it, love?" he whispered.

"Heero . . ."

Someone knocked on the door. Both of them jumped. It took some wrangling to get them untangled. Heero padded barefoot down the stairs, heard Duo following him. When he glanced over his shoulder he saw Duo had changed back into his canine form. The knocking became more insistent, followed by the doorbell. Rolling his eyes, Heero grabbed the knob and jerked it open.

"Hi, Heero!" exclaimed the very last person he had expected. Or wanted to see.

Relena Darlian Peacecraft. Dressed in frilly pink. Right down to pink shoes.

"Here you are," she gushed. "You weren't at work today, and I thought you were coming in, and I just missed you so much—"

Heero shut the door again. And locked it. And bolted it. Behind him, Duo sat down hard, looking at once puzzled and so amused his eyes were laughing. Outside, Relena pounded on the door, buzzing the doorbell.

"Come on," Heero said, grabbing his shoes, keys and wallet.

Duo loped after him as he went down to the garage. He picked Duo up and set him in the truck, not bothering with the steps. Opening the garage door, he pulled out into the driveway, pausing just long enough to make sure the door shut all the way.

He actually saw Relena running after him before the truck outdistanced her. He rolled his eyes. "That, my pet, was the pink horror, Relena."

Laying on the seat, gazing at Heero, Duo panted laughter. He scooted forward until he could rest his head on Heero's leg, then relaxed with a big sigh. Heero laid a hand on his head, stroking.

"Since she spurred another impromptu outing, where would you like to go, love?" he asked. "Shall we go down to the dock and rent a boat or something? We haven't been out on the water for a long time."

Duo raised his head, his tail thumping down on the seat.

Heero smiled softly. "You're just happy to be out, aren't you?"

This time he received a definite nod. Then again, he was, too. Anywhere with Duo was good enough for him.