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'm sorry I'm not being very good about updating. Please forgive me!

Chapter 9 / Heero's concern

"There won't be a problem with his registry," Quatre said a scant three days later. "It's being taken care of. Duo apparently comes from a long line of champions. In fact, his sire is a two-time champion. Last year he took best in his group, and the year before that he took best in show of the AKC grand championship."

Heero slid his hand under Duo's breastbone and lifted him up onto the table. "Catherine did say something that worried me," he said, exerting a little pressure near Duo's tail to make him sit. "Dogs that enter the shows can't have any physical faults or defects. Would scarring or evidence of past broken bones count?"

Quatre tapped his chin, appearing to consider. "In most instances, yes. I'll check him over right now. You've taken such good care of him there may be nothing to worry about."

Heero stood right in front of Duo while Quatre examined his lean, lithe body. Duo never took his eyes off his guardian, and Heero could see a slight rigidness to Duo's posture. That was something he would have to have Catherine focusing on. He didn't want anything jeopardizing Duo's chances at success.

With a shake of his head, Quatre finished. "You've done such a remarkable job taking care of him, there isn't any significant sign of past serious injury."

"Good to hear. How long does the registration process take?"

"Not very," Quatre replied. "You don't have anything to do now except enter that show and knock them dead. How's Duo taking all this?"

Smiling, Heero stroked Duo's face. "He's just as excited as I am."

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When they got home, Duo raced into the house, pausing to watch Heero enter a little more sedately. He changed into his human form and jumped at his master. Heero looked a little surprised, but he still caught Duo when he landed in his arms.

"So I think I understand now," he said, nuzzling his face into Heero's neck. "This is a way for you to show me off."

Heero chuckled. "That's exactly what it is. What a clever thing, figuring that out."

His fingers tickled beneath Duo's chin, and he giggled. "Can you teach me how to cook?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Heero said, walking up the stairs. "Have aspirations to be the next great gourmet chef, do you? Well, even great chefs can't cook naked." He lightly slapped Duo's butt.

Duo jumped. Wriggling in his master's hold, he bolted up to the bedroom, slamming the door and hiding himself in the corner. A few moments later Heero walked in, looking a little bemused. Leaping from his hidey-hole, Duo tackled Heero, and the pair went down hard.

Duo didn't wait for Heero to get his bearings. He locked his arms and legs around the human, gnawing on his shoulder. Heero let out a sound like a chuckle crossed with a grunt, trying to worm his way free. Duo was tenacious as a leech, but Heero was persistent. He was also stronger than Duo. He managed to free one arm, but as soon as he twisted to get some kind of hold on Duo the boy bolted away, jumping onto the bed to vault over it.

He only met half his goal. Heero tackled him down to the bed, landing on him so hard he grunted. It made him very glad they were on the bed and not the floor. His master wrestled him under himself, grappling with his arms to pin him. Giggling wildly, Duo twisted and squirmed to fend Heero off, trying to get onto his back so he could get a grip on him.

He made it to his side before Heero shut him down. Unable to move, all his breath left him in startled laughter when Heero's fingers danced down his sides. It tickled! "He-Heero!" he gasped. "Not . . . fair—!"

A deep chuckle was the only answer he got. After much struggling, Duo managed to find a little leverage and chomped Heero's arm. An amused growl met his ears, then Heero's hand clamped over his mouth, tilting his head back to the point where just a little farther would have been a strain. It effectively ended the battle.

"Give up?" Heero's voice breathed across one ear.

All Duo could do with his mouth now was lick Heero's hand, so he did, nodding. The moment Heero released him Duo tackled him again, this time gaining the upper hand by landing on Heero's back. His master wasn't expecting it, so Duo got away with it.

"Duo!" Heero grunted around his mirth. "You little—"

Duo pushed his face into the pillows, stifling any further complaints. Heero sounded a lot like a dog himself as he growled. Duo nibbled across the back of Heero's neck and shoulders, biting just hard enough to sting but not actually hurt.

Abruptly Heero grabbed his ankle and jerked hard. Startled, Duo lost his grip and once more wound up underneath his master. This time Heero pinned his hands next to his head and sat on his hips to hold him down. Both of them were breathing hard and grinning as they looked into each other's eyes.

Duo felt it again. That sudden weird tension, the tightness in his throat and chest as he looked up at the only person in the world he loved and trusted implicitly. Heero's eyes were gleaming as he looked at Duo, then he leaned down and pressed his lips to Duo's.

Every muscle in Duo's body went rigid. Oh, oh, what is he . . . what is . . . His mind ran around in little circles, frantically trying to decide what he should do. Heero wasn't hurting him. Despite the novelty of this act, it actually felt rather nice. Heero's wonderful scent filled his nose, Heero's taste seeped into his mouth. He opened his mouth to sweep his tongue across Heero's lips when his master pulled away.

Heero covered his mouth with one hand, eyes a little troubled. "I'm sorry," he murmured, carefully climbing off Duo to sit on the edge of the bed. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry, Duo."

"Why?" Duo wanted to know, crawling to his side, wondering if he'd done something wrong.

Reaching out, Heero stroked a finger under Duo's chin. "I shouldn't be taking advantage of you like that. Don't look so nervous, love."

Confused, Duo climbed onto Heero's lap and tucked his head under his chin. "But I enjoyed it," he said. "It . . . felt nice."

Heero made a soft sound like an amused snort. "Why thank you."

"Um," Duo began a little uncertainly, "what . . . what was it?"

There was a slight pause. "A kiss," Heero replied. "That's called a kiss."

Duo nuzzled Heero's throat. "Is that something . . . what kind of . . . ?"

"It's a gesture of affection," Heero gently cut him off. "Between people who love each other."

Blinking, Duo pulled back to look into Heero's blue, blue eyes. Such a wonderful color of blue. "Do you . . . do you love me, Heero?"

A soft smile curved Heero's lips. "More than anything."

Grinning, feeling fit to burst, Duo threw his arms around his master and squeezed him tight. "I love you, too, Hee-ro," he mumbled into Heero's neck.

He felt Heero's arms tighten around him. "I'm glad, Duo-love. Here, you must be hungry. Lunch?"

Duo bounced on his lap. "Lunch!" he agreed with a happy grin.

It took the better part of an hour before his heart finally stopped pounding.

I know, I know, it's really short. I will make it up to you next chapter, I PROMISE. Hugs, I love you all!