Genre: AU, Romance
Pairings: 1x2, 3+4
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: That last chapter felt kind of boring. Was it just me?? Of course, I finally divulged what Heero REALLY does for a living . . . whoa, that surprised me. He does that, occasionally. Surprises me.
Heero: Baka.
CHAPTER 13 / Reassuring Duo
As soon as they got home from their weekend, Duo bounded upstairs, changed form, and flopped listlessly onto the bed. All three of Quatre's dogs had eventually discovered what fun it was to maul Duo, and as if they had designated themselves his pack, they simply would not leave him alone. Heero had seemed to find that very funny, but Duo did not. Being constantly followed around, watched over, and generally fussed over by three enormous mother-hen dogs was not his idea of fun. Anubis, Rand, and Twister had officially adopted Duo.
It was early for bed; the sun probably had an hour or two of life left in it. But Duo was worn out, and he didn't move when he heard Heero come in after him. The bed dipped under his master's weight when Heero sat beside him.
"You all right, love?" he asked quietly.
Not opening his eyes, Duo nodded. "Tired," he said, voice muffled by the pillows.
"Too tired to go out?" Heero asked, stroking Duo's hair.
That thought brightened Duo a little, but he found he couldn't muster much energy even then. "Tomorrow?" he suggested, turning to look at Heero.
Who smiled. "Whatever you want. Are you hungry? I can throw something together for us to eat."
"Not just yet," Duo said, shifting to put his head on Heero's lap. "Can we just . . . talk?"
"Of course," Heero said, hands caressing Duo's face. "What's on your mind, my pet?"
For a time, Duo was silent. Where to begin? He never, ever wanted to sound like he was unhappy. He didn't know what he would do if Heero decided to get rid of him. Finally he stirred.
"About before we left," he said eventually.
"You know you can tell me anything," Heero encouraged, his soothing ministrations not ceasing.
Duo nodded, then mustered his courage. "Um, I . . . don't really know where to start," he said hesitantly. "I . . . well, I don't really know what's happening to me. It's . . . I'm . . . scared."
Heero's free hand captured one of Duo's and squeezed. "Tell me what you mean."
"Well," Duo began slowly, "I think . . . my feelings . . . they're changing." He sat up, eyes wide. "But not in a bad way, Heero. I love you more than anyone. But . . . before, I always felt calm and peaceful. Around you. Now it's . . . I . . ." He didn't know what to say. He opted for actions. Grabbing Heero's hand, he pressed it over his chest. "Like right now. My heart is pounding, Heero. And I . . . I don't know why."
Heero blinked, surprise passing over his face. A moment later his eyes clouded, shuttering. Duo's heart sank. Then it had to be a bad thing. Heero gently disentangled his hand, dropping it to his lap. After a moment he sighed.
"I don't think this is something you should worry about, Duo," he said presently. "We've only just met for the first time, if you think about it. You've been my dog, and now the dynamic between us has changed. So it's only natural that your feelings have become complicated. This will settle out, though."
Duo wanted to believe Heero. But there was something in Heero's eyes, something in his voice that Duo couldn't quite define. Something . . . strange and . . . a little unsettling. He searched his master's eyes, not feeling reassured. There was a very large part of him that didn't want things to settle out. Because while this changing feeling was unknown and unfamiliar, it was also . . . exciting . . . somehow.
"Heero," he nearly whispered, "do you really believe that? Or are you just telling me what you think I want to hear?"
A soft smile crossed Heero's lips. "I mean that."
That wasn't what Duo wanted to hear. "Then kiss me," he whispered.
Heero's gaze clouded even more. "Duo . . ." he said softly.
Duo grabbed his arms. "Please, Heero," he begged. "I have to understand what's happening to me. You're the only one who can help me!"
Those brilliant, vivid eyes filled with another emotion Duo had no experience with and therefore couldn't name. "This isn't the way to do it," Heero said, but it sounded like a weak protest.
"Heero, please . . ." Duo whispered, pressing close, their proximity starting up another tremor deep in his body. "Please . . ."
Looking like someone who has just lost a battle, Heero slid his hand behind Duo's neck and closed the distance between them. Their lips met, sending sparks of electricity straight down Duo's spine. It was such a simple touch. Why, oh why did it make Duo feel like he was about to come out of his skin? He pressed closer, opening his mouth, begging Heero to deepen the contact, to really kiss him. Like he had before.
And suddenly, it changed again. Heero grabbed Duo and twisted him down onto the bed. Laying over him like this gave him the perfect leverage to plunder Duo's mouth, and he did. Their tongues writhed against one another, Heero seeming to know exactly how to stroke to elicit moans of delight from Duo. Duo was completely enthralled, Heero's taste and scent overwhelming all his senses.
Duo squirmed under Heero, desperate for more contact. Heero's tongue thrust into his mouth, stroking firmly across the roof, tangling with his own tongue, drawing moan after whimper from Duo's throat. This time, his hands were not idle. They did not simply hold Duo. They caressed his naked skin, making the boy shiver uncontrollably. Heero had touched him countless times. For some reason, now it was very different. It, too, had changed.
He wrenched his mouth away from the kiss. "H-Heero," he gasped, mewling piteously when Heero continued his kiss down Duo's jaw to his throat.
Lips, teeth, and tongue worked at the smooth skin there, tickling sometimes, sending bolts of pleasure through him at others. His hands clung helplessly to Heero's shoulders, entire body quivering and slave to Heero's every whim. His eyes squeezed tightly shut as sensation after myriad of sensation streamed through him, all new and each more delicious than the last.
Heero's caressing hands gripped his ribs, squeezing a little before trailing to the front of his chest. Duo nearly lost his mind when those hands stroked over nipples already hardened to little nubs from constant stimulation. He cried out, arching under Heero, panting hard as Heero continued to caress him there.
Then, with an abruptness that startled Duo, Heero sat up. Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, he had a troubled look on his face. "I'm sorry, Duo," he said quietly.
Duo crawled toward him, wondering what was wrong. "Why?" he asked softly. "It felt . . . really good. I . . . I don't want you to stop."
Heero stood up, looking down at Duo with a torn look in his eye. "Duo," he said, shaking his head, "I . . . we . . . can't. It's . . . wrong."
Duo's heart started to pound again. And not in a good way, this time. "Why?" he said again. "Is it because you see me as your pet? Your dog?" Never mind that he was.
A funny, strained smile passed over Heero's lips. "It isn't how I see you," he said at last. "It's how you see me. I . . . damn it, Duo, I'm your guardian. What kind of person am I, taking advantage of you like this?"
Duo immediately shook his head. "You're not. It's not taking advantage if it's what I want, right?"
Snorting softly, Heero turned away. "You don't even know what 'it' is, do you?"
Feeling like his master was slipping farther and farther away, Duo reached out and grabbed his hand, not letting him move. "I don't care what it is," he corrected. "All I want is to be with you, Heero. I love you. I love you! And I . . . I just want you to love me. Like you used to."
A barely-audible sigh escaped Heero. He sat back down, looking into Duo's violet eyes. "I can't, precious," he murmured. "Then, you were just my treasured companion. Now . . ."
"Now what?" Duo insisted, feeling desperate.
"Now," Heero went on, reaching out to brush his fingers across Duo's face, "you're different. You're so beautiful, Duo. God, I've never seen anything as perfect as you. And I know what you were trying to say. About it changing. The only difference for me is I know what it's changing in to. And that's precisely why I can't let that happen. Duo, I'll never stop loving you. Ever. But this change . . ."
Before he could go on, Duo pushed into his arms and wrapped his arms around him, clinging for all he was worth. "Please, please, Heero," he mumbled into his master's chest. "I'm yours. I don't care. Whatever it is, I want it. If it's from you, if it's caused by your love, I want it!"
He could feel the instant Heero's resistance gave. The minute tension dissipated as Heero's arms finally went around him. "All right," Heero whispered. "All right, Duo. But I'll decide when and if to progress things, okay?"
Duo had no idea what he meant, but he nodded happily anyway. "Okay." Leaning up, he pressed a kiss to Heero's mouth, begging entrance with an insistent tongue.
This time the kiss was deep, lingering, and sweet. Heero's tongue slowly caressed the insides of his mouth, gentle and tender. Duo could no more help his moans this time than the last time, and his hands clutched at Heero's shoulders the same, too. This time, though Heero's hands merely supported Duo, holding him close, a reassuring and comforting presence.
When Heero ended it this time, he snuggled Duo against his chest. Duo snuggled closer, nuzzling Heero's neck, curling up there to stay. No more was said, and as Duo fell asleep he realized he felt no less confused than before.
This is a totally pointless note to say . . . something's going to happen real soon. I can feel it. Things are going to get . . . scary . . . dun dun dun . . .
Heero: You really are a baka.
And it's all because Heero's so mean to me . . .
Heero: Hn.
Duo: I want to find out what Heero meant back there. About things progressing. Can you tell me, Jewel?
Heero: (hideously evil death glare)
(sweatdrops) . . . Um, I better not. (pats Duo on the head) But don't worry, Heero won't be able to keep his hands off you forever. His vaunted self-control will eventually snap--
(Runs off screaming as Heero chases Jewel with his gun)