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: I went to the fair on Saturday, and I got a new pet bunny. Actually, she's mine and my sister's. She's so cute! She is a black Holland lop, she is three months old and about 1½ pounds, and her name is Lily. I just felt like sharing that, and I love her to pieces! She probably thinks I'm nuts. Everyone else does, including my fish . . .
CHAPTER 14 / The First Show
Duo practically shook with anxious energy as Heero lifted him down out of the truck. His master looked very nice in a dark blue dress shirt and black slacks. His shoes were even polished to a dull shine, and on his wrist was a nice silver watch. He'd taken great care to polish Duo's collar and keep his leash clean so the pair looked striking as they entered the large open area where the city dog show was being held.
The smell of dogs was everywhere. Big dogs, little dogs, medium dogs, shaggy dogs, curly-haired dogs, wiry-haired dogs, silken-haired dogs, dogs, dogs, dogs. Duo nearly recoiled. Never in his life had he been anywhere there were so many people with their canine companions. Heero steadied him with a gentle hand on the back of his neck.
Shaking himself a little, Duo straightened and looked up to let his master know he was fine. Smiling a bit, not looking nervous in the slightest, Heero walked toward the sign-in tables.
While he waited, Duo eyed the many critters and humans corralling about. The noise was also something he wasn't used to. It didn't bother him as much as it once would have. Plus, he suspected it would level out when the show started. Soon Heero led him toward the many seats.
Duo sat somewhat stiff and erect as the seats filled up and the time came for the show to begin. He found he couldn't sit still as the dog-owners began showing. Almost a week before Catherine had told them the traditional order of groups. Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Duo knew he was in the Herding group, but before he could enter the show itself there were preliminaries. He had to be awarded best in breed to make it to the group portion.
Duo wanted not only best in breed but best in group and then best in show. He would not be satisfied with anything less. Heero buried a hand in the thick fur at his nape.
"You'll be perfect out there, love," he murmured.
In retrospect, he shouldn't have worried. His fur was darker than the other German Shepherds present. He was neither the biggest nor the smallest present. But Duo could tell by the judge's expression that he'd won.
When it was time for the judging of his breed, Heero stood up and glanced down at Duo. "Ready?" he asked.
He was nervous. But he moved with the easy grace of one who is not. He completely ignored the other people and dogs—he was getting better at that. They were second to last in line, and it gave Duo ample opportunity to give the other dogs a critical eye and watch what they did wrong.
By the time they got to the judge, he was feeling better. Heero held the leash like he always did—that is, emphasizing that Duo did not need it. He came to a halt and struck his pose, watching Heero who stopped right in front of him. Ears erect, eyes alert, he waited for his cues.
The judge looked impressed from the beginning. Duo bore his inquisitive hands with patience, keeping his eyes on Heero. It was easier this way, made him less likely to tense up. He didn't want to be considered high-strung. Then the judge made his gesture, and Heero just started walking. Duo trotted beside him, intentionally lengthening his stride. And they were perfect.
And they won.
-
"Next up is number 21," the commentator said over the announcing system. "This young man, folks, is the wild card tonight. Heero Yuy and his German Shepherd, Duo, have never before entered any kind of show. They took best in breed—I've never seen a judge make a decision so fast. He didn't even hesitate. I may not know a lot about dogs like they do, but even I can see this is a fantastic specimen of his breed."
Heero had to fight to keep the smirk off his face. Their win of best in breed had tremendously bolstered Duo's confidence. His companion strode through his paces like he was born to do this. To Heero, he was just showing off. He could see the impression Duo made in the judge's eye.
At the end, the judge had them all line up. He looked over all of them, pacing a little. Heero saw the way his eyes lingered over Duo. First he pointed to the Bearded Collie. Next came the Belgian Sheepdog. Then the Border Collie, then Heero and Duo. The audience appreciated this pick. Last came Canaan Dog.
"Let's see if they'll be in that order," the commentator said.
The rest of the dogs left, and the judge had everyone walk their dogs around the show ring one more time. Duo never took his eyes off Heero, his pretty face keen and bright. Heero wanted to drop to his knees and hug him tightly.
The judge looked over them all one last time, but Heero got the feeling he was just stalling. Finally he pointed to Heero. The audience applauded warmly, and Duo jumped up on his guardian. Laughing, Heero threw his arms around him.
"And it's the German Shepherd!" the commentator exclaimed. "Folks, that really makes me happy. I love to see the unexpected happen. I have never seen a rookie take the lead so strongly. What a gorgeous dog."
Which left only the best in show award. Heero led Duo to the bleachers again, sitting him down and brushing him more to soothe them both than because he actually needed it. Then he got up and led him back to the show ring. Herding was the last class to show, and now it was time for the real test.
This time the judge was a woman. She had a sternness about her, but Heero didn't let that put him off. Of the eight dogs left, he knew Duo was the best. Therefore it was inevitable that he win.
And it was, too.
-
Later, sitting in the den on the couch with Duo nestled against him, Heero smiled down at his companion. He wondered why he'd never noticed before that when Duo was in this form he never wore clothes. Not that he minded, but it was a little . . . distracting.
"You're a very good boy, my pet," he murmured, stroking Duo's silken auburn hair. "You won that so easily. Look at you."
Duo, who had not taken his eyes off Heero since they laid down like this, smiled brightly, his eyes drooping a little. Heero knew he loved the attention his guardian constantly showered on him.
"Mm. It was fun showing you off," he said, rubbing his nose against Heero's neck.
Heero chuckled. "It's cute that you do that, love," he said. "Do you want to go somewhere?"
Duo shook his head. "No. But you can spend the rest of the day kissing me if you want."
Heero felt himself tightening in places that didn't need that kind of stimulation. "Duo . . ."
Duo shifted between Heero's legs, making Heero hiss. "Please?" he begged, sitting up and nibbling on Heero's neck. "Please, Heero? I was so good, don't I deserve a reward?"
Grabbing his chin, Heero made him look up. "What happened to letting me set the pace?" he demanded, looking into those violet eyes.
"Maybe your pace is too slow," Duo said, a hint of whine in his voice. Twisting just a little he licked Heero's hand.
Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Heero leaned down and captured his lips in a sweet kiss. Duo moaned softly and pressed closer, mouth already open and begging. He swept his tongue across Duo's, making his companion's body start trembling.
And suddenly Duo's calm demeanor vanished. With a deep groan he pressed closer, his hands fast and insistent as he tugged at Heero's shirt, pulling it open. He plunged his hands inside the opened space, running them all over naked skin, doing his best to shove his tongue down Heero's throat.
Heero wrenched his mouth away. "Duo," he gasped, "stop it—"
"Don't make me," Duo mumbled into his skin, panting, nipping at Heero's throat. "I want . . . something, please Heero, I . . ."
God it was hard to concentrate with that sinfully delicious little mouth on him. "Duo," he managed to get out between short breaths, "you're . . . not ready for this . . ."
"Yes I am," Duo panted, biting Heero so hard his teeth broke skin.
Heero hissed, feeling his self-control breaking down piece by piece. Whether by design or not, Duo's knee was between his thighs, rubbing against him with every move the boy made—
Someone rang the doorbell. Both of them jumped, Duo actually falling onto the floor. In the next instant he was in his other form, snarling and hackles raised. It dispelled the awkwardness like a charm. Heero couldn't help himself and laughed.
"Don't be angry at them," he said, not sure whether to be relieved or ticked off himself.
Duo followed him to the door, still looking somewhat . . . temperamental. Grabbing the knob he pulled it open. Quatre stood there with Anubis, his enormous black Great Dane. Heero blinked.
"Quatre," he said by way of greeting.
"Hi Heero!" Quatre replied, smiling brightly. "I just wanted to congratulate you and Duo, I heard about the win. Such a great dog, taking best in everything! Best in show, even! You've already got the attention and curiosity of breeders all over the city and state. They want to know where you got him, and how you trained him so well." He chuckled warmly. "I bet they would never believe you and Duo trained for about four weeks."
"Come in," Heero invited, holding the door open. "Want a drink or something?"
"Sure!" Quatre said, smile returning. "Mind if Anubis comes in, too?"
Heero shrugged. "Why not. Where's the other two beasts?"
Quatre's lips twitched. "Trowa has them, actually. His dog, Darkstorm, is great friends with them. He and I are going to Alaska for a few weeks, and those three are coming with us. Anubis has to stay here, poor boy. Catherine already offered to take him in until we get back. I don't think he would enjoy Alaska."
Heero led Quatre into the den with a couple bottles of beer. He watched with much amusement as Anubis followed Duo around, trying to give him affection. Duo looked harried and annoyed. When Heero sat down on the couch, he jumped up on it and plopped himself down right on his guardian's lap.
Chuckling, Heero let him stay there, stroking his face. Quatre laughed.
"What's the matter, Duo?" he teased. "Don't like Anubis slobbering on you?"
"It's funny how he took such a shine to Duo," Heero mused. "Does Anubis do that frequently?"
Quatre snorted. "He's the undeclared father of my little pack," he answered. "He fusses over Twister and Rand until he drives them nuts."
Heero pictured the Kuvasz, Tibetan Mastiff, and Bernese Mountain Dog. They were all thick-furred dogs who would probably enjoy Alaska very much. "He won't know what to do with himself when they're gone," he said with a little grin.
"Oh, Catherine has a lot of dogs he can mother," Quatre said, scratching the Great Dane behind the ears.
Heero wondered absently if Duo would like Alaska. "Maybe I should take a vacation," he said. "I would prefer a tropical retreat, not a sub-arctic one."
Anubis laid down at Quatre's feet, and the young vet put his feet on him like a stool. "Well, we both want to see Alaska. We want to see one of the races, you know? Maybe the Iditarod someday."
"That would be fun," Heero said, only remotely thinking so. Mostly he was considering where he could take Duo. Maybe a cruise on the Caribbean? Or maybe somewhere in Europe. "I'm glad you came. You're getting my mind working again. There are a lot of places I would like to go, that Duo would immensely enjoy."
His mind went in different directions while Quatre rambled pleasantly about Alaska and what he and his boyfriend planned. For starters, how would Duo travel? He could either create a false identity for him (that would be easy enough). Or he could just take a ship or something. That might be easier, if Duo was still a dog. Less work. At the very least it was something to consider.
It was a few hours before Quatre and Anubis left. As soon as Heero closed the door behind them Duo changed back into his boy form and stormed away from Heero, slamming the bedroom door upstairs. Heero sighed. After a second of deliberation he followed him upstairs.
"Duo?" he called gently, knocking on the door before opening it.
His companion was sprawled on the bed, the bed sheet over his lower body. His face was buried in the pillows. Reaching out, Heero lightly touched his arm, but Duo jerked away.
"You lied to me," he snapped, voice muffled. "I don't want to talk to you right now."
Heero blinked. "What? I didn't lie to you—I would never—"
Duo sat up so abruptly it startled Heero back. His eyes were flashing. "You said you loved me. Why do you keep pushing me away? Am I just an amusement to you? Your pet? Your possession?"
Reeling with every word, Heero sat down hard on the far edge of the bed. "Of course not," he said quietly. "Duo, I never . . . that is the last thing I would lie to you about. I love you more than anything. It's because of that I keep hesitating."
Duo slammed his hand down on the bed. "That doesn't make any sense!" he snarled, grabbing a pillow and throwing it as hard as he could.
Heero blocked it with ease. "Duo—"
Tears gathered in Duo's brilliant eyes. "There's something wrong with me, isn't there? I'm the only one who feels so confused and stupid. I never should have shown you that I can change. It would have been easier if it was like before, then I—"
Heero didn't let him finish. Grabbing his slim, pale arms he jerked Duo close, enfolding him in a tight embrace. "That's not true, my love," he whispered, kissing Duo's forehead. "You're not stupid. Just innocent. Duo, you have no idea what you're asking of me. That innocence keeps getting in the way. I can't . . . I won't take advantage of you."
He could hear Duo softly crying. "You won't . . . you aren't . . . Heero, I . . . I want you. I don't even know what I want. I just want . . . closer, somehow. I want to be closer to you."
Duo felt so tiny and fragile in his arms at that moment. Heero felt his heart would break. "All right," he murmured, brushing hair off Duo's tear-stained face. "I'll tell you about it. I'll tell you what it is you're desiring and give you some time to think about it. If you decide it's what you want, we'll go from there. All right?"
Sniffling, Duo nodded, and gradually his sobs subsided and he stilled. He made no move to climb out of Heero's arms, and that was fine. He wasn't ready to let go of his little love, yet.
"I'm ready," Duo said, voice sounding a little raspy.
Taking a deep breath, Heero gazed out the window for a time. "Right now you're my best friend. What you want is to become my lover. You don't know what that would entail. Let me tell you."
I'm terribly sorry this took so long to update . . . I will be better in the future!