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: This one's going up FAST! No month-long gaps! YAYY!!!

Heero: Baka.

Best In the World

"Our last group tonight will be Herding," the commentator said, "and we have a special highlight for you, folks. You may remember the very public trial three weeks ago that determined the permanent ownership of Duo, the German Shepherd who will be competing as best in breed for the Herding class. Heero Yuy, his owner/handler, fought against the original owners who bought Duo from the breeder Lucrezia Noin. She's a big name in the AKC breeding ring for those of you folks who don't know, and she's just as happy as the rest of us."

"I found Duo when he was still just a puppy," Heero told the interviewer in a quiet room away from the noise. "He was brought to a small animal shelter where I was looking to adopt a dog. As soon as I saw him I knew I wanted to bring him home with me."

"I've been going around asking random members of the audience tonight," the commentator said, "who is their first choice to win. Now, usually these events sport folks genuinely interesting in showing, breeding, or judging. Tonight, there are just people who came to see the young man with the German Shepherd win best in show."

"We'd really like to see Heero Yuy and Duo win," said three girls with big smiles.

"I've been following the progress of Duo, the German Shepherd," said a long-time dog-show-lover. "I love to see the underdog win, and tonight I'm really rooting for him. He deserves it."

"Every single person I have talked to here tonight says the same," the commentator said into the camera. "These people have all heard the story of how that young man saved that dog's life and won a wonderful, lifelong companion from it."

"It was hard for us in the beginning," Heero went on to the interviewer. "Duo wasn't willing to trust me. But I wasn't willing to give up on him. I knew he'd been abused, so I was always very careful never to do anything that may be seen as threatening or frightening. In the end, my perseverance won. We can't live without each other." He grinned crookedly.

"The audience here was very excited when Duo won best in breed," the commentator went on. "I've been saying from the beginning Duo is so smart he has an unfair advantage in the ring."

"Duo's just incredible," Heero said, smiling softly. "Everything about him is different and . . . better. He's truly the best companion I could have asked for."

"Folks, I have Chandra McCormack here with me right now," the commentator said to the camera, "the judge in the German Shepherd breed ring. She chose Duo as best in breed, you may recall. Now, what made you choose Duo, Miss McCormack?"

The woman raised an eyebrow. "You saw him out there," she replied. "How could I not have chosen him? He's an amazing dog. Keen, alert, intelligent . . . it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Heero told me he can literally understand everything the boy says. They make a dynamite team. And Duo never takes his eyes off Heero. It's just incredible to watch. Most handlers need treats or toys to make their dogs focus. Not Heero. As far as I can see, he doesn't even give Duo hand-signs."

"It was two months before Duo could move around without pain," Heero continued. "I hated to see him like that. I found it really hard to believe anyone could be so abjectly cruel to an animal. There were many, many times I thought he would just die during the night. But he's a fighter, my Duo. He survived to reap the benefits of living as my companion." His grin widened.

"I'd really love to see Heero and Duo win," said an older couple. "That poor dog went through hell, and it would be the perfect end to a wonderful story if they could take this championship home."

"Everyone says I saved Duo's life," Heero said, shrugging. "That may be true. But he really saved mine. I didn't have a life before him." He snorted. "I still don't. He runs it, now."

-

The atmosphere in the cavernous room was so tense Duo could taste it and smell it. Sitting quietly at Heero's feet, he let his eyes scan somewhat blankly over the gathered crowd. Normally he divided his attention between Heero and the other dogs in the Herding ring, but tonight he was having a hard time focusing. Heero had promised to take him on a vacation after this. He didn't know where they were going, but Trowa and Quatre were coming along too. He knew they were both in the crowd tonight.

Heero's warm hand fell lightly on his head, stroking softly. Sighing, he looked up, pushing his nose in Heero's hand. Heero gave him a warm smile, rubbing fingers across his muzzle.

Almost done, he mouthed.

Duo sighed again, returning his attention to the ring. He wasn't exactly bored, but he was . . . tired. He wanted to go away to a place where he didn't have to do anything. Anything at all. Where he could just relax and enjoy Heero's nearness and love. A very large part of him was sure he was ready for . . . the physical intimacy Heero had described to him.

"Even if Lana and Nate get out of jail," Heero had told him, "I made sure they will pay for the rest of their lives for what they did to you, my pet. I've taken everything from them. They're penniless, and none of Nate's aliases exist anymore. Their lives will be a living hell from now on."

Duo didn't really know what that meant, but the closure it gave him was tremendous. He was safe, and once again it was Heero that had made sure of that. I love him. I couldn't have made it without him.

And that's why he intended to win tonight. For Heero. The title of AKC National Champion meant nothing to him. But it did to Heero, and that's all that mattered to him.

The Old English Sheepdog in front of them finished his run, and Heero stepped to the fore. The hush that fell over the audience felt heavy. Today Heero had taken a chance. Duo stepped up to the line wearing only his collar—no leash. The silver glinted in the bright lights of the ring.

Heero stopped in his traditional position, and as usual Duo kept his eyes riveted on his master. As usual Heero kept his hands open and at his sides—proving without words or actions that no dog in this ring was superior to Duo, because he didn't need to be made to mind.

The judge was a woman, again. Duo, who had watched her with the other dogs, noticed the way she lingered over him. The way her hands stroked his fur instead of just examining. She actually cupped his muzzle briefly and murmured under her breath—no one else could have even heard—

"Wonderful dog."

She motioned to Heero to walk the ring. Duo paced gracefully around Heero without any visible or audible command from his master, and the pair walked to the end of the line. Duo milked the audience for all they were worth—and they loved it. He could see the worry and resignation on the other owner/handlers present. They could see their inevitable defeat.

So could Duo.

They took best in class. And against the finest dogs in the world, Duo took Best in Show to win the American Kennel Club National Championship.

-

"Heero?"

"Hmm?"

Lying on his stomach on top of Heero, Duo raised his head to peer into those wonderful cobalt eyes that would always tell him exactly what he needed to know.

"Would you have been disappointed if I lost?"

Heero's lips quirked into a soft smile. "No, love. I don't care if you're not 'Best in Show.' You're already 'Best in World' to me."

That impressively warm feeling he now knew as a mixture of happiness and love filled Duo's heart. Turning his head, he laid his cheek against the smooth, bare skin of Heero's chest. "I love you, Heero," he whispered. "I'm so glad you found me."

"So am I, my love," Heero murmured, pressing a kiss to Duo's forehead.

Burying his nose in Heero's neck, Duo inhaled the wonderful, warm scent that was intrinsically Heero. "Are you going to tell me where we're going tomorrow?"

"It was Trowa's idea, actually," Heero said. His tone sounded content and lazy. "We're going to Hawaii. Quatre's always wanted to go to Hawaii."

"Oh. What's it like there?"

"Tropical, warm, beautiful. There's something I wanted to ask you, my pet. Would you be comfortable sharing your secret with them? That way you could enjoy the sun in a human body instead of a canine one. It will be cooler, that way."

Once, that suggestion would have frozen Duo with fear. But the cocoon of safety in which Heero constantly enveloped him was finally a permanent thing. Heero would not be suggesting this if he did not trust Quatre and Trowa implicitly. In fact, he didn't even feel a tiny bit anxious. He just nodded, enjoying the feel of the smooth skin beneath his cheek.

"Okay."

"You're very relaxed tonight, my love," Heero remarked, his hands stroking up Duo's bare arms.

"I trust you," Duo offered by way of explanation. "You've always known what's best for me. I don't think that will change."

Heero chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through Duo. "That's because I watch you all the time. I want always to make you happy. In whatever capacity I can."

Duo smiled faintly. "I love you," he whispered again. He turned just enough to lightly nip the skin beneath his lips.

He heard the soft intake of air, felt the slight jump in pulse, and smelled the sudden warmth in Heero's scent. These were all things he was familiar with by now. He recognized them and knew he was the cause. It was a somewhat heady feeling.

"I love you, too," Heero said softly. "What is it, Duo? You're acting . . ."

Duo slowly sat up. "I know. It's because of them. When I thought I might have to face leaving you, I was so scared, Heero . . ."

Reaching up, Heero caressed his cheek. "That would not have happened, my pet. Trust me, there is no law in this universe that could have separated us. I would never, ever have allowed that."

Duo nodded against his warm—almost hot—hand. "I know that now, Heero. For some reason, I'm just not scared anymore. Of . . . anything. I don't know if I really want to live anymore as . . . a dog. I . . . I want to be your lover, Heero. Because this feeling . . . it's not what I used to feel when you were just my guardian. Now . . . I want more. Closer, but deeper, too. Does any of that make sense? I don't know if I can explain—"

Heero laid a finger across his lips. "It makes sense. You don't have to explain anything." Cupping Duo's chin in his hand, he gently tugged him down to softly kiss him.

Duo instantly gave in to the sweet temptation. There was something different in him, now. A different feeling, one that was both a little frightening and strangely exhilarating. It was an acceptance, a willingness, a readiness, and an eagerness all rolled into one. It was different from all the times before because the anxiety was gone. He was no longer nervous. Just . . . anxious. An antsy sort of feeling that came from having never experienced this sort of closeness before.

Heero's hands feathered down his sides, almost ticklish, as he broke the kiss. "Do you trust me, Duo?" he whispered.

From his position straddling Heero's waist, Duo nodded.

"Good. Because I think you're ready."

-

Skin, heat, pressure. It seemed to Duo that Heero knew exactly where to touch Duo to cause the most pleasure, and every one of his touches caused intense sensation. Feelings he could neither define nor describe.

"Does that feel good, love?" Heero murmured in his ear every time his fingers or lips began something new.

And every time Duo nodded, panting for breath, unable to form an intelligible reply.

Heero's fingers mapped the surface of his skin, his lips worshipped every pale expanse. Warmth spread over Duo like a rising and cresting wave, flushing his skin with dusty pink. He felt cherished, loved, adored, and so safe like this. Each of Heero's caresses were slow and gentle, as if to constantly reassure Duo and let him decide whether he truly wanted this or not.

And he did. He arched up into every touch, wordlessly begging for more. He accepted countless kisses, and his eyes remained closed until Heero stroked his cheek and whispered,

"Duo, open your eyes, love. Look at me."

Indigo met cobalt, locked and understood all that passed between the two in an instant, powerful glance. Heero smiled, his lips forming three words:

"I love you."

And he joined them in the most intimate way imaginable, connecting their physical bodies to attain the deeper bond that Duo had been craving.

I love this story.

I love all of you for sticking with me so far.

Ah . . . so full of love.

Heero: Baka.

Hey, you want me to stick Relena on you??

Heero: (sweatdrops) . . .

HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!! Thanks to Zephyr, I know have an infallible way of defeating you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heero: (GUN)

(runs away screaming)