Warnings: 1x2x1 -- although most of the lemons written are 2x1, 6+1, 3+4, Other Pairings. Lemon, Violence, Language, Angst, Minor Death (OC), Attempted NCS, AU.

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters but the storyline is entirely ours.

Description: AU/Fantasy/Romance.

Summary: Having known nothing else but the celestial world of Angels, Heero is whisked away on the day of his wedding ceremony by another male -- who is anything but an Angel. Taken, Heero is told that everything he knew up to now is a lie... and learns that his destiny perhaps lay elsewhere....

Notes: Story notes at end (bottom).

Sighing he turned away from the mirror and sat on his cot, bending to pull on his snowy white boots. There was no point in not being prepared for when they came for him after all.

A knock at the door heralded the beginning of the long ceremony ahead of him and he finished fastening the last gold button on his tunic. Again he paused to look in the mirror, giving one last attempt to tame his rebellious brown hair. It wasn't as if he cared what he looked like, but he knew that they would ask if he had at least tried to look presentable, and this way he would be able to say that he had. It only took him a moment to open the door, and he didn't even bother to look at whoever it was that had knocked. They were all the same today, more guards than companions, and certainly not a family.

An unfamiliar deep voice asked him, "Do you come of your own free will?"

He didn't pause, there was no more time for daydreams; it was his birthday. His wedding day, and the freedom to play wishing games with himself was gone. "I do."

The irony of those words didn't escape him, and a tiny hint of an unhappy smile touched his lips before he let it fade into emotionless calm again.

A very impish grin spread across the face before him as his escort reached out to grasp him around the upper arm -- and the world twisted around them.

He was shocked when the man touched him. No one had actually touched him in... more years than he could remember, if they ever had. Automatically he tried to pull away and simply ended up dizzy when the familiar austere halls of the heavenly palace gave way to something completely different. He fell to one knee, his arm still held by the man who was supposed to escort him to his wedding, and frowned in confusion.

This was... strange. Not like any place he had ever been. Instead of bright pure light and plain white stone walls and wooden furniture he was in a room decorated with dark, soft looking fabrics and lit only by candles and lamps. Instead of the usual gold or silver the metal was black and rough-looking, and twisted into intricate knots and whorls. While the room wasn't overly cluttered, the sheer newness of it all made him want to retreat, and he pushed himself to his feet quickly, trying to free his arm. "Where are we? I'm supposed to be in the grand hall shortly, the ceremonies can't start without me."

"Do you really want to be at that ceremony?" the man asked earnestly. There was something in his eyes that said he already knew the answer.

Finally pulling his arm free, he covered the spot that the strange man had been holding him as if that would make the disconcerting sensation of someone else's touch go away. Finally he looked at the fellow for the first time, and was surprised at what he saw. Angels were beautiful, all of them were, and so the fact that this man was as well was hardly worth noting; except for the -way- he was beautiful. There was none of the cool, distance in his face; he seemed warm -- animated and alive. Covering his shock at the man's appearance he answered with a confused frown, "Why would you ask that? It doesn't matter what I want. It's my duty. Is this a test?"

He didn't understand, he'd been drilled from birth on how to overcome his base nature and come as close to celestial purity as possible for a lesser being such as himself. He'd stopped admitting to wanting things for himself a long, long time ago; were they trying to determine if he was still pure enough for the archangel he was to marry?

"No test," the man assured him, crossing the room to flounce into a deeply cushioned chair. "No test at all; just an honest question. I want to give you what you want," he finished softly, a hint of rose crossing his cheeks -- whether it was a blush or an illusion caused by the lighting couldn't exactly be determined.

That... went completely against everything he'd been taught and for a moment he was even more confused than before. Then he realized something and narrowed his eyes, "Who are you?"

"Duo."

"That doesn't tell me anything. You aren't a celestial. What are you, and why have you taken me?" He edged back away from Duo, wary.

"No, I'm not a celestial. Didn't take you long to figure that out. And here I thought my acting skills had improved," Duo pouted slightly before smiling. "Does it really matter who or what I am? I want you to be happy and I'm asking now if going through with that ceremony is what you want."

"Celestials don't 'just ask an honest question.' All of their questions are inherently honest, they've no need to reassure me of the fact. And you aren't cold enough to be a celestial. Yes, it matters. My happiness is of no concern if it interferes with my duties, and anyone who would imply otherwise may well be an enemy." Strangely he didn't want to think of Duo as an enemy, perhaps it was because Duo hadn't hesitated to touch him, or because he cared whether or not he was happy.

"They've really pounded the self-sacrifice thing into your head, haven't they?"

He wasn't supposed to get angry, strong emotion of any sort, aside from a general love of your fellow living creatures of course, was temptation. Still, a touch of heat entered his voice, "Self-sacrifice is the greatest and most noble of actions, I'm honored to have anything to give." And it was -all- that he had. If there was no virtue in giving up your own wants and needs for others, his entire life was meaningless, and he couldn't accept that. "Take me back, I can't keep them waiting."

"No."

His initial reaction was the wrong one and he was ashamed that it even entered his mind. Perhaps he was not as disciplined as he had thought. Stopping before his angry words left his mouth he took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Please. I must return. The ceremony is important and it cannot go on unless I am there."

"Important? To who? You personally, the celestials in general? Or maybe they told you the fate of mankind depended on you being a good little boy and becoming their obedient slave? Which was it?" Duo's questions held a mocking edge as he looked him steadily in the eye.

"To the celestials. To anyone who values order over chaos. It isn't slavery to do what you must to protect the helpless." He couldn't stay in this strange room any longer, his temper, one of his chief flaws, was getting the better of him. Backing up so he could see the whole room without losing sight of Duo he tried to locate another exit, any way out at all.

Throwing one leg over the side of the chair, Duo slouched down comfortably. "Can I ask you a few things? I know you're in a hurry to go but, well, I'm not quite ready to let you go." He waved a hand towards the chair across from him and quirked a half-smile, "Call me crazy, pretty much everyone does anyway. But I really want to make sure you know what you're doing before I return you." Even as he spoke the words, a sorrowful light could be seen entering his violet eyes -- much as he wanted to keep him he would eventually return him to the heavens if that was what he wanted... and could manage to convince Duo of that of course.

He didn't even glance at the chair; he was too busy looking for an exit he -knew- had to be there somewhere. It had to! Never mind that there were no doors or windows that he could see. Impatient, and a little afraid, he looked back at Duo, his tone sharp rather than calm, "I know what I'm doing. I'm getting married, on my birthday, just as I've been told I would do since I was old enough to understand. Now take me back!"

Ignoring the irate tone, Duo pushed forward, "Told you would do huh? So you were never asked? Never contemplated something different?"

"It was not my place to decide. I'm a lesser being, the celestials know better than I what is needed. It doesn't matter what I want." He was getting more and more frustrated, it always came back to self-sacrifice, his sole reason for existing, and he didn't see why it was so hard to understand.

For the first time true anger sparked in Duo's eyes, "And who exactly told you that you're a lesser being?"

That stopped him, in confusion, "Everyone. It's self evident. I am human, a lesser race than celestials, thus I am a lesser being."

"Where are you getting the idea that humans are a lesser race? Please tell me that those self-righteous purists haven't let their arrogance grow to the point where they believe they're better than their own creators."

All of his anger was gone, replaced by confusion, and he looked at Duo as if he really were insane, "Celestials were born of the Creator, and after them humans were made to give the celestial's creatures of their own to govern."

"You're right up to a point," Duo informed him calmly. "Celestials did come from the Creator -- if by Creator you're referring to Sally. But she also created demons and humans -- and humans were the firstborn."

In spite of himself he had to sit down, and if the glaring white of his clothes wasn't there to remind him he would have forgotten he was supposed to be standing in the temple getting married. "The Creator is male, and he created celestials, then humans, and demons were born of human sins."

Duo shook his head sadly before replying with a snort, "They really have gotten full of themselves. The Creator, as she's often called -- just don't ever call her that to her face, she hates the title. Anyway, the Creator is female. You don't exactly see males going around giving birth now, do you? And she created humans first and both celestials and demons were born of human dreams."

"That's insane." If what Duo was saying was true, everything he had lived his life for was wrong. The very idea made his heart stutter in his chest and he pushed himself to his feet again. "I told you I'm sure of what I'm doing. Now take me back." The thought of going through the ceremony made his voice hollow, but he was past caring. He just wanted it over with.

"Would you like me to prove it? I can if you like, although I'd rather not go through that amount of effort when I would prefer to be spending my energy on something else."

He spun on his heel, making a sharp cutting gesture with his hand, "Stop it! Why are you doing this to me?!"

"Because you're not happy and I want you to be," Duo stated bluntly.

"Why?" The question was just as blunt, and perhaps a little desperate. He didn't understand all of this, and as much as the idea of returning to the temple in time for the wedding made him feel sick, he wanted to go back to where things made sense.

"I kinda like things when everyone's happy," Duo tried to shrug off the question, but then grew serious. "You... are special. I've watched you grow up Heero," he confessed with a touch of embarrassment. "At first I only watched because I wanted to know what the angels were doing; it's not every day that they kidnap a human child after all. But then... you..." he sighed heavily. "I love you. I want you to be happy."

"I'm not..." He took a step back, and another, "They didn't kidnap me, my parents..." He didn't realize how far he'd moved back until he hit the wall, and then he just slid down it slowly to sit on the floor, his knees drawn up in front of him protectively, "No one loves me." The denial was so softly forlorn that it almost sounded like he wanted it that way.

"Well, I do." Duo appeared suddenly on the floor next to Heero and hesitantly wrapped his arms around the dejected figure.

Heero practically jerked away, his dark blue eyes focusing on Duo in confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Hugging you, it'll make you feel better."

For a long frozen moment he just looked at Duo, trying to understand what was happening, and why, but it was too much and he desperately wanted... Something. Something he couldn't name, and couldn't remember and needed so much it hurt. Slowly he nodded, just a little, giving Duo permission to hug him. He didn't know how it would help, but he was willing to try.

Duo's arms went around him immediately, tugging Heero into his side as his hands began a soothing rub along Heero's arms and back.

It was disconcerting, to feel someone touching him so much, and without any reservation at all, but... it also felt good, and Heero slowly relaxed in Duo's arms. It was warm, and somehow safe, and eventually when his heart had slowed somewhat, he asked, quietly, "How did you know I didn't..." He paused, and had to force out the rest, in an effort that made his heart pound again, "Didn't want to get married?"

"Because you never said you did. For all the things you've said and all the questions you answered, you never once said you wanted to get married. You never even said you wanted to fulfill your duty. Even after everything they put you through you couldn't honestly say that you wanted this day to come. And if they cared at all, had been paying the least bit of attention..." Duo cut himself off before completing his sentence but the thought hung between them anyway.

"It doesn't matter." He edged away awkwardly and got up, automatically brushing off his clothes, lest dirt mar their pure white. "Duty is all I have. I need to go back."

"It's not all you have. You could stay with me," Duo offered. "You don't have to go back; you have no obligation to them -- especially when so..."

Heero started to reply then narrowed his eyes when Duo stopped so abruptly, "Especially when what?"

"When so much of what they've taught you is lies. Are you sure you can trust them? Even if you're completely determined to fulfill your duty to mankind -- are you sure what they have planned is in humanity's best interests?"

"I have more reason to trust them than I do you. I don't even know who you are, but they raised me."

Duo's head thumped against the wall as he threw it back in dejection. The only word he spoke was, "True."

Heero didn't know what to make of Duo's obvious unhappiness, it didn't fit with his theory that Duo was a demon who was trying to turn him against the angels. Abruptly, not even knowing why he said it, he demanded, "So tell me. Who are you?"

"Duo," he answered simply. "Death and dreams, two in one, one and the same."

There was a long moment while Heero looked at Duo and tried to figure out what that meant. Finally his face cleared and he backed up a step, his very posture rigid and cold, "Death and dreams. A demon. Send me back before they come looking for you."

"I'm not a demon."

"Take. Me. BACK." Heero wasn't afraid. He probably should have been, but his outrage at the hope that he had allowed a -demon- to plant in his heart was too strong to allow fear. Surely now he was tainted, the careful purity of his entire life undone by one supposedly innocent embrace, but he owed it to the celestials to at least try and overcome that mortal flaw.

"NO. You already told me that that isn't what you want and I refuse to let you be unhappy for the rest of your life... even if it means you hate me," Duo's determination was clear in the firm set of his jaw and the stubborn light in his eyes. No matter how much the thought of the man before him hating him hurt, he would not allow him to continue being unhappy.

"I do want it! I am nothing if I do not fulfill my duty." A lie. Another corruption. Would they even want him back now? It didn't matter; he couldn't stay here, not with a demon. "How can you claim to love me if you don't even know that?"

"You don't want it though. You've spent years wishing there was something else but you gave up that hope when they finally convinced you that your duty is everything. You're more than that though! How can I claim to love you if I allow you to continue living a lie? Or be so unhappy? Or let you sacrifice yourself? How can I claim to love you if I let you go on thinking that the only reason you're alive is to fulfill some duty?"

"What other reason IS there?! You don't know me. We never even met before today! Send me back!" It didn't mean anything that Duo was right. Demons mixed the truth with their lies sometimes, to make them more believable. And there was no point in trying to figure out how he knew; it was probably a guess, knowing how weak humans could be when it came to self sacrifice Duo could just assume that Heero's shame had lasted so long.

"There's a lot of reasons to live and it's up to you to choose which one you want. I will not send you back," he answered solemnly, his eyes filled with pain at his next words. "Hate me all you want. But I will do everything in my power to make you happy. To make you live instead of merely existing as you have been."

His dangerous temper finally snapped and Heero didn't even think to stop himself as he grabbed a handful of cloth at Duo's chest and shook him a little, snarling, "Stop LYING to me! You have me captive for now; you could at least tell me the truth of why I'm here."

Duo's answering calm was complete and unyielding, his entire being focused on convincing Heero. "I have not nor will I ever lie to you. You may not believe me but I will only ever speak truth -- at least to you. I brought you here because I want you to be happy. I love you. I am not a demon. I am death and dreams."

His anger was starting to crumble under the weight of despair, confusion and loss, but he managed to demand, "And taking me away from my destiny, the only thing I have, is supposed to make me happy?!"

What frightened him was not the possibility that Duo was lying, but that he was telling the truth. Heero had lived his entire life surrounded by purity and order, and if Duo was being honest, he'd lost that life for good. It didn't matter that he hadn't wanted it, it was all he knew and he'd given up everything he had for it.

"Who said marrying some archangel is your destiny? All I took you away from was an unhappy cesspool of lies; giving you the freedom to choose. I'm sure it's terrifying but you can't tell me that there's absolutely no relief at all that you got away."

Heero dropped his hand from Duo's clothes, looking at it for a second as if he wasn't sure what he'd been doing, and took a step back. "Then let me go. If I have the freedom to choose then you'll let me leave now."

He wanted to be away from this strange place, back where he at least knew he was safe, but he was also deathly afraid that Duo's words would be proven true if he returned to the celestials.

"Can you promise me you won't run back to them?" Duo stepped forward to bring them back together, not wanting to let Heero run from the truth.

He stood his ground, but didn't answer; his silence as much of a reply as words would have been.

Painful, pleading eyes locked with Heero's, a thin whisper reaching his ears, "Do you really hate the idea of staying with me so much?"

That... vulnerability threw him completely off guard and Heero took an instinctive half step forward to comfort Duo before he caught himself. "I... I don't know you. Even if you are telling the truth," he paused a moment, overwhelmed by what that would mean before he forced himself to stop thinking about that possibility. "Even if you aren't a demon, I couldn't stay here."

"Oh." Duo turned away with a heavy sigh, shoulders slumped. His steps slow, he walked across the room, a doorway opening in the wall as he drew near.

The dejection was the last thing Heero had expected, and for an instant there was a flicker of doubt in his heart as to whether or not Duo was telling the truth about caring for him. He shoved the doubt away brutally. Duo had admitted to being an agent of death, of course he was a demon, and demons couldn't know love.

Still, if Duo were evil, why was he going to such lengths when he could have taken whatever it was he wanted from Heero by now? And why would his instincts be telling him to stop the other man? Before Duo reached the door he found himself speaking without conscious intention, "What are you going to do with me?"

"Take you wherever you want to go I guess," Duo answered sadly. "Soon as you decide where that is anyway. I just refuse to let you go back when you've never been happy there."

That left him in no better place than before. Heero had no idea where to go, other than back to the heavens, and he was honest enough with himself to know that going out among other humans would be dangerous alone. He didn't know them, or their ways, save for knowing that they were a hopelessly flawed and cruel race that had been thoroughly corrupted by demons. "I don't understand. Why take me at all, if you are willing to let me go?" It was more a question for himself to answer, not Duo, but he murmured it aloud in any case, hoping subconsciously that Duo would give him an answer he could accept.

"I want you to be happy," Duo repeated himself for what felt like the millionth time. "You weren't happy in the heavens so I took you from there. I'd really like it if you could be happy with me but you're saying you can't stay with me so I'll let you go so you can find your happiness somewhere."

Just in case Duo was telling the truth, Heero had to know, and asked, "How do you know me enough to claim you love me?" It was the same question he had asked before, but now it was more confused, unhappy, than belligerent.

"I've watched you. Watched you grow up, watched you play and learn. I've watched as you've tried to please your guardians and kept to yourself. I've even watched your dreams," Duo admitted the last with a bit of ruefulness.

Heero wasn't sure if he should flush or go pale at the thought that someone had seen his dreams, and remembering some of them he felt sick, sitting down heavily. "Then I know you're lying. No one who has seen my dreams could love me."

"What's so wrong with your dreams? They're beautiful," Duo's confusion was apparent.

"They're... wrong. At the very least wrong, and selfish; and at their worst perverse and disgusting. There is nothing loveable about them, or me."

Duo spun around to finally face Heero again, shocked by what he was saying. "How are they wrong? And selfish? Everyone dreams about living their own life, even those uptight angels. Perverse? Disgusting?" Duo shook his head with a roll of his eyes, "What exactly have they been teaching you? Sex is part of life; there is nothing perverse or disgusting about it."

"I'm supposed to be pure, as untainted by human weakness and flaws as possible so I make a worthy partner to the archangel." He was obviously repeating what he'd been told, and the depths of his despair and hopelessness were only hinted at.

"How does that make you unworthy? Archangels have the same dreams you know."

It was Heero's turn to stare at Duo in shock, "What?" He couldn't get his head around the idea that angels would want something so... human.

"They're a natural part of living. Every living creature in existence has dreams or urges along those lines and that includes angels," Duo informed him.

"Celestials don't reproduce, they're all male -- there is no reason for them to have that sort of desire." Heero was disturbed, on some level, at how easily he had adjusted to the situation, and how easily he could talk to this stranger.

"First of all, they don't reproduce because they exiled all their females in the name of retaining their supposed purity. Secondly, what does it matter if they're all male? They can still have sexual urges for each other. You were meant to be wed today, correct? You really thought that meant just a ceremony?" Duo demanded incredulously.

His mouth opened and closed a few times while he tried to sort out that idea, and he protested rather weakly, "Of course, no Archangel would willingly taint themselves with a human, no matter how pure. They wouldn't even touch my clothes while I wore them."

"That may have been the intent but believe me when I tell you that your betrothed," Duo said the word with a great deal of loathing, "had quite different plans for when he had you behind closed doors."

Heero paled visibly at the very idea of it. He'd hardly known Zechs but he'd seemed very cold, almost to the point of cruelty. He hadn't wanted to be bound to the Archangel through ceremony, and he had -certainly- not wanted it physically either.

Duo's voice took on a wry note as he commented, "I see that you're not exactly enthused by the idea."

He only shook his head in answer, a hand pressed to his stomach as if that would suppress the nausea lurking there. Zechs had wanted.... No. He couldn't let himself listen to the lies. He had no proof of Duo's allegations aside from his own instinctive agreement, and that wasn't enough.

Duo seemed to sense his persisting disbelief because he inquired wearily, "What can I do to make you trust me?"

"Return me to the Heavens," Heero's answer was automatic, though he didn't particularly want to go.

"Do you truly want to go back?" Duo questioned softly.

Heero replied with the same thing he'd been told since he was taken from his human home, "What I want doesn't matter."

"Yes it does but that's beside the point because I didn't ask that, now, did I?" Duo huffed with a touch of exasperation.

The tone was so close to what his instructors used when he wasn't meeting their exacting standards that Heero answered the real question before he could censor himself, "No, I don't want to go back."

"Then why ask for it?" Duo cocked his head to the side in curiosity.

Heero wasn't stupid, he knew that Duo would protest his answer -- he'd given it before after all -- but he said it anyway, "It's my duty to marry today."

"The only duty you have is to live your life. Beyond that though," Duo's lips quirked in a tiny smirk, "You were to marry for the good of mankind, right? To help the celestials defeat their enemies? The second may be true although I'm not exactly sure how marrying a human is supposed to help the angels. But are you sure you're sacrificing yourself for the good of humanity? Even if you're sure you want to go through with this whole self-sacrifice duty thing, are you positive that you performing some ceremony is going to help them?"

"If I am going to believe any of what they told me, I have to believe it all, whether it is explained to me or not." He was being stubborn, trying hard not to let the worms of doubt burrow further into his mind.

Throwing his arms up in frustration, Duo whirled around and stalked through the doorway behind him with a bit of a growl.

Heero paused a moment in indecision and then followed Duo, stopping in the doorway, his hands clasped anxiously at his sides, "Did..." He stopped and took a breath, controlled when he spoke again, "You were curious why they took me... did you ever find out?"

Rolling onto his back to face Heero from where he'd flopped onto the bed, Duo's brow furrowed a little as he gave Heero an embarrassed smile, "I, uh, kinda forgot to find out. I got so wrapped up in watching you that I completely forgot to find out why they wanted you in the first place."

If it hadn't been so disappointing Heero might have been surprised, and a little flattered, at Duo's answer, but as it was he just nodded vaguely. He'd given the chamber a quick scan when he'd first stopped in the door and knew that there was no way out of it either, so he just turned away to stand uncomfortably in the first room alone. It hadn't been that long since he rested but he was exhausted, and as much as he hated to admit it to himself, he was frightened. Strangely, not of Duo, though he should have been. He was afraid of what would happen to him now, and found that his arms were folded tight against his chest in a protective manner.

"Heero?"

Startled to hear his name when he knew he hadn't given it, Heero realized that Duo had used it before and decided that it only made sense that Duo would know it, if he'd really been watching Heero so long. Dropping his arms to his sides, not willing to show weakness, he turned to look at Duo, finding him standing in the doorway in a mirror to Heero's stance just seconds before.

"You okay?" Duo queried timidly, voice thick with concern.

He had to be insane, that was the only reason Heero could come up with for Duo to ask a question like that. He didn't want to admit that he was NOT okay, but he didn't want to lie either, he'd already shown too many of his flaws in the short time he'd been away from the Heavens. Instead he answered shortly, "I'll live." Or... at least it was supposed to be short, it ended up more resigned, and perhaps a little horrified.

"Well that's good," Duo sarcastically muttered. "Come on, things'll be a little less overwhelming after a night's sleep... and food. You want to eat before or after you sleep? Or both?"

Heero started to say that he was fasting for the ceremony, but he was sure Duo would react badly to that and he just didn't feel it was worth the effort to deal with just yet. Maybe after he slept. "I doubt I will be any more comfortable with this later, but I would like some sleep."

"Alright then, sleep it is. Come on," Duo waved a hand back over his shoulder as he turned to step back into the bedroom."

Warily, Heero followed him, hoping that there was another, much plainer, chamber for him somewhere. He doubted very much he could sleep on a bed that... comfortable. And large; it took up at least three times the space his cot did.

"Lavatory's that way," Duo's pointed off to the right as they entered the bedroom. "Doorway will open when you walk close enough to it." He walked over to fall onto the bed, bouncing a little with a short chuckle. Stretching out to his body's fullest length, his clothes shifted and changed, flowing like water into a pair of dark loose pants.

Heero almost missed the shift of Duo's clothes, as he looked where Duo indicated, but he caught it out of the corner of his eye and turned to stare at Duo even more warily. Backing up a step, toward the other room, he asked, with soft control, "Where will I be sleeping?"

A soft thump answered him as Duo patted the bed beside him, "And don't even think of insulting me by suggesting that I'd do anything to take advantage of you."

The thought hadn't even occurred to Heero and for an instant he gave Duo a blank look before he realized what Duo meant. Flushing slightly he took another step back, "No, that's not what I meant. I can't sleep on that." He made a vague gesture toward the bed.

"Why not? It's comfy," Duo's confusion was almost comical as it twisted his features.

Heero nodded, before he realized that Duo wasn't answering his own question and honestly didn't understand. "I've never slept on something so... soft." He didn't think that was the right word for what he meant, but it would have to do.

"So how do you know that you can't sleep on it?"

A sigh of exasperation escaped him, "Because I've slept on the same cot for my entire life, I'm not used to comfort."

"But if you've never tried it how do you know that you can't sleep on it? For all you know, you'll lie down and be perfectly fine and out cold in 30 seconds," Duo argued back reasonably.

"Will you let me sleep on the floor without arguing if I can't?" Heero retorted.

"If that's what you want, although I'd really like it if you got to like being spoiled and comfortable. So I promise not to argue if you sleep on the floor if you're willing to try and get used to sleeping in a real bed... deal?" Duo hesitated a bit, thinking he might be getting a bit pushy with the expectation that Heero would be around long enough to even contemplate such a promise.

For a moment Heero didn't answer, since he was fairly sure he -wouldn't- be around long enough for the promise to matter -- at least, not if Duo was serious about letting him go once he figured out where he could go to. "For as long as I'm here."

"Alright then. Crawl in, try to get comfortable," Duo broke off to cover a yawn. "I'm going to sleep."

Heero hesitated again, but after a moment he knelt to take off his boots and started to undress, carefully laying out the hated white and gold wedding garb. He was, as always, meticulous -- folding and smoothing the fabric so it wouldn't wrinkle. It was habit as much as anything, a touch of normalcy in a life turned suddenly upside-down.

As he set his shirt on top of the tunic he said, softly, "They'll come for you, you must know that."

"If they've honestly forgotten who I am and come after me, I'll be more than willing to put them in their place," Duo grumbled, his voice laced with anger even in his half-asleep state.

For a moment Heero just watched Duo, uncertain what it meant that Duo would shrug off such a serious threat so easily. Eventually he realized that he was just putting off getting into the bed so he set his jaw and went to lie down stiffly, wearing only the snow white trousers that had been part of his suit. He knew immediately that he wouldn't be able to sleep. Duo was too close and the bed was too soft and he was surrounded by things that were beautiful, and completely alien to him.

"You're stiff as a board, what's wrong?"

It was as much a credit to his nature as his upbringing that his answer was honest, if not all encompassing, "I'm not used to a place like this. It's disorienting." Even his voice was uncomfortable.

"Ahh," Duo sighed in understanding. The room around them melted and flowed much as Duo's clothes had done until the only thing that remained the same was the bed they lay on -- and even it had given up its dark green and bronze coverings for light grey and cream. All over the room the dark colors and shifting lighting from candles and lamps were gone; to be replaced by something more closely resembling the austere surroundings Heero was accustomed to -- not exactly but close.

Heero sat bolt upright when things started to change around them, and very nearly scrambled off the bed, though he restrained himself at the last second. Looking around tensely he asked, "How did you do that?"

"Hmmm? Oh. Pulled it from dreams," Duo explained unhelpfully, not realizing Heero would need a bit more clarification for something that came so naturally to him.

Duo received a very irritated look for his lack of an explanation, "What does that mean?"

"This is made from dreams, I pulled everything from a dream someone's had at some time or another and made it tangible."

There was another moment of silence as Heero regarded Duo with something akin to stunned disbelief. He'd never heard of a demon who could command such power. It was very nearly unlimited, and suddenly Duo's lack of concern about angering the celestials made perfect sense. As a matter of fact, demons were equal to angels, in all ways, they had admitted as much to him after he pressed for an explanation why they needed him. He could provide, somehow, an advantage that would allow the angels' triumph. It stood to reason then, that if Duo were a demon there was an equally powerful angel. The only problem with that was that the Archangel Zechs was the strongest of the angels, and he couldn't hold a candle to the possibilities of Duo's power. There was only one conclusion that could be reached.

"You aren't a demon." Heero didn't know how to assimilate that fact. If Duo weren't a demon he could have been telling the truth all along. He may not be Heero's enemy at all, and the angels could be the ones that Heero should fear. He pushed aside those thoughts, unable to cope with them in his current state. Instead he concentrated on the question, if Duo wasn't a demon... what was he?

"Give the boy a prize," Duo grumped good-naturedly. "I've been saying that all evening."

Heero didn't answer, though he was inexplicably stung by Duo's words, and slipped out of the bed again to pace as he thought. His bare feet made no noise on the floor and he assumed that Duo would ignore him and go to sleep since he wasn't responding.

Instead his pacing was stopped by a gentle hand on his arm, "Sorry. I was teasing -- joking around. Shouldn't've forgotten that you're not used to that type of thing."

Instinctively Heero jerked a little when Duo touched him, but he didn't allow himself to pull away. He answered quietly, with deceptive calm, "You've berated me for believing the beings who raised me -- who gave me a purpose -- and yet you expected me to blindly accept that you're telling the truth? You, who I've never seen before and who tells me that everything I know is wrong? I don't understand you."

"I'm sorry," Duo murmured pitifully. "It's hard to remember that you don't know me as well as I know you."

"I don't understand why you know me at all. Who are you?"

"I'm Duo. Death and Dreams."

"But what does that mean?" Heero was, sadly, almost used to Duo's vague answers.

Sitting down heavily onto the bed, Duo's brow furrowed in confusion and frustration, "Exactly what I said. I'm Death. I'm Dream."

"But... " Heero stopped, having a hard time fathoming exactly what Duo meant. He supposed it was clear enough, when he realized that Duo was speaking literally; but accepting that and grasping the implications were entirely different. Feeling the sudden need to sit down, Heero sank to the floor and wondered if maybe he weren't just dreaming himself. A very strange and unusual dream that gave him an excuse for his desire to run from his own wedding.

Duo slipped off the edge of the bed to sit in front of Heero, silently waiting for whatever Heero would inquire about next.

There were no more questions, Heero just lifted hopeless blue eyes to Duo's face and said softly, "I must be mad."

"No you're not. Why do you think you are?" Duo's eyes were tender, supportive, and encouraging.

Heero made a curt gesture at the room, changed so significantly from its original appearance, "All of this, it's not possible. There's no magic that allows someone to pull solid objects from dreams. Escaping my duty is impossible. Death cannot be a handsome man who smiles at me like I'm worth caring about. Something has happened to me."

The only thing to escape Duo's mouth at Heero's revelations was a completely inane comment -- but oh so important to him personally. "You think I'm handsome?"

Heero blinked at him with a faint frown, his tone slightly dismissive, as if he thought it were obvious and didn't bear conversation, "Of course."

A grin spread across Duo's face before he quite obviously gathered himself back into a more somber mood to address Heero's concerns, "You're not insane and the only thing that's happened to you is me taking you away from the heavens. And what I'm able to do isn't magic in the way that you know it."

"Then what is it?" He was far from convinced that he hadn't gone mad somehow, but since he hoped he hadn't he was glad to grasp at any explanations.

"Well, most of it comes back to the fact that it's older."

Heero waited, knowing there had to be more to it than that.

Duo pulled his long braid of hair around to fiddle with as he tried to find a way to explain something that came as naturally as breathing to him. "What I do is... natural, instinctive, part of me. I could as easily survive without air as I could without using my power, in other words I can't. Wait, that's not really the best way to explain it. Umm... my power is part of me, an extension of me like my arm is an extension of my torso."

Nodding slowly, Heero indicated that he understood... though he still thought he was crazy. "How did you become this way?"

"I've always been this way."

"If you are Death, than you must be immortal, not subject to your own power." Heero was thinking aloud as much as he was talking to Duo, and in spite of his questionable stability, he found himself intrigued.

"Ah," Duo murmured in agreement, but otherwise kept silent, allowing Heero to follow his thoughts wherever they led.

Standing to pace again as he thought, restless in spite of his exhaustion, he went on, "Then the Creator must have brought you into being as well, to balance out his works. Without death the world would be overrun, life would be meaningless." He paused, as a thought occurred to him, and turned to look at Duo, frowning, "And if the Creator made you then you cannot be evil, merely necessary. If you aren't evil, then you have no reason to lie to me..."

Duo eyed him in consternation as he spoke hesitantly, "You're not exactly right... but... do you really want me to tell you the entire truth right now?"

Frowning Heero nodded sharply, he could hardly rest with all of this lunacy echoing in his mind, he may as well hear Duo's explanation of things to compare it to what he had grown up being taught.

"Alright," Duo sighed in weariness, "Just don't hate me if I add to your confusion."

"I sincerely doubt it's possible for it to get any worse."

"I'll remind you of that." He took a deep breath and started at the beginning, "I am the third child of the Universe. My two older siblings are Time and Life. Life, or Sally, is who most races refer to as the Creator... or at least who they would refer to if their own legends, myths, and prejudices didn't get in the way. The celestials are a prime example of that. They've gotten it into their heads that females are impure. Therefore their Creator couldn't possibly be female, right?" Duo's sarcasm showed through clearly, as did his frustration with the angelic races.

Heero paused in his pacing again, having been too overwhelmed to catch it the first time Duo mentioned it, "The Creator is a woman?" Frowning faintly he started pacing again, nodding a little; it made as much sense as any of this did. More, perhaps, since females bore the young of every race, and thus were effectively creators of life themselves.

"Yes, Sally's female. I was brought into being when it was realized that there had to be a power to balance life."

"Then wouldn't whatever created you... the universe, be the true creator?"

"In a way," Duo agreed, "but the universe has only ever created the three of us; everything else has come from Sally."

"Why would it not take a more active role?" Not that he was a stranger to the idea of one being creating another to rule over the lesser races; that was, after all, what the angels had taught him.

"Because the universe actually doesn't have a conscious, it's... mindless -- for lack of a better term. It simply knew that something was needed and brought it forth," Duo shrugged a bit as he tried to clarify things for Heero.

He would have asked why Duo and the others would be needed, but that didn't directly impact him so he let it go for the moment. "And it's just the three of you?"

"Yup."

"Why would the celestials' activities concern you?" Heero glanced at Duo as he asked the question, treating this whole situation as if he were ready to believe it, though he still had more than his fair share of doubts.

"Do you remember what I told you about their creation?" Revealing things slowly and allowing Heero numerous chances to ask questions would help ease the man's confusion instead of adding to it -- or at least that's what Duo hoped.

"Weren't demons and angels created to balance one another? Why should you need to get involved? And for that matter -- why you, rather than the Creator?" He was assuming, of course, that that was the reasoning behind the creation of both species under the mythology that Duo was giving him.

"Angels and demons weren't exactly created with the idea of balance in mind," Duo admitted ruefully. "Remember how I told you that angels and demons were born of humanity's dreams?"

Heero's thoughtful frown darkened, "Of course." Of course it would be a flawed lesser race that would create demons, it only made sense that they would desire something to blame for their own base and cruel impulses.

"Dreams Heero?" Duo nudged his thoughts along.

"But the fact that you gave them substance does not mean they have to be your concern." Heero would have been disappointed in Duo if he hadn't taken responsibility but in truth it was humanity who created both demons and angels, and as such it was humanity's responsibility to control them... Of course if this were all true, no humans knew that fact, so it was a moot point...

"And usually they're not. Truth be told I very rarely bother myself with their doings," he shrugged with a bit of a grimace. "Usually they fulfill the role they've been cast in admirably. But a number of years ago the angels... well, they became obsessed really."

Heero frowned, "With what?"

"Purity," Duo answered simply.

He could hardly argue that point; his life had been steeped in the very idea of it. No doubt the celestials would think him tainted just for hearing this heresy, even if he didn't think about its potential truth. His eyes flickered from Duo down to the plain stone floor without comment.

Duo expounded on the answer with a tone that bespoke of his complete lack of understanding for what the celestials had done, "They became obsessed with purity. They exiled all their females and came up with this huge list of things not to be done to remain pure. They rewrote their own history and got rid of every last scrap of color they could in the heavens. Although I don't really understand why they think the color white is pure when it's the reflection of all colors, not the absence of any."

"Because any other color will show on it. There's no hiding of taint or corruption. It's a symbol." Heero's voice was curiously flat, not even his face betrayed any emotion.

"They've gone nuts," Duo stated flatly.

Heero looked away, silent. He didn't know what to think anymore, and he was almost tired enough not to care. He almost smiled, all those times he'd wished death would come and take him somewhere he could know peace, and he was kidnapped by someone who claimed to be death itself. He should have known to be careful what he wished for.

"Anything else you want to know or have you had enough for the night?" Duo's eyes and tone conveyed his concern.

"Are you sure I'm not mad?" Heero turned back toward Duo, a slight, completely unamused, smile touching his lips.

"If you are that means the entire universe is," Duo assured him. "You are sane, in your right mind, and perfectly understandable."

"I was afraid of that. I would like to try and sleep now, if you don't mind." Giving up on making sense of anything for the moment Heero went back to the bed and lay down, staring up at the ceiling and feeling even more out of place than he had before.

His eyes soft with sympathy as he crawled the length of the bed to lie down, Duo requested, "Will you tell me if there's anything I can do to make you feel better?"

He got no response, it was as if Heero didn't even hear him, dark blue eyes stayed focused on the ceiling and Heero's face was still curiously blank.

"Heero?"

It took a few seconds, but Heero looked over at him, "I will be fine." Or he hoped he would anyway.

"I'll be here if you need me," Duo promised, holding Heero's eyes with his own. "Things'll look better in the morning or at least you'll have more energy to deal with them. Sleep now." Within seconds of the order being given, Heero was deeply asleep and Duo took the chance to study the man he'd kidnapped in a fit of desperation earlier that day. He'd been speaking the truth when he spoke of his power being an extension of himself -- and somewhere along the way, somehow, Heero had become just as much a part of him. All he could hope for was that Heero could someday return his feelings. With a sad quiver of his lips that was meant to be a smile, he tenderly brushed a lock of hair back from Heero's face before settling down into sleep himself with a quiet murmur, "Sweet dreams love."

The very manner of his waking was out of the ordinary for Heero. It was a slow coming to awareness, not his usual quick jerk into reality, and for a lazy moment he just blinked in comfortably vague confusion. Then he remembered that he was supposed to be married yesterday and took that to explain the presence of a very warm body not too far from his. Unfortunately that thought was quickly followed by others which reminded him of the real events of the day before and he lost all sense of safety and comfort as he tensed.

Very, very carefully he edged out of the bed without waking Duo, something that was harder to do than he would have thought because somehow their legs had gotten tangled up together without him noticing. Safely extracted, he gathered up his clothes and boots and slipped out the door into the chamber he'd first arrived in.

Dressing quickly Heero got to work examining the room more closely than he'd been able to the night before. His internal clock told him it was still early and he hoped he would have time to discover any secret doors before Duo woke up.

He only had long enough to realize that there really was no form of an exit hidden anywhere in the room before Duo came through the doorway from the bedroom, his hand up to his mouth to cover a yawn. "Morning," he mumbled sleepily, rubbing at his eyes, "You want something to eat?"

Feeling more than a little trapped and tense Heero spun on his heel to face Duo when he came in, only to pause at the picture that he made. Duo's long braid was fluffy from getting rubbed against the blankets as he slept and his whole upper body was bare and far too appealing for Heero's peace of mind. The fact that his strange loose pants were barely clinging to his hips certainly didn't help. Frowning darkly Heero swiftly averted his eyes before he answered, "No. Thank you."

"You have to be hungry," Duo asserted. "I can fix you anything you want."

"I would rather you didn't." Heero was aware he was being obstinate, but at least he was being quiet and calm about it.

"Oh." Duo deflated and turned around to trudge back to the bedroom, "I'll just go back to bed then. Wake me if you need anything."

Though he hadn't known Duo for very long it was disconcerting to see him give up on anything so quickly and Heero watched him go with something akin to worry. "Are you alright?" The question was asked before he thought to stop it, and he frowned a little at himself, but waited for the answer with his eyes focused on Duo's face.

"I'm... okay," Duo answered slowly, eyes downcast. He was tired and hurt and part of him wished that he could retreat back into his own daydreams where their meeting was all sunshine and roses.

Debating with himself for a second Heero shoved aside propriety for the moment and took a step closer to Duo, his voice lower, more soothing than it had been before, "You don't sound sure of that."

"Probably because I'm not," he admitted ruefully but then shook it off and gave Heero a smile. "Sorry. Tired; yesterday was a long day."

Heero nodded cautiously but his tone didn't change, "Then you should go back to sleep."

"And you?"

Duo got a confused frown in answer to his question. "What about me?"

"It was a long day for you too. You have to be hungry or still tired or something," a touch of worry entered Duo's voice.

Heero was hungry, and felt weaker than usual because of it, but he was clinging to the hope that he would be returned to the Heavens soon... somehow, and they could start the wedding ceremony without waiting for him to fast again. Instead of telling Duo that, however, he just answered, "I slept longer than I usually do already."

Duo bowed his head in acquiescence and simply headed back into the bedroom instead of trying to convince Heero to sleep more or eat any longer.

Watching him go Heero was struck again by how eerily easy it was to trust and talk to Duo... and to worry about him. That made very little sense and while Duo lay down to get more sleep he paced the floor, thinking about everything that Duo had said and what it meant to him if it were the truth.

The idea that he'd spent his entire life striving to fulfill a destiny founded on lies, if he had such a destiny at all, made Heero feel sick to his stomach and he took slow steadying breaths. If it were true, and that was a big if right then, he would deal with it. He would just have to find something else to live for. A treacherous part of his mind whispered, 'or someONE' but he shoved that thought away. For all of Duo's protestations of love, no creature of his power would be happy to settle for a mere human. Not for long anyway.

He shouldn't have been thinking about any of it. He knew that. He should be in there holding a blade to Duo's throat until he was returned to the heavens for the ceremony that was far, far overdue. He glanced at the door, and nearly had a heart attack when a deep, mild, voice asked from one of the chairs behind him, "You wouldn't happen to be contemplating trying to threaten Death, with death, would you?"

The amused irony in the tone did nothing to soothe his nerves and Heero whirled around to face the man who spoke, trying wildly to figure out how he even got into the room, and -WHEN?- He would have been hard to miss, after all. He was taller than Heero and Duo both with broad shoulders and long legs that were clad in some strange blue material. His only visible eye was a dark forest green that didn't seem like it could be natural, except that it fit his strong, elegant face so well. His hair hung down in his face, and was a color that was most accurately described as brown, though it wasn't the rich chocolate color of Heero's own locks.

The stranger sat quite comfortably, his legs crossed and his hands steepled in front of him as he regarded Heero from an expressionless face, as if the answer to the question had no bearing on him whatsoever.

Heero didn't answer right away, and strangely time seemed to stretch out uncomfortably, though he'd only been silent an instant. When he spoke it was with a hint of relief at filling the quiet, "No. It would be beyond foolish, besides... He wouldn't let me go back, even if he were capable of dying."

He got a slow, approving nod for his answer, "Well, he didn't fall for an idiot at least."

Suddenly it occurred to Heero to ask who this man was, and wondered if he weren't an idiot after all, "Who are you?"

He got a flicker of expression that might have been a smile, and a cryptic answer as well, "Elder brother to Life and Death and Dreams, nameless and yet known to all."

"One of Duo's immortals then." Heero gave the stranger an annoyed look, though he was trying not to have any emotion at all, to stay serene the way he'd been taught, "You could have just said that."

Steepled fingers spread in a graceful shrug and the man leaned back in his chair to look at Heero silently. Again time seemed to flow oddly, and eventually Heero broke it to ask, "What do you want?"

"To see you, and to speak with my brother." The calm way that he answered questions, without really answering them at all, was even more infuriating than Duo's uninformative, but easy to interpret, responses.

Heero frowned and crossed his arms over his chest, "Duo's asleep; he's exhausted." The man smiled visibly at that, though Heero had no idea why it would be amusing to know that your brother had completely worn himself out. Bypassing that question he asked instead, "How did you know I was here at all?"

"I know everything." It was said so simply, so calmly, that Heero was more shocked when he caveated his comment, than the fact that he made the comment in the first place, "Well... I know everything but how Sally makes her coffee perfect every time and how Duo manages to attract trouble without even moving."

"Even I don't know that so you're out of luck bro," Duo remarked snidely. "What're you doing here? And what nonsense are you filling Heero's head with?"

"A great deal less than those celestials of yours did." If the elder brother was offended by Duo's tone he gave no sign of it, just looking up to regard Duo calmly, "And I'm here because I wanted to get a look at the man who turned you into a romantic. Sally nearly coos when I mention you these days. The world will be overflowing with doves if she keeps it up."

Heero gave the green-eyed fellow a frown for waking Duo, though he wasn't aware of it, but stepped aside to let the 'brothers' talk. They looked nothing alike, but he supposed they wouldn't have to, if Duo's story was true.

"You know, you could have warned me about all the crap they'd taught him," Duo huffed, making his way through the room to where another door opened up. "I could really use a cup of Sally's coffee right now."

"You'll get one tomorrow, you can wait. And I figured you would find it out yourself if you wanted to know. You hate it when I give you prophecies." Again there was a tiny curve of those lips, barely a smile, but expressing amusement all the same.

"Just like telling me I'll see Sally tomorrow. You couldn't have headed her off at all? The cooing and silly smiles and cow eyes get on my nerves lately." Duo was certainly grumpy and it showed with how he was grumbling at his older brother.

Heero turned to keep an eye on Duo and he heard the other man's answer not from behind him, but from the room Duo was walking into. Turning to look back at the chair, which was empty, Heero followed Duo to see if he really was going mad, and found Duo's brother leaning against the counter in the kitchen as if he were there all along, saying, "You know Sally doesn't get deterred from her goals unless she wants to be, and I -did- just warn you."

Suddenly feeling the need to sit down Heero dropped into the nearest convenient chair and felt his own forehead to see if he had some kind of mind-melting fever.

"Gah! You don't happen to have anything you need me to do tomorrow, do you?" Duo turned pleading eyes on his brother as he started boiling water for tea.

"Nothing that will get you out of seeing her. Relax, she'll take one look at Heero and leave you alone... but I suggest you listen to the advice she's going to give you." He reached in a pocket and pulled out a small packet of wax paper, which he handed to Duo casually.

Taking the packet of tea, Duo awarded his brother his first real smile of the day. "Thanks bro. Care to tell me why one look at Heero will get her to leave me alone? Or is that one of those things you guys are going to hide from me until I figure it out on my own?"

"Sally's reasons are her own; you'll have to ask her." The way he said it implied strongly that he knew. Knowing his brother as he did, Duo didn't doubt that implication, but if his elder brother was anything, it was enigmatic.

Sitting at the table Heero watched them both and was struck with the possibility that he wasn't the only one who was insane here, and inexplicably that made him feel a little better. Not enough to stop him from dragging a hand through his hair in frustrated confusion, but at least he didn't want to strangle one of them anymore.

While waiting on the water to boil, Duo whipped up a quick breakfast of eggs and toast for the three of them. The mundane task of cooking was always something he enjoyed and he was happy to have two extra mouths to feed that morning. "So why exactly are you here?"

"Aside from the chance to pick on you, you mean? Remember those five lunatic scientists I mentioned who were working on a theory to define me?"

"Yeah, I remember. You were quite amused at the very idea."

"Oh I still am, and they're so far off course it's getting even more amusing, but they gave me a name and I think, as wrong as their theory is, I'm going to use it. No one other than you and Sally, Heero, and that pet priest of hers will use it regularly, but..." He shrugged a little and did his level best not to laugh at poor Heero, who was thinking that whatever madness he had it was the worst thing that had ever happened to him.

Duo rolled his eyes at his brother, completely missing the implication that Heero was going to be around for a while, "So what is it?"

"Trowa. It's an acronym for something technical, but since they're wrong I didn't bother with that part."

"Took you long enough to get a name," Duo sniped jokingly as he set down a plate of food in front of Heero and waved Trowa into a seat with another.

Heero barely spared the plate a glance, he was busy staring at the floor and trying to make sense of what they were saying.

Giving Heero a sympathetic look Trowa sat down and raised a brow at Duo, "Technically I've always had this name, since I exist just as much in the future as I do in the past, I just haven't told you what it was until this moment in time."

"Don't," Duo cut in hastily, waving a fork as he sat down to eat his own breakfast. "Just don't. There's nothing more confusing than you explaining time and your many oddities."

This time the smile was wide enough for even Heero to recognize, if he had been looking up from the floor that is, "And you'd understand me much better if you were willing to deal with the headache that thinking about it would cause."

"I don't need to give myself a headache to know that you like being enigmatic," Duo retorted. His voice took on the firm tone of an instructor, "Eat Heero."

Trowa refrained from answering so he could watch Heero's reaction to the order. He wasn't disappointed; Heero looked up and had a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth before he thought about what he was doing.

The human went very still, and then deliberately put the fork down, eggs untouched. Trowa shook his head slightly, as if lamenting the confirmation of something he'd already known, but held his peace.

Duo had caught the motion and frowned, "Care to explain why you're refusing to eat?"

"No." His answer was curt, unemotional, as distant as his eyes as they focused on something not even the immortals could see.

His eyes sad, Duo answered, "Alright then."

Again it surprised Heero that Duo would give in so easily, and he looked over at him, examining his face for signs of the exhaustion that he'd shown before.

His scrutiny was cut short by a surprisingly rude noise from the mysterious Trowa, "Let me save you the trouble Heero. The ceremony was canceled. Even if you did go back now no one is there to perform the ritual. They're all looking for you. So you might as well eat, you're just going to make yourself too weak to accomplish anything this way."

Instead of seeming happy with the news that -- at the least -- he'd managed to get the ceremony cancelled, Duo turned haunted eyes to Trowa before disappearing completely.

Trowa shook his head as Duo vanished just an instant too soon to see the flicker of relief on Heero's face, and set his elbows on the table to look at the other man. After another of those long, strange moments he spoke, "You're going to be angry with yourself over this one day, so I'll tell you now... Part of this you had no control over, but you can control how much more you hurt him. I'm sorry you had to live the life you have so far, but you know as well as I do that nothing will ever be the same for you, and he is the key to your future."

Standing he picked up his plate, mysteriously clean, though Heero hadn't seen him even touch the fork, and Trowa went on over his shoulder as he put the plate in the basin, "No good man has ever truly regretted not hurting someone when given the chance, but all of them regret not being kind when they could have. Go find him."

Between the last syllable and Heero opening his mouth to respond Heero realized that Trowa wasn't there. It was like before, as if he hadn't ever been there to start with. The sensation was disconcerting, but even more important was what Trowa had said. Even if this was all a fever dream, or Duo was really evil, or if he was telling the truth after all, Trowa was right, he didn't deserve to be hurt. And Heero had seen the hurt, and the exhaustion, for himself, he couldn't deny that it was real. Sighing he stood and went to search the limited rooms he had access to.

What he found was more rooms than he had imagined, and he automatically took note of them all as he went through them searching for Duo. He didn't know why he suddenly had access to the whole of the compound, but he took advantage of it and eventually found himself in a garden. Heero was more surprised than he should have been to see Duo lying beside a small creek with his head pillowed on the stomach of a large cat.

Eyeing the creature Heero walked over without a word and leaned against a tree a few feet away.

Duo tried to make his voice cold and aloof but nothing could really hide his dejection, "You hate me."

"No. I don't understand you." He looked over at Duo, and made a conscious effort to look without prejudgment. What he saw was a young man who was honestly miserable, and he couldn't reconcile that with everything he'd been told and everything he'd been raised to believe.

"What don't you understand?" Duo asked quietly.

Heero laughed; he couldn't help it, the whole situation was just... ridiculous. He'd only rarely laughed, and never so hard, and clutching his sides he slid down the tree to sit on the ground, still chortling like he really had gone mad.

Duo looked at Heero in shock, not accustomed to the sound of Heero's laughter, but he started to grow worried when Heero didn't stop quickly. "Heero?!"

Hearing the concern Heero waved a hand helplessly to indicate that he was alright, but the chuckles died slowly and when he had his breath back he finally answered, "I don't understand ANY of it. This story of the universe creating you and your siblings. Your ability to alter things by will alone. Your brother, who apparently didn't have a name until today, disappearing only to be somewhere else like he'd been there all along. The celestial's corruption by virtue of their obsession with purity. A destiny I may or may not have that no one seems willing to explain to me... even the place that you live and the food that you eat is strange to me."

"Do you... Do you want to understand?"

"You're the one who has pointed out that I've lived my life in ignorance..." He sighed looking down at his now bark-stained white clothes, "Even if it isn't true, I would like to know what you're talking about."

"Well it is true so that makes it even better," Duo claimed with a touch of his old determination. He waved Heero over to sit beside him as he sat up and started scratching the ears of the cougar he'd been resting against. "Simple things first. Whatever destiny the angels think you have -- I know nothing about it. What's so strange about my home? Or the food?"

Heero was wary of being that close to the animal, but he figured that if Duo had wanted him hurt he would have been already. Edging over he sat crosslegged as he watched the cat, "You've seen my cell in the heavens. That is all I've ever known. This place is... full of color, and decoration and objects without any use that I can determine. It's like there is no place you can rest your eyes without staring at the ceiling. About the food -- I've never eaten anything like what you gave me, everything was plain and functional and I ate alone, since angels do not need food."

"I guess that makes sense," Duo responded sheepishly. "I'm sorry I didn't realize how... foreign the surroundings would be to you. This is my home and while I noticed how different it is from the heavens I never realized what that would mean to you."

Heero nodded once, his eyes on the cat, though he'd stopped really looking at it, "I'm not normal, am I?" It wasn't something he'd thought about before, his differences from the angels had always been attributed to him being of a lesser race, but suddenly he realized he wasn't a normal human either.

"No; you're the only human ever to be raised by angels. But do you want to be normal? Truthfully, most humans are a dull bunch. Although there are a few interesting ones that come along every so often. You'd probably enjoy meeting them."

"I don't know what normal is, I have no way to judge if I would want to be or not." Straightening Heero looked over at Duo, steering the conversation back to the important topic, "What about everything else?"

"So you're not used to the food or house. If you'd like I can change it to look more like the heavens and slowly add in color when you're ready for it," Duo offered. "On to the harder things. My brother disappears and reappears at will. He is Time and therefore is everywhere and everywhen at once. Even Sally and I don't understand him completely so you're not alone in that."

Heero considered a moment then nodded slowly, as his brilliant, but heretofore unchallenged, mind sorted out the implications of someone being the embodiment of time itself. "That's what he meant about his name then. If he exists in all time at once then everything is happening all at once to him, so a single event would, in effect, happen everywhen where he was concerned. And he can move from place to place like that because he literally -is- in both places at once, he just chooses where we sense him."

"You have managed to grasp more than pretty much everyone besides Sally and I. Really good," Duo's praise would have sounded patronizing if he wasn't so clearly impressed by how easily and swiftly Heero had managed to think through all of that.

To his surprise Heero felt his cheeks heat a little at the compliment and he shrugged awkwardly, "He pretty much explained it before."

"Even with thorough explanations most can't grasp the concept," Duo informed him with a grin. "What else would you like to know?"

Heero opened his hands to look at his palms, as if he could read his own future there, "Why they did this to me... but you don't know."

"We can find out if you like," Duo quirked a brow in both invitation and question as he made the offer.

Turning to look at Duo, Heero frowned a little, "How? They're the only ones who know what my destiny is supposed to be."

"My brother -- Trowa would. Gotta start calling him by name. He could have at least told us his name ages ago; time doesn't exist for us like it does him. It's been annoying not having a name for him beyond bro, brother, and Time," Duo grumped. Shaking his head a bit he brought himself back to the matter at hand, "Trowa would know. And even if he's not willing to tell us everything he'll drop a few hints. He loves being mysterious and a pain in the rear. Or we can talk to Sally." With a glint in his eyes Duo shrugged and tossed out the next as nonchalantly as he could, "Or I could simply smack Zechs around for some answers."

Heero stiffened at the mention of the Archangel and shook his head sharply, "Don't."

A cute pout puckered Duo's lips, "But I wanna. He's made your life miserable; why can't I beat him over the head a little?"

His answer was automatic, and firm, "He's an angel. A force for good." Remembering Zechs, and some of the things he'd done and said, Heero had his doubts as to the Archangel's worthiness, but it wasn't his place to judge.

Duo snorted and fell back into the grass, "Some force for good. But anyway, do you want to know what the angels thought your destiny was?"

"Yes." He still wasn't sure he could trust Duo, or his strange family, but it wouldn't hurt to ask them for help, and they may even find out the truth.

Turning his head enough to look Heero in the eye he queried, "Well then, now or later?"

That garnered a frown, "What do you mean?

"First step would be to talk to my broth -- Trowa and then talk to Sally. From there it depends on what they say. So do you want to talk to them now or later?"

Heero started to say now, but remembered that Duo had hardly eaten anything and eyed him critically. He still looked exhausted. "You should finish eating first."

"Did you?" Duo challenged.

The answer was self-evident but Heero pointed out, "I'm not about to fall asleep where I sit. You are."

Duo brushed Heero's observation aside with a wave of his hand, "I'll be fine but... Will you eat with me?"

Standing Heero automatically brushed off his clothes, though there was little he could do against the stains, nodding, "I will."

"You want clean clothes? Maybe a bath or shower?" Duo bounced to his feet with a bit more energy than he'd shown all morning.

"Maybe we should start with breakfast." Heero nearly smiled at Duo's sudden cheer, but he was hesitant to part with his last physical tie to the Heavens.

"Alright. What would you like to eat since what I fixed was strange to you?" Duo walked close enough beside Heero to brush arms with him as they headed back towards the house, Duo's cougar trailing them for a while before melting into the scenery around them.

"It doesn't matter; I'll try what you made." When the cat was gone Heero asked quietly, not sure if it would understand them if it were still close enough to hear, "The cougar... was it your pet?"

"More friend than pet. Humans aren't the only ones who dream. I'll have to redo breakfast anyway; eggs aren't very good cold," Duo enlightened him, "So if there's anything specific you want it's alright to ask."

Heero filed both facts away in his mind and answered dryly, "I've had porridge for breakfast every morning for as long as I can remember. I don't like it, but it's the only food I'm familiar with."

"Well then I'm going to have fun cooking for you. We can try anything you want, anything at all!" Duo did seem honestly excited at the prospect of cooking and introducing Heero to different foods.

Given Duo's enthusiasm it didn't seem kind to tell Duo that he had no idea what he would want to try, since he didn't even know the names of any foods besides the ones he'd eaten in the heavenly realm. Instead he just nodded and hoped he hadn't gotten himself into anything dangerous.

With Duo found Heero was able to get a closer look at the rooms they passed through, and shook his head a couple of times, not even able to determine what the room was for. When they got to the kitchen Heero was somewhat unsurprised to find the newly named Trowa reclining casually in one of Duo's kitchen chairs with a strange silver container in his hand. It looked almost like a cup, except that the top was covered by an odd dull black substance, not that it stopped Trowa from lifting it to his lips and drinking. "I can't tell you everything, you know."

Perhaps it was the overwhelming oddity of the last day, but the fact that he knew what they were going to ask him about didn't surprise Heero either.

Duo snitched the cup from Trowa and inhaled deeply, "Not Sally's but it'll do. You want more to eat?" He turned towards the stove to prepare breakfast again -- the same eggs and toast but this time he chose simple because he didn't want to overwhelm Heero instead of because of his tiredness. "And tell us what you can; I knew already there was no way you'd just answer all our questions."

Trowa shook his head with a sigh and leaned over to pick up another mug from the floor -- having, naturally, anticipated the theft. "No, thank you." As Duo was putting the toast on a plate he commented on an aside, "Raspberry jam, trust me."

He went back to answer Duo's question like he hadn't paused, "There is a prophecy. Heero, you are important, not just to the angels, but to the world. 'When the fourth is awakened either great light, or terrible darkness will envelop all peoples. He who claims the fourth will control the gift, until the fourth stands unaided.' I'm not quite happy with the wording, but one can only expect so much when they have to work through the mad or the religiously zealous."

"That doesn't make any sense." Heero frowned and shook his head, trying to puzzle out the meaning of the words.

"Exactly. It's supposed to be misleading at the very least, but this one is nearly incoherent. I'm actually rather surprised the angels sorted it out." Trowa shrugged mildly and sipped at his strange mug.

Too accustomed to Trowa to even wonder about the 'raspberry jam' comment, Duo nevertheless put some out for the toast and quickly finished the eggs. "Let me get this straight. You sent some prophecy through some religious nut and the angels managed to figure out at least part of it, maybe all of it. Going from what I know already, it's pretty obvious that Heero's the 'fourth' mentioned. And that the angels wanted to claim him. But how in the world did they realize it meant Heero?"

Time shook his head, and told Heero, "This is why I never give my brother and sister prophecies. They take all the fun out of it. They realized it was you, Heero because the prophet was asked to say a prayer over your mother after your birth. Instead of Sally's usual spate of good health they got the prophecy and were actually smart enough to figure out that you were the fourth. So when the angels heard the bit about the gift they babynapped you."

Though he wasn't sure what 'babynapping' was Heero understood the rest easily enough, and frowned, "So I'm supposed to be a tool that either saves the world, or damns it, depending on who has control over me? Then I should go back to the angels, they're the force for good, under their influence there would be light."

A raised brow and, "Would there?" Was all the answer he got from Trowa.

Setting food down in front of Heero, Duo questioned him gently, "Have you ever seen a plant that gets too much sunlight Heero?"

Looking up at Duo he shook his head with a faint frown.

"It withers, dies. Purity isn't a bad thing just as sunlight isn't a bad thing, but too much of either will kill."

Heero stared at his eggs, then shook his head, "If I cannot go to them then who can I go to?" He lifted his eyes to Trowa, who smiled a little.

"That's where things get interesting."

"Trowa," Duo growled in frustration and then grinned with a look of wonder. "Much easier to do that now that you've told us your name... obstinate, pig-headed brother."

Trowa actually laughed, "There's always a reason." And with that enigmatic statement he was somewhere else.

"That could have been more helpful," Heero sighed and started eating, taking a moment to assess the taste of eggs and decide whether or not he liked them. He thought it might take time to tell for sure. "Of course, it could have been much less helpful too."

"At least now we know that there was a prophecy at your birth and the angels kidnapped you so that they could use you for their own ends. We'll talk to Sally later, maybe she can give us a few more answers -- and not talk in riddles when she gives them," Duo huffed a bit in exasperation with his older brother. Picking up the jar of raspberry jam and handing it to Heero, he told him, "Here, spread some over your toast and try it."

"She's Life, creation, correct? Why would she know about the prophecy?" Heero looked at the jam somewhat dubiously, but after a tentative taste his eyes widened and he looked a great deal more appreciative. "What -is- that?"

"Raspberry jam," Duo grinned joyfully at the expression on Heero's face. "I take it you like it?"

Heero nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "He knew." Trowa had known he would like the jam; and since Heero himself hadn't known that, it that made an even stronger case for him being what he claimed. As with his belief in the celestials, his trust in Duo and his siblings was all or nothing. If it was proven that Trowa was indeed the embodiment of time, then it stood to reason everything else that Duo had told him was true. Conversely if the angels were proven correct then all of Duo's claims had to be false. It was a tangled knot, but whatever thread came loose would unravel the whole thing.

"Yeah, he gets annoying like that," Duo chuckled a bit. "You want to try some other things? A lot of foods are... well, you eat them because they're good but they're not your favorites. Then there'll be some things you really like and some things you can't stand the sight or smell of."

Keeping his revelation to himself Heero took another bite of toast as Duo spoke, and swallowed before he responded, "I have the feeling that everything I eat here will be new; perhaps I should try a little at a time."

Duo's cheerful eagerness to show him new things made it hard not to trust him, and even harder to be indifferent to him, in spite of the way Heero had been taken.

"Hmm... makes sense. Otherwise the flavors all run together," Duo mused with a seriousness that seemed completely misplaced when speaking of something as simple as food.

"Is food that... important, here?" It seemed strange that it would warrant anything more than a passing consideration, as long as there was enough of it, but Heero readily acknowledged that he was hardly an expert.

Duo sat back to contemplate the question for a moment, trying to find a way to put his thoughts into words. "It's more a personal thing, I guess. To some people food's very important -- to others it's simply a necessity of life. Me personally... I don't really have to eat but I like food; I like tasting new things. Eating is a part of life -- for most anyway -- so why not actually get some enjoyment out of the process instead of just making sure you're getting what your body requires?"

Finishing his breakfast while Duo answered him Heero stacked the knife and fork on his empty plate neatly, "That makes sense."

He paused a moment, wondering aloud, "Is anything here the same as it is in the heavens?" It seemed as if he was asking himself, but then he lifted those deep blue eyes to Duo's face.

"Depends on what you mean," Duo's words came slowly. "A lot of what's here is done to my own tastes and preferences. I've never had to worry about what anyone else thought about it. And since I've never been a fan of white and glaring the place certainly looks a lot different from the heavens. If you're talking about something other than just aesthetics though you're gonna have to be more specific ?cause I'm sure there are at least a few things that are the same."

"I mean... everything. Anything. I haven't seen anything familiar to me at all; even your bread is different." It made him feel lost, disjointed from his surroundings and horribly out of place.

Duo grimaced a little, his voice contrite, "Sorry. I honestly don't know much about the heavens. I haven't really spent any time there since they exiled their females so all I know about them now is that everything's white and they've gone completely Spartan. And that they do something to the sunlight to enhance it to the point where it's everywhere -- and blindingly bright. I was too busy concentrating on you to really study the place recently."

Brushing his fingertips over the wood of the table Heero drew back his hand and curled it into a protective fist even as he nodded in answer to Duo.

"I can at least change things to look familiar if it would make you feel better," Duo offered easily and just like the night before the room seemed to flow around them. It finally settled into something a bit more like what Heero was used to; light colors -- although again Duo had changed them from a pure white into creams and light greys and blues, grey-veined white marble and stone instead of the warmer woods Duo preferred, and many windows and skylights -- Duo may have gotten rid of the candles and lamps for a light source but he'd subtly tinted the glass to keep the sunlight from being as harsh as it was in the heavenly realms.

Though he at least grasped what was going on Heero still found himself nearly bolting out of his seat as the room changed. When the room settled he realized that while he'd felt uncomfortably out of place before, the more familiar surroundings were even more disconcerting. Partly because they were so reminiscent of the place where he'd been miserable, and partly because Duo's warm and emotional presence was sharply out of sync. Quietly he told Duo, "You don't have to do that. Not for me."

"If it makes you feel better I do have to do it," Duo answered simply. "Just tell me what you want."

This time Heero did get up, unconsciously shying away from touching anything as he stood, his arms clasped in front of his chest, "I don't know. I just know you don't belong in the heavens, and I don't belong in a place like your home."

"What makes you think you don't belong here?"

"I'm not like you are. Even if you were of a lesser race we would be completely different."

"But that doesn't mean you don't belong here. My brother and sister are different from me too and yet they belong here as part of my family," Duo argued, leaning back in his chair. "Like I said, this place was designed with only me in mind. It's my personal space. We can easily redo it to suit both of us."

"Why?" Heero turned to look at Duo, his posture still tense, "Why would you do that?"

"Because I want you to be comfortable here. Because..." Duo trailed off a bit with an embarrassed blush before finally admitting, "Because, honestly, I want you to make this your home and stay with me." He was only quiet for a second before hastily adding, "That doesn't mean you have to feel any obligation to stay even if we redesign the place."

"I can't stay here. I shouldn't be here at all. I'm supposed to be..." Heero stopped, because he didn't know what he was supposed to be doing anymore, he didn't know who he -was- anymore, and that revelation filled him with frantic desperation that he didn't have time to fight against. His chest rose and fell with increasingly fast breaths and he backed up, only to bump into a wall and jerk away from it again.

He had to get back to the celestials. He hated it there, he'd been dying by inches, but at least things had made sense.

Strong arms came around him quickly, bracing him and pulling him back into an equally strong chest. "Shhh, it's okay. Everything's going to be alright. We'll work everything out I promise."

Heero stiffened and nearly pulled away from Duo as well, but he desperately needed the reassurance that Duo was offering and before he knew it he was holding on to Duo's arms tightly and leaning back into him.

Duo began stroking Heero's arms and stomach soothingly, humming a little as he tried to calm the man in his arms. Deciding that doing so would be much easier if they were more comfortable, he scooped Heero up into his arms to carry him to a newly formed plush couch just feet away.

If Heero noticed the change in location he didn't mention it, he just held on to Duo as if he were never going to let go. His whole body shook, and though part of him was disgusted at his weakness, he couldn't seem to stop.

"Shhh, it's okay. It's alright. Shhh, relax love. Just relax," Duo kept his voice low and gentle and his hands just as gentle as they continued their soothing rub of Heero's back, straying into his hair now to stroke and tug a bit.

The shivers changed in quality a little when Duo started playing with his hair, and after a moment Heero turned to look at him, dark eyes pleading, "Who am I now?"

"You're you," Duo's answer slipped easily from his lips. "You are Heero. Not a duty or destiny or some prophecy. You're just you -- cute, inquisitive, and desperate for someone to care."

Heero looked away again, despair taking the place of his panic, "That's not enough."

"Yes it is because it gives you the freedom to choose what more you are," Duo explained, his arms tightening. "You are more than that though -- brilliant and caring and serious. The only thing that's different now is that you don't have a duty to perform. A duty that you hated I remind you. Now you're free to find something to devote your life to on your own."

"And how am I to know what cause is right? I thought I knew what good was; I thought I was serving it. Now I'm not sure." His voice was hushed and softly forlorn.

"All you knew was what you were taught and you were never given the chance to even know that there were other viewpoints," Duo's voice was firm but kind and he dropped a kiss to the top of Heero's head before continuing, "Now that you know there's more than one side, more than one viewpoint you can investigate to your heart's content before making your decision. I'll take you anywhere you want to go, let you go on your own, whatever you need to do to learn what you want and feel comfortable with any decision you make."

"And if, at the end of all that, I decide the angels are right?"

"Then I'll let you go back," Duo choked out, the very idea painful.

Heero nodded absently, resting his head on Duo's shoulder without thinking, "I don't think I will have a choice in the end. If Trowa was right in quoting the prophecy then it said whoever claimed me would get the power. I don't know what that entails, but it doesn't sound as if I have a say."

"It also says 'until the fourth stands unaided.' So maybe eventually you'll have control over your own power... maybe. Deciphering Trowa's riddles are bad enough but when they've been filtered through some crazy person it's even harder." Duo settled into the cushions more comfortably, pulling Heero more tightly against him and stroking fingers through his hair.

He was distracted enough that he didn't think to protest Duo's caresses, even leaning into them a little as he spoke, "There is no indication that the power is mine, just that claiming me would call it into being. It's possible that the power would just vanish when I free myself... I wish I knew how the claim -worked- Obviously the celestials thought that the marriage ceremony was tie enough... maybe it's a kind of ritual?"

"Whether the power becomes yours or it disappears, either way you'd then be free. I have no clue how the claiming would work although some ritual that would tie you to another person seems to be a good guess. Maybe even the angels didn't really know," Duo theorized aloud as one of his hands slipped down to encircle Heero's waist and stroke teasingly at the hint of skin bared by the riding up of Heero's tunic and shirt.

It was hardly a touch at all, but to Heero, who had grown up with no physical contact whatsoever it felt like a shock went through his entire body as Duo's finger's grazed his skin. He couldn't stop his hitch of breath, or the nearly delicate shiver that shook his shoulders. "I think they have a pretty good idea. If not, they would have tried something else sooner... formally adopting me when I was younger perhaps."

"True, very true," he agreed, his mind more focused on the feel of the skin underneath his fingertips. After 20 years of watching, being able to physically touch the object of his affections was making his brain turn to goo. He placed another kiss to the top of Heero's head before resting his own there, a soft humming coming from him at his happiness.

While he tried to determine whether or not he should be moving away, Heero waited for Duo to offer another theory and when none was forthcoming he twisted around so he could look up at Duo. Whatever question he'd had on his lips died before he did more than part them, and suddenly -- even more so than before -- Heero was aware of how close together their bodies were. He could feel a hint of color rising to his cheeks, and hoped it didn't grow dark enough for Duo to notice it.

"You're more gorgeous than anything I've ever seen," Duo breathed in appreciation, intently studying the slightly blushing face before him. Smiling a little he leaned forward to press a hesitant kiss to Heero's forehead.

There was little hope of hiding the blush then, even if Duo hadn't already seen it, and though Heero didn't move away from the kiss he felt very awkward suddenly. "That can't be true. You've seen celestials, and you and your brother both are even more beautiful than the angels. I've no illusions as to my appearance."

Chuckling a bit, Duo informed him, "Angels aren't beautiful, they're too cold and aloof -- there's nothing attractive about a marble statue. You though," Duo brought a hand up to cup Heero's cheek, "You're breathtaking. Like the Earth from space. Alive and alluring and hypnotic. Fathomless. Untouched and untouchable, mysteries hidden beneath robes of white."

Though Heero had no idea what the world looked like from far away, the rest of Duo's remarks were easily understood and he looked away, unable to face that kind of compliment. If it hadn't been so obvious that Duo was being honest Heero would have known what to say, or do, but he'd never imagined someone would truly find him attractive. "I don't deserve such high praise. I'm just a man."

Applying just enough pressure to turn Heero back around to face him, Duo whispered solemnly, "You. Are. Gorgeous." He punctuated each word with a kiss to first Heero's forehead and then each of his cheeks right below his eyes. "And irresistible," Duo leaned in slowly to brush his lips against Heero's, making his intent clear and giving Heero enough time to pull away.

Duo's good intentions were ultimately unnecessary, as Heero had no idea what he should be expecting. He'd only rarely seen celestials embrace one another, and never witnessed anything like a kiss. So when Duo leaned in to kiss him that fourth time Heero expected it to be just like the kisses that had graced his forehead and cheeks.

The shock of pleasure that went through him at that first light touch of lips was so surprising that he opened his mouth under Duo's to take in a silent gasp.

Duo didn't take advantage though, instead pulling back to look into Heero's eyes as he spoke in awe, his fingers unconsciously stroking along his jaw. "You've never been kissed before."

It shouldn't have embarrassed him, but Duo's words made Heero blush darker and look down, "No. Who would have kissed me?" There was no bitterness in the question, though there could have been; it was a simple fact of life that none among the celestials had ever touched him, especially not with intimate affection.

"Who could possibly not want to?" Duo asked in return. Tilting Heero's head up with a gentle grip beneath his chin, he requested, "May I kiss you again?"

A hundred rebukes and commands and lectures about the flaws of humanity's lust and its threat to purity and light ran through his head; but Heero couldn't see how such a small touch, albeit a pleasurable one, could be so horrible. Perhaps that was the danger in it, but for once Heero willfully disobeyed and said softly, "Yes."

Happiness lit Duo's eyes, making them glimmer as he leaned back in to brush another kiss against Heero's lips. Putting a tiny bit more pressure into the contact he kept his movements slow and languid out of his fear of causing Heero any discomfort. His left hand slid back down to renew its teasing of the skin at Heero's waist as the other settled halfway down his back to pull him more firmly against Duo.

The celestials would surely never take him back now; perhaps the touches were innocent enough, but Heero's reaction to them was too hot and strong to be acceptable. Everywhere Duo's body came in contact with his own felt like heat sparks were dancing over the skin, and that tempting, teasing graze of lips made him shiver.

Duo broke the contact but was still close enough for his lips to brush against Heero's with every word he murmured, "Feel good? I only ever want you to feel good."

It seemed possible that his blush would never die, but Heero made himself answer with plain honesty, "Yes. It feels very good."

"The blush is cute," Duo teased him gently, his lips already capturing Heero's for another kiss before he could answer. The feel of Heero in his arms was intoxicating and addicting, a heady rush followed by a need for more and his hands worked immediately to soothe that need, sliding beneath Heero's shirt -- one to splay across the small of his back and the other to stroke the length of his spine.

Again Heero's mouth opened against Duo's in the start of a gasp and Heero brought his hands up to steady himself on Duo's arms. Vaguely he was aware that this had already gone farther than he'd intended, but the feeling of Duo's fingers against his bare skin was too distracting for the objection to take hold.

Duo slipped his tongue out to lick delicately at the edges of the open mouth against his own; he wanted to take this slowly, to enjoy every moment of it -- and to keep from scaring Heero. Stroking and tasting and Duo suddenly realized that he would never get enough of this feeling; a tiny breathless moan escaped him at the very thought.

The sound startled Heero as much as the feeling of Duo's tongue, and he opened his eyes, though he didn't pull away. He hadn't realized how sensitive the body could be when it came to someone else's touch, and though he became more aware that he should put a stop to this, he couldn't make himself. He'd longed for another living being to touch him for so long that he couldn't resist the feeling, especially since it made his body hum with pleasure.

Bright amethyst glinted back at him, questioning if he was all right as his hands took up a soothing kneading of Heero's lower back.

Taking the opportunity to draw a full deep breath Heero let it out slowly, his eyes dropping as he blushed dark again and asked in a painfully shy voice, "That noise... was it a good thing?"

"A very good thing," Duo assured him in a husky voice, "Shall we see if I can get you to make it?"

Another startled look was Duo's answer and Duo smiled a bit, "Yes or no love. That's all you have to say."

Heero found himself nodding before he thought about it, his attention all on that beautiful smile.

"Then come here," Duo urged, hands slipping to encircle either side of Heero's waist, thumbs ghosting across the ridge of Heero's hipbones repeatedly. Lips met again but only briefly as Duo relinquished them to place fleeting kisses along Heero's neck -- more whispers of touch than actual caresses.

At each brush of Duo's lips Heero shivered and instinctively he tilted his head to the side. Leaning into Duo he let instinct rule and put his arms around Duo's shoulders in a half shy hug.

He was rewarded with another tiny moan and a firmer kiss pressed just below his ear. In all the eons he'd existed, Duo had never felt more alive -- so happy that he felt like he'd become the sun itself to light the world.

The kiss jolted through Heero like liquid fire and his arms tightened around Duo as he took a sharp breath. It felt like his heart was going to beat straight out of his chest, and Heero tried to remind himself to breathe normally, but it was more difficult than he would have imagined.

The gasp spurred Duo on and he lavished attention on the spot he'd found, licking it thoroughly before grazing his teeth along it. "Koi shamo te," he whispered fervently.

The words were vague in Heero's ears, barely heard over the rush of blood and his own soft cry of stunned pleasure, but some part of his mind filed them away to ask Duo what they meant later. Again his arms tightened around Duo, and he gave up trying to breathe normally to focus on breathing at all.

Duo whimpered when that cry hit his own ears, mouth immediately searching for its mate for a fierce kiss. Tongue reaching out to fully taste Heero for the first time as he leaned them to the side, reforming the couch around them with a thought. Mattress and pillows cushioned Heero when Duo laid him out, partially hovering over him the entire way to keep from breaking the kiss.

With no warning, all Heero could do was go along, and the overwhelming sensation of his first real kiss kept him from even thinking to protest it when Duo settled over him. It was all he could do to hold on, drowning in the taste of Duo's mouth, sweet and warm and perfect. He made another noise of enjoyment, though it was muffled by the kiss he wasn't willing to let go of either.

Duo's free hand set to work to caress every inch of Heero's side and chest, tickling across his stomach while the other arm supported his weight as he leaned over Heero, savoring the kiss, never wanting it to end. He needed to touch more, Duo decided as he broke the kiss to nibble his way down Heero's neck, hand reaching to rub Heero's outer thigh through thick cloth.

Half-surprised that Duo wasn't remarking on how loud his heart was pounding, Heero let his eyes slide closed, dragging in ragged breaths. The brush of Duo's hand on his leg felt hot, even through the thick material of his pants and Heero's thigh muscle automatically tightened under the caress, not in rejection, but encouragement.

Duo groaned at the feeling of that hard thigh beneath his hand, becoming more and more immersed in what he was doing. Sitting to straddle one of Heero's legs, he continued to stroke along that thigh while his other hand, now free, set to work undoing the row of small gold buttons holding Heero's tunic together. "Heero," he murmured as he leaned back down to set his mouth along the side of Heero's neck, closing it until his teeth were clamped on the flesh in a gentle bite, tongue laving the flesh caught between them. And he finally got the moan he was waiting for, low and throaty, as Heero's hands curled involuntarily to grasp fistfuls of the sheets at his sides, needing something to hold on to.

Both hands worked swiftly at that point to undo every button on the tunic and the lacings at the top of the shirt under the tunic, Duo reluctantly pulling away when they were all undone so that he could slide them both over Heero's head. The sound of that moan had almost completely undone any and all of his good intentions and he immediately set to work kissing his way across Heero's shoulder while his hands stroked firmly along his sides.

Vaguely... -very- vaguely, Heero knew he should make at least a token protest, but the desire to speak strong enough to push through all of the physical sensation never surfaced so the only sounds he made were soft gasps and breathless cries at Duo's caresses. The hands on his sides made him suck in a deep breath and shudder, though Duo was putting off enough heat that even shirtless as Heero then was, the shudder wasn't from a chill.

Every gasp, every moan, every bit of sound that passed Heero's lips pushed Duo's control further and further from his mind and he was struck for the first time just how much of a pale imitation dreams were. He'd lived through so many dreams -- been the one to give people many of them -- but had never fully understood why... until then. He suddenly realized just why so many people craved love, even if they only ever found it in his shadowy halls.

"Duo..." The immortal's name was said with a vague pleading, a request for something Heero couldn't identify, and wasn't entirely aware he was asking for. As overwhelming as it was, as often as that tiny voice told him to run away, Heero's body was crying out for more.

Hearing his name was finally Duo's undoing -- at least mentally. With his own whimper of need he hastily set to undoing Heero's pants, knuckles grazing the still covered shaft every time he slid fingers through the lacings to tug at them. His befuddled mind informing him that boots had to come off too, he slid down to undo the buckles and pull them off after getting the lacings free of Heero's pants, leaving him free to tug those pants off from where he sat staring up the bed at the now gloriously nude figure spread out before him. "You're gorgeous," he whispered in complete awe, hands and body still for that moment of wonder.

Heero was struggling hard for control, of his breathing, of the sensations still echoing through him, of his thoughts; it was all chaos and for once he understood completely why demons rebelled against the angels' obsession with order. Duo's words made him open his eyes and seeing the look on Duo's face, and realizing with a jolt that he was completely naked, Heero blushed darkly and made a move to cover himself up with one of the blankets.

"Don't, please don't," Duo stayed Heero's hand with one of his own as he voiced the request pleadingly. "You are... the most beautiful being I've ever seen. Nothing and no one in any of the realms could ever hope to compare." Leaning forward until he once again hovered over Heero, Duo brushed his lips with his own in a sweet kiss even as his own clothes shimmered and disappeared.

The kiss was so different from the last one that they had shared, that it drew Heero's mind away from his embarrassment and he lifted a hand to touch Duo's cheek hesitantly, relaxing a little in spite of everything.

Duo leaned into that tentative hand slightly, turning his head to plant a kiss in its palm. He settled lightly onto Heero, groaning at the feel of bare skin; it would have been enough to shred his control if he still wasn't infused by a reverent awe that informed him that the man beneath him was the most precious creature to ever grace the world with his presence. His hands grazed softly along Heero's skin, tracing the contours of his ears and brow, combing through hair, barely brushing knuckles along his neck and shoulders. And through it all he silently watched with intent gaze, soaking up every minutia of reaction he elicited.

Whether it was normal or not, Heero had no idea, but those gentle, awe-filled touches affected Heero more strongly than anything else had. It didn't just fulfill the desire of his body, but a deep internal -need- for contact with someone who cared, and his subconscious wouldn't allow him to lie to himself on that count. He knew deep inside that Duo was telling the truth about his feelings.

"You are... everything," Duo murmured, kissing him again as he rolled them to place Heero above him. Hands slid from their grip around his waist to cup his rear and slide down his thighs, bringing them to either side of Duo's hips. Duo kept them there for a while kneading at the muscles as he placed kiss after kiss to Heero's lips -- sometimes light and quick, the merest brush of skin; sometimes licking and nibbling teasingly; but never more, never giving in to the desire to lay claim to Heero's mouth fully.

For a few moments Heero lay awkwardly, uncertain about his new position, but eventually frustration at Duo's teasing made him forget to feel strange and he relaxed, a soft noise of protest stealing past his lips when Duo broke yet another kiss.

Duo chuckled but gave him what he wanted, wrapping arms around his waist to pull Heero firmly against him, the resulting jolt causing him to groan into Heero's mouth. He kissed him thoroughly, their tastes mingling completely before he broke away. Breathless, he commented, "I am yours love. Feel free to do whatever you want; I'm yours to play with. Which means -you- can kiss -me- if I'm not moving fast enough for you."

Gasping and shaking from the near constant assault of bliss on his system, and with the greedy desire for even more, Heero looked down at Duo with passion hazed eyes and managed a nod. He couldn't imagine what he should be doing, his body was too demanding to allow him clear thought, but when he dropped his head to rest on Duo's shoulder he instinctively brushed his lips over the pale skin there.

Duo's arms tightened in reaction, a gasp escaping from between parted lips, "Heero."

Looking up at the sound of his name Heero tilted his head slightly in question, a blush starting to rise on his cheeks as he gained, little by little, the ability to think clearly about what it was they were doing.

Duo regarded him with glazed eyes and his own blush as he explained shyly, "That felt good."

"Oh..." Really noticing for the first time that Duo wore as little as he did, and how closely they were pressed together Heero tensed, the voice in his head growing louder in its protests now that he wasn't actively being distracted.

Oblivious to Heero's growing discomfort, Duo rolled his hips as he tilted his head up for another deep kiss. And as quickly as that the doubts vanished and Heero made a low noise deep in his throat, pushing back against Duo automatically even as he gave himself completely to the kiss.

Hands moved back to tracing over Heero's upper thighs, kneading them firmly or brushing them lightly enough to tickle but never remaining still. Gradually they made their way higher until Duo was palming rounded muscles and stroking the cleft between them with inquisitive fingers.

Shifting his hips restlessly at the feeling of those explorative touches Heero finally broke off the kiss and dropped his head to Duo's shoulder again, turning his face toward Duo's neck so his panting breaths tickled the skin there.

Groaning in need, Duo's fingers became more purposeful, locating Heero's entrance to be tickled lightly. He was never happier to be Dream than at that moment when he willed his fingers coated in oil instead of having to pull away from Heero to find something that would slick them. He continued to tease though -- circling around Heero's entrance, barely dipping the tip of a finger inside -- and he swore to himself that teasing was all he'd do until Heero clearly showed, in one way or another, that he wanted more.

It felt strange, sending flutters of some indefinable sensation through him, making Heero's stomach flip and his muscles quiver under Duo's hands. Nuzzling Duo's neck he let out a low whimper, pleading, "Duo..."

One finger eased fully inside in answer as he turned his head to capture Heero's lips in another kiss. He took his time stretching and oiling -- liberally creating more to coat his fingers and Heero's channel, wanting to make sure Heero would feel no pain.

The flutters grew stronger and Heero groaned against Duo's lips, torn between pressing closer to Duo and pushing back against his hand. His entire body felt hot and shaky and alive, awake in a way he'd never imagined possible.

Once again Duo found himself glad to be who he was because he honestly thought that touching himself even for the brief moment it would take to slick his erection would have pushed him over the edge. Fingers pulled out to make way for something larger and yet Duo paused with hands resting on Heero's hips and the tip of his shaft poised at Heero's entrance. Eyes searching the face next to his feverishly, he asked with a groan, "Heero? May I?"

A strangled, "Please...!" was his answer, Heero begging for something he didn't understand, but -needed- so desperately he thought he would die without it.

Duo whimpered himself as he slid inside Heero slowly and carefully, grip tight as he eased Heero down to settle on his lap. He kept him there for a moment, breathing hard; gratified to hear just as harsh breaths echoing in his ears.

Biting his lip so hard he tasted blood Heero struggled not to move, knowing instinctively that he needed time to adjust, no matter how much he wanted to rock against Duo. Opening his eyes to stare at the gorgeous face below him Heero tried to catch his breath, and think past the glorious well of sensations rushing through him.

"Don't do that," Duo whispered chidingly, bringing Heero down close enough to kiss. The change in position brought another whimper though and Duo bucked up, helpless to stop the motion.

Heero cried out softly at the feeling of Duo moving inside him, pushing back instinctively his hands clenching into fists in the sheets on either side of Duo's shoulders. The voice that had been protesting constantly from the first innocent kiss vanished completely under a wave of pleasure.

Pooling every last bit of control he had, Duo kept his movement steady instead of the frenzied pounding his body clamored for. With his head tossed back he watched Heero through barely open eyes as he eased himself in and out of the tight sheath that was threatening to rob him of breath, life, and sanity.

The rhythm to meet Duo's movements came to Heero as naturally as breathing and soft cries were wrung from his lips with every thrust. It felt somehow -right- to be joined this way, as if being with Duo were his true destiny and everything else belonged to someone else, someone lesser. Lowering his head Heero kissed Duo, shyly easing his tongue past parted lips.

Duo's gasp was captured between them and he kissed Heero back warmly, hands drifting away from Heero's hips into his hair now that they were no longer needed to encourage Heero to move. "Shamo, shamo, shamo," was the litany he chanted whenever his mouth was freed between kisses, the words even more important than breathing in his mind.

With no idea what Duo was saying Heero gave up on trying to understand, letting sensation and instinct take control completely. With exquisite slowness something seemed to build up inside him, causing him to silently urge Duo to move faster, his body speaking for him.

Duo's body was also urging him to speed up and he easily gave in to both their demands, plunging more quickly and fiercely into welcoming heat. His cries very swiftly becoming wordless, Duo retained just enough coherence to wrap a hand around Heero's erection and pump in time with his own thrusts.

Heero gave a strangled moan, and after only moments he shouted Duo's name, his head thrown back as his body emptied itself with a burst of blinding pleasure. He'd never felt anything even remotely like it and he could almost swear he felt a kind of internal snap as something fell into place in his soul. Whatever it was that had changed, it felt -RIGHT-.

Duo's climax quickly followed; almost taking him by surprise, he was so immersed in watching his newly claimed mate. "Heero," the name ghosted past quivering lips as he tugged him down until he was close enough to kiss, wrapping arms around his back.

Shaking a little in the aftereffects Heero relaxed onto Duo's chest willingly, his response to the kiss still shy, but too overwhelmed and tired to be too embarrassed.

"Sleep love, I'll take care of you," Duo promised softly, already doing just that as he pulled Heero up enough to slip out of him and summon a cloth to clean them both. Hands stroked soothingly along Heero's back, Duo clothing them both in sets of his favorite sleepwear. With a tender kiss to the temple, he urged again, "Sleep."

Heero made no response, his eyes already closed and his breathing deepening into slumber. Duo smiled fondly and joined his love in his dreams.

Heero woke slowly again, feeling a lethargy that had never affected him before and opened his eyes to find that he lay curled up with Duo, the other man's arms around him possessively and his own hands curled loosely around Duo's braid. Shocked, and suddenly embarrassed as memories resurfaced Heero let go of the braid and tried to free himself without waking Duo.

He had no such luck though, the arms around him tightening a bit as a sleep-slurred voice murmured, "Heero? Love? Where ya going?"

Flushing darker Heero gave an answer that wasn't an answer at all, perhaps learning from the man currently holding him, "I didn't mean to wake you..."

Duo seemed to accept it as an answer as he loosened his grip and yawned, already halfway back into sleep. "Koi shamo te," he whispered, one hand stroking the length of Heero's spine before tugging him closer in a brief hug.

Remembering Duo saying that same thing before Heero asked, "What does that mean?"

"Hmmm? Lots of things, it's dawn language. You're nice and warm," Duo snuggled into him, burying his nose in the crook of Heero's neck.

Tense, and deeply ashamed of himself, Heero fought with himself not to jerk away from Duo and run somewhere that he could think. Instead he focused on the conversation, such as it was. "What things does it mean?"

"Other half of my soul, you're everything, you are my life... basically... I love you." Duo blinked up at Heero slowly, "I do. I love you, more than anything."

He did pull away then, retreating to the other side of the bed and sitting up with his arms wrapped around his legs defensively. He would have left the room entirely if he wasn't sure that Duo would only have to will the doors to vanish in order to keep him in the room. Heero felt sick to his stomach, more ashamed and disgusted with himself than he ever had, and couldn't even imagine what he should say in response to Duo's words.

"Heero?" Duo's voice barely reached him as tentative as it was but grew a bit clearer as he scooted across the bed toward him. "What's wrong love?"

A barely visible flinch went through that still body but Heero did speak, his voice as tight as his muscles, "Don't call me that."

"Oh," Duo practically wilted back onto the mattress, voice a bit sad even as he reached out with a hand to lay it gently against Heero's back. "I understand."

"No, you don't." Heero pulled away from Duo's hand to stand beside the bed, facing Duo but only meeting his eyes for bare seconds at a time before they fell away again, "You aren't human, even if you aren't what you claim, you're obviously too powerful to be one of the lesser races. You didn't surrender to your flaws yesterday, you acted on emotion, justified or not. I did... I'm impure. Not because of what we did, but how much I wanted it, how I acted..." Self-loathing entered his voice again and he was nearly panting with the effort of not getting sick.

"And what exactly was wrong with what we did yesterday? Why would it be different for you than me? You're saying I don't understand so... please Heero. Talk to me, explain," Duo gave Heero a pleading look as he softly asked for Heero to share his thoughts.

"It's different because you care about me, for whatever reason that is, so it wasn't just... physical the way it was for me. I surrendered to my base instincts and now I've another flaw to atone for." It was so clear, so obvious, that he couldn't believe he didn't think of it before... of course he'd allowed himself to be pulled in and distracted at the time. How could Duo, obviously a higher being, not understand that corruption came naturally to humans?

Duo ducked his head to hide the misting of his eyes, managing somehow to keep his voice steady as he spoke, "So you're saying you don't care about me, it was all physical. You think you would have reacted like that if it had been Zechs or Trowa or one of your guardians that touched you?"

Heero frowned at the shot of fervent denial that went through him at the idea of anyone else touching him the way Duo had, and tried to explain, "That's not what I meant. I just haven't known you long enough..." He stopped, frustrated by his inability to make sense of his own feelings. He'd never tried before; he'd just shoved them away as deep as they would go, and waited for them to vanish.

"Just because you haven't known me long doesn't mean you can't feel something for me," Duo tried to soothe him. "And even if you did feel nothing for me beyond a physical attraction, is there something wrong with acting on that?"

His answer was immediate, "Yes! Lust is a flaw, it leads to decisions that someone wouldn't normally make, foolish and dangerous decisions that corrupt them and twist them into something that evil can use."

Silence answered him as Duo tried to find something he could say but all his mind wanted to do was keep poking at the growing ache in his heart, like some child fascinated with a bruise. Where the night before he'd been immersed in the warmth of joy and love for the first time, that morning he was becoming intimately acquainted with hurt and regret... and finding that he didn't like either of them -- at all.

Clenching his fists at his sides Heero sensed Duo's hurt and responded to it without questioning how he knew, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you. Now you're hurt because of my weakness." Frustrated and even more disgusted with himself than before Heero made a noise between a growl and a groan, "I shouldn't be here, I'll hurt you again if I stay." He pushed aside the part of him that protested desperately the idea of leaving, his wants did NOT matter.

Duo shook his head emphatically, "Don't leave. Don't run away. Whether I'm hurting or not is my own fault; I should have realized that I was pushing things yesterday and that you'd be too overwhelmed to think straight. I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I... I won't touch you again -- for anything -- until you give me permission. Just... don't leave. I'm sorry." His voice had grown small as he continued to speak -- his siblings would have been surprised to hear just how young and inexperienced their normally mischievous and upbeat baby brother could sound.

The very idea of not being touched again, after getting used to it over the past few days, made Heero start to protest how extreme the 'solution' was before he even thought, "But I want..." He snapped his mouth shut before he went on, his blue eyes filled with harsh shame. Not even a full week away from the heavens and he was already being selfish and greedy, it was a cruel lesson on his own lack of willpower.

"Is it really so wrong to want things?"

"Yes. I'm meant for service, whether it is Trowa or the celestials that you're listening to. Tools shouldn't desire anything but the successful completion of their task. I shouldn't want to be touched. I shouldn't want to stay here. I shouldn't want you." He was hardly aware of what he was saying, the words just flowing from his mouth as a verbal expression of the terrible churning inside him.

Pure, unadulterated joy flowed through Duo with every additional word until he wanted to fling himself at Heero and never let go; only his promise holding him back. "Even if the desire is slightly selfish, is that all it is? Or is there more to it? I want to keep you here and it's a selfish desire but I want to keep you here because I want to make you happy and that desire is anything but selfish."

That question provoked a moment of silent thought, Heero had never even considered the fact that his actions might be justified if not all of his reasons for them were selfish. He honestly didn't have an answer for Duo; he made a practice of putting his feelings away without looking at them, so he hadn't determined if his desire to stay and be touched wasn't just selfish. "I don't know."

"Humans... no. All of us really, have multiple motivations for what we do. It's normally just a question as to which of them are the strongest or mean the most to us." Duo scrambled out of bed to kneel before Heero, careful to not touch even as his hand hovered above Heero's knee. "You lock so much away. Do you even know what you're feeling? Other than the shame that's been pounded into your head until you think it's the only acceptable emotion?"

Duo's words struck uncomfortably close to the truth and Heero looked away, retreating to the lessons of his childhood as Duo had found he often did when he was off balance or conflicted. "Emotions, passions, inspire irrational behavior and impulsive actions... chaos. I shouldn't feel anything, shame or otherwise."

"So emotions are wrong and we should all reside in a colorless world, going about our business just because that's what's expected of us?"

It was a trick question, or perhaps a rhetorical one, and Heero knew that nothing he would say would justify the kind of life that Duo described. Maybe that was the point, if he couldn't even come up with an answer he found acceptable, it was possible that the position he was defending was wrong. Not quite willing to face that Heero asserted again, "Yes. Order and law are needed to keep people safe; from evil, from each other, and from themselves."

"Order and law does not equal unemotional," Duo argued back.

"But emotion itself is inherently unstable, it's impossible to predict and correct for, and it leads people to do things they never would have if they were thinking clearly. That's completely antithetical to what Order means."

Duo quirked a brow in sardonic amusement, "But without emotions nothing would ever get done at all. Without some form of motivation no one would ever bother to wake up."

"If the lesser races were able to overcome their flaws to reach that point their dedication to the Light would be more than enough to motivate them." His arguments were getting weaker and Heero searched mentally for something with which to distract Duo.

"But even the most righteous beings of Light, or so they think," Duo muttered with a roll of his eyes, "Even the angels follow their emotions. They want to create order. They hunger for power. Their very self-righteousness and pride are emotions."

Heero wanted to protest that the celestial's motivation was more pure than that, that they were humble and dedicated, but he knew that about this at least Duo was right. The angels -were- proud. "They are celestials, I'm less than they are. My emotions are more dangerous because I surrender to temptation too easily."

It was true, he'd lost track of how many times he'd been punished for his emotional outbursts, whether they were of anger, loneliness, or on the rare occasion, happiness. He'd been an impulsive and passionate child but after long years of training he'd finally learned to suppress those treacherous feelings and now they seemed to be bubbling up despite his attempt to continue control.

With a huff, Duo scoffed at the idea, "You are no more or less likely to surrender to temptation as an angel. And angels are not higher beings."

"Then why did I spend so much time being punished for my transgressions when I have never seen a celestial fall prey to their own?" Heero knew he was right on this point because he'd paid attention and never had he seen an angel do something that he'd been chastised for.

"Do you honestly think that they would punish one of their one in front of a 'lesser' being?" Duo sat back, propping himself up with his hands placed behind him as he voiced the question in a condescending manner -- only the smile on his face evidence that he was teasing and not truly calling Heero's intelligence into question.

He didn't get an answer, Heero just turned to walk a few steps away, as if the action would help him think. It did, though not about Duo's question. His muscles were pleasantly sore, overused in an activity they'd never engaged in before, and the ache reminded him all over again of the night before. He remembered how good it had felt, and that perfect moment of -rightness- and he wanted it back desperately. He needed Duo's touch to bring back that crystal clarity, and it made him hate himself for his weakness.

Eyes shining and lips tugged into a fond smile, Duo sat quietly watching and waiting for Heero's next verbal argument or surprise action. Even as much as he'd watched the man before him as he grew up, Duo never tired of the activity -- and never ceased being thrown off balance by many of Heero's thoughts.

He wasn't disappointed, it was a few minutes later when Heero spoke again and when he did he said, "They aren't as bad as you think they are."

"And they aren't as good as you think they are," Duo countered. "Difference is that I know my opinion has been skewed after having to deal with them the past few centuries. Have you admitted to yourself that your opinion isn't any more accurate than mine?"

Finally turning back to look at Duo Heero answered honestly, "I don't know if it is or not."

"Long as you're willing to see them from something other than their own perceived perfection you'll learn in time," Duo grinned up at Heero from his place on the floor, sorely tempted to reach out and trip him the next time he walked by.

Dragging his hand through his unruly hair Heero murmured, mostly to himself, "Maybe I don't want to."

Duo replied just as softly, "What do you want Heero?"

Starting to pace again Heero made a frustrated gesture, half because he was tired of telling Duo that his wants didn't matter, and half because he didn't know how to answer Duo's question even if he were inclined to.

Instead of pushing, Duo sat quietly again, hoping that Heero would eventually respond if he just gave him time.

Eventually he did, though his tone was no less frustrated than his stride, "What I want is irrelevant, and even if it wasn't, it's a moot point because I don't -know- what I want."

"I think you do."

"Then why don't you tell me?" Heero stopped to look at Duo, his expression challenging, and underpinned with half-hearted hope.

"I could," Duo admitted with a tilt of his head, "But do you really want me to? You know what you want too Heero, you're just scared to face those desires. You're running from your emotions. So why don't you tell me what you want?"

"Because I can't. I'm not supposed to." It sounded so foolish, so childish, said aloud, but the very idea of admitting his own desires to himself, much less out loud, made him edgy.

"Do you want to go back to them?"

Tense and clearly uncomfortable, Heero answered none-the-less, so softly it was barely audible, "No."

"But you'll let them dictate how you act and even how you think for the rest of your life?" Duo prodded gently.

Rather than answer right away Heero started to prowl the room again, something Duo knew he could do for days, pausing only to sleep. It helped him to channel, to focus all of his restlessness and force his mind to obey. "I w..." Gritting his teeth so hard it hurt he paused before shoving the words out, "I want to understand my life again. I want to know what's happening and why." There were so many things he could add. It was as if the admission of a single desire opened the floodgates to thousands of others that he had stalwartly denied.

Duo's beaming smile was extremely warm and encouraging as he asked, "Is that the most important 'want' you have right now?"

"The most important? Yes." Heero didn't elaborate, but the look of self-loathing was back in his midnight eyes.

"What's wrong Heero?"

Shaking his head Heero stayed silent, his long purposeful strides dividing the room up into smaller, easier to traverse, chunks. He wished it were so easy with emotions.

Duo didn't push further, "Alright then. You want to understand. Shall we go talk to Sally then? Or try to pick Trowa's brain again? Or would you like to go talk to someone in a random city? Whatever you would like to do we can."

Taking a deep breath Heero stopped and closed his eyes, pushing his emotions away again with the ease of long practice. When he sat down on the bed again he felt weary, hollow and gray, the way he always did when he locked his feelings out of sight, but he could think without distraction. "Do you think your brother would talk to me again?"

"Maybe, depends on his mood and whether or not he thinks you need to know something," Duo shrugged helplessly. "It's worth a shot I guess."

Frowning slightly in thought Heero nodded, "In that case I should talk to someone else first. I haven't learned anything new since the last time Trowa was here and if he meant for me to know anything else he would have told me then. It stands to reason that he would wait to tell me anything else until I had gathered the knowledge to support what he was going to say."

"Logical," Duo bowed his head in approval. "So Sally or just go talk to people and see if they support the information you've been given?"

Again he approached the question logically and answered after a brief second, "I would like to speak with your sister, if I can. The more information I get from the three of you, the more I will have to look at for verification when I talk to other human beings."

"Then let's go see her. I think showers and breakfast should come first though," Duo suggested with a cute little scrunching of his nose.

There was a tiny curving of Heero's lips and he commented dryly, "I'm sure she would appreciate that." Standing he hesitated but then offered Duo a hand up. It wasn't as if Duo needed it, but he was trying to tell Duo it was alright to touch him, without saying he wanted it.

Duo clasped the proffered hand readily, not relinquishing it once he was upright. Instead he used it to tug Heero towards the far wall where yet another new door opened up.

Getting used to doors appearing out of thin air, or as used to it as he could be given how surreal it was, Heero followed Duo into a room he could only describe as beautiful. It was huge and tiled in natural grey stone with a sunken pool he assumed was a bath and vibrant green plants scattered about. It was about as far from the bathroom he'd used in the heavens as possible and he paused just inside the door to look around.

"You like?" Duo asked with a touch of nervousness, of all the rooms in his home this was his sanctuary.

Taking a couple steps into the room Heero nodded vaguely, still overwhelmed by the room itself. Besides the pool, which was large enough to swim in, so it didn't really qualify as a bath in his mind, there was a waterfall at one end and nearby there were comfortable looking reclining chairs. The whole room was lit with soft soothing light that made it seem more like a forest grotto than a bathroom ? there were even patches of grass and clover mixed with the stone tiling. "It's beautiful."

A quiet sigh echoed from behind him as Duo's relief found vocal form. Stripping with a simple thought he edged past Heero to scrub off in a small alcove with its own miniature waterfall, unraveling his hair to flow behind him as he walked.

"How did you..." Heero stopped, having turned back to look at Duo and been struck dumb at the sight of Duo naked except for his unbound hair. He was gorgeous, all lean grace and sleek muscles framed by that rich chestnut hair, and for the first time Heero really had the opportunity to see. He'd been far too distracted before to really pay attention and he found enough coherent thought to wish that he had.

"Hmm?" Duo hummed in question, completely unconscious of his own grace and beauty and unaware of the affect on Heero.

The question should have shaken him out of his staring, but it didn't, and Heero just opened his mouth in an attempt to answer without anything actually coming out of it. Finally it was the lack of air from holding his breath that snapped Heero back into awareness and he turned bright red and forced himself to look away. He remembered vaguely that he had been in the middle of asking a question, but he couldn't remember what it was and just offered, "Um... Nevermind."

"Uh huh," Duo answered in distraction as he stepped under the water and reveled in the relaxing feel of it sliding over his skin, eyes closed in bliss.

Unconsciously Heero glanced back at Duo when he responded and struck by the view, and his sudden overwhelming desire to run his hands over that water slicked body, he turned his back to Duo completely and covered his eyes with his hands. Rather desperately he tried to think of how he could get out of the room without opening his eyes again, because he knew without a doubt that if he gave them a chance they'd go right back to Duo. Surely he'd be safe if he got out of the bathing room, after all Duo wouldn't want to follow now that he was all wet... The thought brought back the mental image and a tiny groan escaped Heero's lips before he could stop it.

"Heero?" A light touch landed on his shoulder, stirring him from his thoughts as Duo's voice continued softly, "You okay? Get undressed and clean off before joining me in the bath." That light touch trailed down his arm as Duo moved away from him, the faint splashing of water heralding his entrance into the pool.

Sighing in relief, and disappointment, Heero again turned his back to where he knew Duo was before he opened his eyes and started to get undressed. His own modesty was buried under his concentrated effort -not- to think about Duo and in short order he was standing under the water and cleaning himself off. He did, however, linger there longer than he would have normally because he was trying to come up with a plan for how to deal with sharing the pool with a beautifully naked Duo.

He'd stayed as long as he thought he could get away with and he still hadn't come up with a plan and after splashing water on his face and hoping it would explain his blush, Heero reluctantly left the waterfall. It helped that the pool was so deep that Duo was mostly submerged, and Heero was ridiculously grateful for that fact as he padded over and stepped into the water himself. The whole situation was embarrassingly awkward, for him anyway, and he hurriedly tucked himself in the corner of the pool as far from Duo as possible, up to his chin in the water and feeling as if it were no kind of cover at all. On the plus side, Duo hadn't mentioned his embarrassment, so perhaps it wasn't as obvious as he thought.

"Feel good?" Duo sounded a bit drowsy.

It did, and it relaxed Heero enough that he managed to answer, though he carefully kept his eyes on the surface of the water right in front of him rather than look at Duo, "Yes. This is a very nice room."

Duo's sigh broke the quiet that had settled over them for a few minutes, "Something's bothering you. What is it?"

That was probably the very last question Heero wanted to be asked just then and he frowned, trying to figure out how to answer it without answering it. He never was any good at subterfuge. "Don't worry about it, it's stupid." It was; given what they had done together, how intimately they had touched, it was foolish to be embarrassed about sharing a bath when they were a good ten feet apart and not even looking at each other.

"Nothing that concerns you could be stupid," Duo assured him, his next words coaxing -- almost pleading, "Talk to me."

Heero found himself answering without any conscious decision on his part, "It's just I didn't really have time to notice before, how... compelling you are." It was not the word he wanted to use, but it was as close as he could come. Heero knew he was blushing again and sighed.

"Really?" Duo sounded like a child opening a longed-for gift at Christmas but then asked a bit more seriously, "Is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know." Heero answered honestly and then finally looked over at Duo, his expression troubled, "When I saw you earlier, with your hair down and the water... The things I wanted to do..." He looked down again, flushed and confused, and ashamed.

"What did you want to do?" Duo pushed curiously. "And please stop feeling ashamed for feelings things. Most of the time our feelings are nothing to be ashamed of; it's how we react to them."

"That's not what I was tau..." Heero stopped, remembering Duo's words about the celestials still controlling his thoughts and actions and dragged a hand through his hair, making the dark brown locks stick up in even more unruly directions than usual. He didn't want to answer Duo's question partly because of embarrassment and partly because of what he'd been taught his whole life about lust and desire, but he made himself anyway. "I wanted to touch you, to feel your hair in my hands and... I wanted to lick the water off of your skin to see how you tasted."

He could force himself to talk, but he couldn't force the flush out of his cheeks, or force his eyes up to meet Duo's.

Water lapped at his skin as Duo's shifting to move closer stirred it into tiny waves. "Would you like to?" Duo asked as he feathered a touch along Heero's jaw, not wanting to force him to look.

The red on Heero's cheeks darkened further and he bumped into the edge of the pool hard when he tried to back up, afraid not of Duo, but his own desires. A small grunt of pain passed his lips and he looked up at Duo automatically, his gaze locked in place as soon as his eyes met Duo's. "I..." His tone was confused again, uncertain as much as it was fascinated by Duo.

Duo quirked a brow at him in question, his eyes kept on Heero's face by will alone as he desperately wanted to carry out his own survey of the gorgeous man in front of him.

Wishing rather desperately that Duo wasn't always so insistent on answers Heero clenched his jaw and nodded once. If he hadn't virtually trapped himself in a corner he would have moved away, putting enough distance between them to allow him to think clearly again, but that wasn't an option unless he pushed passed Duo.

"You're not happy," Duo murmured, moving away slightly. "I'm sorry."

A little alarmed at Duo's tone, and not stopping to question how he could read him so well so quickly, Heero shook his head, "It's not you."

"Then what is it?" Duo's desperation to understand and his need to make things perfect for Heero combined to give his voice a strongly pleading tone.

"It's me. I've never felt anything like this before and I can't make it stop." Frustration and uneasiness colored his voice and Heero shook his head.

"You want it to stop? Or you're just not sure what to do about it?" he tried to clarify.

"I want it to stop if I can't figure out what to do about it," was Heero's almost immediate answer.

"And if you can figure out what to do about it?" Duo inquired.

"Then I'll do it and there won't be a problem anymore." It was an overly simple view of things, of course, but Heero had precious little idea what he was talking about and thus didn't know how unlikely his 'solution' was to fix anything.

A chuckle escaped Duo at the suggestion, "So you're saying that you wanted to touch me and you want that feeling to stop or figure out what to do with that desire? Heero..." Shaking his head a little, Duo told him with a grin, "How about just giving in and doing what you want to do?"

That particular plan hadn't occurred to him and Heero opened his mouth to dismiss it, but he couldn't fault Duo's logic; it -was- the most efficient method to deal with his desires. The problem was that he wasn't supposed to give in to lust, and that was certainly what he felt when he looked at Duo. Of course if he weren't following the angel's laws anymore then it was a moot point... Sighing Heero looked at Duo uncertainly, "Is that right?"

"To act on your desires? Well, that all depends on what your desire is," Duo shrugged a bit as he answered, knowing his answer wasn't exactly what Heero wanted. "According to human society some things are wrong to do and there are a few things that everyone thinks are wrong, whether they're angel, human, or demon."

"And in this case?" As much as he doubted his own motivations sometimes, Heero was fairly confident that he would never want to do something that even a demon would disapprove of.

"In this case..." Duo paused, eyes twinkling as he regarded Heero. "In this case I think whether or not it's alright to act on your desire to touch depends on how the person you want to touch feels about it. And I think my feelings on the subject were made quite obvious yesterday."

Heero blushed again darkly and dragged a hand through his hair again, embarrassed and completely unsure of what to do now. "Oh."

Duo snickered a little, ducking his head to hide his mirth. "If you want to touch, lick, kiss, taste... whatever you want Heero, you will always have my permission to touch me."

A little disgruntled at being laughed at Heero narrowed his eyes and deliberately poked Duo in the shoulder, "It's not funny, I've never had to think about things like this before." He wasn't really angry, he could understand Duo's amusement from a certain angle, and he did feel a little better.

"I know, I know. You're just so -cute- when you get all flustered," Duo explained, face split in a beaming carefree smile.

Heero had never, in all his life, been called cute, and he drew himself up to his full height and frowned with mock wounded dignity, "I am -not- cute."

"Yes you are," Duo argued playfully. "Cute and sexy and gorgeous."

"Gorgeous and cute are mutually exclusive, it's not possible for me to be both."

"Who says?" Duo demanded. "Although, granted, it can be slightly difficult to be both at one time but that doesn't mean you can't be both."

"I'm only human, and not nearly that talented." Heero answered dryly, much more relaxed now that the conversation had steered away from embarrassing territory.

"Oh but you are," Duo practically purred, hand reaching out to trail across Heero's shoulder.

Perhaps it was the addition of that purr, but that touch sent a hot shudder through Heero's body and he became acutely aware, all over again, of their proximity and state of undress. Catching Duo's hand automatically Heero looked down at it and with a nearly painful sigh gave in to his own desires. Lifting Duo's hand up Heero dipped his head hesitantly to gently suck the water droplets off of the delicate skin on Duo's wrist. The water tasted faintly of stone and heat and stronger was the flavor Heero remembered from kissing Duo's skin the night before. Wanting more Heero ran his tongue over Duo's captive wrist slowly, drawing out the experience unconsciously and drawing a deep moan from Duo, who closed his eyes and swayed in the water.

A little startled at the intensity of Duo's reaction Heero lifted his head and reached out to steady Duo, worry keeping him from being embarrassed, "Duo?"

"Yes?" Duo answered, voice sounding drowsy as he tried to pull himself back from the little bit of heaven Heero's touch had sent him to.

"Are you alright?"

"Mmhmm. More than."

Heero nudged Duo around so he was the one leaning on the wall, not entirely sure Duo -was- okay, "But you're swaying on your feet..."

"I am?" Duo looked down at his feet with a curiously befuddled stare, "I guess I am. Feels good."

Decidedly concerned now, Heero took Duo's hand and started to tug him toward the steps out of the pool, "I think the heat's gotten to you. You should get out of this water and lay down."

"Lying down sounds good," Duo replied with a mischievous smirk, "But only if you'll continue."

Heero stopped and half-turned to look at Duo, taking in Duo's smirk with a slightly confused frown of his own. "What?"

"I told you, it felt good. Good enough that I kinda lost my balance. I want you to continue," Duo gazed at him through damp bangs.

"Oh..." Heero wasn't sure how to react to that, but he figured that the best bet was to get Duo out of the water and go from there... just in case he lost his balance again. Tugging on Duo's hand again to get him to climb out of the pool Heero glanced around, looking for towels. First things first after all.

"What're you looking for?"

Heero glanced back at Duo's question and once again found himself speechless at the sight of a dripping wet and gloriously naked Duo.

Duo cocked his head curiously at Heero's staring, hair falling to one side to drip onto the floor. He reached up to brush it behind an ear unconsciously, trying to determine what had caused Heero's loss for words.

Watching that movement brought Heero's attention to Duo's face and he blushed a little at the questioning look there, aware that he'd been caught staring. Looking down he murmured, "I'm sorry."

"For?" Duo asked in confusion.

"Staring at you. I didn't mean to."

"Oh -- I don't mind you know," Duo assured him.

"Why not?" It occurred to Heero as he finished saying it, that it was a rather foolish question, but it had popped out before he could think better of it.

"Mind being stared at? Or mind being stared at by you?" Duo smiled at him, "They're two completely different things. I don't mind you looking though, I like you."

"I don't think I'll ever understand you." Heero shook his head, but his hand was moving already so he could brush his fingertips over that bright smile. When he realized what he was doing he blushed and started to drop his hand.

Catching it quickly, Duo placed a kiss to the tips of his fingers, thumb stroking his palm as he asked, "Is that a bad thing?"

"Isn't it? If I don't understand you I won't know what you want." Since knowing what others wanted from him was how he survived, the prospect of never knowing was disconcerting at least.

"You can always ask," Duo informed him, then offered, "I'll tell you if there's something really important I want."

Visibly relaxing Heero nodded and glanced at his hand in Duo's possession, the apparently absentminded caresses making him want to press his hand against Duo's skin. Instead he said, "Thank you."

"So what now?"

Making himself look up at Duo's face Heero took a deep breath and said, "I suppose we go see your sister."

A pout pushed out Duo's lower lip slightly, "Now? Not continuing our bath or the... other." A bit of pink rose in his cheeks as he finished.

The blush completely astonished Heero, and strangely made him feel much better about his own embarrassment. After a second he answered, "If we stay in there much longer we're going to be completely waterlogged but..." Hesitantly, and steeling himself against his own doubts, Heero leaned forward and laid a chaste kiss on Duo's pout.

Duo's breath caught and his eyes fluttered shut as he leaned into the kiss slightly.

Not quite pulling away Heero asked a little anxiously, his lips still close enough to brush Duo's, "Is this alright?"

"Oh yes," Duo breathed, voice hushed and eyes still closed in bliss.

Heero relaxed a little at the reassurance, though he was still unsure of himself, not to mention the situation. Leaning back so he could look at Duo's face he let himself really -look- for the first time, not afraid of being caught staring. The man was stunning, the sight of his expression alone enough to make Heero's breath catch in his chest. He didn't think about it but his free hand lifted to brush a few drops of water from Duo's cheek. It was so strange that the further away from Duo he was the more embarrassed he got about their relationship, and the closer he got the more right it felt.

A smile tugging at his lips, Duo ducked his head to nuzzle Heero's hand, breath ghosting across his palm when he asked, "So what would you like to do?"

Any number of answers came to mind and almost every one made him blush so Heero answered a little off topic, "We should dry off before we get cold." Not that there felt like there was any chance of that, standing so close to Duo, but the idea of actually voicing any of the thoughts in his head made his embarrassment skyrocket.

Chuckling quietly, Duo pulled him into a hug. "You're too cute for your own good."

Jumping a little at the feeling of all that bare skin pressed against him Heero awkwardly put his arms around Duo too. "I don't think I'm supposed to be cute."

Duo's arms settled more comfortably around Heero's waist, tugging him into a firmer embrace. "And why wouldn't you suppose to be cute? How about sexy, attractive... arousing?"

A little part of him that Heero hadn't even been aware of before spoke up and Heero asked a little self-consciously, lilting slightly with hope, "Am I?"

"Mmm, very much so," Duo murmured distractedly, his attention caught by a very tempting bit of Heero's neck. Giving in, he gave it a tiny lick with the tip of his tongue.

Shivering Heero tilted his head, closing his eyes as he admitted, "I'm glad... That I am to you."

Duo nibbled a little at the neck offered before pulling reluctantly away. "So, uh, what're we doing?"

Taking a breath to steady himself Heero opened his eyes and stepped back so he could think more clearly, "We're getting ready to go see your sister."

"If that's what you want," Duo agreed, drawing away to turn and head for the bedroom. He paused partway there to conjure long soft towels for the two of them and he turned to toss Heero's to him with a happy little smile. "Almost forgot. See what you do to me?"

Heero had the somewhat incongruous thought, 'People dream of towels?' as he caught his and wrapped it around himself, looking away from Duo. "I'm sorry..."

"For what? It's a good thing. Now come on, let's get ready. Hopefully she'll feed us while we're there."

It was good? Unable to see how, but not reading anything in Duo's manner to suggest he was lying, Heero just had to accept that it was. Following Duo he paused to dry off enough that he wouldn't drip everywhere before he left the bathroom. With the towel wrapped around his waist to keep him decent Heero padded back into the bedroom and frowned when it suddenly occurred to him that he didn't have anything to wear.

A problem that had occurred to Duo too because he flopped down on the bed to dry his hair and asked, "Do you want to clean your clothes or make something new?"

Thinking for a moment Heero answered slowly, "I don't think it would be appropriate, to wear my wedding clothes. I'm not going to get married anymore." It made him uneasy, to give up that last part of his life, but he knew he would have to eventually. The blinding smile he received for his words made him duck his head, not feeling worthy of that kind of emotion.

"Heero? Come here love," Duo called softly.

He obeyed before he could tell himself not to and he ended up standing in front of Duo where he sat on the bed. Feeling uncomfortable standing over anyone, being far more used to being below them, Heero knelt on the floor by Duo's feet and looked up at him.

His lower lip sticking out in a pout, Duo muttered, "I liked the view when you were standing."

Blinking in confusion it took Heero a moment to understand what Duo meant and then he turned bright red again but asked with an odd mix of flirtation and meekness, "Do you want me to?"

Duo turned just as red as Heero and fell backwards to stretch across the bed. His face hidden in his towel, his voice came out muffled, "I didn't mean to say that out loud."

Somehow Duo's mortification made Heero feel much better and a laugh escaped before he knew it was there. Startled though he was he stood and leaned over Duo to tug the towel out of the way, "Was that my fault too?"

"You make my brain melt," Duo informed him seriously. But then a grin spread across his face, "In a completely good, arousing, tempting, and distracting way."

Heero nodded, "That's fair."

"How is that fair?" Duo demanded, hands helpless to avoid reaching up and stroking along Heero's arms and chest.

His cheeks heated in a way entirely too familiar by then but Heero answered honestly, "It's fair because you do the same thing to me."

Positively glowing at the confession, Duo smiled up at Heero, "That's... perfect."

"It is?" Tilting his head a little in question Heero put an arm down to brace himself up so he could keep looking at Duo.

"Yes. Kissing me would be better," Duo prodded, eyes pleading.

"Nothing is better than perfect." Heero pointed out, but he did push aside his own embarrassment long enough to lean down and kiss Duo, who responded eagerly to the caress and wrapped arms around Heero's shoulders to tug him closer.

Knowing instinctively that if he went along they would never end up going to see Duo's sister Heero resisted and lifted his head again. "We have to go."

Duo's bottom lip immediately stuck out in a pout but he acquiesced to the unspoken request to stop by letting his arms fall to the bed. "Alright. Let's make up some clothes for you then."

Slipping off the bed, careful to keep his towel in place Heero offered Duo a hand up shyly which was taken with a smile.

Once standing Duo looked Heero over and asked, "So what type of clothes would you like to wear?"

Looking down at himself Heero shrugged, "I don't care. As long as they cover me it doesn't matter."

Eyes alight with mischief, Duo immediately covered Heero with a dress with a bell skirt and dripping with lace and ribbons.

Heero's reaction was a repulsed expression and body posture that made it look as if he were trying not to touch the thing. "This isn't what human men wear is it?" He couldn't imagine anyone voluntarily walking around in such a... monstrosity, but then he had never met another human man and had no idea what they were like.

Snickering, Duo answered, "No. Certain women in certain cultures wear that." The dress was immediately replaced with skintight black pants, knee boots, and a flowing dark green shirt of soft cotton.

Sighing in relief at the more normal clothes, though wearing such dark colors felt decidedly odd, and the pants indecently tight, Heero fiddled with the laces at the neck of his shirt. "Thank you. This is... much better."

"Would you like to change anything about it?"

"Are these normal clothes?" Hopelessly ignorant and very unhappy about it, Heero could only rely on Duo's knowledge of what was commonplace and what wasn't. He didn't want to stand out among other humans any more than he already would, and he would have to get used to normal clothing eventually.

"Doesn't matter. Whenever we go somewhere I'll make sure we're wearing appropriate clothes. For my sister though," Duo shrugged. "Sally doesn't care so wear whatever you want. If you want something tighter, looser, shorter, longer -- whatever you want."

"Oh." Looking down at the pants Heero plucked at them self-consciously, "Then a little looser?"

The pout came back to Duo's face, "Alright. They look good though."

Heero was getting very tired of blushing and sighed, "Well I guess it doesn't really matter."

The pants immediately loosened slightly and Duo gave him a soft smile, "Comfortable now?"

They were still tighter than he was used to wearing but he supposed nothing would be what he was used to so he just nodded, "Thank you."

"You want to change anything else? I can easily do anything, color included," Duo informed him.

Shaking his head Heero said softly, "I can't spend the rest of my life wearing white."

Duo nodded and asked, "So now what? Food or visit Sally?"

"If we don't go now I don't know if I'll want to at all." The thought of meeting the Creator, even if she wasn't what he'd always been taught, was more than a little daunting.

"Alright. Don't worry love; Sally won't bite."

"Duo..." Heero crossed his arms over his chest and looked down, "She's the Creator. You're her brother. And I'm not..." He paused and finished, "I'm just human."

"Not for long you're not," Duo muttered under his breath. Louder he said, "Don't worry. You're more than human. You're special Heero. You think I fall in love with just anyone?"

"We don't even know what the prophecy means, I might not be special at all. I just... I'm not good enough for you and she'll know it."

Duo shook his head in fond exasperation, "You've got this all figured out don't you? Nothing I say will change your mind so let's just go and Sally herself can lay your fears to rest." Slipping his hands under Heero's elbows, he told him, "Hold on a little so you don't lose your balance when we jump."

"Jump?" Heero gave Duo a wary look, but did as he was told, reaching out to grip Duo's upper arms. The room around them flickered -- as it had when Duo transported Heero to his realm from the celestial one -- and around them appeared a forest clearing with a large wooden shrine.

"Oh." Heero's voice sounded a little weak, even to him, and he wasn't aware of how tight he was holding Duo's arms until Duo's hands tightened on his elbows.

"Are you okay?"

Letting go immediately Heero nodded, "It just surprised me... Where are we?"

"Sally's. Well, her temple anyway. Quatre will know where exactly we can find her; she moves around a lot," Duo explained.

"She's a busy goddess." A bright cheerful voice came from the woods to the left of them and a short slender man with soft golden hair and blue-green eyes followed it. Bowing slightly to Duo he gave Heero a curious look as he moved to put a bowl of milk and some fresh bread on the alter. "Do you need to see her right away or can it wait for a little while?"

"Depends on how long 'a little while' is," Duo said cheerfully. "Her 'little whiles' can get really long sometimes."

The priest, if his green and brown robe over his clothes was any indication, laughed, "Well in this case it's one of my little whiles. She gave me reason to believe she would be stopping by before everyone gathers for the annual blessing this evening."

Turning around he gave Heero an openly curious look, "Hello, I'm Quatre, Sally's high priest."

Looking from the man's outstretched hand to Duo helplessly Heero unconsciously edged closer to Duo as he answered, "Hello... My name is Heero."

Duo wrapped a supportive arm around Heero's waist and explained in a whisper meant only for him, "Human custom -- when you meet you shake hands." Looking to Quatre, Duo asked, "The back room empty? We'll wait for her there if it is."

Sensing that Heero was reluctant to shake his hand Quatre dropped it with an accepting smile and nodded, "It is. Feel free to make yourselves at home. I'd stay to keep you company but I'm afraid I have quite a bit of work to do to get ready for this evening. Sally wouldn't mind it being informal of course, but her followers are rather enamored with the ceremony and I hate to disappoint them. If you need anything there should be plenty of acolytes running about, just ask one of them." Bowing again, a little deeper, Quatre smiled at them both before leaving back the way he'd come.

Casting an uncertain look after the cheerful little man Heero commented, "He wasn't what I would have expected." Heero wasn't sure if it was a good sign or not that the first human being he'd met was so... accepting.

"Quatre's a little different. He's the High Priest in one of the religions that worships Sally. Though it is the only one of those that actually knows her. And even then he's the first one she's met that she actually likes and gets along with quite well so between the two of us we've granted him, well, we've pretty much granted him immortality," Duo explained. "He's lived quite a while now; not sure of the exact number of years, so he's not anything like most humans you'll meet."

Heero nodded, looking thoughtful, "I think I liked him. He was very... Happy." It wasn't precisely the word he was looking for, but it was nearly impossible to sum up the peace and joy and deep good will that he'd sensed from the priest.

"Happy?" Duo paused to consider for a moment before answering, "Yeah, he normally is. And he lights up like a Christmas tree when my brother's around -- if Trowa ever gets over his obliviousness to notice. But how'd you know he was happy?"

Deciding not to bother asking what a Christmas tree was Heero thought for a moment, then shrugged, "I don't know. I just felt it."

"Odd. Maybe we should ask Sally about that," Duo pondered aloud.

"That's odd?" Heero frowned, he hadn't thought it was unusual to be able to tell things about other people, it was obvious after all.

"Well... How did you know? Did he look happy or did you feel what he was feeling?" Duo asked.

Shrugging Heero said, "Both."

"Cause being able to feel what someone else is feeling is a pretty rare ability. We'll talk to Sally about it... or maybe Quatre. I think he has the same ability; although his isn't very strong," Duo explained.

"You can't do that?" Heero was confused, it was so easy, it was just... there. How could a god not be able to sense it?

Duo shook his head, "Only time I can feel someone's emotions is when they're dreaming and I can feel the emotions associated with the dream."

"Oh." Having no idea what to say about that Heero frowned a little, thinking back to try and pin point exactly when he'd started feeling what other people felt.

"So what do you want to do until Sally gets here? Might be a while."

"Will she know where to find us if we go for a walk?" Heero looked passed Duo, into the woods, his voice soft, "I'd like to see the trees."

"Of course. We're in her realm so she'll know where we are. You wanna take a walk and look around? This is Sally's personal area so she takes really good care of it."

"If she wouldn't mind... I haven't gotten to see the woods. They seem very peaceful." Without realizing it Heero reached out for Duo's hand, needing the solid support when he felt so out of his depth. He wasn't afraid, the whole place felt entirely too safe, welcoming, but he was still far outside the realm of his experience.

Duo grasped his hand readily, lips stretching into a heartstopping grin in appreciation of the gesture. "Then let's go. I'll show you around." He tugged excitedly at the hand in his, "There's so many things I want to show you."

Unable to resist smiling shyly back at that grin, and the pure joy that Duo was showing, Heero nodded and went along easily, his eyes reluctant to leave Duo, even to see the lush woods around them.

For the rest of the afternoon Duo walked with him through the woods, showing him the many different types of plants and animals and the small pond and waterfall his bathing room had been modeled after. Heero's hands hardly ever left Duo's -- really only when he needed both to do something; and Duo delighted in the contact, returning it as often as he could. The amusement Heero showed at the squirrels and his rapt attention when he listened to the song birds warmed Duo through and he racked his brain for more things to show Heero.

Looking up at Duo from where he was examining a tiny flower shaped like a bell and the color of Duo's eyes Heero murmured, "I've missed so much..."

"But you'll appreciate it from now on," Duo assured him. "So many people grow up with this and never really see what's around them. They take it for granted."

Shaking his head Heero brushed his fingers over the delicate blooms once more before he stood fully and asked, "How could they not appreciate all of this?"

"People grow so accustomed to seeing certain things that those things no longer register in their minds," Duo explained. "It's something that many think to be a flaw and actively strive to never give in to such apathy."

Looking around, and then back at Duo, Heero said, "It is a flaw. Not recognizing such beauty is a crime. I can't understand that."

"Then you'll never fall prey to that problem. Shall I show you some more?"

"Please?"

"We'll walk around until Sally finds us. She'll go back to the temple for the blessing and Quatre will tell her we want to see her. She'll come find us at that point. Unless you want to watch the ceremony?" Duo raised a brow at him in question.

Heero thought about that for a moment, then said slowly, "I've spent my whole life revering the Creator. Even though most of what I was told was wrong, I would like to show my respect."

"Then we'll go. It's a nice ceremony, not gaudy or overblown like so many. Sally's a big fan of simple."

Looking around Heero said dryly, "You can't tell from her handiwork."

A chuckle escaped from Duo, "Actually, 'simple' is from the human point of view because she uses her own handiwork in the ceremonies -- flowers and stones and other things she's created -- instead of using human made baubles."

Heero nodded, "That sounds beautiful. Will it be starting soon?"

"Sunset... so maybe an hour or so," Duo told him with a glance to the sun.

"Alright... Can we walk around some more or should we go back?"

"We can continue walking. If you want we can just meander back to the shrine by a different route than we got here," Duo suggested.

"I would like that. I've got so much left to see, I don't think I'll have enough time to see it all." Heero spoke wistfully, for the first time really regretting that he would have to die someday.

"Yes you will," Duo said with complete confidence and a glint in his eyes. "Although even after you've seen everything you want to see now you'll find more things you want to see."

Missing what Duo was hinting at Heero watched a tiny bird hover in place to sip from a flower and tugged on Duo's hand, pointing and whispering, "Look! It's like a living jewel, just floating in mid-air. How does it do that?"

"You'll have to ask Sally. I deal in dreams, not reality," Duo informed him with a grin. "That's a hummingbird. If you want we can ask Sally if a few would be happy living in our realm."

Suddenly aware that he was acting like a child Heero blushed and shrugged, "If you'd like."

"I would like anything that would make you happy," Duo told him with a silly smile.

Unable to deny the truth of that when he could feel it, though he still couldn't understand those feelings at all, Heero looked up at Duo through his lashes, "Then walk with me like this again sometime?"

"Whenever you want."

The ceremony was a short one, full of more light and laughter than Heero would have expected. The priest, Quatre, spoke for a little while about the importance of not only appreciating the Creator's blessings, but sharing them with one another, since, after all, they were all her creations. His joyful wisdom seemed to spread over those who had gathered there and there were no complaints when they formed a line to walk slowly by the altar, laying down offerings.

Most were offerings of food that the worshipers had made, but there were also some carvings and gadgets, and one beautifully embroidered square of cloth. They paid their homage and gratitude by echoing Sally's work, making their own creations out of hers. Heero, not having an offering waited with Duo and wished he knew how to make something that he could offer in respect.

A feminine voice whispered to him on the wind and he looked up to catch Sally's eyes when he heard the words. "You have already given me something extremely precious; you've restored my brother's smile."

Heero's eyes widened before he dropped them respectfully, he hadn't known what to expect, but the ghostly visage apparently no one else could see wasn't it. She was beautiful, and just beyond Quatre's shoulder as he smiled and spoke with each of her people. Something in the priest's manor suggested that he was aware of Sally, but he didn't directly address her.

Glancing from the ground over to Duo he saw that Sally was right, Duo was smiling, but he didn't know how much credit for the expression he could take. Very softly he answered her, "He smiles so easily, it takes no skill from me."

"You're right. It's not skill; it's simply your presence. He hasn't smiled like that in centuries. We'll speak more once this ceremony is over."

The idea of Duo being unhappy for so long made Heero tighten his grip on Duo's hand and he nodded with a slight bow toward Sally. The ceremony didn't take much longer, and when the last of the offerings had been placed on the overflowing altar Quatre smiled at them all and turned to face where Sally lingered, saying warmly, "Thank you for creating us. Thank you for the gifts we have. Thank you for the blessings in our futures." The worshipers echoed him and bowed as well, and as simply as that the blessing was done.

The quiet solemnity was replaced by conversation and laughter as the crowd began to move around, greeting one another and preparing for the informal feast that always followed the annual blessing.

"Come with me," Duo said softly, tugging at Heero's hand. "Quatre will have a few more duties to attend to but no one here will miss Sally if she doesn't show up physically." He snorted a bit in amusement, "They don't know who she is when she takes on human form anyway."

Glad to be getting away from the overwhelmingly large group of people, some of whom kept trying to talk to and touch him, Heero nodded gratefully and followed Duo without the hesitation he'd formerly shown in regards to meeting Sally.

The back room to the temple was blissfully quiet and Heero relaxed immediately, though his tight grip on Duo's hand didn't ease as they waited. It was no more than a couple of minutes when a woman entered and Heero recognized her instinctively as the Creator, Duo's sister. His moment of frozen uncertainty and Quatre's entrance right after Sally kept him from doing anything until Quatre beamed at him and thrust a plate full of food into his hands. "You picked the perfect time to visit, the food is fantastic this time of year and there's plenty to go around."

Taking the plate Heero blinked at him and murmured a confused, "Thank you..." He knew he liked Quatre, but the sheer compassionate joy the man radiated was rather intimidating to someone who had spent his life trying to suppress all forms of emotion.

The hand in his tightened reassuringly as Duo's voice rang out to greet Sally, "Hey sis! Things look to have gone well for another year."

Sally easily stepped forward to hand a plate to her brother and kiss his cheek affectionately, "Yes, this year has been a good one. Now, I want to get to know the man who's stolen your heart. You need to take very good care of him you know."

Heero felt a wild surge of panic at Sally's words but a second later he felt a hand on his arm and found Quatre smiling at him understandingly. "It's alright." Heero found himself nodding before he recognized that some of the deep peace in the priest had somehow transferred over to him.

Quatre nodded back and dropped his hand, taking a step back again so that Sally could see Heero completely. He took a breath before he lifted his eyes to meet hers, the dark midnight color seeming deeper and more vital than it had just days before when Duo first took him. He put the plate down, but didn't let go of Duo's hand before he bowed to her deeply.

"None of that," Sally said good-naturedly. "You're family now."

Straightening uncertainly Heero shifted until he was nearly touching Duo's side, "You give me an honor I haven't earned Creator."

"Gifts are very rarely earned, little brother. That's why they're called blessings," Sally advised him with a quirk to her lips. "Now sit and eat and tell me everything."

Glancing over at Duo for reassurance Heero sat and asked tentatively, "Everything about what?"

"Your time in the heavens and how Duo's been treating you," she stated calmly even as Duo shot her a frightened look.

"He is not telling you everything about his time with me. Uh uh, no way, no how," Duo shook his head adamantly, scared witless at the thought of telling his sister about the previous evening.

A first Heero was surprised at Duo's fear, when Duo had told him so many times that there was nothing to worry about, but then his thoughts followed Duo's and he felt his face heating dramatically. "Oh. Well... There isn't much to tell..."

Quatre stifled a laugh and made some excuse that was barely coherent before he practically ran out of the room, trailing muffled giggles.

"I'll be the judge of that," Sally told him primly although she was grinning with barely contained glee -- at the thought of having material to tease her brother about. "Which angels were put in charge of you?"

Heero didn't really want to talk about the heavens, he knew it upset Duo, but he answered out of the desire to please Sally, "One of the cherubs made sure that I did my chores properly, and a few of the seraphim saw to my education and my punishments, when they were necessary."

"How... impersonal," Sally muttered darkly. "Did no one ever simply spend time with you? Do you have any friends there?"

Duo pulled Heero more tightly against his side in a bid to comfort the man as he answered. Shocked by the very idea Heero shook his head immediately, "Of course not. No celestial would endanger their purity by associating with a lesser being when it wasn't absolutely necessary."

Sally's shock equaled Heero's own, "But... that means... how..."

Duo ran a hand down Heero's back as he chided his sister, "Speak coherently sis. Neither of us speak bumbling idiot."

"You!!!" Sally huffed at him dramatically and threw a cushion at him in irritation, hitting Heero in the process. "I'm sorry Heero, I didn't mean to hit you along with him. I just can't believe that you... you never had any life outside your studies."

Catching the cushion as it fell into his lap automatically Heero looked down at it and then up at her, unease in his eyes as he struggled to regain his mental balance. It hadn't hurt, of course, but no one had ever done anything like that to him before. Even playful violence had been completely missing from his life and he had no idea how to respond to it.

Blinking he picked up the cushion and carefully set it to the side before he ventured, "It's... alright."

"Heero?" Duo murmured quietly, squeezing him slightly, "What's wrong love?"

Guessing, correctly, that his reaction was unusual Heero flushed and shook his head, "Nothing." At least, he didn't think anything was. Attempting to ease Duo's concern Heero added, "I've just never had anyone do something like that before."

"Ahh, that makes sense if you've never had any friends," Sally piped up. "So what did you do all day?"

"Friends throw things at each other?" He knew he sounded a little dubious, and he wasn't sure he wanted friends after all.

Since it didn't seem likely that they would answer his question Heero answered hers, "In the mornings I woke up and gathered the ingredients I needed for my morning meal, I cooked, ate and cleaned up my dishes and went to my first lesson, most of the time my instructors focused on the ways mankind is tempted and reminding me that I needed to stay as pure as possible for my wedding so I had to avoid any temptation." He shrugged a little adding, "Most of them weren't hard to avoid, they all seemed to involve touching other people in one way or another."

"Sounds like you should have gotten bored with that very quickly," Sally commented dryly while studying Duo's reaction. He'd gotten such a perplexed look on his face and she knew that he could not in any way fathom an existence without touching the people around him.

Looking down Heero shook his head, saying quietly, "There were always things I needed to learn. I let my emotions affect me too much and I often spent the afternoons being punished for it."

"Emotions are part of life though; every living being has them," Sally remarked sagely but was cut off before she could continue.

"How were you punished?" Duo demanded fiercely.

His eyes wide Heero looked over at Duo, wondering at his strong reaction, "I went without my mid-day meal and knelt in one of the unused chambers so I wouldn't have any distractions as I tried to master my base nature until it was time to do the rest of my chores after dinner." He frowned a little and tilted his head, asking, "How else would I have been punished?"

Sally spoke up soothingly, "You can't imagine they'd beat him Duo -- not with their complete aversion to touching him."

Duo ground his teeth in irritation but he relaxed after a moment, leaning a bit into Heero to assure himself that he'd gotten him out of the celestial realm.

"Now... Heero. I'm curious what they taught you, especially about me."

Guessing that she wouldn't be happy with his answer Heero glanced at Duo and found himself stroking Duo's hand reassuringly, he didn't like it when Duo worried for him so much. Taking a deep breath he answered honestly, "I was taught that you were male, and that you created the celestials as your favored children. When you saw that they were restless with no purpose to their lives you created humanity and set the angels over us to guide us toward perfect purity. Demons were born of human sins, because you were compassionate and gave us too much free will, and angels took it upon themselves to fight that evil as a way to continue serving your wishes."

Sally stared at him blankly for a moment before snorting in an attempt to hold back her laughter only for it to break through and leave her holding her sides and literally rolling around on the couch. She was breathless and slightly incoherent when she finally spoke again, "I can't believe... Such moronic beings. Why did we create them? That's just too... oh heavens, Duo, have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?"

Ducking his head Heero clenched his jaw against the shame her comment caused, feeling stupid for believing something that was becoming more and more obviously false.

A hand reached out to ruffle his hair affectionately, Sally's voice soft as she tried to alleviate the pain her words had brought, "What they taught you makes sense Heero if it's all you know. Don't ever feel like you did something wrong by trusting the people who raised you. Especially when you've been strong enough to see beyond it."

Jerking out from under Sally's hand, still shocked when anyone but Duo touched him, Heero shrugged slightly, "I don't know if I had a choice. This prophecy seems to have determined my life for me."

"No, all it did was give a bit of direction. The choices are still all yours," Sally assured him, sitting back to watch her brother and Heero intently.

"Then you know what it means?" Heero asked hopefully, leaning forward in anticipation of some answers.

"Nope, not a bit," Sally told him blithely. "I only know what Trowa's told me which is exactly what he's told you. And that Duo needs to take good care of you."

Duo's head jerked up, his grip on Heero tightening as he protested, "I am taking care of him. I couldn't do anything but take care of him... he's part of me."

Embarrassed that Duo would say something like that, especially in front of someone else, Heero murmured, "Duo!"

Louder he said, "I don't need to be taken care of. I'm not a child."

"No, you're not," Sally agreed with a secretive smile, "But Duo's right. You are part of him just as he's part of you. Are you telling me that you won't be taking care of him in turn?"

Strangely the thought had never occurred to Heero, it wasn't that he didn't intend to do whatever he could for Duo, it was that it was just a given. There was no need to think about it at all. "If he needs anything I'll do it, of course."

Sally's smile softened, pleased beyond measure by his answer. "Then you'll both take care of each other no matter what happens."

"You don't look comfortable love; will you tell me what's bothering you?" Duo questioned gently, squeezing the hand in his as they wandered his own grounds later that night. The talk with Sally had been slightly informative but hadn't produced the simple answers they'd been hoping to find.

Heero didn't meet his eyes for a moment, and when he finally looked over at Duo he admitted, "I wish she could have told us more. I still don't know what my purpose is."

"I think she knows more than she's telling but if Sally won't tell us something it's because we're meant to find out ourselves. Trowa may keep things to himself just to be mysterious but Sally must have a good reason."

Heero nodded, then said thoughtfully, "I think Trowa has a good reason for it too... Not just in this case, but all the time."

Duo snorted and rolled his eyes, "He may have had a good reason to keep things to himself in the beginning but I think now it's simply because he likes people not understanding him. So what would you like to do next love?"

"There is no beginning to him," Heero pointed out, feeling instinctively that his intuition in this was right, though he couldn't say how. He let it go, though, because without evidence he knew there was no reason for Duo to believe him and he wasn't sure it mattered anyway. "I suppose I should go and meet other humans, aside from Quatre I mean. They won't know anything about the prophecy but there's still so much I can learn from them."

"Whatever you want love. Do you want my company when you go?" He bent to pull off his boots and roll up his pants before settling on the edge of a pond to dangle his feet in the water.

Crouching beside the water to dip his fingers in it Heero answered after a moment of thought, "I think... I should go alone. I can't keep relying on you to teach me about the world." Pausing he said, "The only people left who know about the prophecy that we haven't talked to are the Celestials. You said that you watched me when I was in their realm. Could you watch them to see if you can find out what they know without them being aware?"

"I have no problems with you relying on me but I can understand wanting to do things on your own. I'll spend the time watching the angels so that I don't sit here and worry myself silly," Duo replied, reaching out to catch Heero's trailing hand to bring to his lips for a kiss.

Heero squeezed Duo's hand to show that he was grateful for Duo allowing him that freedom, though the thought of going out into the crowd of humanity alone was a daunting one. "I'm sure I will be fine. No one knows me; they wouldn't have any reason to hurt me."

"That doesn't mean much to some humans. Some of them are more evil than any demon... Would you mind..." Duo trailed off and looked away, not wanting to push Heero even if it would soothe his worries.

He didn't hesitate, but reached out to touch Duo's cheek, "Would I mind what?"

"Before you go, stop by Quatre's so that he can form a link with you. That way in case something happens to you he can tell me. He won't go with you and won't do anything but if something causes you pain or panic or anything like that he'd feel it too."

"I didn't know that was possible." Heero was silent a moment, not because he was averse to the idea, but because it was so unusual an idea. "If he wouldn't mind, then I will. I don't want you to worry."

"Thank you," Duo whispered fervently.

Frowning a little Heero asked, "Is it that dangerous?"

"Depends on the area that you visit. I think I'd worry no matter where you went though; at least until you'd visited an area often enough to be comfortable there." Duo gave him a soft smile before standing to pull his shirt over his head.

"Then you'll tell me what areas I should stay away from at first." Heero watched as Duo stood, a faint blush rising to his cheeks as Duo pulled off his shirt, "What are you doing?"

"I... am going to swim," Duo informed him, a mischievous smirk lighting his face as he worked at the laces of his pants.

"Here?" In spite of himself Heero's eyes were drawn to Duo's hands rather than his face and though his blush grew it wasn't entirely out of embarrassment.

"Is there a problem with here?"

"It's... Outside." Heero was fairly sure he'd had a better reason to object than that, but the more skin Duo showed the less his brain seemed to work.

"It's my property; not like we'll be interrupted at all," Duo explained with a teasing lilt.

"We?" Surprise brought Heero's eyes up to Duo's face finally.

"If you'd like to join me?" Duo asked with a quirk to his eyebrow.

"You're sure no one will come?"

"We're the only ones here and no one can get close without me knowing," Duo assured him.

Reminding himself that Duo had seen and touched pretty much all of him already Heero said in a tone touched with acceptance, "I don't know how to swim."

"I'll teach you."

Standing Heero started to undress as well, though it took him longer to figure out how exactly the fastenings worked. "Is it difficult?" He'd initially brought up the subject to take his attention off of his own embarrassment but the more he thought about it the more interested he was in learning.

"Not really, it's just coordination... and not panicking when the water closes over your head. Trust me and everything will be fine," Duo murmured, voice husky with appreciation for the skin being bared.

Setting his folded up shirt on the ground neatly Heero looked up at Duo, saying quietly, "I do."

He received a blinding smile in reply, Duo fighting his desire to reach out and touch. He slipped into the water quickly before he gave into temptation.

The pants were tight enough that they required an embarrassing amount of wiggling to get out of and Heero glared in Duo's general direction, partly to warn him not to laugh, and partly because it was his fault the things were so tight to begin with.

"I'll make them looser next time. Even if you do look really good in them," Duo promised impishly.

"You -could- just make them disappear." Finally peeling the last bit of fabric off, he folded up the pants and put them with his shirt. He didn't hesitate to get into the water, embarrassment overcoming his natural inclination to go slowly into a new situation. Besides, Duo wouldn't let him get hurt. When he was up to his chest in the water he stopped and wiggled his toes, getting used to the feeling of soft mud under his feet rather than hard tile.

"But it's so much more fun to watch you undress," Duo grinned at him, treading over to place his hands beneath Heero's elbows in support. He led him a little further into the water, to where he could barely touch the tips of his toes to the bottom without letting his head go below water.

Instinctively Heero tried to keep his feet touching the bottom and ended up kicking slightly just to keep his face out of the water, "Is that why you didn't just make your clothes disappear? So I could watch?" His concentration on not inhaling water killed his blush before it started, a fact he would be grateful for later when he had time to think about it.

A snicker escaped Duo, "You didn't enjoy it? Kick your feet out behind you love; I've got you."

Giving him a look that clearly communicated that he was crazy for suggesting something so awkward Heero nonetheless took a deep breath and tried to do as Duo suggested. Kicking to keep his legs up, and surprised by how much splashing that caused Heero was looking over his shoulder when he answered Duo, "I did enjoy it."

"We need to make sure you can float before I teach you how to swim; it's easier and safer that way. Try to get yourself horizontal on the surface of the water and relax, I'll make sure you don't go under. Alright?"

Frowning in intense concentration Heero nodded and stopped kicking, trying to get his legs to stay on the surface with marginal success, "This is much more difficult than it looks."

"Relax and let me hold you up; it's harder if your muscles are tensed," Duo told him, moving around to Heero's side to slip his arms beneath Heero's back and hold him up.

Heero's muscles had relaxed before Duo was finished explaining, surprising him at how much he evidently trusted Duo to take care of him. It took a couple of tries but eventually Heero's legs stayed where he wanted them to and he was able to pay attention to the sky he was currently staring up at. The moonlight dappled the leaves with cool shadows and the stars winked at him from between the branches and he breathed wistfully, "It's so beautiful here."

"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Duo whispered, his hands moving unobtrusively away from Heero's back until Heero was floating completely on his own.

He didn't turn his head to look at Duo because he wasn't sure he would stay afloat if he did, but Heero asked, "Why?"

"Because that means you're relaxed enough and comfortable enough to notice such things," Duo told him with an affectionate quirk of the lips. "Let me know when you're ready and we'll move to the next step."

Gazing up at the stars for another moment he sighed and said, "Alright. What's next?"

"Probably best if I show you how to backstroke first... or teach you to float on your stomach."

"That doesn't seem practical." Heero risked turning his head to look at Duo and was pleasantly surprised when he barely bobbed in the water.

"What doesn't?"

"Floating on my stomach, my face would be in the water."

"That's why I taught you this way first, but floating on your stomach will help with learning to swim that way too," Duo explained. "But if you get tired, flip on your back and take a break."

Heero nodded and let his feet fall, reaching out for Duo as he did. "So I do the same thing, just holding my breath?"

"Yup. Try tilting your head to the side when you need a breath." Duo instantly drew Heero into a tight hug before helping him stretch back out in the water.

The hug surprised him and it took Heero longer to get the hang of floating on his stomach. Most of the problems seemed to occur when he turned his head to breathe and nearly always ended up tipping in the opposite direction. After the fifth time he just gave up, and let himself tilt right into Duo's arms. Wiping the water out of his eyes he grumbled with a smile, "This would be much easier if I didn't have to breathe."

A bright laugh tumbled past Duo's lips, "Yes, that would make this easier wouldn't it? It's easier to turn your head to breathe when you're moving. Give me your hands and stretch out a little bit love."

Heero's smile grew when Duo laughed, pleased that he had earned such a reaction, and did as he was instructed. He was getting good at moving in the water, being one of those people who were naturally adept at all things physical, and he lifted his eyes to Duo's, "Now what?"

"Kick your feet a bit behind you and we'll move around the pond. Then I'll show you how to move your arms in different strokes," Duo kept a firm grip around Heero's forearms, his eyes raking appraisingly across Heero's form -- only partly to make sure Heero was moving well.

With the part of his attention that wasn't focused on learning to swim Heero noted the look and raised a brow at Duo with what was at once an embarrassed, and knowing, expression.

Duo's answering grin was completely unabashed and he reeled Heero in for a quick kiss, "As if I couldn't not find the sight before me extremely desirable."

"I'm sure you could if you tried. You -are- a god." Heero's arms went around Duo's shoulders because he wanted to touch Duo and he had a good excuse.

"Not really a god," Duo contradicted distractedly, arms already slipping down to wrap around Heero's waist. "And I don't think even a god could not be tempted by you."

"Why not?" It was an innocent question that illustrated just how sheltered he had been before Duo rescued him, though there was nothing childish about the dark eyes that met his.

"Because you're gorgeous and perfect," Duo murmured, pulling Heero close for a longer kiss. "And I'll never get enough of you," Duo breathed across Heero's tingling lips when he broke the kiss a moment later.

Slowly opening his eyes Heero met Duo's and said softly, "I think you're the only person who sees me that way." He couldn't deny that Duo was sincere; he felt it as surely as he felt the water around him and the faint breeze on his skin.

"I highly doubt that. Now, before I lose all resolve to teach you to swim..." Duo's hands drifted away from Heero's waist, grazing the curve of his butt briefly.

Shivering a little, and certainly not with cold Heero took a breath and nodded, moving back until he was once again stretched out on his stomach, his hands clasped in Duo's and his legs kicking sprays of water into the air.

With a tiny smirk at the shiver, Duo told him, "Tuck your feet further under the water love. I'm going to let go; keep kicking and paddle your hands a little bit to keep your head above water. I'm right here; I'll grab you before you go under if you have problems."

Nodding, his expression set with intense concentration Heero adjusted his footwork and when Duo let go of him he started to paddle with his hands. It took all of two seconds for him to start to sink.

"Just concentrate on keeping your head above water right now," Duo advised, moving to Heero's side so he could grab him easily without getting entangled with Heero's limbs.

Making a noise of acknowledgement Heero experimented a little with different arm movements and discovered one that worked well and kept his face from dipping too far into the water. Though with all the times he'd held his breath learning to float he wasn't really worried about it.

"Good, now let's see if you can maneuver yourself over to where you can touch the bottom and I'll show you some of the arm movements." Duo motioned off to their left to where the water receded.

It felt decidedly awkward, but Heero managed to get over to the shallow end of the pool and let his feet fall... only to discover he hadn't gone quite far enough and ended up completely underwater before his toes sank into the soft mud of the bottom. Taking just a tiny breath in surprise Heero inhaled enough water that he was coughing when he pushed himself back up to the surface, his eyes streaming unpleasantly in reaction to the water in his sinuses.

Duo's arms had gone around him almost immediately but still not quick enough to avoid the short dunk. He moved them both over closer to the edge, to where the water only came to their waists and ran his free hand through Heero's hair soothingly while the other stayed clamped firmly around him.

Holding on to Duo, Heero's coughs were interrupted by a pair of hard sneezes and holding his nose as if he were afraid it was going to fall off he muttered dryly, "Well... I don't think I want to do -that- again."

"It's not very pleasant is it?" Duo agreed. "Would you like me to take your mind off of it?"

Lifting his head Heero raised a questioning brow at Duo, dropping his hand back into the water now that he was sure he wasn't going to sneeze again.

Taking the raised brow as permission, Duo ghosted hands up and down Heero's back and kissed him -- quite thoroughly.

Heero had enough presence of mind to think 'Oh, that's what he meant' before everything faded away in the sensation of Duo kissing him. He made a quiet noise of acceptance and pleasure and his arms tightened around Duo's shoulders without any conscious decision on Heero's part. Kissing Duo was a little bit like drowning, everything disappeared but the feeling of him, you couldn't breathe and even your sense of up and down started to slide. The difference was that there was absolutely -nothing- unpleasant about kissing Duo.

A heavy sigh broke the air between them when they finally parted. "You, love, are a terrible distraction. A very welcome one... but... stay here and I'll show you a few of the strokes and then you can try them."

Heero was as reluctant for Duo to let go of him as Duo seemed to be, but he watched as Duo stepped back into the deeper water. He swam back and fourth a few times, demonstrating different movements each time and Heero forced himself to study the strokes themselves, rather than the man making them. Duo swam the same way he walked -- gracefully, with a smooth beauty that drew the attention and made everything look like a dance.

Well aware that he'd gotten a little distracted that last pass Heero tried to look like he'd done nothing of the sort and asked Duo politely to show him again.

"This one?" Duo asked impishly, rolling onto his back and stretching his arms over his head in a backstroke.

Eternally grateful that it was dark enough that Duo probably couldn't see how bright his face was Heero cleared his throat twice before he felt it was safe to speak, "Actually the one before that but since you've already started you may as well continue." His attempts to sound normal were somewhat unsuccessful; his voice came out lower and rougher than usual.

"Why don't you come here and I'll show you a few of these?" Duo responded, apparently not picking up on any difference -- although if Heero had been able to see his eyes he would have known better.

Some internal warning system was telling Heero that Duo's suggestion wasn't as innocent as it sounded but since the alternative wasn't really a bad one either Heero made his slow and somewhat clumsy way over to Duo. He even managed not to get a face full of water again and felt a little proud of himself.

Duo innocently turned Heero around so that his back was to Duo and slipped an arm around his chest. "Relax and let me move us," Duo ordered him, nibbling at his readily available neck.

Heero felt his breath hitch at the caress and nearly jerked in surprise when Duo kicked backwards until he was doing that same backstroke, only with Heero lying almost entirely on his chest. It was a strange sensation to be looking up at the stars while cool water slid down his sides and Duo's warm body moved smoothly against his back. Hearing an odd noise, almost like a satisfied purr but deeper, Heero was shocked to realize it was coming from him.

Duo's arm hugged him closer in approval and happiness even as he chided him, "Make much more of that noise and your swimming lesson is definitely going to be cut short."

Making a conscious effort Heero fell silent again before a boldness, whose origins he couldn't define, seized him and he said softly, "You say that as if it would be a bad thing."

"Loving you in any way could never be a bad thing," Duo whispered into his ear, taking the opportunity to lick along its rim. "I just assumed that you'd prefer to finish here. If I was wrong I can easily give into the temptation that's been plaguing me since we woke up and we can finish the lesson later."

Again Heero was surprised at the sound that he involuntarily made, a kind of short breathy moan, but he made himself really think before he spoke. "No, we should finish. I would like to learn at least one stroke."

"I'm sure we can manage that," Duo said, tugging a little at Heero's earlobe with his teeth to try and keep his laughter at Heero's choice of words to himself.

A deep shudder raced through Heero's body and his voice was on the ragged edge of pleading, "I won't be able to concentrate if you do that."

"And I don't think I can contain myself if I keep you so close," Duo admitted, reluctantly loosening his embrace to let Heero float on his own. "I'll stay beside you; show me whichever stroke you'd like and I'll correct anything you do wrong."

Contemplating a moment, and taking another two to recover from Duo's caresses, Heero finally rolled to his stomach and tried out the most effective looking of the strokes that Duo had shown him. It took him a couple tries to get comfortable but once he did, and altered his breathing patterns appropriately, he found himself surprisingly comfortable with it. Until Duo began running fleeting caresses along his side beneath the water.

The first time Heero nearly inhaled a lung full of water, but managed to hold his breath an instant longer. The second time his kicks faltered and he barely managed to get by without kicking Duo. The third he was ready for it and on the downstroke he grabbed Duo's hand and stopped swimming, treading water inexpertly by virtue of furious kicking and his grip on Duo's hand. Shaking the water out of his eyes he asked a little breathlessly, "Is that your way of telling me I'm doing it right?"

The impish grin he got in return was answer enough. "Wanna try another one?"

Using his free hand to rake his dripping hair off his face Heero thought about that a moment but in the end shook his head, "I'm getting tired." He wasn't unaccustomed to physical activity but all of it recently had been the kind he wasn't used to and his body was still recovering from his long fast before Duo took him.

His tiredness was also allowing the chilly water to affect him and minute shivers worked their way through him every so often -- often enough for Duo to notice anyway. "Hold on to me love," he whispered, already putting action to words and wrapping his arms around Heero's waist to jump them directly into the bathing room.

As before Heero came out of the jump with his hands gripping Duo's arms too hard and that time he asked in a carefully polite voice, "If you wouldn't mind, could you warn me next time? The transition is... surprising."

"Sorry love, it doesn't really bother me since I'm the one doing it. I'll remember next time, promise," Duo assured him, walking the both of them down into the bath and letting the heat soak into them.

Not even trying to stop his sigh as the water warmed his skin Heero sank into the water until he was up to his chin in it. Before bathing had always been a necessity, something he'd done as quickly and efficiently as possible without any thought at all. With Duo it was different, the way everything was different, and Heero understood on a level he hadn't let himself acknowledge before that he would never be anything less than miserable if he returned to the heavens now. He sighed again, a sad sigh of loss and growth.

Duo's arms came around him from behind at the sound of his sigh, a soft question voiced into his ear, "Why so sad shamo?"

"It's not important." After a second Heero leaned back into Duo's arms and rested his head on Duo's shoulder. He didn't even wonder at how easy it was, it felt too natural to question.

"Mmm, if you say so," Duo sighed himself and relaxed fully against the side of the large pool, extremely content to sit with Heero in his arms.

Heero relaxed enough that he was half dozing after a little while, and turned his head to nuzzle Duo's neck sleepily, murmuring, "I can't ever go back. Even without considering the prophecy, I couldn't go back."

"Oh?" Duo tried to keep his immense delight at the confession hidden but it bled through in his tone and he buried his flushed face into Heero's shoulder to hide.

The sound woke Heero up entirely and he thought of how he could explain what he'd meant. "I was unhappy before, but if I had to go back now, having seen and done what I have, I would be miserable. I could live with that, except that there would be no purpose to it."

"Are you happy here? ... ... with me?"

The question merited serious thought, so Heero gave it serious thought, and eventually he said, slowly, "I think I am. It feels right to be with you, as if I should have been here all along. That sounds fanciful doesn't it?"

"Maybe but it's how I feel too. Will you stay with me?" Duo's hope was clear in both his voice and the tightening of his embrace.

He didn't have to think about that one, as soon as he'd realized how right it felt, and had it confirmed by the prophecy, he knew where he would spend the rest of his life. "I will. I belong here now."

"How long would you like to stay with me?" Duo pushed.

It was a strange question and Heero turned to look at Duo, "What do you mean?"

"Five years? 10? 50? centuries?"

Confused as to why Duo was so intent on the question Heero gave the answer he thought was obvious, "For as long as you want me."

"Then I guess I'll be having a talk with Sally soon," Duo proclaimed happily.

That made even less sense and complete bafflement showed on Heero's face, "What?"

"I told you how Sally and I combined gave Quatre as long a life as he pleased?" Duo inquired.

Heero nodded cautiously, then made the connection Duo was hinting at and his eyes widened as he protested, "But... I'm not..." He couldn't think of an argument that Duo would accept, or even one that he thought was valid. He just didn't think he was supposed to live forever.

"You're not what? I'd like... to keep you with me forever."

Unable to comprehend anyone really -wanting- to spend that much time with him, but feeling that it were true Heero just shrugged helplessly, "I haven't ever thought in terms of eternity."

Snickering slightly, Duo told him seriously, "Neither have I really. I think more in terms of now and later. My 'laters' just happen to be longer than most sometimes."

Frowning Heero shook his head, then leaned to rest it on Duo's shoulder tiredly.

"Tired love?" Duo couldn't keep his disappointment hidden but he gave it a gallant effort.

He couldn't help a ghost of a smile and turned so that his lips brushed over the skin of Duo's neck lightly as he answered, "Just tired of thinking."

"Not too tired to not think?" Duo asked hopefully, pulling Heero more firmly against him and stroking his hands along Heero's sides and thighs.

Lifting his head Heero looked at Duo, the heat of the water and his own shyness conspiring to stain his cheeks pink. He sighed when Duo's fingers drifted over his legs and his own arms tightened around Duo's shoulders. "No. Not too tired for that."

"Honestly? I don't want to exhaust you love... but you are addictive. And irresistible."

The fact that Duo cared enough not to just accept what Heero realized he was offering warmed Heero's heart in a way that nothing else had and he gave Duo a heart-stopping beautiful smile, "Don't worry, I'm not as fragile as you seem to think."

"No, not fragile. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to take care of you," Duo whispered, lipping at Heero's shoulders.

Shocked at his own behavior even as he did it, Heero hesitated a bare instant before he turned in Duo's arms to straddle his hips and snuggle in as closely as he could, rubbing against Duo with unintentional sensuality. "You can take care of me. I don't mind."

A moan was wrenched from Duo's throat when Heero straddled him and was quickly followed by whimpers at the sliding contact of skin. "Oh lords in heaven Heero."

A little emboldened by Duo's reaction Heero lifted one hand to caress Duo's cheek lightly, though he was still blushing. "Yes?"

"You feel so good." Duo clasped Heero's hips tightly to pull him more firmly against him and leaned in for a kiss, wanting desperately in that moment to be joined with Heero in every way possible.

And Heero went willingly, closing his eyes for the kiss and shifting his weight forward against Duo with a low moan of surrender. He would never have believed, just a short time ago, that this would feel so natural, so perfect, but now he couldn't imagine anything else.

"Bed? Or would you prefer to stay here?" Duo questioned breathlessly, hands never stilling in their effort to touch every bit of skin Heero had.

"I don't want to wait." Still not entirely accustomed to the situations Heero murmured his answer against the skin of Duo's neck as he hid his face, but when Duo made an interesting noise and shivered Heero made a more active exploration of all of the skin within reach of his mouth.

"Mmm... okay." Hands moved slowly but steadily over the skin of Heero's back and sides, stroking and teasing, while Duo tilted his neck to the side to allow Heero more access -- and put his own mouth close enough to Heero's shoulder to lick and nip.

It was empowering, to be given the freedom to do as he liked, and to know that the sounds and reactions Duo made were due to things he had done. Encouraged Heero hesitantly copied Duo's caresses on his body and lifted his head to explore Duo's ear, licking lightly along the rim before gently sucking on the lobe.

Duo stood suddenly and wrapped Heero's legs around his waist, "Hold on love."

Surprised Heero did as Duo told him, expecting to 'jump' again, as they usually did after Duo said those words to him. "Where are we going?" He hardly recognized his own voice, low and husky and almost wanton.

"Right here," Duo murmured against his neck, laying Heero out on the thick grass and clover that ringed his pool.

Relieved that he didn't have to wait Heero didn't let go of Duo, using the change in position to allow him to see Duo more clearly and give him access to more of Duo's body. Everytime he reached out for Duo he felt a burst of pleasure and joy from the other man, and it made him want to keep touching Duo forever.

Gentle hands, tender kisses, Duo felt like he was encased in soothing warmth. With every touch the feeling grew along with his joy, with every growth of his emotions Heero became more uninhibited and bold. Until Duo became frantic with need to meld them together and never separate.

Every touch and every feeling felt like it was on an endless amplifying loop, passed back and forth between them until Heero was clinging desperately to Duo's arms and begging, "Please Duo, please..." He wondered that he wasn't blind from the heat raging in his blood, but passion-bright violet eyes filled his vision and he dared not blink lest they vanish.

The begging released Duo from any thought and his hands went immediately to prepare Heero, his talent once again keeping them from having to separate for any reason. He was gentle but quick and he didn't pause until he was buried within Heero.

With that last physical joining the loop shrank until everything that one felt, the other did as well in the same instant, as if they truly had become one person. Heero had never imagined anything could be like that, filling him and Duo both with belonging and joy and pleasure and Duo's love for him over it all until the beginnings of an echo started to grow in him as well. It ended quickly at that point, both falling from such a height that they lay shuddering against each other, breathless, even moments later.

"Heero?" Duo's voice sounded hesitantly, needing some reassurance that he hadn't inadvertently hurt him.

Not sure if he could even move, and certainly not inclined to, Heero managed to force his eyes open halfway and smiled at Duo a little worriedly when he felt that fear, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Duo smiled back at him. "Wanted to make sure you were alright."

Relaxing again Heero laughed a little, disarmed by the remaining glow of that amazing union, "How could I not be?"

Duo shrugged but the grin that lit his face was ecstatic. With a thought he cocooned them in soft cloth and transported them to the bed, arms tightening around Heero in transit. "Love you," he whispered drowsily.

For once the jump didn't even make him blink and Heero smiled and nuzzled a little closer to Duo before his own eyes drooped and he fell fast asleep.

Something was wrong with his eyes, he couldn't focus and there was crimson overlaying everything, making his eyes burn and water. Heero wanted to rub them terribly but his hands were trapped in a painfully tight grip as he was dragged through halls that he knew shone brilliantly white.

He stumbled, nearly falling, and was jerked up to his feet again and thrust through a door he barely saw. Fetching up hard against something he used his now-free hands to wipe at his eyes and they came away bloody. Somewhere in his mind he noted that he must have hit his head, but most of his attention was focused on the man who had taken him from the market square of the small human village Duo had taken him to visit.

There was no mistaking what Zechs was. His hair was the color of white gold, his eyes a light blue, and around him shone an aura of brilliant light. He was every bit an archangel and completely ice cold. He was also the man Heero had been scheduled to marry not even a week ago. Heero could feel the fury and the stomach churning lust under that untouchable exterior and he swallowed hard, backing up only to bump into that piece of furniture again. "No..." There was a plea in his voice that he didn't want to hear, so he tried again and sounded more firm. "No."

Zechs didn't hesitate; he struck Heero across the face again, hard enough to make him sag to the floor stunned. Picking up the human's limp body as if he were little more than a child Zechs tossed him onto the bed that had stopped his progress. "Do not give me orders human. You do as -I- will."

Vaguely Heero was aware of someone tugging at his clothes and he felt how dark and wrong their feelings were and started to struggle weakly, but it only earned him another blow. Barely clinging to consciousness he tried to call out, as those hands returned to yank his pants down, "Duo, Duo..."

There was a bang, and then the cries of an outraged and horrified voice. Heero knew immediately that it wasn't Duo, but he hoped that it was news of Duo's coming and he struggled to make sense of the words.

"... do this! The ceremony..."

"Takes too long. We have already waited long enough for this power to be ours, I will wait no longer!" It was Zechs, filled with righteous fury and under that, noticeable only to Heero, a lascivious greed.

"You've hurt him badly Archangel, and now you would... Would take him by force? That isn't our way!" The other voice sounded desperate, determined and pleading, younger and vaguely familiar to Heero.

"You have no authority to question me Cherub. This human is my business, now -go-." Heero's eyes were clear enough for him to see Zechs start to move toward him again, shedding clothes, but a smaller man with bright gold hair moved between the Archangel and the bed.

"I can't let you do this Zechs. PLEASE don't do this." Recognition finally came to him and Heero whispered, "Ashaele..." If the Cherub heard his name he didn't acknowledge it, intent on protecting the human boy who had been his charge.

Zechs made a gesture that Heero couldn't entirely see and Ashaele literally flew from the bed into the wall across the room and fell to a crumpled heap on the floor. Fighting his daze Heero tried to crawl toward him but suddenly found himself pinned. Pure lust and possessiveness seeped across his skin like sludge from everywhere Zechs touched him, where his hands held Heero's wrists down, where his body pressed against Heero's back.

Terror cleared away most of the fog but Heero was still too weak for his struggles to do much more than excite Zechs and he begged, "Duo, help me, help me..."

A deceptively calm voice sounded from the doorway, "Are you sure you want to do that Zechs?"

The whole room froze as Zechs slowly turned his head to look at Duo. Heero felt lust give way to fear, which in turn gave way to determination, "This is none of your concern Dream. He's mine."

"Oh? You think?" Duo's lips tugged into a feral smile, "Are you so caught up in getting what you want that you've become stupid Archangel?"

Once again Heero felt fear touch Zechs and he nearly sobbed with relief when the angel slowly got off of him to stand on the other side of the bed away from Duo, "What are you talking about?"

Heero didn't even bother keeping track of Zechs, Duo wouldn't let him hurt Heero and he knew it. He only had eyes for Duo, and once again struggled to try and sit up.

"Have you not asked yourself how Heero escaped from this realm?" Duo's words were cutting, mocking and yet he stretched out a hand as if to stroke Heero's hair to calm him even though he was still too far away to do so.

Zechs cast a glance at the barely moving form of the minor angel, making it clear without words that he had assumed Ashaele had hidden Heero away on Earth to help him escape the marriage. "You're implying that you took him from us. Why? What concern is one insignificant mortal to Dream and Death?"

Still Heero ignored the words that were being exchanged, taking comfort from Duo's presence even in his pain and confusion. Managing to sit up he pulled the blankets from the bed up around him to cover his nakedness and waited for Duo to take him home.

"A mortal is more my concern than yours, wouldn't you say?" Duo cut off any reply with a slice of his hand through the air, "Enough. I will deal with you once I have him back where he belongs."

That got through and Heero looked up, meeting Duo's eyes with a pleading expression. Zechs, however, not willing to give up without a fight stepped toward him as well, "He IS where he belongs. We raised him, he belongs to us."

Anger filled Heero when he heard that claim and he reached a hand out for Duo, saying in a firm, if thin, voice, "No. I'm Duo's. He claimed me."

Zechs paled, his eyes flicking from Heero to Duo and back before he demanded harshly, "Is that true?"

His fury fading beneath a tide of delight Duo stepped forward to lift Heero into his arms, "Yes love, you're mine now."

Wrapping his arms around Duo Heero let his head fall onto his shoulder and nearly gave in to the sudden wave of blackness that threatened him. When it cleared he felt stronger, as if he were sharing Duo's strength, and he murmured, "Ashaele... Is he alright?"

Zechs stood in silent horror, furious with himself for losing so valuable an asset, and to Death and Dreams of all the people. Suddenly everything he'd just done to Heero came back to him and he knew that he was going to die. He'd killed himself and he hadn't even known it.

"Ashaele will be fine," Duo assured the man in his arms before pinning Zechs with a look that let him know that Duo knew exactly what he'd just realized. "You have one day to find a way to atone for what you've done. I will be back tomorrow."

Reassured Heero relaxed and closed his eyes, so he didn't see Zech's bow, though he felt his despairing terror. Sick with the reminder of Zechs's lust and his own fear Heero asked softly, "Duo please, can we go now?"

"Of course. Hold on," Duo told him soothingly, arms pulling him even closer.

Holding on as tightly as he could in his state Heero closed his eyes, not opening them again until he felt Zechs's presence vanish.

"What would you like shamo? Tell me what you need and it's yours," Duo whispered to him as he curled up against the headboard of their bed with Heero in his lap.

"Don't let me go. Just... please don't let me go." Though the love and concern he felt from his contact with Duo told him he was safe, Heero started to shake belatedly and hid his face against Duo's shoulder, whispering shamefully, "I'm sorry Duo, I didn't know he was there until he hit me, I didn't want to go back, I swear it."

"Shhhh, it's okay love. I know you didn't want to go back. It's alright, you're safe now..." Duo's voice was kept soft and soothing as he rocked Heero and stroked his hair.

Huddling in the stolen blanket Heero clung to Duo and murmured, "I knew you were coming. I knew I just had to hold on until you got there."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner... feel up to a hot bath?"

The idea sounded not just good, but necessary and he nodded, moving to get up and go into the lavish bathroom but never quite making it because Duo scooped him up in his arms and carried him there, dropping the blanket along the way and banishing his own clothes to walk immediately into the water.

Being held in Duo's arms, in the very place they'd made love just the night before, made the reality of what Zechs would have done to him sink in and he couldn't stop a small shudder of revulsion and fear from shaking him at the memory of Zechs's emotions filling him. The breaths he took to quell the nausea churning in his stomach started coming too fast and he gripped Duo's arms hard enough to bruise.

"Oh love, calm down. It's over now, we're home, you're safe." Duo's voice droned on and on -- gentle but with a thread of worry.

It was the worry that got through and Heero forced himself to put aside his fear for Duo's sake. Letting the hot water soothe him, and taking comfort from Duo's arms around him Heero pressed his cheek to Duo's shoulder, saying weakly, "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't let anyone hurt me. I just... felt everything he felt when he looked at me. It was obscene." By the time he finished speaking his voice had faded to a whisper.

Duo contemplated the words and decided they'd be paying another visit to his sister the next day. Hopefully Sally would have some answers for them about Heero's ability. "No more going out by yourself for a while Heero -- please."

His immediate reaction was to say that he would -never- go out alone again, but he knew he would have to; he wouldn't let himself be trapped by fear for the rest of his life, not when he'd just gained his freedom. "No. Not for a while."

His head ached and he looked down at his distorted reflection in the water to see that half of his face was covered in blood. Dipping his hand in the water he started to wash it away, not wanting anything to remind him of Zechs.

"Let me love," Duo offered, fingers slipping up with a newly thought cloth to scrub gently at Heero's head. "We'll go see Sally tomorrow," Duo said to try and distract him, "See if she'll tell us anything new. Get her to heal this too."

"Alright." Heero closed his eyes wearily and then a new thought occurred to him and he frowned up at Duo, "She won't be angry with me, will she?"

"Why on earth would she be angry with you?" Duo asked incredulously.

Flushing and looking down Heero murmured, "Because I left you."

"And when did you leave me Heero? You went on an errand -- it's normal and common. It will happen countless times over our lives together. Were you not planning on coming back?"

"No!" Heero looked up, meeting Duo's eyes desperately, "No I was coming back... It's just that she'll know how unhappy I've made you because of all of this. How could she not be angry?"

Duo chuckled a little when he answered, "You didn't make me unhappy. Zechs made me furious but you love -- all you did was worry me. If you had decided on your own to leave you would have made me unhappy but you had no control over this. It's alright."

Sighing Heero leaned more heavily into Duo, "No control. That seems to be the truth of my whole life. I hope that you're right and someday I'll command whatever power it is I'm supposed to hold."

"You have control Heero. Your life is yours now; you just happened to have one event that you couldn't."

There was a moment of silence and then Heero looked up at Duo, "I never said thank you for taking me away from there." Putting a hand to Duo's cheek Heero leaned in to kiss him, trying to put all of his gratitude and relief into that contact.

Duo answered those emotions with his own love, concern, and devotion, wrapping Heero in his arms firmly and sinking down further in the water.

Feeling that love as if it were a taste on his tongue or a warm pressure against his skin Heero couldn't deny that it was as real as the air he breathed and just as necessary. He couldn't imagine not being with Duo anymore and wondered why it took him so long to give in; every second he had resisted seemed wasted. Returning Duo's embrace Heero met his eyes and said softly, "Thank you for taking me away from Heaven. Thank you for showing me the world. Thank you for coming to get me from Zechs. Thank you, more than anything, for loving me."

Duo looked at him, completely nonplussed. "You're... welcome," he finally said slowly.

Suddenly feeling foolish Heero blushed and started to scoot back away from Duo only to be pulled back firmly. "What's wrong love?" Duo asked, nuzzling his hair a little.

Hiding his face against Duo's neck, so he wouldn't have to see his face, Heero murmured, "It's nothing. I just feel foolish for blurting all of that out like that. I'm sorry."

"Don't feel foolish about that," Duo whispered in his ear, breath wafting across the rim. "Just don't feel as if you have to tell me such things either."

Relaxing a little Heero kissed Duo's neck, "I wanted to tell you."

A slight shudder worked through Duo's body, arching towards Heero at the light caress, and he rumbled low in his throat.

As embarrassed as that reaction would have made him in the past, now Heero just smiled affectionately and wondered if this toted power he was supposed to have was really the power to affect Duo so strongly. It wasn't very likely of course, but it was amusing to think so anyway. "Aren't you ever satisfied?"

Not that he could claim to be either, just seeing Duo, or hearing his voice, was enough to send a wave of heat through him.

"That's like asking if I've had enough of you," Duo snorted. "And I doubt that will ever happen."

When Duo stretched slightly in an effort to get more contact with Heero, he smiled, far more content than he should have been with what had just happened, but it felt far away and removed. Nothing could touch him when he was in Duo's arms, he knew that without question.

Wanting more of that perfect taste, like spice and mint and love, Heero licked the hollow of Duo's collarbone and murmured without consciously intending to, "I belong here, right here, feeling you on my skin, tasting you on my tongue, hearing your breath in my ear... I'm home."

"I love you," Duo whispered in answer. "Let's go to bed."

Taking a deep breath -- and hoping in vain that it would clear his head a little bit -- Heero nodded in agreement and loosened his hold on Duo.

Duo wrapped his arms more tightly around Heero's waist and stood both of them up.

Reluctantly Heero dropped his legs down so he could stand on his own, though he still held on to Duo's hand as he headed out of the pool and to bed.

The small clearing outside of Sally's church was empty when they arrived, a sharp contrast to the way it was the last time they'd seen it when it had been full of her worshipers. Just as Duo reached for the door it opened to reveal Quatre, who stopped in delighted surprise, "Duo! And Heero I see. I didn't expect you two so soon."

"You were expecting us? Great, that means Trowa's been by here hasn't he?" Duo grumped good-naturedly.

Quatre sighed and Heero felt the wistful longing that showed on his face, "Actually no... I just meant that I didn't expect you back so soon after the blessing, it was only a couple of days ago."

"Yes, well, we've had a bit of trouble," Duo explained, raising a hand to gently lift Heero's face to show Quatre. "And I'd like to talk to both you and my sister; Heero seems to be an empath."

Alarm and sympathy immediately flooded Heero's senses and he flinched slightly, his hand tightening on Duo's.

Seeing his reaction Quatre took a breath and dampened his emotions with a small smile, "My apologies... it seems you're much stronger than I am. Please, come in. I'll call Sally, if she isn't already here."

"Thank you Quatre," Duo said sincerely as he pulled Heero in behind him. "We'll be in the back room; it's calming back there and we'll be out of the way if anyone else shows up."

"Of course." Giving Heero another understanding smile, Quatre headed to a part of the church Heero hadn't been to.

Following Duo, Heero touched his bruised face with his free hand and asked softly, "Is it that bad? Quatre felt... fiercely protective when he saw my face."

"Why would Quatre feeling protective of you be bad?" Duo asked as he led Heero into the small room. "Relax love, Sally will be here shortly and we'll talk."

Sitting down Heero clarified, "It's not bad. I'd expect it of him. I just meant my face... does it really look that bad? It must, to provoke such a strong reaction in someone so peaceful."

"Quatre's not exactly peaceful when it comes to protecting people he cares about," Duo advised him, "But yes, it does look pretty bad. You're a bit bruised. Sally will fix it up easily."

"I'll fix what up?" a voice asked from the doorway.

Hearing Sally's voice Heero stood quickly, but shame kept him from lifting his head so she could see his face.

Quatre slipped in behind Sally with a small platter of food and set it down on the table before telling Heero too softly for Sally to hear, "There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I told you before there's no need for formality Heero; you're family now..." Sally's words cut off in a gasp when Heero lifted his face. Before he could hide again though, a wave of fury hit him from the woman as she turned to her brother and snarled, "Who did this?"

Heero didn't even hear her words, too caught up in her anger, and took a step back, raising his arms defensively as if it would protect him. He felt as if he were drowning in fire, and then Quatre was there gently holding his arms and saying, "Focus on me Heero, focus on my calm, feel my relief that you're alright. Put aside Sally's anger and build a wall between it and you. You can do it."

Taking a deep breath Heero did as Quatre instructed and slowly relaxed as the anger faded to a distant emotion and all he felt was Quatre's calm confidence, and Duo's loving concern.

"He's an empath." Sally's voice was tinged with wonder. "Quatre, why don't you help teach him some of the things you know so that you're not influenced by what other people are feeling. I'd like to have a talk with my brother."

Glancing at Duo to find out if Duo were alright with him taking Heero away Quatre nodded and told Heero cheerfully, "It'll be much easier to learn this away from Sally when she's in a mood." Ducking out of the room, before Sally could protest his words Quatre ended up having to wait a moment while Heero paused at the door to look back at Duo, remembering unhappily what had happened the last time he'd left Duo's side.

Duo too was remembering and it took him a moment but after a long steadying breath, he reassured Heero -- and himself. "Quatre won't let anything happen to you and Sally will know instantly if someone comes into her realm."

Taking a deep breath Heero dipped his head slightly before he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Sally scarcely waited for them to get out of ear shot before she rounded on her brother and glared, "Well? Who did that to him?"

"Everyone's favorite Archangel," Duo growled. "I'm meeting with him later today to decide his punishment."

"How did he even get close enough to see Heero?" Her seething dislike was evident in her voice as she sat down across from Duo.

"Heero had asked to go to a human village. I saw no reason not to and he seemed to want to do it by himself -- kinda prove himself I guess. I asked him to stop by here to form a link with Quatre so that Quat could call me if he thought Heero was getting overwhelmed or needed help. I thought I'd died when he yelled for me and said that he'd gotten a burst of pain and then the link cut off," Duo hung his head, his terror from the day before coming back to him.

"You left him alone!?" Sally stopped her reprimand when she saw how upset he was, "I should have told you plainly, never mind what Trowa said." Guilt was written on her face as she reached out to take Duo's hand.

"What do you mean? You knew that would happen?" Duo looked up to glare heatedly at his sister.

"I knew something would... That's why I told you to take care of him. Trowa just told me that he shouldn't be left alone or he would be taken away. He wanted me to tell you something to prevent it but not come right out and say what was going to happen. I'm sorry Duo; if I had known that Zechs would hurt him I would have told you exactly what Trowa told me."

"Sally, what exactly has Trowa told you -- or you know -- about Heero?" Duo asked intently.

Sitting back she shrugged a little helplessly, "I know that he's important. To all of us, but you in particular. Which is to be expected given your relationship. He's family. Other than that all I know is that Trowa is very, very interested in him, and making sure he's taken care of."

Duo growled in frustration, "I wish we knew more. Like the whole prophecy business. There has to be more to this than what I'm seeing if Trowa went through the trouble of having a prophecy done."

"There must be, but I can't tell what it is. Sometimes I just want to shake some answers out of him. It's like he frustrates us just to see us yell." Sally gave an exasperated sigh, understanding Duo's frustration completely.

Duo let out his own sigh -- heavy with disgust. "Guess our only choice now is to head for Terra and see if we can find any info from the human population. Either that or get Zechs to talk before I kill him this afternoon."

Tilting her head Sally looked at him considering for a moment, "Does Heero know?"

"Know what?"

"That you're going to kill Zechs. It seems like something you should talk about."

"You're right. I'll talk to him about it once we're done here. For all I know he may want to go with me so that he can witness," Duo replied slowly, thinking the issue through seriously.

"Duo he's an empath, a very strong one if his reaction to me earlier was any indication. Do you really want him there when someone dies?"

"No," Duo declared adamantly. "But it's his decision."

Sighing Sally said, "Well then I suppose that Quatre had better work with him for the rest of the day.... How is he doing, after getting beaten up like that?"

"Alright, I guess. He's been a little clingy but, well, I kinda like that," Duo admitted softly.

She frowned a little and asked carefully, "Duo... what, exactly, happened to him?"

"Zechs grabbed him and was in the process of raping him when I got there," Duo stated bluntly. "He didn't get any further than stripping him and hitting him a few times. I think Heero's biggest problem with it is that because he's an empath he felt everything Zechs did and it sickened him."

"Oh..." Sally's voice was soft with sympathy and understanding, "It's certainly understandable that he would want to stay with you then."

Duo nodded in agreement. "So how long do you think he'll be with Quat?"

"A few hours at least. Do you want to join him? It may make it easier for him to concentrate if he isn't anxious about being apart from you."

"Calm my own anxiety too," Duo gave her the ghost of a smile for the suggestion before standing to offer her a hand up. "Come on sis."

Taking his hand she smiled and hugged him, "You'll both be alright. We're all going to watch over him."

Duo's gratitude was heartfelt and he returned her hug tightly before tugging her along after him.

Though Quatre's presence was a very soothing one, and his emotions weren't as hard to deal with, Heero still had to fight with himself not to turn around and go back to touch Duo. Maybe because Duo had claimed him, maybe because it was the nature of Duo's feelings for him, but when Heero touched his lover he felt wrapped in warmth and peace. He still felt the emotions of others besides Duo with the same kind of intensity he would otherwise but the contact somehow made it easier for him to keep from being overwhelmed. After what happened in the Heavens it was getting more and more difficult for him to block the emotions of others and the touch of any negative emotion was starting to border on pain. He sincerely hoped that Quatre would be able to help him block it all away.

The priest didn't say anything as they walked, content to let Heero think, and for the soothing atmosphere of the shrine to help him relax. After a little while Quatre opened a door and lead Heero out into a small garden before sitting on the ground beneath a beautiful willow tree. Echoing his posture Heero opened his mouth to ask Quatre how to start blocking other people's emotions, but the little blond interrupted, his blue-green eyes understanding, "What happened? Not physically, I can guess at that, but what did you feel?"

Heero paused, feeling disloyal for the sense of relief he got from Quatre's question, but he'd touched on what Heero hadn't been able to find the words to explain to Duo and it was a weight off of his mind to know that someone else understood what was really bothering him. Quietly, his voice disturbed and uncomprehending, Heero answered, "He wanted to hurt me. Partly because he thought I had done wrong by leaving the heavens, but most of it was just the desire to cause me pain because he was angry with me."

Lifting his head to look at Quatre he added, "No one has ever hit me before." Heero couldn't begin to convey how shocking it had been, not just the emotions behind the attack but the sheer sudden violence of it. He hadn't even imagined that that amount of force and anger was possible much less present in an angel. Even distanced as he was from the event Heero could still feel the terrible impact of Zechs's fist against his temple. The combination of that and the memory of the stomach-churning lust and dark fury that had fueled Zechs made Heero long for the blessed comfort of Duo's touch but he didn't move from his position. He couldn't be in contact with Duo for the rest of his life, as pleasant as that would be, he had to get used to standing alone.

Quatre seemed to recognize his determination and smiled at him, reaching over to pat his hand and offering a different kind of peace with the brief contact, "It's hard to deal with that kind of emotion even when it isn't directed at you; you did well just to think past it."

While he wasn't sure that he'd done much thinking at all, Heero nodded and explained further as he looked down at his hands, "When he looked at me he felt possessive, not the way that Duo does, when there's pride and love, but like I was just something that he owned. And when he touched me..." Heero swallowed against the nausea and went on in a raw husk, "It was like drowning in darkness and this horrible lust... It felt almost alive, like it was going to consume me and he wanted it to."

Paling in sympathy Quatre said quietly, "I can see why you're so determined to learn how to control how much you feel from others then."

"Sorry to interrupt," Duo called softly from the entryway of the room they'd entered. "Sally needs a chance to heal Heero."

Looking up immediately Heero stood, but didn't reach out for Duo right away, starting to train himself not to be so reliant. It helped, having talked to Quatre about it, though the priest hadn't had time to give him any advice of any kind. It just made him feel better to know that someone else understood what he had felt, even if they'd never experienced it themselves.

"Of course, there's no need to prolong Heero's pain." Quatre stood as well, more slowly, and gave Duo and Sally a small smile and a welcoming nod.

With a rueful quirk of her lips Sally stepped closer to Heero but refrained from touching him. Her voice quiet enough to only reach him, she murmured, "As proud as I am to see you trying to stand on your own two feet so soon, you don't have to pull away completely so quickly. I know someone who needs you to lean on him at least a little right now so that he can tell himself he's not an utter failure."

Though Sally didn't touch him Heero felt the pain of the cuts and bruises and headache fade into a feeling of warmth and contentment and he looked at her and answered just as quietly, "He's not a failure at all. He came and got me."

"He still feels guilty for not protecting you in the first place," Sally shrugged helplessly. "I just wanted you to be aware of that; it may cause him to act a little irrationally at times in the near future."

Nodding a little, and troubled by her words Heero gave her a short little bow, saying in a normal voice, "Thank you for healing me."

"I could do no less for my family," she responded gently. "Go back to your lesson with Quatre; I'll try to keep Duo out of your hair. I won't be able to drag him very far..."

Duo snorted, his stance confirming Sally's words. "Got that right. But we'll go off to the side and won't interrupt."

Looking back at Quatre, Heero asked, "Would it be alright for..."

Heero trailed off when Quatre started shaking his head and said compassionately, "I'm sorry Heero but it's best if you learn to block emotions without Duo's help, you'll distance yourself automatically using his emotions for you when you touch him. You wouldn't be able to help it."

Though he didn't like it, Heero accepted Quatre's answer and reached out to put his arms around Duo's waist, leaning on him heavily for a moment, needing a moment of peace and love before he put his entire concentration on learning how to control his ability.

Duo's arms went around Heero in return immediately, clutching at the man he loved with an almost desperate air. His voice a fervent whisper, he promised, "I love you. I won't let you be hurt again."

Lifting his head from Duo's shoulder to look him in the eyes Heero said firmly, "You didn't let me get hurt in the first place. It wasn't your fault at all."

"Keep telling me that; I'm sure it'll get through my thick head eventually," Duo told him, eyes filled with chagrin.

"I will." Heero answered and hugged Duo harder a brief moment before he reluctantly let Duo go to step back toward Quatre, "I should start my lessons now..."

"I'll be nearby," Duo assured him as he also took a step back. With one last brush of his fingers along Heero's jaw he turned and walked towards Sally. "Call us when you're finished."

Nodding Heero sat down once again, and spent the rest of the day learning to keep his empathy from overwhelming him again.

Studying Heero intently later that afternoon, Duo questioned him, "Are you sure you want to go with me Heero? Other than the facing Zechs again so soon part, you do realize I plan on killing him right? I'm not sure you can handle something like that, not without a great deal more control over your empathy."

It was a very valid point but Heero nodded firmly, "I don't want to live in their shadow anymore, and that means seeing Zechs and proving to myself that I'm alright.... Besides, Quatre's training helped a lot."

"Alright, you can come with me," Duo agreed reluctantly. "I'll put off killing Zechs though. Maybe give him some time to at least try and repair the damage he's done before I kill him."

After feeling what he'd felt from Zechs Heero wasn't sure that the celestial would even try, "Duo... He hates and fears you, I don't know if he'll do anything but make it worse."

"I am not killing him in front of you though," Duo stated adamantly. "If your shields aren't strong enough his death could pull your spirit from your body. I'm not willing to risk that."

Unsure of his empathy still Heero didn't argue, he didn't know for sure if his feeling that Zechs would cause trouble was because of his lingering fear of the angel, or founded on something real. "If you think that's best."

"I think it's best if you stay home completely," Duo muttered but he knew that such a sentiment stemmed from his need to protect Heero so he kept his voice quiet. Opening his arms to pull Heero into them, Duo said, "Come on love, let's get this over with."

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly Heero held on to Duo, closed his eyes, and built his emotional shields as thick and strong as he could before Duo jumped them into the heavenly realm.

Releasing Heero once he could stand on his own two feet after the jump, Duo immediately turned to stride from the room with a clipped, irritated stride. "I'll be out in the gardens."

Frozen a moment, both by his own lingering fear and shock at seeing Zechs again, and Duo's abrupt dismissal Heero just watched him go, wondering if Duo had finally become angry at him for getting caught. It was a while before he forced himself to go after Duo, ready to apologize again if he needed to.

He hesitated when he saw Duo and nearly left him alone again but he couldn't stand the idea of Duo being angry with him so he said, quietly, "Duo? Can I sit with you?"

Head jerking up at Heero's voice in shock at finding someone else there, Duo hastily waved a hand at the grass around him, "Sit. I'll always want you close."

Relieved at Duo's reaction Heero sat down and wrapped his arms around his drawn up legs loosely. Looking at his knees for a moment in silence he eventually lifted his eyes to Duo, "Are you angry at me?"

"What?" Duo looked over at him incredulously before blurting, "No!"

Closing his eyes briefly Heero opened them again and nodded, "It just seemed ... Never mind, it doesn't matter if you aren't angry."

"I am angry, just not at you," Duo assured him hurriedly, reaching out to tug Heero into moving closer.

Sliding over to rest his head on Duo's shoulder Heero commented, "You're angry at the celestials."

"I'm angry at Zechs," Duo argued before slumping a little and muttering, "And at the rest of them."

"They'll keep deferring to him, even though they implied that they wouldn't. Most of them are afraid of him, on top of admiring him."

"I just... I helped create them and yet the only thing I saw in any of them was fear," Duo told him sadly, voice dejected.

"Of you?" Heero asked, turning his head to look up at Duo.

"Yes. I mean, I was angry at Zechs, holding myself back from killing him for your sake. But I'm not some tyrant or anything. The rest of them had nothing to fear!" Duo protested hotly.

Heero shook his head, saying thoughtfully, "It's not you they're afraid of, but what you would mean to them. They know you want to kill Zechs and they rely on him for guidance and leadership, they're afraid of what will happen without him."

"You honestly think it's not me they're afraid of?" Duo asked with a twinge of hope.

"Some are." Heero admitted honestly, "But most understand that death is a balance of life. They taught me that death itself is not to be feared, but the servants of death, who would bring it about unnaturally, are evil... I know that anyone who would kill someone else isn't a servant of yours by any means, but in their way the angels were right."

"I always found it curious that one side of my nature was feared so completely when personally, I think it's my other side that's the most dangerous," Duo observed dryly.

Lifting his head to look at Duo, Heero reached up to touch Duo's cheek lightly with his fingertips, "I'm not afraid of you at all."

Duo turned his head to nuzzle at Heero's hand and Heero could feel something inside Duo relax, letting contentment and incredible happiness fill him. Needing to absorb those feelings Heero wrapped his arms around Duo and held tight, using the happiness to force out the lingering hate and lust and fury from their confrontation with Zechs. He'd thought he could handle it, and he'd managed to hide how sick it made him feel, but he still hadn't been able to block it out entirely.

A light kiss was placed to the top of his head before Duo murmured, "Are you alright? I should have asked immediately when we got home."

Taking a deep breath Heero assured him, "I'm fine, it was just... difficult to feel his emotions again. It was almost like..." He stopped, not wanting to upset Duo, and suppressed a shudder.

"Like what?" Duo pushed gently. "Don't ever think you can't tell me something."

"It's not that I don't think I can tell you, I just don't want it to make you regret taking me with you. I needed to go."

"I can understand that and it was your decision."

Glad that Duo was looking at it that way Heero admitted, "It was like being back in that room with him before you came. I felt all the same things from him when he looked at me, and just... hate whenever he looked at you." Unable to hide his shudder that time Heero buried his face in Duo's shoulder, assuring himself that Zechs couldn't hurt Duo, despite his fury.

Duo would have shrugged but that would have upset Heero's position so instead he snorted, "I know how he feels about me; it was quite obvious in his eyes. But you... talk to me love. The reason you were so upset after I found you... Was it because you could feel what he felt?"

"Partly... Mostly." Heero answered, softly, adding after a moment, "I'd never been attacked before, but it wasn't the pain really, it was how much he wanted to hurt me."

"Heero..." Duo pulled Heero tighter against him.

"I'm alright." Heero assured him, already regretting having said anything.

"No you're not," Duo retorted tenderly. "Talk to me Heero."

"I am." Heero insisted, lifting his head, "When I touch you I can deal with it."

"So I'm helping?" Duo sounded extremely hopeful as he voiced the question.

"You always help." Heero assured him.

Duo relaxed a bit at Heero's assurances but insisted again, "I want you to talk to me. I may not always understand completely but I'll listen. And I want to know."

Pulling away from Duo and standing to walk a couple of feet away, his back to Duo, Heero struggled to come up with an explanation that was both true and gentler than what he'd really experienced, "I felt what he felt, stronger when he touched me. He thought that he owned me, and he was right to do whatever he wanted with me. I felt how much he desired my body, how much he wanted to hurt me for escaping him. And for denying him what he wanted for so long..."

He was hardly aware of how soft his voice had gotten and how hard he was hugging his arms to his chest until Duo reached out to enfold him in a tight embrace, "I've been in the minds of such before. It sickened me... I can only imagine what it would feel like to have such emotions directed at me."

Leaning back against Duo, Heero closed his eyes, "They were all corrupted, the emotions twisted unnaturally and turned dark and evil... it felt so wrong."

"And being with me feels right?" Duo inquired hesitantly, nuzzling Heero's hair.

"Right... That's not the word. Being with you feels... necessary. Like breathing or sleeping, but better. You're the part of me that was missing, just like I'm the missing part of you." Heero shook his head, "I can't explain it better than that."

"You don't have to; I understand," Duo hugged him tighter for a moment. "Can I do anything else to help?"

Turning in Duo's arms Heero slid his arms around Duo's neck and shook his head, "Just keep touching me."

"That's certainly no hardship," Duo teased lightly.

Unable to resist that teasing Heero smiled and asked, with a slight blush, "Will you kiss me?"

"Of course... my favorite activity," Duo murmured against Heero's lips as he tipped his head to do just that, keeping the contact soft, gentle. His hands slipped down to grasp Heero's hips, thumbs grazing along the lines of bone on either side as he pulled Heero against him. Breaking the kiss, he gave Heero an impish look and informed him cheekily, "Well, one of them anyway."

Pressing against Duo without hesitation Heero smiled, "I can't complain about that." In truth he was grateful that Duo still wanted him after what happened.

"Good to know; just don't complain about this either," Duo smirked happily, vanishing their clothes and nibbling at Heero's neck. "I don't plan on letting you go until all you can remember feeling is me."

Blinking as he felt the cloth separating them disappear suddenly Heero asked, "Here?" but still tilted his head for Duo and let his eyes drift closed.

"Would you prefer our bed?" Duo questioned solicitously but didn't stop the caresses he was giving Heero's back and thighs.

Arching his back into Duo's hands Heero asked, "Are we expecting anyone to come by?"

"Nope," Duo informed him blithely, picking Heero up and wrapping his legs around his waist so he could carry him into the shade beneath the trees.

That was good enough for Heero so he held on and took comfort from the feeling of Duo's muscles moving as he walked. Dropping his legs again when they got to the spot Duo wanted Heero met his eyes and let his hands slide down Duo's back to rest just above the curve of his rear. He felt out of his depth, and a little too bold as he deliberately showed Duo that he wanted him, but he didn't want Duo to fear for him because of what happened with Zechs. If it had been anyone else, if he couldn't feel the reverence and care behind Duo's actions, he might have been afraid, but Heero knew Duo would never hurt him.

"Lay down love," Duo whispered haltingly in between panted breaths. "I want to show you how right this is."

"I know it's right," Heero answered, but let go of Duo to lay down slowly, unintentionally sensual as he looked up at Duo with trusting blue eyes.

"Tell me you can feel how much I love you," Duo suddenly pleaded as he settled himself beside Heero.

Turning to face Duo, Heero told him what he felt, "You love me -- so much it comes off of you like heat. You want me, because you think I'm attractive, not because you want to dominate me. You're awed, and amazed, and grateful, and I don't deserve that."

"You deserve a lot more," Duo contradicted him, leaning in for a short kiss. "A whole lot more."

Heero knew he wouldn't win that argument so he just shook his head and lifted a hand to run it down Duo's side, "I'm glad you love me so much. I know it's selfish, but I am anyway."

"How is that selfish?" Duo inquired but kissed Heero deeply before he could answer, intent on driving the thought out of his head. His hands worked with that idea in mind, stroking their way up Heero's legs to brush teasing fingers along his inner thighs and up further to avoid the hard shaft at his groin, choosing instead to ghost across his stomach.

Taking a deep breath in anticipation and letting it out with a soft groan of disappointment, Heero's fingers tightened a little on Duo's side. His eyes fluttering open to meet Duo's across the short distance that separated them Heero moved to kiss Duo without a word.

"Love you," Duo murmured into Heero's ear as he shifted his head to nibble at the lobe, his hands busy along Heero's sides.

A deep shudder went through Heero's body and he pressed his lips to Duo's neck, answering, "I know." Lifting his head as he realized something Heero met Duo's eyes and said, for the first time, "I love you too."

Duo clutched Heero to him with a whimper that was partly relieved and partly ecstatic. His fingers dug into the sensitive skin at Heero's waist as he tucked him against his side and slightly beneath him.

Knowing suddenly how much Duo had needed to hear those words Heero lifted a hand to caress Duo's cheek and apologize, "I'm sorry it took me so long to say."

"No. Never apologize for that," Duo shook his head vehemently. "This way I have no doubts about how much you mean those words."

"I wouldn't say them otherwise," Heero assured him running a hand up Duo's chest on the way to tug him down for a tender kiss. It was getting easier and easier for him to take the initiative in their physical contact, and his admission of love made him feel more as if he had a right to.

Duo let Heero guide him into the kiss, using the chance to settle over him and tangle his legs with Heero's. The rubbing of his erection against Heero's hip was accidental -- at least the first time -- and he buried his head against Heero's neck with a gasp.

Even more than the physical pleasure of Duo moving against him, Heero enjoyed the fact that it was his body that made his lover so happy. Cupping Duo's head with a hand gently Heero intentionally shifted his hips once more and ducked his chin so he could kiss Duo's shoulder, bringing a murmur of delight from Duo's throat.

"What do you..." Duo broke off to groan at the feel of Heero moving against him, his hands working to encourage the movement.

Smiling into Duo's shoulder Heero lifted one knee to cradle Duo against him and used the new leverage to move more dramatically. It drew a gasping moan from him as well when the small change in position caused their bodies to line up more closely.

With a hard push, Duo ground himself against Heero and kissed him desperately, letting Heero's reactions guide him as Heero pushed back and gasped his name pleadingly as soon as their lips were parted. He slipped one hand down the back of Heero's thigh where it was raised to wrap around his waist and let a finger graze lightly behind Heero's balls to test whether he should push for more or content himself with the humping slide they had going.

Opening his eyes and dropping his head back to look at Duo, Heero gave a low cry at the feeling of Duo's fingers and met his eyes, saying huskily, "I'm alright, please Duo..."

At Heero's words, a finger suddenly twisted against his opening, dipping inside and pulling him open only to pull back out in the next instant. Heero realized that Duo was teasing him and mock glared through his groan, though in truth he was grateful for it. It was one less thing to remind him of what happened with Zechs. Reaching down he spontaneously pinched Duo's rear in retaliation, biting his lip to hide his smile.

A yelp escaped Duo before he leveled a pout at Heero. "What was that for?"

Heero started to grumble at him but his answer came out more as a whimper when Duo continued to prepare him playfully, his fingers slick with an oil that Heero never saw him acquire. "Teasing me."

"But it's so much fun," Duo informed him with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, reaching his thumb out to brush against Heero's balls as he slipped a second finger in.

Whatever reply Heero might have made was lost in a gasp as the hand that had been intending to pinch Duo again instead grasped his hip as an anchor. Pushing against Duo's fingers a little Heero managed to murmur, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Mmm, I am," Duo agreed blithely, lipping at Heero's neck. He concentrated on wringing a strangled shout out of Heero with his hands before he asked hesitantly, "Are you?"

Heero's laugh was barely recognizable through his struggles for a deep breath and he gave Duo an incredulous, and amused, look, "You can't tell?"

"Wanted to make sure," Duo told him tenderly, leaning in for a kiss as he willed a bit of oil to coat his erection like he had his fingers. His tongue still twined with Heero's, he swallowed his love's gasp when he pushed inside slowly.

His eyes closing, Heero eased his grip on Duo's arms, vaguely afraid of bruising him, and reveled in the sense of wholeness that filled him as Duo did. He knew without knowing anything else about his purpose, that he was meant to be joined to Duo in every way possible and that knowledge lifted him away from his self-consciousness. Drawing up his other knee, Heero pressed Duo closer still and sighed in pleasure.

"Love you," Duo whispered yet again in his ear as he threaded the fingers of one hand through Heero's hair and tipped his head back so he could nip his throat.

"I love you too." Heero answered, the breathless words demanded action as much as his body did and Heero used what little room he had to shift his hips back and forward again slowly.

Duo groaned heatedly against Heero's throat as he countered his movements and let his awareness narrow to every point of contact between their bodies. It was exactly what Heero wanted, and just what Duo said he'd give him, the reminder that what they had between them was right in only the way things that were predestined could be. Every touch brought forth the strongest sensation, every word the ideal response, and only one thought was clear in Heero's mind as his body started to move more urgently with Duo's.

Perfect.

The one thing Heero couldn't get used to, aside from all the noise and chaos and strange new sights, was the sheer amount of people. There were too many to count and such a diversity... Keeping his empathy under control took all of the attention he could spare from looking around and keeping very close to Duo. Not that keeping close to Duo was in any way difficult, with the death grip Duo had on Heero's hand.

"Do you want to go somewhere less crowded?" Duo inquired, seeing Heero's unease.

Relieved that there was somewhere less crowded, having feared that all human beings lived their lives crammed so close to one another, Heero answered, "Please."

"Then hold on," Duo instructed, jumping them to a smaller town once Heero tightened his grip.

Some of his tension easing at the sudden reduction of emotions pushing at him Heero gave Duo a small grateful smile, "What do we do now?"

"We do some shopping while asking a few innocent questions to find out if anyone in this town has even heard of the prophecy Trowa had made," Duo answered quietly, weaving his fingers with Heero's and tugging him along the street.

"Shopping?" Heero's question was almost comically helpless as he trotted to keep up with his more energetic companion.

"For food... and whatever else strikes our fancy," Duo smiled at him easily. "And maybe if we spend some time around other people in small doses you'll regain your desire to travel on your own. Not that I want you to leave me but I'm sure it's frustrating to not be able to do something."

"It can be." Heero agreed, and squeezed closer to Duo as they edged by a horse-drawn cart. Amazed at the amount of hair on the driver's face Heero stared for a moment and then shook his head, commenting, "Sally likes variety doesn't she?"

Duo chuckled lightly, "Life would be boring otherwise."

Heero wasn't entirely sure that boring would be a bad thing, but he did relax enough to enjoy himself after a time. The little booths and stalls that were scattered around the market held all kinds of fascinating things and the people were surprisingly friendly and kind, enough that Heero eased his shields a little.

Eventually they wandered into the more prosperous section of the market, where there were shops rather than booths or blankets spread on the ground. As they stepped inside one Heero breathed a sigh of relief at the sudden decrease in noise.

Duo reached out to squeeze his hand encouragingly, "You're doing well love. Very well. I am a little upset that we haven't found out anything but we'll try some of the temples after this shop... unless you want to look through more shops?"

"It's more likely we'll find something out at one of the temples than in the market isn't it?" Heero was testing his understanding, and glanced from the books and scrolls lining the walls of the shop back at Duo.

"Yes. A prophecy is considered a religious thing so the priests would know more about it than the average citizen. But if the knowledge is widespread everyone would know. I was also hoping we might be able to find some information in a book somewhere."

Before Heero could ask what type of book they should be looking for a short bald man came in, squeezing his round body around the counter to join them in the main room, "Looking for information you say? What kind?"

Frowning at the dissatisfied bitterness he sensed from the man, Heero edged toward Duo and strengthened his emotional shields again.

"On a prophecy that was made roughly 20 years ago," Duo answered cordially enough, although Heero's reaction had him straightening protectively.

"Prophecy eh?" The shopkeeper waddled over to one of the walls and started going through books, "There was a book that probably had your prophecy in it, beautiful illuminations... Dagmar up the way snatched it right out from under me and sold it to a lord at a handsome profit. A profit that would have gotten me out of this little hole of a shop and closer to the Merchants' Quarter. Now there is a place to make money."

Pulling two books off the shelf he put them down on the counter and started leafing through the first one. "Now, what was this prophecy about?"

"'When the fourth is awakened either great light, or terrible darkness will envelope all peoples. He who claims the fourth will control the gift, until the fourth stands unaided.' is what we know of it," Duo quoted his brother, the merchant's bitter attitude causing him to frown slightly. "I was hoping we could find out more though."

Pausing the shopkeeper looked up at Duo, "Well... That's ominous, I'm not sure I've heard that one, but then, the gods don't talk to a lowly shopkeeper like me now do they? You said nearly twenty years ago?"

Heero nodded in answer and the fellow put one of the two books back on the shelf before starting to go through the other. The book he'd pulled out did mention the prophecy so, hoping that it contained more information than they'd seen by skimming through it, Duo paid the man for it without even haggling the price down.

Accepting the money the merchant gave a smile that was clearly insincere and muttered something under his breath as Heero and Duo started walking out of the store. Glancing over at Heero Duo murmured, "He needs to be happy with his life."

A compulsion the likes of which Heero had never felt before seized him and he stopped to turn back to the merchant. The instant his eyes fell on the man he sensed the man's every emotion, his motivations and bitterness and something like light and laughter buried deep inside. Lifting a hand Heero made a gesture, as if he were brushing away all of that negativity until the light shone through.

The man blinked rapidly for a second and then slowly started to smile, the expression reaching his eyes until he nearly beamed with happiness and he called out cheerfully, "Thanks for stopping by boys, now if you need anything else just let me know, and I'll keep an ear open for news on that prophecy."

"Thank you," Duo managed to stutter through his shock before pulling Heero along rapidly behind him. Ducking into the first side street they came to Duo looked at Heero with wide eyes, "What just happened?"

"I... I don't know." Leaning against the wall Heero rubbed his arms and answered, still somewhat dazed, "You said he should be happy and I just had to stop. When I looked at him I could see... everything, why he was like that and there was something inside that I knew I could bring out, so I did, because it would make him happy."

"I think we need to talk to Sally; Trowa too, if we can find him," Duo said slowly. "I think we may have just discovered this power you're supposed to have."

Disconcerted Heero nodded, "That's probably a good idea."

Looping an arm around Heero's waist, Duo tugged him close and shifted them to Sally's small temple. Opening his mouth to yell for Quatre or Sally, the words never came when Quatre jerked the door open and waved them in. "I take it you were expecting us," Duo muttered darkly.

Smiling, practically glowing with happiness Quatre nodded, "Trowa told us you were coming."

"He's here?" Heero glanced at Duo, sure that it meant that Time was going to tell them more.

"Yes, he and Sally are waiting in the back room where we met before. I'll meet you there in a moment with refreshments."

"Thank you Quatre," Duo said shortly, already moving through the hall.

Sally greeted them both warmly when they came through the temple into the room, holding Heero tightly for a moment as she whispered to him, "Calm yourself Heero; everything will be fine."

He gave her a small smile and attempted to do as she suggested, but it wasn't easy, though Trowa's presence offered the hope of some answers at least.

When he sat down Trowa handed him what seemed to be a cup made of sturdy paper filled with a hot milky brown liquid and informed him, "You'll like it. The merchant will be a rather plump and merry fellow for the rest of his days and his yearly habit of giving gifts to a great many people he doesn't know for a certain holiday will help make quite the story someday."

Blinking at Trowa, Heero automatically sipped the drink as he tried to process what Trowa said and was pleasantly rewarded with the taste of spices that he'd never tried before, but certainly liked. "Thank you... For the... Whatever this is, and for telling me about the merchant."

Duo leaned over Heero's shoulder to sniff at the cup. "Tea. Got more?" he looked to his brother eagerly as he settled onto the long couch and tugged Heero down to sit in his lap, needing the reassurance of having him close.

Trowa was already holding out a cup for Duo with a rather distinctive smirk that was answered by Duo sticking his tongue out but Death took the cup gratefully. A few sips of chai tea and a long moment later, Duo finally looked to his two siblings and asked, "What can you tell us?"

Sitting back in his chair Trowa thought for a moment, regarding Heero as if the answer were in his face. "What happened was only the very tip of your abilities. Within everyone is the grain of all emotions and you can seek it out and bring it to the surface. Anger enough to cause a murderous rampage, fear enough to cause a heart attack, such peace that a man would lay down in contentment and not bother to eat... But you can also cause these feelings in smaller moderations, to the benefit of those you touch. It is a gift with the possibility to do wonderful things, and to bring about terrible pain. It's up to Duo, for now, and you, eventually, to use it appropriately."

The ramifications of Trowa's answer made Heero pale, feeling faint and dizzy. At once he grasped the weapon he could be, and how easy it would be to turn all the world into a reflection of his own wishes. Just as instinctively he knew how disastrous that would be for all of the world. The temptation, the danger... Heero breathed softly, "I am glad I'm not in control of it."

Trowa smiled a little and Heero was surprised to sense deep sadness in the man, "A sentiment you've expressed elsewhen."

"I have to control this?" Duo blurted out, eyes wide with shock. "I didn't even... What I said today... Didn't mean... By all that's holy and living Trowa! Today was a complete accident, a simple comment."

"And yet one that turned out not only harmless, but beneficial," Trowa said with his enigmatic smile firmly in place.

"That doesn't mean the next time will be!"

Sally reached out to soothe her brother and instead had an arm out to keep Heero from falling when Duo stood them both upright and ran from the room.

Hastily shoving the tea into Sally's hands Heero hurried after him and caught him not far from the entrance to the temple, latching onto his arm just as Duo jumped back to his own realm, needing the security of the familiar. He stood still once they arrived though, waiting for Heero to say something.

"Duo I..." Swallowing unhappily Heero's fingers tightened in his sleeve, "I'm sorry I've caused you such trouble."

Duo shook his head, his tone adamant, "As much as I'm scared of what I could inadvertently order you to do; I'm more scared of losing you in any way. We'll learn to deal with this."

Sliding his arms around Duo's waist Heero rested his head on Duo's shoulder, "Now that we know what I can do we'll know what to do about it. That's probably why Trowa told us now, so we wouldn't make the same mistake."

The words made sense and Duo accepted them even as he decided to ignore the entire thing for a little while. His arms going tightly around Heero, he pleaded, "Make me forget it for a while?"

'A while' turned out to be much longer than Heero thought it would be. Weeks, then months passed and still Duo wouldn't talk about Heero's abilities and their dangers. In a strange way Heero was grateful for it at first, it allowed him to focus on his lessons on controlling his empathy with Quatre and Sally but eventually he grew comfortable with his adjustment. Anxious to learn about his gifts, and himself in the process, he tried again to get Duo to talk about them with him and learned a new lesson in the stubbornness of Death.

He found Duo in the garden, using one of the cougars for a pillow again while the hummingbirds Sally had sent to them flittered about in the afternoon sun. Sitting next to him crosslegged Heero picked up the end of his braid to sweep it over his own lips as he hinted, "Quatre told me about a city with a library so big that there has to be at least a few books with information on the prophecy..."

Duo sat silently in turn, knowing where the discussion was heading and trying to come up with a new excuse to avoid a trip. Heero may have spent a few months adjusting to his new empathy but he'd grown comfortable not only with his new power but also himself in those months -- and spent the couple months since trying to gently prod Duo into relinquishing his fear.

That wasn't the answer, or non-answer as the case was, Heero wanted at all and he leaned over with one arm braced on either side of Duo and met his eyes as he said softly, "Duo I want to go together. Please."

His list of more creative excuses exhausted, Duo cast Heero a pleading look. For the first time, he blatantly lied -- or at least did not speak complete truth, "My duties call."

As abruptly as that Duo vanished and Heero hit the ground with his fist out of frustration. The way this was going Duo would never return to Terra, too afraid of accidentally ordering Heero to use his power to live the way he had before... Heero was determined not to let that happen.

"Okay, now that you've gotten so far on controlling how much you sense from others, let's focus on controlling you own emotions." Quatre gave his pupil a rueful smile, "This is always hardest for me, but it's very important. Even if you can control how much input you're getting from someone else, it won't do you any good if your own emotions are out of control. The more unstable your feelings are the less say you'll have over what you sense from others, and needless to say it's a downhill slope after that gets started."

Heero nodded and watched Quatre with intent blue eyes, "That makes perfect sense. It's an assault on two fronts."

"Exactly. So what you need to do is picture an iron box in your mind and when your emotions get too much you just..." Quatre stopped and looked at Heero in astonishment. He'd gone from sensing determination, the usual rampant curiosity, and vague unhappiness and worry, to sensing nothing at all. "How did you learn that so quickly?"

"The celestials... discouraged displays of emotion. I learned not to show them, and then I learned not to feel them." Even Heero's voice was a blank slate though he did notice Quatre's terribly sad expression.

"So those uptight ninnies have now decided emotions are impure too huh?" Sally asked suddenly from a few feet away as she strode into the peaceful clearing they usually practiced in. "It won't be too much longer and we'll have to take an active hand in... correcting their absurd beliefs if they don't shape up."

Heero didn't let go of his firm grasp on his emotions until Quatre reached out to touch his hand in concern, and when they returned he felt his worry all the more keenly. "To be truthful I'm not sure Duo would take an active hand in anything."

Sally sat down comfortably on the grass and reached out to run a soothing hand down Heero's arm, her voice soft when she asked, "Why do you say that Heero?"

"He hasn't gone down to Terra in months, not since we learned what I can do, and he's... listless, distant." The depth of Heero's unhappiness and worry had Quatre reaching out to comfort him as well, and though he didn't return the affection outwardly he was glad they were there.

"Does he avoid you? Or is him simply withdrawn? Lacking that spark of life that he had in such abundance?" Sally questioned closely as she reached out to draw Heero's head to her shoulder.

"He's only actively avoided me when I ask him to go to Terra with me, or to go at all for that matter. Sally I think he lied to me last time I asked." His voice was soft, infinitely sad as he nearly whispered, "He promised he would never lie to me."

"Then he did not break that promise," Sally told him sagely. "He may have twisted the truth a bit but he would not speak something that had no truth at all. Be patient with him a little longer Heero..."

Reaching out she titled his head so he'd look her in the eyes and she informed him in a serious tone belied by the twinkle of mischief in her eyes, "But don't be too patient. He may simply need a swift kick to the rear."

Fortunately for Duo Heero had come far enough in his social education to realize that Sally didn't mean that literally, and relieved that she didn't think Duo had lied to him, Heero smiled slightly. "I'll be patient... I'm just worried about him."

"So are we, Heero. So are we."

Heero held on to his patience for a couple more months, trying to ease Duo out of his fear, but he could feel it starting to fray even as he looked over at Duo as he made breakfast in the kitchen. "I'm to meet with a scholar who has studied prophecy for years today. I would like it if you came with me."

"Heero..." Duo began slowly, "I don't..."

"Have a reason not to go." Heero finished for him, "Duo please... you can't avoid it forever. You're not happy like this and I'm afraid for you."

"I..." Duo slumped to his knees at Heero's feet and rested his head on Heero's knee, his voice finally showing some return to life as he spoke softly, "This is hurting us both, isn't it? I'm sorry shamo. I do not like inflicting pain and so I ran... and hurt you instead."

Infinitely relieved Heero stroked Duo's hair, tracing the outer edge of his ear lightly with a fingertip, "I don't care about that. I just want you to be happy again. I know you won't let anyone get hurt, Trowa would have done something to stop you from claiming me if he knew that would happen. There's a reason you claimed me."

"More than likely he just wanted to teach me control," Duo muttered darkly, burying his face into the hard muscle beneath him. "I'm not exactly the most disciplined of people."

"Your desire not to hurt someone who doesn't deserve it is discipline enough Duo. I don't think you give yourself or your brother enough credit."

"So... when are we going?" Wrapping his arms around Heero's waist, Duo nuzzled at his love's inner thigh, "And what can I do to make up for my stupidity?"

As always the slightest hint of intimacy from Duo was enough to have his body reacting and Heero took a deep breath as he threaded his fingers through Duo's hair, "I'm supposed to meet him at noon... and I'm sure you can think of something, your imagination is much more active then mine." Though at that particular moment his was doing its very best to catch up.

"I've lived longer," Duo shrugged aside any comment about his long list of ideas -- sexual or otherwise. His voice uncharacteristically serious, and filled with a depth of warmth Heero hadn't heard in too long, Duo stated, "I want... need to know what it is you want this time though love. I've neglected you; I may have been here but my soul was elsewhere -- hiding from my idiotic fears."

Tilting Duo's head up, and leaning down to kiss him gently Heero answered, "I want you to see me when you touch me. I want it to be like it was the night you started to teach me to swim."

Remorse swamped Duo almost immediately as he thought back to that night almost a year ago and realized that they hadn't experienced another quite like it since -- first due to Zechs's interference and then to his own fear. That particular emotional high had been lacking from their lovemaking. Slowly rising to his feet he pulled Heero up with him and wrapped his arms tightly around his lover's waist, "Hold on."

Heero did, tightly. He didn't want to let Duo slip away again. Quatre and Sally, and to a lesser extent Trowa, were friends, but they meant nothing if he lost Duo.

They jumped to a place Heero had never seen before but instantly loved. There was a spring that bubbled with soft music, the water so clear and perfect that he couldn't tell how deep it was. Surrounding it were a scattering of trees dominated by three weeping willows whose limbs trailed into the water. Sweet smelling vines with flowers he'd never seen before twined up the tree trunks and the ground was carpeted in delicate purple flowers, punctuated by bushes with huge scarlet blooms. The very air seemed alive with color and after a second Heero realized why, dozens of jewel-like hummingbirds flitted from flower to flower, dazzling the eye. With a soft sigh of wonder Heero let go of Duo just enough to turn and look around, "Where are we? It's beautiful."

"I hoped you'd like it," Duo commented quietly. "I... wasn't quite ready to face on my own why I've been behaving the way I have but I did realize that I haven't been the most attentive or caring of lovers lately."

Turning back Heero lifted his hand to cup Duo's face, "Thank you."

"Anything for you."

So saying, Duo dipped his head to press a tender kiss to Heero's lips and while Heero missed his appointment with the scholar, Duo more than made up for it.

They finally arranged another meeting a few days later and though Duo was tense as they jumped to Terra, Heero was happy. The information that the scholar hinted at having could be very helpful, and now that Duo was acting more like himself Heero's worries were nearly gone. The fact that the afterglow from their time spent at the willow spring hadn't entirely faded yet certainly didn't hurt.

"Do you want me to stay with you? Or should I go spend my time trying to find information about the prophecy?" Duo asked when they arrived. "We've put off that search long enough and I'm sure the questions are close to driving you nuts."

Heero hesitated, knowing that Duo was right but not really wanting to be separated. Still, his desire to find out what the prophecy really meant drove him to nod, "I can handle talking to Orson myself, you may as well go and see if you can find out anything else."

With a soft smile and a softer kiss, Duo whispered, "Be careful love," and turned to head for the large temple that stood in the center of the city.

The visit with Orson was more frustrating than enlightening, as the scholar had a habit of digressing into rambles about topics that were only marginally related to the prophecy. Still Heero did find out that the prophecy was originally given in a language that was only spoken in a certain part of the world. In that language the number four was associated with the gods, and hinted that the 'fourth' would hold power to rival the divine. It was a sobering thought to say the least, and Heero was eager to discuss the implications with Duo.

He arrived at their meeting place a little late, due to Orson's ramblings, but Duo wasn't there yet. Sitting down at the edge of the fountain he waited, and waited, and after an hour he grew worried. Duo had never been late before and Heero couldn't imagine what was keeping him. Eventually he left off his pacing and took matters into his own hands, heading for the temple where Duo had been hoping to find some information. Along the way, he asked people if they had seen Duo, but to his disappointment and alarm none of them had. Heero searched the entire temple and found nothing, and nearly frantic with concern he found a temple that was dedicated to one of Sally's representations.

Stepping inside the humble building he laid his hands on the small stone altar and murmured, hoping she could hear him, "Sally, I can't find Duo, please help me."

A slight thrum of energy went through the altar and then Sally was standing in front of him. "What was that Heero? I'm assuming it's important if you're calling me."

Heero's disheveled and upset appearance made it clear that it was important and he repeated himself hurriedly, "I can't find Duo. We were supposed to meet two hours ago by the fountain but he never came and no one has seen him. Can you sense where he is?"

"Calm yourself Heero," Sally soothed as she reached mentally for the ties that bound her to her brothers. Duo's thread was still there but it cut off abruptly and she looked at Heero with wide eyes. "I can't tell where he is."

A low growl of frustration and alarm escaped Heero and he demanded, "What does that mean?"

"I don't know," Sally huffed back, her own unease growing with every moment. "He's there but I can't sense him. Tell me exactly what happened today?"

Unable to keep still Heero started pacing anxiously, "We came to Terra so I could speak with a scholar who Quatre told me about. While I went to see him Duo went to one of the temples here in town, one that's dedicated to a god of knowledge and prophecy, to see if there was anything he could learn while I was busy. We were supposed to meet but he never arrived."

"And what have you already done to search for him?" Sally pushed.

"I asked people along the way to the temple if they had seen him, but no one had, and the priests at the temple said he never arrived. It's as if he disappeared as soon as I left him."

"Have you tried to find him with your empathy?"

Heero stopped to look at her, frowning slightly, "I didn't know that was possible."

"Quatre has taught you how to reach out and feel just one person's emotions, right?" Sally clarified, not entirely sure of how far their sessions had gotten.

"Not yet. He taught me how to block out the emotions of a specific person, but not how to look for them." Sitting down Heero closed his eyes, taking deep and even breaths and mentally reversing the process as he concentrated on Duo.

At first it didn't seem as if he could do it without being taught then, as suddenly as a dam breaking, he felt Duo's emotions, "He's afraid for me, and very angry.... There is worry, and longing... but there's nothing else, I can't tell where he is."

Sally sighed heavily, smacking her hand into the altar as she called firmly, "Trowa, get your ass over here -- now!"

"I can't sense him." Trowa spoke from one of the pews across from Heero, and as usual when Time showed up Heero was startled at his sudden presence.

Standing Heero asked, "How can you not know where he is? You know everything. You're everywhere."

"Not at this moment I'm not. He isn't any where or when that I can reach."

Sally snarled in frustration and helplessness, pinning Trowa with a look, "And you're probably not going to tell us who did this to him either, are you?"

If Heero were surprised at Trowa's sudden presence he was even more stunned at the incredibly deep pain and regret that he sensed from the man as he answered quietly, "No. Some things I cannot say, you know that. He was bound, removed from our universe, by a binding circle laid in a shop that he was directed to."

With a quiet sigh Sally walked over to curl up next to Trowa, her arms going around his waist and whispering too quietly for Heero to hear, "Can you at least tell me everything will be alright?"

Putting his arms around his sister Trowa smiled his enigmatic smile, but with more gentleness than usual, "Better than you can imagine."

For all of Trowa's assurances that there was nothing Heero could do but rest Heero continued searching until Sally forced him to return to Duo's realm. Even in that place of calm and beauty he was unable to rest, worrying and pacing until he lost all track of time. He didn't know how long it was until he literally collapsed onto his and Duo's bed, pressing his face into Duo's pillow for the comforting smell. He was asleep in mere instants, his mind gifting him with the sensation of being wrapped in Duo's arms as he began to dream.

"Heero, shamo, lover," the litany ghosted past his ear, the worry and longing so very clear.

Sighing in relief Heero murmured, "Duo... I've been looking for you."

"I knew you would," Duo whispered, his arms tightening around Heero. "I really wish this was real."

Lifting his head to look up at Duo, Heero frowned, "It's not?"

"Yes and no," Duo gave him a rueful smile. "You're dreaming which means you're with me and it's real. But I'm not there if you wake up."

His sleep-induced sense of well being vanished with that information and Heero held Duo harder, "Where are you? Who took you?"

The scene around them changed to show Heero a street of the city where Duo had disappeared. With a finger pointing out on particular shop, Duo told him, "I was sent to that shop by a priest, or who I thought was a priest, of the temple I went to. When I walked inside... I honestly don't know what happened from there. All I know is that I'm now cut off from everything. I can't access who I am and I think the only reason I can be in your dreams when I have no control over anyone else's is because of the bond between us."

"Trowa said that they bound you, taking you out of our universe. I don't know how to get where you are, and he refused to tell me anything else."

"Guess the only thing left is to go after those who bound me then," Duo suggested, his worry coming back a hundredfold at the thought of Heero going after those who'd caught him.

Turning to look at Duo, his eyes sparking with angry light that he'd never shown before Heero asked, "Who was it?"

"I don't know Heero. I saw no one; I stepped through the door of the shop and was gone," Duo explained as he gathered Heero even more closely against him.

"Then I'll go back and find out what the shop keeper knows. Someone had to be there to set up the binding." Burying his face in Duo's shoulder Heero asked desperately, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Duo assured him before tempering his answer, "If I'm in here too long though I'm going to go mad. I have nothing -- no light, no sound, no feel. To have you in my arms right now is absolute bliss."

"I'll get you back, I swear."

"I believe you love. Just make sure you're there when I come back or I really will go mad." Duo gathered him even closer within his arms and kissed him, his longing and worry for Heero making the kiss fierce and needy. It was returned in kind, showing Heero's fear for him and determination to get him back.

Duo whimpered into the kiss, wanting in that moment to merge the two of them together and never be apart again. It would be a very long time after this that he allowed them to be separated for any reason he promised himself, hands wandering to Heero's sides and across his back. He needed the feel of Heero's skin and the taste of him more than he needed to breathe right then; needed to know the keeper of his soul was unharmed.

Giving himself over to Duo completely, without any reservations Heero returned his caresses with equal urgency. For once he took a more assertive stance with their lovemaking, coaxing Duo out of his clothes and giving every inch of bared skin loving attention.

"Heero," Duo literally sobbed, tears of relief and pleasure gathering at his lashes as he pulled his lover back up into a tight embrace. "I love you, love you so much. Please be careful. Can't live if something happens to you."

Catching Duo in a fierce kiss that was as much a promise as a caress Heero answered firmly, "I'll be fine, as long as I get you back. I love you too Duo."

Duo melted as the words swept through him, growing pliant, needy, and submissive below Heero's hands. He moved into every caress as if it was the only one he'd ever received, he chased ever kiss with a whimper for more. Heero's fingers threading through his hair brought a deep purr, the touch to his neck had him baring it for teeth. When that touch moved to a firm grip on his hips, Duo arched upwards, his back forming a perfect bow as he pressed into Heero greedily.

Still it didn't feel like enough, even while they moved together in perfect rhythm. Each touch began another, every gasp was a prelude to the next, and even their inevitable releases were only a temporary respite in their longing to be together in reality as well as dreams.

Heero woke with words of love and promise on his lips, and the loss of Duo's arms around him as painful as any physical attack. For a moment that loss filled him with despair but his promise to Duo gave him the determination to get out of bed. By the time he left the bedroom Trowa was walking beside him and held out a hand, "Ready to go?"

Accepting that Trowa knew where he needed to go, and why, Heero took the offered hand and answered, "Let's find out who took Duo."

Alarm turned swiftly into a fury that eclipsed even his fear when Heero realized who it was that owned the shop where Duo had been bound. A beautiful man with light blue eyes and long pale blond hair with an air of cool superiority... there was no doubt in his mind who it was. He spun on his heel away from the shop keeper next door to the one where Duo vanished and grabbed Trowa's arm. "Take me to the celestial realm."

Trowa nodded once and between one blink and the next Heero was once again within those shining white halls. The transfer was so abrupt that it disoriented him in a different way than Duo's jumps, but after all the searching he'd done with Trowa's help in the days previous he'd gotten used to it. There was no one immediately visible -- which included Trowa, Heero noticed after an instant, and frowned. Shaking his head he decided it didn't matter that Time wasn't there as well, he would get Duo back on his own if he had to.

As he walked through the halls, listening and looking for any clues where to find Duo, Heero was surprised at his own lack of fear. He'd expected to be terrified if he ever had to go back to the heavens and face Zechs, but when it came down to it, all he felt was anticipation and rage.

There was nothing, the realm seemed completely deserted, but Heero could feel the icily perverted obsession from Zechs, and followed it to the grand council room. At the moment the irony of the location, where he would have been wed if Duo hadn't taken him, escaped him, but he still paused outside of the door to listen.

"...need to find a way to get him to come here so we can reclaim him." It was Zechs's hated voice, and Heero shuddered with the effort it took to remain there instead of charging in to demand Duo's return.

"But he's already been claimed Zechs, what good would it do to bring him here?" One of the lower level angels asked, though Heero didn't recognize who.

"That's why so many of us have put our energy into binding Duo. We WILL find a way to kill him and when we do, I will claim the Fourth and his power will be mine... but I need him here first."

Heero couldn't wait any longer and shoved the door open with a crash that resounded through the room, startling the angels. He didn't hesitate to enter the chamber, his anger going before him like a tangible wall of heat. The words he was going to shout at Zechs died on his tongue as his eyes fell on Duo. He was trapped in a circle barely as wide as he was tall, and from his posture as he sat on the bare floor, he had no sense of what was going on around him. Heero could feel his worry and anger and suddenly Heero wanted the angels to feel the panic and pain that he and Duo felt.

Shifting his eyes from Duo to Zechs Heero's desire grew sharp and diamond hard until something seemed to break free inside of him. He knew what to do, and he did it without hesitation, reaching out with a part of him that was invisible, but still real. Heero felt the fear inside of all the angels, close to the surface on some, and hidden deep inside in others, but wherever it was, he grasped it and pulled it forward brutally until it showed on every face.

"Zechs. You captured Death and Dreams, you would slay my lover. After he gave you mercy for what you did to me, you seek to kill him?" Heero stalked through the chaos which resulted from his power, his ears deaf to the screams of terror and pain, his eyes blind to the angels who fought one another in irrational panic. He only sought the man who had caused it all and found Zechs frozen to his throne, his ice blue eyes rolling with the desire to run but trapped by his own fear.

Leaning over Zechs, Heero hissed in fury, "Tell me how to free him, now, and I may be kind enough to kill you quickly."

Zechs looked physically ill as Heero added despair to the terror inside of him and his voice was a raw, broken whisper when he answered, "Break the circle, or kill those sustaining it." Moaning as he realized the extent of his fear-induced honesty Zechs fully expected Heero to kill him where he sat.

It was a surprise then when he cracked open his eyes to find that Heero was gone, already dashing through the mayhem to the circle where Duo was bound. A tiny bit of hope started to bloom in his heart, but with a mere backwards glance Heero crushed it, leaving Zechs a whimpering wreck.

Not entirely sure what destroying the circle entailed Heero grabbed the sword from an angel who was huddled moaning in a corner. Raising it over his head he brought it down hard on the edge of the circle, cracking the stone and breaking the binding.

The spell shattered around him, Duo looked up immediately to lock eyes with him and rose to his feet so he could draw Heero to him, engulfing him in a tight embrace that promised to last a very long time. Dropping the sword Heero returned the embrace, his rage dying at the feeling of those familiar arms around him. Without thinking he released the angels from their fear, all except Zechs, though none were foolish enough to even think to attack him and Duo.

"By everything sacred love, so good to hold you," Duo murmured with a desperate air, not even taking the time to really look at his surroundings.

"I'm sorry it took so long," Heero answered, pulling Duo into a fervent kiss and reveling in the knowledge that it was a true one, not another dream.

Extremely happy to have Heero back in his arms, Duo responded eagerly only for Heero to pull back a moment later as the emotions through the room ran high, beating at the barriers he'd erected around his mind.

"Heero? Love?" Duo pulled him closer as he really looked around him for the first time. What he saw didn't reassure him -- angels strewn all over the room, some crying, some whimpering, some curled up in corners. The area around them was suspiciously empty though and Duo's unease grew as he asked, "What happened?"

Heero didn't want to look, but knew that it was only delaying the inevitable. Turning slightly he gazed over the devastated heavenly ranks and said softly, "I made them fear."

His focus snapping back to Heero at those words, Duo demanded, "How?"

"I... don't know. I just did. I wanted them to know what I felt when you disappeared." The sounds of pain and fear started to feel like accusations and Heero shuddered, feeling sick.

Duo reached out immediately to soothe him, "Shh, love. Focus on me. I guess we've found out about the fourth standing unaided."

Leaning heavily into Duo Heero smiled slightly, more in response to the love he felt coming from Duo than the rueful humor. "I suppose we have... Zechs did this to you. He's here, and I haven't released him from his fear yet."

"And why haven't you?"

"I don't trust him not to try something. I don't want him to hurt you." Heero was faintly ashamed of his actions, knowing it was cruel, but his anger and distrust were too strong to allow him to grant mercy to the archangel who had planned to kill his lover.

"What shall we do with him then?" Duo inquired softly, his hand stroking Heero's spine repeatedly.

"He won't ever give up his quest for more power. He's obsessed with it. The only thing we can do is kill him, or take away his mind." Unable to stand the fear beating at him from the angels Heero inhaled deeply, and as he let the breath out peace touched them. Within moments the only sound was the soft whimpers of despair coming from Zechs's throne.

"He has wronged you more than anyone; the decision is yours," Duo decided after a moment, his calm acceptance rolling over Heero

Relieved that Duo was with him again, and unharmed, Heero wanted nothing more than to destroy the thing that had tried to hurt him and take him home. The temptation to kill Zechs was strong, but he knew instinctively that it would be better to let him live. Reluctantly pulling away from Duo, Heero retraced his steps up to Zechs and reached out to grasp the angel's head. "You shouldn't have taken Duo away from me."

Zechs's eyes widened with a renewed wave of fear, but when Heero closed his eyes there was no pain. Something touched his mind, separating his thoughts and desires until he was reduced to the mentality of a child. Finally the fear went away, and nothing but simpleminded contentment was left.

Dropping his hands from Zechs's head Heero took a step back, saying softly, "Now there will be a constant reminder what happens to those who would harm us. He'll be as immortal as all the other angels, and serve as a warning for eternity."

"I want to make sure." Heero repeated stubbornly. He understood very well Duo's desire to just go home and spend time with him but he wasn't going to relax until he knew for sure that Duo hadn't been harmed.

Duo, on the other hand, was acting like a small child stubbornly refusing to eat his vegetables. "I'm fine. I don't need Sally to look at me; I wasn't hurt. Some food, sleep, and you are all I need."

Tugging Duo a little further up the stairs to Sally's temple Heero cheated, "She's worried about you."

Duo caved at that point but glared at Heero balefully to show that he realized he'd been tricked, "Fine. I'll sit and let the she-hound poke at me."

Giving Duo a grateful smile Heero pushed open the door to the temple and was greeted by not only Sally, but Quatre and Trowa as well. Quatre, as usual, immediately and gently bullied Duo into sitting down and smiled at him, saying softly, "We're glad you're back."

Duo huffed at him but smiled a bit as he replied, "I'm glad to be free."

Glancing at Heero, who was hovering protectively, Quatre stifled a fond grin and murmured something about getting everyone something to eat before he slipped out. Heero didn't even wait that long before he addressed Sally, "Can you make sure that Duo wasn't hurt?"

"Of course," she replied easily. Deciding to needle her brother a little she told him to strip even though she really didn't need him to. Duo shot her a dirty look but complied instead of arguing, wanting to get home as quickly as possible.

Though of course Heero had seen Duo naked on many occasions he blushed, as uncomfortable as if Sally had asked him to undress. It just didn't seem right. As he looked away Trowa caught his eye and smiled just a little and dipped his head in a nod that Heero was strangely sure had nothing whatsoever to do with Duo's nudity. He felt almost as if he'd been congratulated on something.

His feeling was proved right a bare second later when Trowa spoke, his seldom heard voice grabbing their attention, for all its quietness, "You did well for your first time."

Dropping his eyes to his hands where they were fisted on his lap Heero shook his head, "I shouldn't have been so brutal with them."

"At least now they won't act up again for a few centuries," Duo snorted cynically.

"Which is exactly why you did what you did, even if you didn't realize it then." Trowa said seriously, his only visible eye focused unerringly on Heero.

Frowning as he tried to figure that out Heero started to ask what Trowa meant, only to have the man supply the answer, "It's in your nature to respond to instinct; to know more about the situation than nearly anyone else would, and react to it accordingly without conscious thought. You knew, even before you opened the door to the council room, what you had to do. The emotion drove your actions, but your instincts tempered them." Strangely Trowa nearly radiated triumph and pride to Heero, though he had no doubt the others had no idea that Trowa felt anything other than his usual sardonic amusement.

"There's nothing wrong with him," Sally cut in to tell them only to be interrupted by Duo before she could say anything further.

"Of course there's nothing wrong with me. I know that; you know that. Can we please go home now?"

Distracted by Duo's words Heero didn't get to ask Trowa any of the questions formulating in his mind before he glanced back at the man only to find that he wasn't there. Sighing with frustration that was far more like Duo than himself, Heero stood and reached out a hand to Duo, "Yes, we can go home."

"Thank you!" Duo exclaimed, jumping up to pull Heero into his arms and teleport them home without even a warning.

Clinging to Duo while the disorientation faded Heero reminded himself to apologize to Quatre later about not staying after he went through all the trouble to put together a meal for them. All thoughts of politeness, vague or not, faded the moment he lifted his head to meet Duo's eyes and he breathed the confession without thinking, "I was so afraid I'd lost you forever."

"I know love, I know," Duo spoke calmly, soothingly, but the kiss he gave Heero was anything but calm. Every bit of desperation and loneliness that he'd felt while trapped was poured into the contact.

Heero returned it just as avidly as he slid his fingers into Duo's hair with one hand while the other pressed him close. He needed the contact, needed to know for sure that Duo was really there; and he eased Dream back onto the bed with every intent of not letting him leave until he knew to the last fiber of his being that his lover was safe.

Duo submitted gracefully, giving himself over into Heero's control in a way that spoke eloquently of his own need for reassurance and grounding -- and his fear of the madness that had lurked in the shadows of his prison. He reached for Heero feverishly, wanting to be wrapped in his arms and know it was real.

Not a word of protest came from Duo -- if anything he eagerly surrendered -- when Heero took the dominant role in their relationship with more forcefulness than he'd previously shown. Responding to both Duo's desperation and his own, Heero made sure they were in contact constantly -- the more intimate the better -- for several days before his fears had eased enough that he allowed either of them out of the bed for anything but necessities.

Duo wanted to know how the angels had caught him, and after the frightening thought that they could do it again, Heero whole-heartedly agreed. The decision to go and have what Duo termed a family meeting was an easy one, though they were both somewhat reluctant to leave the safety and comfort of Duo's realm, and they jumped to Sally's temple. Surprisingly it wasn't Quatre that opened the door to them, it was Trowa, and he gave them a knowing nod before leading the way to where Sally was tending to her trees.

"So..." Duo drawled slowly as he dropped to the ground after planting a kiss to Sally's cheek in greeting. Looking up at his brother he asked hopefully, "Since you're here I'm assuming we'll actually get a few answers?"

"That depends on the questions you ask." Trowa straightened from having given Sally a greeting kiss as well and leaned against an opportune tree.

Shaking his head at Trowa intentionally frustrating Duo, Heero joined his lover on the ground and leaned against him as he pointed out, "But since you know the questions we'll be asking, you know if you will be giving answers."

With a rare grin Trowa conceded, "You understand me better than most. Yes, I do, and yes, you will."

Duo flopped back onto the grass with a theatric groan, "Spare me!"

Sally reached over to poke him in the side, "Shh your complaining; you and your dramatics. You understand just as well as Heero..."

"Well, yeah... but that's just not as much fun," Duo griped before chuckling a bit at being caught. "And Trowa knew that and played along. Don't mess with our fun Sis."

When Sally looked at him for confirmation Trowa dipped his head slightly in agreement and ignored her exasperated sigh as he spoke, "Ask your questions."

"How did they catch Duo? Could they do it again?" Heero couldn't mask his concern and was grateful for the understanding he could feel from Trowa.

"The celestials combined their powers to create a binding circle that was not only strong enough to contain Duo, but to remove it from reality itself. Once created a few could maintain the circle, but the creation itself cost them a great deal of their strength, and some of their weaker members didn't survive the spell." Trowa paused, regretting the loss of life. The lower level angels hadn't been to blame for Zechs's foolish scheme, it was tragic that they had to die for something they wouldn't have agreed to if they'd been given a choice. "As for whether or not they could do it again... They know how, but the chances that they could do so again are slim. With their Archangel effectively worthless to them and the power that they lost when you broke the circle, they will be struggling to survive against the demons, even when they get over themselves and invite the females back. They've learned their lesson."

"That's good to know," Duo exhaled in relief. "Although... if I was bound in that shop how'd I end up in the celestial realm? A binding circle can't really be moved. Well, unless they literally cut the floor around it and moved it as one huge piece."

Trowa raised a brow at him, as if to question why that wasn't perfectly plausible but Heero saved Duo from any pending sarcastic responses by answering, "That's exactly what they did. Zechs owned the shop so there was no reason for anyone to stop him, though of course some people thought it was odd. The question is, why move it? It wasn't any harder to get to the heavens than it was for me to get to the shop."

"They didn't just want to bind and destroy Duo, they wanted to capture you again and force you to hand your power over to them," Trowa said it so calmly, as if he had no concerns about what had happened at all, but Heero felt the anger in him at the mention of what Zechs had planned for his brother, an anger that only grew hotter with the suggestion of what they'd intended for Heero.

"So why didn't you warn us?" Sally demanded roughly.

Duo tried to reach out to placate his sister but was brushed aside, his words falling on deaf ears as she glared at Trowa. "Sally, you know he can't..."

"It's alright Duo." For once Trowa's sadness at his forced silence and the tension it caused with his family showed in his voice, but he answered Sally's question the way he had to. "Some things must happen, this was one of them. Duo had to be taken so Heero could start controlling his power himself."

"But..."

"Sally," Duo called her name brokenly, drawing her into his arms to soothe her. "Shhh, Sis. Everything worked out fine. You know Trowa can't go against his nature. You know how much that can hurt at times. Don't make that pain any worse by blaming him for something he couldn't do."

She sobbed in his arms, her grip on his arms tight enough to bruise as she let go of the anger and fear she'd held in while he was missing. Once she calmed a bit she turned to Trowa with her arms upraised for a hug, "I'm sorry brother. You even told me everything would be alright but I couldn't stop worrying and..."

For a moment it didn't look as if Trowa would accept the embrace but then he knelt beside her and slid his arms around her, "It's alright, I know it's difficult not to know."

Without consciously intending to Heero reached out to lay a hand on Duo's shoulder, and placed the other on Trowa and Sally's arms where they crossed, with his touch came a sense of peace that moved over them all gently.

Duo tossed him a pleased look even as he relinquished his sister to his brother. The rest of their questions would wait until another day, their family needed some time together.

"Are you sure we were at the right place?" Heero asked again, though he knew the answer well enough. All of the evidence pointed to the Yuy family being the one that had lost him so many years before... all evidence except their appearances, which were dramatically different from his own. The couple had recognized him immediately and offered praises to their deities for the safe return of their youngest son, but he saw nothing of himself in them. They were small, as he was, but both had a much slimmer build and dark eyes, the woman's were deep brown, while the man's eyes were nearly black. The entire family had hair that fell straight and glossy black, not even close to his own messy brown locks. It seemed impossible that he was their child; not even their son, Kiyoshi, bore the slightest resemblance to him.

"Sally was called on to give a blessing at your birth right? We can ask her about it," Duo consoled him as he had every time the question had been asked. They were already heading for Sally's small shrine so that decision had obviously been made before. Duo simply hoped that someone -- which really meant his brother -- would give them some answers. He was tired of thinking they'd discovered everything only to find out there was one more mystery awaiting them.

Heero accepted the answer as he had before, knowing that Duo was getting frustrated with the whole situation, as was he. It was starting to seem as if he would never know the truth of himself and even sympathizing with Trowa as he did he was nearly to the point of trying to pin the man down for some answers. Sally was, unfortunately alone but he still hoped to get some answers. After greeting her with a short hug that he'd slowly gotten used to Heero said, "Sally I went to see my family... I wanted to meet them, but... I don't look like them at all."

"Yeah," Sally agreed, "That's why they called on me for a blessing. Although now that I think about it... Trowa did say that it wasn't odd at all that you didn't look like your parents. I didn't really consider it though because that's when the priest started spouting the prophecy."

"I never did apologize for hijacking him did I?" Trowa spoke from the chair next to Sally and smiled at her, more relaxed and happy than any of them had ever seen him. "There's a good reason why I did it, and why you don't look like your human parents Heero."

Something about Trowa's phrasing sounded odd to Heero but he asked, "Why not?"

"Because you aren't really human," Trowa said it calmly, with a smile that was fond and a strange sort of relief that Heero was too shocked to question.

"You better be explaining everything this time bro," Duo growled in frustration. "Because I don't think I can take much more of this. Every time I think things are over there's something else and..."

Holding up a hand Trowa interrupted, "Calm down. It is time for all the answers, and it's as much a relief for me as it is for you. Even for one existing in all times at once, I've carried this secret too long." Turning his eyes to Heero he added, "But I've carried it at your request."

Frowning Heero protested, "I've never asked for you to keep any secret, especially one like this!"

"Not in this lifetime." Trowa answered sadly, and leaned forward so that his elbows were resting on his knees, giving him support as he looked down at the ground rather than at his family. "Heero you are one of us. The prophecy doesn't imply that you have the power to rival the gods, it says that you ARE one of the gods... or at least that's how the humans will see you. You were created by the universe, just as Sally, Duo, and I were, but in the beginning..."

He paused, and Heero felt the terrible sorrow in Trowa, recognizing intuitively that for Time the pain of whatever he was referring to was always fresh because he couldn't soften his own hurts.

"Brother," Duo reached out automatically to comfort even as he tried to take in all the implications of Heero being one of their family. His first thought was one of relief at never having to worry about losing him.

Trowa gave Duo a half smile in gratitude for his support and took a deep breath before he went on, "You're Emotion Heero, in the same way that Duo is Death and Dreams, and I am Time. You have it in you to sense what everyone in the world is feeling, and to change it to your own whim. When you first manifested it was all too much for you, you had no control, no boundaries, and it caused you nothing but agony and madness. The universe took your consciousness back into itself, only to try again and again. You were needed but there was no stabilizing force to help you overcome your pain. I was the only one who knew of you, and I stayed with you each time you were born to help as much as I could. You were fully aware of what you were, and all the times you'd manifested before, and each time it grew worse until you begged me for help..."

Lifting his head Trowa met Heero's eyes, his voice soft, "The only thing I could do was ask the universe to put you into a human body, limiting your power and creating the prophecy to ensure that you would regain it, but not until you'd gradually learned the skills you needed to deal with it and gained the support you required in the form of Duo."

Feeling overwhelmed and a little faint, Heero leaned more heavily on Duo, "That's why you allowed the angels to take me? So that Duo would find me?"

"In part, but that would have happened no matter what. You and Duo were meant to be together. There can be no dreams without emotion, and no death passes without some feelings, just as dreams allow a person to feel what they otherwise suppress, and death shows many to express and feel things that they never allowed themselves before. All of us are intertwined, but you two more closely than any." Trowa roused enough from his pain at the explanation to smile at his brother, knowing that Duo would appreciate hearing that.

The stunned expression on Duo's face gradually shifted to acceptance as Trowa spoke but the wild-eyed look stayed until Trowa's last words. With a sigh he dipped his head to his brother in gratitude and opened his mouth to express it more firmly only to be struck by a sudden thought and blurt, "That explains why I never felt complete."

"Exactly." Trowa approved, proud that Duo understood so quickly, and went on to answer Heero's question in full, "The main reason you were allowed to be taken was because the celestials could teach you the one thing the rest of the world wouldn't have had the heart to... how to control and suppress the very essence of yourself, your feelings. You had to learn to do that for yourself before you could learn to do the same for everyone else. Even then there had to be a period of time where someone else controlled your gift so you could distance yourself from its effects. That time with Quatre was also critical, which is one of the reasons he was given the gift he was."

Taking a deep breath Trowa told them what he knew they wouldn't like hearing, "I had to let the angels kidnap you from your parents, and let you suffer at the angels' hands through your childhood. I had to let them push you to dull apathy until Duo came for you. I had to let Zechs take you again so that he would know who claimed you and so that the celestial's treachery would be made clear to you. I had to let Duo be taken so that you would come into your power in truth, just as I had to let you go to see your parents before I told you all of this, else you wouldn't believe me. If there were any other way I would have spared you all."

There was a moment of stunned silence following Trowa's revelations and Heero just stared at him with unseeing eyes, he couldn't deny Trowa's words, for all that they seemed incredibly far fetched to him. Because while they sounded impossible, they felt right, just as it had when Duo claimed him; Heero knew that Trowa was telling the complete truth.

Duo conjured a snowball and lobbed it at his brother's head, knowing he'd dodge it easily. "Just please tell me we don't have to go through all this again?"

Trowa just appeared on the other side of Heero and let the snowball go sailing off into the trees as he informed them, "Not this, specifically, but they'll be just as bad when Sally finds her mate." Not giving them time to question him on that stunning remark Trowa was gone again, leaving nothing behind but the faint suggestion of a snicker.

EPILOGUE

Many, many years later....

Heero smiled a little as he walked into their bathroom, still unchanged in all the hundreds of years they'd been together, to find Duo sprawled out in the pool. He held the comic book Heero had left for him but it didn't look as if he'd even started to read it and Heero stripped to step into the pool with him. Joining Duo in his corner Heero kissed him before sliding in behind him and starting to massage his scalp, easing Duo's frustration with contentment instead. "Are Sally and Wufei fighting again?"

"Of course," Duo muttered darkly. "When Trowa said things would be as bad when Sally found her mate as they were for us I expected a lot of things. Except the constant bickering. If the two of them don't ever shut up long enough to kiss -- and soon -- I will find a way to lock them up together. They'll either kill each other or figure it out."

Running his hands down Duo's neck to his shoulders Heero sent his mate more calm and hugged him closer, "They will. We just have to be patient; you know I can't rush love, it's too important. Besides, they both enjoy arguing, even if they deny it." His voice was dry when he said the last, and it was clear he was spending a little too much time with Trowa, whose sardonic sense of humor had grown on him over the years. On the plus side their friendship made it much easier to get in contact with Time, even when he didn't really want them to.

Duo relaxed and hummed a little in growing contentment, "They don't figure it out soon though and we're going on vacation so that we're not dragged into things anymore. I couldn't even read the comic you'd left me because of the headache they'd given me."

Leaning down to kiss Duo's shoulder Heero took the book from him, "Then I'll read it to you. I thought you would be amused by it; it's about a man who is dreams and his sister, a very perky little goth woman who is death. I think you'll find the first issue familiar... Dream gets caught in a binding circle."

"Please tell me you're joking," Duo whimpered theatrically but Heero could tell that his curiosity had been piqued as he leant back into Heero's embrace comfortably.

Laughing softly Heero shook his head, "See for yourself..." and opening the book he began to read where Duo had marked the page, "'It's midnight. It's time.... Time. Ahh no one has even attempted what we will achieve here tonight, Alex. To summon and imprison Death...'"

Duo snorted loudly, breaking into Heero's reading, "The only thing capable of summoning me is you shamo. And hopefully whatever binding magic the angels used has been forgotten."

Before Heero could comment though, Duo continued on a different topic, "You ever find it ironic that Sally's mate is from her pet race?"

Sighing, because he was used to Duo obsessing by then Heero shrugged, "I thought it was rather appropriate. Besides, dragons are the only people who are passionate enough to keep her happy." Going back to the book he picked up where he'd left off, "'This will be a triumph for the order, eh Alex?' The boy says, 'Yes father.' 'Father?!' The boy amends with, 'Magus.' After tonight I'd like to see Aleister and his friends try to make fun of me! They will make no more jokes, Alex, when Death is at my command."

"Fffft," Duo blew a raspberry at the thought. "The most anyone could ever achieve would be to imprison me. Death cannot be ordered."

His good humor seemed to be returning and the headache was easing -- as evidenced by his more active participation and commentary. The hands gently teasing up Heero's inner thighs where Duo sat between them were quite obvious proof.

"Yes I know Duo, but this fellow obviously is a few needles short of a stack, as Trowa would say." His dryly amused tone turned heated as he lowered his head enough to press his lips to Duo's shoulder, "And if you aren't careful where those hands are going I'll never end up finishing this page."

"Eh... it'll still be here later," Duo tossed him an impish look over his shoulder. "Play with me?"

Heero's answer was to put the book down and draw Duo into a deep kiss that Duo responded to eagerly. Even after all that time Duo's touch alone was enough to make him eternally grateful that he'd been stolen from heaven to live with his Dreams and Death.

"Happy?" Duo questioned in a ghost of a whisper that was more felt than heard.

"More than anything."

Duo's grin was broad and vibrant as he leaned in to kiss Heero breathless, "That's all I ever wanted."

STORY NOTES

The comic that Heero is reading to Duo in the epilogue is Sandman issue #1 written by Neil Gaiman.