Library Part 4
"No!" Duo's braid whipped upwards even as Wufei shook his rain-drenched wings and tried to liftoff.
His braid wasn't long enough, Duo realized- by the time he could reach Heero- would it be enough to slow his fall?
Then he realized that Heero's fall had slowed, even as Wufei gripped his shoulder and muttered: "The Arch-Chancellor-"
Duo didn't look away from his now gently drifting boyfriend. Once Heero was in range, his braid wrapped itself around Heero and pulled him down into Duo's arms.
Heero's eyes were closed and he sagged against Duo, who staggered for a moment under the weight of his unconscious lover.
"Magic-shocked," said someone, and Duo looked up to find the Arch-Chancellor standing beside him. "Take the man home, dry him off and put him to bed. He'll be as right as rain in no time."
"Rain doesn't seem very right at the moment," said a silken voice and Duo's arms tightened around Heero, The Ruler? Here? "But bed sounds like a wonderful idea."
Duo did not like the way the Ruler was eyeing Heero. Not at all. His braid twitched and he firmly reminded himself that strangling the head official of the city was a Bad Idea.
"That poor man needs to get out of those wet clothes and warm up," the Ruler continued, his eyes still lingering on Heero's unconscious form.
"I agree. Take him home, Duo." The Commander interjected, much to Duo's relief. "The poor guy saved us some trouble today- tell him thank you when he wakes up."
"I will."
The Ruler and the Arch-Chancellor moved closer to the building, their conversation rising and falling in sharp tones- but the Ruler's gaze kept moving back to Heero. Dropping his voice, his lips barely moving, Duo's boss added: "Stay with him for a few days- out of sight? Understood?"
"Understood." Duo flicked a glance at Wufei. "Help me get him to the car?"
"Of course." Once they were out of sight of the IS building, Wufei frowned. "Do you really think your place is a good idea? I mean- won't Heero feel more secure on his own turf?"
"But my place is safer than the library- it's not public property." Duo cast a wary glance over his shoulder. "And I really feel the need to keep him safe at the moment."
"Good point. Our esteemed leader was nearly drooling."
"I know it. Makes me nervous as all hell."
"It should. I don't suppose you could convince Heero to make it official?"
"Do you think that would help?"
"He does have a great respect for the laws."
"True." Duo opened his car and they tucked Heero into the backseat. "But we've only known each other for a month- I don't even know how he feels about me- let alone if he'd be willing to make things official..."
"Would you be willing?"
"In a heartbeat."
"Let's hope he feels the same way- or at the very least, that he wants to stay out of the Ruler's hands." Wufei shook his head and wiped the rain from his face. "In the meantime, take him home and dry off."
"Will do. Thanks."
"No problem, Duo. Stay out of trouble."
"I'll try."
As Duo started the car, he hoped trouble didn't find them.
~*~
Warmth enveloped him, easing the cold that seemed to have sunk into his bones. He was aching, his limbs and head hurt and he wondered why. Had he fallen off the shelves?
Cautiously he cracked open an eyelid. His vision was blurry; all he could tell was that something blue was in front of him. He blinked, bringing a tile wall into focus.
That was odd. The library didn't have blue tiles anywhere...
"Awake?" A warm voice spoke in his ear and Heero blinked in surprise.
"Duo? Where am I?"
"My bathtub. We were both soaked and freezing when I got us home, so I turned on the heat and started a bath. How are you feeling?"
"Head hurts... what happened?"
"Those idiots mage-blasted you off the building. Luckily, the arch-chancellor had shown up and he drifted you down." Duo's arms tightened around his shoulders. "He said you need some rest, but you'd be okay."
It took Heero a few moments to process that information. "That's good." He glanced down at himself and blinked a few more times. "What-"
"I had to let my hair down," Duo chuckled. "I've told you before that it has a mind of its own sometimes... and well, I suspect there's a part of me that is feeling a bit clingy after watching you fall off the top of that building."
Heero lifted his hand and stroked the strands that had wrapped around his chest. "Sorry I scared you."
"Not your fault." Duo kissed his temple. "Just relax now, okay?"
Heero closed his eyes again, letting his head fall back onto Duo's shoulder. Maybe a little longer and he'd be able to get rid of the headache. If not he had some aspirin tablets in the...
His eyes opened wide and he sat up with a splash, nearly pulling Duo with him.
"What?"
"Why am I here? Why not the library? How am I going to get back..."
"It's safer here."
"Safer? But-"
Duo sighed and his hair tugged at Heero, gently pulling him back down into Duo's arms. "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do! I just..." Heero floundered.
"The Ruler was there. He saw you- and well..." Duo stopped, searching for a way to explain and Heero felt his heart sink.
"Is he going to come after me?"
"More than likely."
"Oh no..." Heero pulled away, trying to untangle himself from Duo's embrace. "Then I have to leave. You can't be taken with me- I've heard about his jails..." He got out of the tub, Duo's hair still wrapped around him.
"Jails?" Duo repeated incredulously, following him. "No, Heero- it wasn't prison he wanted to drag you off you- it was his bed. I told you what he's done with those things left behind from the Rift! He was practically drooling at the sight of you!"
"What?" Heero stopped in surprise. "I don't think-"
"I do. And so did Wufei and the Commander. I was told to take you home and lay low. That's why we're here and not at the library- the library is a public place."
"But..." Heero rubbed his aching forehead. "I can't stay here forever... I have to work...and you... you would get tired of me... what am I going to do...?"
Duo grabbed a towel from the rack and wrapped it around Heero, pulling him close. "I will not get tired of you. Let's dry off and I'll explain my plan, okay?"
At least Duo had a plan, Heero thought. That was more than he was capable of at the moment. He grabbed another towel and helped Duo dry off. Duo produced sweatpants and Heero helped him wrestle his hair back into a braid before following him into the next room.
"I know it's a little small," Duo said as Heero looked around. "The bed folds out of the wall and so does the table- but-"
"It's bigger than my place."
"True." Duo pulled the bed down and sat on it, tugging Heero down beside him. "Okay, here's the thing. You know the Ruler is a stickler for the law, right?"
"Who doesn't?"
"Exactly. So he can't whisk you off to the palace if you belong to someone else- legally, right?"
"Unless he found a loophole, I guess not."
Duo closed his eyes for a moment. "Let's hope he doesn't."
"But- how can I belong to someone else? Slavery is illegal- last time I checked-"
"You can marry me."
TBC...
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