Library Part 5
"Marry you?" Heero repeated, not sure that he'd heard Duo correctly.
Duo sighed and scooted a little closer to Heero. "I'm doing this all wrong. It's just... you didn't see what I saw today. And you know how he is... I mean, you have to have heard some of the stories..."
"Of course... though he's not as insane as the one before..."
"I know. It's just he has these little 'quirks'." Duo's braid wrapped around Heero's waist and he shivered. Automatically, Heero put his arms around Duo, cuddling him close.
"He really made you nervous."
"He really did," Duo gave him a weak smile. "I know it sounds foolish- I know we've only known each other for a month- but- I want you to be safe. You could be safe, here with me. I know it's not a big place, but we could change anything you wanted. I want you to feel comfortable here..."
Heero glanced around the tiny apartment. It was almost amusing how much it reflected the personality of its owner. He did feel comfortable here- more than he thought he could feel away from the library...
Swallowing hard at the sudden thought that had occurred to him, he asked: "Duo- how far away from the university are we...?"
"A few blocks. I usually drive, but it's possible to walk..." Duo paused for a moment and then tightened his embrace. "Relax, love, I promise- I can get you down to the car easily- it's in a garage underneath us. We drive you there- park behind the library and you just have to do a quick dash."
"But-"
"You made it out to see me today, didn't you?" Duo placed his hand on Heero's cheek. "Though you didn't speak to me the first time- what happened?"
Heero shrugged helplessly. How could he explain it to Duo when he wasn't even sure himself? "I don't know. There were... I mean, you were busy..."
"There were too many people in that room."
"Maybe... it's stupid..."
"Heero, relax. I do understand. I pushed for too much today. I know I did. You met me there- the least I could do was not force you to walk into a room full of strangers. It's my fault."
"No- it's mine- I-"
"Shh." Duo silenced him with a quick kiss. "It's okay. Whatever the reason, it didn't stop you from coming back, saving me and then knocking out the two idiots. Course, then you nearly gave me a heart attack- but that wasn't your fault."
"I don't even remember them hitting me..."
Duo's expression darkened. "I do. I thought for a moment..." He shivered again and put his lips against Heero's again. It wasn't quick this time, it was deep and inviting, and Heero willingly lost himself in it. Duo's braid slid over his skin, up under the t-shirt Duo had provided, teasing and caressing.
Heero responded in kind, making Duo gasp.
"No fair- four to one," he murmured against Heero's mouth.
"Want me to use just one?"
"Hell no. Don't you dare stop!"
Much later, as they lay entwined on Duo's small bed, Duo returned to the original subject. "So- will you?"
"Will I what?" Heero replied drowsily.
"Marry me. Please?"
That woke Heero up a little. "Do you really think that-"
"Yes."
"You didn't let me finish."
"It's yes no matter what. Yes I think we should. Yes I think it will keep you out of the Ruler's hands. Yes, you could adjust. Yes, we could live together without killing each other." Duo laughed a little. "I might not let you out of bed much, but is that really a bad thing?"
Heero's lips twitched in a faint smile, his brain whirling. Should he marry Duo? He didn't want to fall into the Ruler's hands- he doubted the man's plans for him were what Duo thought they were- but they wouldn't be anything pleasant. But still... tying Duo down, forcing his company on him... not that Duo seemed dismayed at the thought, but he would be eventually...
But the marriage didn't have to be forever. The Ruler would forget about him eventually and he could go back to the library... and he'd have this time with Duo to remember...
"Heero? Please say yes?"
"Yes."
Duo's smile was incandescent. "Really? Yes?"
"Yes."
"Great! I'll go down first thing in the morning; get the license- the Commander can marry us- he's deputized. I'm sure he's on tomorrow too. I'll grab him- see if Chang and Winner can be witnesses..."
Heero stopped him with a kiss. "Sleep first, Duo. It's late."
"Now I'm too excited to sleep." Duo's expression turned mischievous. "I'm afraid you'll have to wear me out again..."
~*~
Duo woke up early and slipped out of bed. As tempting as Heero was- finally in his bed- he had things that needed to get done- and the sooner he finished, the sooner he could relax.
It was too early to call people to ask for favors, too early to go down and get the paperwork. Thankfully he didn't have to figure out a way to get Heero down there- he could get the paperwork and have the Commander marry them here. Then they just had to turn it in- notify the university... Mentally making notes, he started breakfast.
"Up already?" Heero blinked at him from the bed and Duo left the bacon for a moment to go and claim a kiss.
"A lot to do today."
"Duo- are you sure-?"
"Yes." He kissed Heero again and returned to the bacon. Heero slid out of bed and grabbed his sweatpants. Pulling them on, he joined Duo in the kitchen.
"Can I help?"
"Can you scramble eggs?"
"Sure."
Duo watched out of the corner of his eye as Heero popped the fridge open to look for the eggs. He was adorably tousled; his extra limbs relaxed and looped around his waist, and Duo felt a fierce protective surge.
The doorbell rang.
They blinked at each other.
"Who would ring so early?" Duo frowned. "Must be a neighbor- watch the bacon-?" He went to open the door.
A man in the Ruler's colors stood on the other side, his hair shading his face. "Duo Maxwell?"
Duo's stomach twisted. "Yes?"
"Our Ruler has sent me to ask if you know the whereabouts of one Heero Yuy?"
"Why? Has he done something wrong?"
"I'm Heero Yuy." Heero came to stand behind Duo and Duo stiffened. Why hadn't he stayed in the kitchen?
"The Ruler wants to see you. Now. At once."
"He can't. Heero is busy today."
The man's gaze moved back to Duo. "Are you Heero Yuy's spouse? His family?"
"Not yet- but today-"
Something whipped out of the man's sleeve and struck Duo on the neck. He fell, his vision starting to cloud, his limbs too weak to move.
"Duo!"
"He's not hurt. He's just immobilized. He'll be fine soon- unless you refuse to come with me."
No! Duo's lips formed the word, but no sound came out.
"If I refuse- you'll hurt him?" Heero bent over Duo, one hand on his neck, checking his pulse. Duo tried again to speak to him, tell him not to do anything, it didn't matter what they did- but Heero wasn't looking at him.
"I don't wish to, but the Ruler gave orders. Anyone who wasn't bound to you, who got in the way..." The man sounded almost embarrassed. "Please- come with me. We can put him on the bed first if you like- I promise he'll be okay. But you have to come- or I have to hurt him."
"All right. Help me get him on the bed and I'll go with you."
Duo felt himself lifted, placed on something soft. He tried again to force words out, but he failed.
Heero bent and brushed his lips over Duo's cheek. "It's better this way," he murmured. "You aren't tied to me- you aren't in danger." Another kiss. "Goodbye Duo."
And then he was gone.
TBC...
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