Quarry Part 3
"So, you're my brother's new spouse. I hope you're very happy." Duo blinked up at the tall blond man who had suddenly appeared beside him. Was this another of the royal bastards? It had to be, he looked older than Quatre.
"Thank you, I'm sure I will be." He said for what had to be the eightieth time in the last hour. The claiming ceremony had gone well- it had been pretty much short and to the point, and Duo had hoped once it was over he and Heero could just slip away. They had spent most of the day together- but in the company of other people. Not the best way to spend some quality time getting to know the man you're marrying.
And worse still if you wanted to ask if he occasionally turned into a big cat.
Not that it really bothered Duo if it did, all things considered. Still, it would be nice to be sure that Heero was a shifter.
"I hope so. Poor Heero. I'm sure you know about his affliction."
"He mentioned it," Duo lied. He didn't quite like the way this guy was eyeing him. He wished that Heero would show up and give him an excuse to move away.
"Did he? And here I thought he was hoping to trap some unsuspecting soul into marriage."
Well, he had, sort of- but Duo wasn't complaining about it at the moment. He looked across the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Heero. Where was he? "I'm sure we'll be very happy." Duo countered absently.
The blond frowned a little as if the conversation wasn't going the way he planned. Then he smiled again and leaned a little closer and lowered his voice. "You know, Heero vetoed a special part of the ceremony. He said you wouldn't be comfortable with it, but I think you'd love it. Perhaps you'd be willing to give it a try?"
Duo had learned not to agree to things out of hand in this place. "What is it exactly?"
"It's just a way of settling the couple down for the night. Preparing them for what's to come."
That wasn't very exact. Duo opened his mouth to ask for more details, but then there was a rush of warmth at his back, and his new spouse was there, glaring over Duo's shoulder at his brother.
"I said no, Milliardo, and I meant it."
"Really Heero," the other man laughed. "One would think you were worried about your performance if your spouse was offered a comparison."
Duo's eyes widened. They weren't talking about what he thought- were they?
Heero smiled, his arm going around Duo's waist. "More like I wouldn't want to scare him off. We are related you know- don't want him thinking my technique is like yours. If you'll excuse us?"
Heero pulled him into the crowd, his arm still firmly around Duo.
"That wasn't what it sounded like- was it?" Duo hoped it wasn't.
His new spouse sighed. "You have to remember that a lot of marriages here are not for love. It's not unusual for married couples to both have lovers- sometimes more than one- who usually help 'warm up' the married couple before sending them to their spouses."
"Oh." Duo blinked. "I'm glad I didn't just agree!"
"Me too- though I would've made sure to get you out of it. Milliardo is... well, just don't agree to anything he says. Ever." Heero's arm tightened for a moment.
"Easy enough." Duo smiled a little and then a thought struck him. "Do you have a lover? Will they be coming with us to your home?" He didn't really like the idea at all.
Heero stopped mid step and turned, pulling Duo close. "Just you. No one else." His mouth touched Duo's, his lips caressing and demanding. "And you better not either. I'm very jealous and not inclined to share you." His kiss was gentler the second time.
When Heero released him, Duo realized they'd become the center of all eyes.
"I think it's time to send these two to bed," Quatre's voice rang out across the room.
"I'm sure you don't need us to continue the evening," Heero called back and Quatre laughed. It seemed like ages as everyone in the room crowded close to congratulate them again, but finally they managed to escape.
Duo followed Heero down an unfamiliar corridor. They were alone at last. But was it really the time to ask his new husband if he was a shifter? Maybe it was more of a morning after kind of question.
Heero opened a door and ushered Duo inside. "Our quarters," he said with a smile. "For when we are here."
Someone had been there ahead of them. The bed sheets were pulled back invitingly, the fire was blazing on the hearth and there were two small tables beside the bed. One held food- the other...
Duo drew in a sharp breath- he recognized some of the things on the table- but not all. He heard Heero make a soft noise beside him. There was a small slip of white paper in the midst of the objects. Heero picked it up and after reading it, made a soft sound of disgust.
"Milliardo's wedding gift."
"I think I'm glad you don't like to share."
Heero laughed softly. "Ditto."
Duo hadn't been able to look away from the table, wondering what some of the objects were used for. "I know what some of those are- but what the hell is that?" Duo pointed. "It looks- painful..."
Heero laughed again and nuzzled his neck. "None of those are painful- if used right." He slid his hands under the edge of Duo's shirt. "I'll be more than happy to demonstrate all of them with you- but not tonight. Not for this first time."
Duo leaned back against him and closed his eyes. "This place is so strange to me."
"I know," Heero slid his hands higher. "I know things are strange- and maybe a little frightening. They won't always be- I promise. Tomorrow after our brothers wed, we'll leave. Things will be better away from court."
Duo almost wished they could leave now. But he couldn't leave Trowa on his wedding day. His eyes snapped open. "Oh- we have to warn Trowa about Milliardo-"
"Already done." Heero murmured against his collarbone. "I warned Quatre."
"Quatre didn't want that 'ritual' either?"
"Quatre said if Milliardo even mentions it, he's going to geld him."
"Can't we do it anyway?"
Heero laughed, turned Duo around in his arms and kissed him. "As much as I would love to continue this conversation, I have something else to talk to you about." He tugged Duo over to the side of the bed and sat down.
"What is it?" Duo perched on the bed beside him.
"I'm sure you heard about my 'affliction'."
Duo nodded. "No one was specific. Are you ill?" Panic rose up for a moment, but Heero shook his head.
"Not exactly. It has more to do with my bloodline."
Then it was what Duo thought. "The cat that came into my bedroom last night." He said and watched Heero's eyes widen. "That was you."
"Yes." Heero ducked his head a little. "I was hoping you figured it out. I know your court is far away, but I hoped... Well, it was a legend here until my mother came to join my father's court."
"It was a legend in my father's court too." Duo smiled a little.
"You're taking this very well," Heero met his eyes. "Most people... don't."
Duo's smile widened. "I told you my mother was a peace offering too, didn't I?"
He stretched a little. It had been a long time since he dared do this.
And shifted.
TBC...
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