Quarry Part 4

Duo shifted.

Heero's jaw dropped open and Duo ducked his head a little, trying to appear non-threatening. Surely Heero wouldn't react badly- would he? His new spouse was staring at him, wide eyed. He hunched down a little more, looking away from Heero's shocked expression. Maybe he shouldn't have shifted maybe he should've said something first?

A gentle touch on the top of his head made him look up. "Sorry! I'm sorry-" Heero scratched behind Duo's ears carefully. "I didn't mean to- I'm- I just never even thought that you were one too!! Does your family know?"

Duo shook his head and Heero's fingers moved under his chin, caressing.

"You were able to hide it?" Duo nodded and Heero smiled. "Amazing. I knew you were something special when I saw you at your father's court, but I never suspected this." Duo relaxed, lying down beside Heero, the bed creaking as he moved. Heero's fingers dug into his dense fur reassuringly. "So beautiful. Your mother must've been from a different clan than mine; she never mentioned anything but the cats. I didn't know there were others."

They sat in silence for a moment, Heero still stroking Duo's fur, and Duo relaxed under that caress. It was going to be okay. He shouldn't have been worried about Heero reacting badly.

"It takes you a little bit before you can shift back?"

Duo nodded again.

"Me too." Heero swung his feet up on the bed and settled in next to his new spouse, propping himself up against the pillows. "Thank you for trusting me with this." He added in a softer tone.

Duo nuzzled his cheek and Heero smiled. "I'm still amazed you were able to hide it all the time. Of course- I don't think my mother ever meant to tell anyone here what she could do, but one of the nights she was with my father an assassin came for him. Slipped past the guards- and so my mother shifted to defend him. My father was grateful of course, but at the same time-" He sighed. "Well, let's just say that was the last night he invited her to stay with him- and he changed her living quarters too. Moved her- and me-away from the rest of the wives and their children. I was only about four at the time, but I remember it all too well."

Heero's fingers tightened on Duo's fur, his eyes dark with memories. Duo nudged him with his nose, cuddling close, and Heero's expression lightened. "All that aside, since she couldn't hide what we were, she trained me out in the open. My father saw some advantage to that, as you can imagine, but at the same time- well, like I told you, I'm happier away from court." He put his cheek down on Duo's soft shoulder. "I'm glad I found you."

Duo closed his eyes for a moment, checking internally. Enough time had passed, so he once again stretched his muscles and shifted.

Heero made a soft sound and curled close. Duo slid his arms around his spouse in return, knowing he had made the right choice about revealing his ability to Heero.

"My mother was very unhappy in my father's court," Duo said softly. "Some of the things my father liked..." he shivered. "I think she knew if he found out about her ability that things would be very bad for her. So once I turned eleven she started watching me closely-"

"That's about when I started too," Heero murmured back.

"And so the first time it happened, she was there and hid me. Afterwards, she started training me so that I could control it."

"So you were able to keep it a secret."

"It was hard- but yes." Duo sighed and Heero curled closer.

"Thank you for sharing it with me," he said and pressed his lips against Duo's.

"Seemed the thing to do," Duo said breathlessly after a few minutes, leaning back against the pillows and tilting his head back to give Heero better access. "So you know exactly what you're getting yourself into-"

Heero chuckled, sending vibrations across Duo's skin. "I knew that before, why do you think I chased you like I did? This new information is just a bonus..."

~*~

"Good morning!" Duo sauntered into Trowa's rooms the next morning with a grin.

"Duo," Trowa turned away from the mirror. "How are you this morning?" His brother had seemed calm enough at his ceremony yesterday, but Trowa had been very worried.

"Wonderful."

"Really?" Trowa still felt very guilty for involving Duo in this whole mess. "Things went well?" He asked carefully. His brother sure looked happier than Trowa could ever remember seeing him, but-

Duo grinned wider. "Asking for advice?"

"No," Trowa countered. "I think I can figure things out fine. That's not what I meant."

"I know." Duo patted his arm reassuringly. "Things went great. Better than I expected." He met Trowa's eyes. "I really am happy," he added in a softer tone. "I hope things go as well for you."

Trowa squeezed his brother's arm. "Truly Duo?"

"Let's say, even if I hadn't been pushed into it, I would've wanted to marry him anyway."

"Really?"

"Oh yes," Duo nodded. "Very much so. So stop worrying about me. You're the one getting married today- nervous?"

Reassured, Trowa turned back towards the mirror and sighed. "Very. I'm just hoping I don't mess up somewhere today and ruin the whole thing."

"You'll be fine." Duo soothed. "Just say yes when they ask if you do. Piece of cake."

"You make it sound easy." Trowa rolled his eyes.

Before Duo could reply, someone knocked on the door. Duo went to open it. "Are you supposed to be here?" He asked the person on the other side.

"No," Quatre answered and stepped into the room. "But I wanted a word with Trowa. Heero's watching the hallway. Could you- uh- go help him?"

"Happily," Duo said and slipped outside.

"What is it?" Trowa asked.

Quatre moved closer, one hand reaching out to touch Trowa's sleeve. "I just wanted to make sure you were still okay with all of this. I know our ways are strange to you- and I am still sorry about what happened with our brothers. Are you sure you still want to marry me?"

Trowa smiled. "I do. Despite all the other things that have happened, that hasn't changed. And if I still want to marry you after all of them, then you know I really do."

Quatre laughed and pulled him close, claiming a kiss. "Things will be better after this, I promise you that. I'll make you happy, just wait and see." Another kiss and then Quatre pulled away. "I have to go. I'll see you at the ceremony- and oh- if my half brother asks you to take part in a historical ceremony afterwards- say no."

~*~

Duo found Heero right outside the door. "Helping Quatre break tradition?" He teased.

"He was in a state this morning," Heero slipped an arm around Duo's waist, pulling him close for a kiss. "I had to do something- I've never seen him so nervous."

"Mmm. Well, hopefully Tro will reassure him that all is well."

"I think he was worried about us," Heero murmured into the curve of Duo's neck. "I told him that I thought everything was fine-"

"Only thought?" Duo rolled his eyes. "Were you not paying attention last night?"

"You know I was. I was just hoping you didn't have second thoughts this morning."

"Hardly," Duo turned quickly, pinning Heero against the wall, his mouth temptingly close to Heero's. "Besides, according to your crazy customs, I'm yours now, remember?"

"I haven't forgotten," Heero said when Duo let him speak. "Just like I'm yours."

OWARI

 

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