For Plaid- In the demented Little Mermaid uni.
I wanted to clear up the whole ending- I felt it wasn't clear that Heero wanted to stay. So that's what I focused on!
Tentacles Drabble
Heero perched on the railing of the wrecked ship that served as Duo's home and peered through the dark waters. Duo had been summoned by his uncles that morning- he wasn't sure what they wanted him for- but he'd kissed Heero's cheek and promised not to take too long.
He knew he shouldn't be out here- this part of the ocean wasn't safe, though Duo's uncles kept most of the truly bad things away- but as the time had gotten later and later- he had gotten worried. What was keeping Duo?
Straining his eyes, he tried to see the remains of the Sea-Witch's home- the place where Duo's uncles had taken up residence- in this light it was only a faded outline. What was going on there?
Something bright suddenly streaked away from the shape- headed in his direction. It was moving too fast and was too bright to be Duo- it looked more like one of the little messenger fish that his uncles would use to summon him with- but Duo was supposed to be there...
As it got closer, Heero could see that it was indeed one of the brightly colored fish, and he wondered if he should hide. They couldn't carry more than a parroted message- they weren't smart enough for more- but Duo had always kept them away from him.
But what if Duo had sent it to him? Maybe his uncles had decided to do something to him- they were always experimenting- always sending messengers to Duo to find them subjects to use-
Heero watched the messenger fish get closer. If only Duo were here- he'd know what to do!
The fish seemed to see him- and put on an extra burst of speed. He froze on the railing- no choice now!
"Duo needs you," the fish gasped out, and Heero launched himself off of the wreck. He wasn't as fast as his fish-tailed cousins, or Duo- but he could work up a good speed. He sliced through the water, his heart pounding. What was wrong? Had Duo sent for him? Or was it his uncles? Had something happened to Duo?
The Sea-Witch's home didn't improve on closer viewing. Heero repressed a shudder as he swam into the dark opening- it was like being swallowed by some monstrous beast...
"Ah, so there was someone there!" Said a voice as he reached the main room. Heero ignored it. Duo was stretched out on a flat-table shaped stone, his eyes closed, his tentacles drooping around him. Heero put his hand on Duo's shoulder, trying to shake him awake- but Duo didn't respond.
"What's wrong with him?" he demanded and heard a heavy sigh.
"You are the missing Prince, aren't you? Did Duo make a deal with you?" Heero glanced up as one of Duo's uncles landed gently beside him on the sandy sea floor, gently snapping his claws. Judging by the eye watering shirt, it had to be Howard.
"Yes- and yes, he did."
"I'm guessing, since you still have your legs- that he didn't fulfill his half of the deal?" Another voice said behind him.
"Well, no, but-"
"That's it then!" Howard clicked his claws again and looked over Heero's shoulder. "I told the boy he shouldn't go making deals!"
"Or at the very least, he needed to stick to them," said the other.
"But I changed my mind-" Heero interjected. "I didn't want a tail-"
"But you paid him for one?"
"Well... yes. Please- what's wrong with him?"
"It's the magic of this place. The Sea Witch made deals- maybe not fair ones, but she did. You can't get something for nothing, you know. He came in this morning- and it sort of- hit him. We've been trying to figure it out ever since. You gave Duo- what did you give him exactly?"
"Uh..." Heero felt his face turn red. "My... company."
"I told you the boy was too lonely out there-"
"That's not the point now, Howard. The thing is, he got something and didn't give in return-"
"Yes he did!" Heero interrupted. "He gave me-" he faltered- how to explain it? "Himself. His attention, his affection. I didn't need a tail anymore. He gave me something better."
"But it wasn't the original deal?"
"No- but- it's better than the original deal. I- I just want Duo." Light suddenly flared around him, and Heero closed his eyes against it. What was happening? A moment later and he was wrapped in Duo's tentacles, pulled into Duo's embrace.
"It's not much of a deal..." His lover murmured in his ear.
"It is to me."
OWARI
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