Into the Woods Part 7
Duo tried to be as inconspicuous as possible- which wasn't very. Heero had deliveries to make, orders to discuss, news to catch up on- and to do that he had to venture into the city.
"I don't want to take you with me- but if I leave you here alone and someone shows up..." Heero hadn't finished the sentence, but he hadn't needed to do so. Duo could imagine all too well what would happen. So he stuck closer to Heero than a shadow and kept his eyes focused on the ground.
The bag he carried for Heero had grown lighter and lighter- and Heero's list of orders had grown longer and longer. Surely they would be able to head home soon, he thought as he followed Heero down a twisting lane.
"Heero!" A cheerful voice called, and Duo slid a quick glance upward. Damn, this was obviously a military sort- dressed in armor, a device on her hauberk- did the goblins have an army? Or was she a guard of some kind?
"Sally," Heero greeted her warmly. "Do you need to place an order with me?"
"No, I wanted to ask a favor. I am hoping you haven't seen Wufei yet..."
"He came by this morning-"
"I'm hoping you didn't agree to sell him your elf?"
"No. I need an extra pair of hands more than he needs a hunt."
"Thank the old gods. I was hoping you wouldn't." Duo could hear the relief in her voice. Why did she care what happened to an elf?
"What set him off, Sally? Do you know? I mean, I know he treasured Melian, but it's been 300 years-"
A sigh. "It was me."
"You?" Heero was obviously surprised. "How did you set him off?"
"I accepted his proposal."
Heero's laughter rang out and Duo blinked in surprise. "So he finally wore you down, hm?"
"I wish he hadn't! He's gone over the edge with this protecting thing of his- I mean, he even tried to break up one of the bar fights last night-" Once again, he heard her sigh. "I know he lost Meilan, and she was a warrior too, but-"
"Take him down to the practice fields and beat him for a bit." Heero advised. "He'll get over it soon enough."
"Maybe I will. He's got to get it out of his system somehow or I'll kill him before the wedding." She laughed then. "Thanks Heero. It's good to see you back, though I suppose you'll be heading out again soon?"
"I have a lot of orders- and I don't earn money just hanging around here. So yes, I daresay in another day or so I'll be on my way. Is there anything you need?"
"Nothing I can think of- other than you being safe. I know we have an alliance with the trolls, but things haven't been good on the border we share with them of late."
"I'll keep my distance. Thank you, Sally."
Heero seemed very cheerful for some reason, Duo thought as they finished their rounds in the city. Almost as if something had pleased him. Maybe it was the thought of his friends marrying? Or maybe because his back didn't hurt anymore? It sounded as if they'd be headed out soon- and Heero had said he was going to try and get Duo home- maybe he was just happy at the thought that he wouldn't be saddled with a troublesome elf anymore?
The thought depressed Duo. He wanted to help Heero- and he didn't want Heero to get in trouble if he came back without Duo. He'd seen evidence as they walked through the city of goblin justice- he shuddered to think of Heero in that situation.
And yet- if he stayed then he'd be even more trouble for Heero- there had been several sniffs in his direction, several pointed jabs at Heero not 'using' his slave to the limits. Heero had brushed them off easily enough, but...
What could he do? There didn't seem to be any clear path...
~*~
Heero sank wearily down in a chair. It had been a long day, but he'd managed to not only sell everything he'd brought back and fill his orders, but he'd gotten enough orders to give him an excuse to leave the city very soon. The border news was even better- it gave him a great cover story for losing his elf in the woods. All he needed now was a way to get Duo home- and hopefully the city would give him one. There had to be something Duo could use there with his newly awakened magic.
Course, once he returned to the plains, Duo would lose all that new magic- but he'd be safe. That was all that mattered.
"Master?" Heero opened his eyes, surprised that he had closed them, and blinked down at Duo. The elf was kneeling by his feet, one hand on Heero's ankle. "May I help you with your boots?"
"Thank you," he let Duo pull his boots off and then managed a smile. "I'm not very hungry, but make something for yourself."
"I already put some food to warm," Duo nodded towards the hearth. "You look tired- does your back hurt?"
"Not at all," Heero assured him. "It was just a long day- I'm sure you're tired too. Sit and rest until the food is ready. I think we'll be able to head back out the day after tomorrow easily- with the orders I got today it will look odd if I don't go out. We'll have you home soon."
"Won't it look odder if I don't return with you?" There was some tone in Duo's voice, an strange note- was it regret? No, the elf wouldn't want to stay here- it had to be worry-
"I don't think so. Not with the trouble on the border. I just hope we can find something in the city we can use to get you out- otherwise it will be tricky."
"I'm sorry to be so much trouble to you." The miserable expression on Duo's face made Heero's heart give an odd flip.
"You aren't. It's okay, I promise." He ruffled Duo's bangs. "Don't worry. It will all work out." His fingers didn't seem to want to leave Duo's hair alone, he toyed with the strands absentmindedly, his body relaxing even more. Maybe he'd better head to bed soon.
Duo was leaning into the caress, his eyes closed, and Heero didn't even flinch when the elf turned his head a little and pressed his lips to the inside of Heero's knee. But when the kisses moved farther up, Heero inhaled sharply and let go of Duo's hair.
"You- shouldn't-"
"I heard what they said to you- I saw their punishments- I can't let you risk that for me."
The sharp smell of mint was in the air- when had Duo gotten the jar? Then Duo's lips were on his and Heero opened his lips willingly, welcomingly, dizzy with the suddenness of it all.
Gentle hands untied his laces and Heero gasped against Duo's mouth. "Let me do this for you," the elf murmured against his skin. "Please..." The warm mouth moved away from his and traveled downwards, leaving trails of fire in it's wake.
He didn't have the willpower to fight against this sudden attack, his mind was blanked with pleasure, the usual nightmarish memories seemingly fled, all that mattered was the touch of Duo's skin against his.
Only the sudden pounding on his door saved him. He heard Duo curse under his breath as the elf pulled away, yanking Heero's clothes back into place, darting a glare at the door.
Heero managed to get to his feet and staggered to the door. "I hear you! Quit that racket!" He yanked open the door just enough to identify one of the wall guards. "What is it?"
"Message for you," the goblin's nostrils flared a little as he thrust the roll of bark at him. "Sorry to interrupt," he smirked. Heero snorted and slammed the door shut. Glancing over at Duo, he found the elf still kneeling on the floor, eyes half lidded, barely hiding the flare of heat they contained.
Oh gods... he needed to get the elf away, needed to get him home... before he couldn't let him go at all...
TBC...
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