Kracken
Disclaimer: I don't own them and I don't make any money off of this.
Warnings: Male/male sex, graphic, language, violence, flashbacks and references
to rape.
Shinigami's Lover Five
Storm Watch
"What?" Duo turned in his desk chair and raised an eyebrow at Wu Fei.
Wu Fei put hands on hips and glared. He looked from Duo to Heero and saw that they were both looking confused. "Hurricane Maurice.... coming in our direction... one hundred and forty mile per hour winds... severe damage expected? You haven't heard anything about this?"
Duo snorted as he ruffled Soda's ears. The dog was resting at his feet, warm eyes looking up at his master. "We are a long way from the coast, Wu Fei. I don't see what the problem is."
"I'll make sure everything is taken in and tied down around the house," Heero said as he shuffled papers and turned off his computer, getting ready to leave for the day.
"Your house may not be safe," Wu Fei pointed out. "A high wind might do a great deal of damage. Perhaps you and Duo should stay here, at headquarters?"
Heero considered it, his dark brows drawn together as he finished cleaning off his desk. "We do have a few cases that need paperwork completed. Perhaps we could-"
Duo stood and shook his head, his braid swinging as he loosely stacked things on his desk and then walked away from the untidy pile. Soda rose and followed him as he came to stand in front of Wu Fei's desk. "Okay, Mr. Worrywart, you can stop now. You're getting Heero all excited."
"This is very serious, Duo," Wu Fei protested. Kong stood up, looking nervous; unsure of Wu Fei's mood. Wu Fei absently reached out to soothe the white dog as he continued to argue. "Turn on the news and see for yourself. It isn't only people near the coast who are in danger."
Duo shrugged as he sat on the edge of Wu Fei's desk. "I may be a space station baby, but I know Hurricanes are something to do with beaches and oceans, Wu Fei."
Wu Fei's agitation grew. "That isn't so, Duo. If you would listen to the reports, you would know that. " He looked to Heero again. "Yuy, make him understand."
Heero stood up, looking unsure. "I don't know very much about it either, Wu Fei. I promise to watch the reports, though, and I won't allow Duo to stay in the house if there is danger."
"Did I hear someone say 'allow'?" Duo retorted.
Heero grunted. "I'll persuade you... strongly... to leave."
Wu Fei sighed. "Why do I expect you both to be floating down river in the next few days?"
"Thanks for the concern," Duo told him with a grin, "But we're big boys, Wu Fei. We can take care of ourselves."
Wu Fei began to straighten out his own desk in preparation to leave, muttering under his breath. "I am more comforted by the fact that Mr. Hulitt, and your housekeeper, will be there to look after you."
"I've done missions in jungles, on iceberg, and in swamps under enemy fire, Wu Fei," Duo grumbled back. "I've battled in space with nothing between me and explosive decompression ,but a half working space suit and a prayer. I think I can handle some wind and rain."
"Watch the reports," Wu Fei insisted.
As Heero and Duo walked out of the office together, Soda pacing by Duo's side, Duo said dismissively, "That man will worry himself to death and he'd like us to worry right along side him."
"He might be right this time," Heero replied thoughtfully.
Duo rolled eyes at him. "Come on! A hurricane? Heero..." He shook his head. "Let's just forget about it. I want to go home, put up my feet, and relax. Today was way too long."
Heero nodded, but Duo knew that didn't mean much. It didn't give away what Heero was really thinking about things. Heero liked to be prepared. If he didn't stop his lover, nip his worry in the bud, then Duo could envision an entire evening with Heero nailing down roof tiles and dragging lawn furniture into the garage. Duo had other, more romantic things, in mind.
Once they were in their car and driving home, Duo stared out the window, making plans for mission 'distract Heero'. As they passed shops and then homes, Duo became acutely aware that the people he could see, were hurrying, carrying loads of supplies, and looking anxious. He felt a bite of unease. Why was everyone taking this so seriously? It was stupid... wasn't it? He was well aware of the madness of crowds. During the war, he had seen people take cues from each other, do things that they wouldn't normally do in a given situation, egged on by each other's emotions. He wanted to believe that this was the same thing.
"Our house is... pretty strong... right, Heero?" Duo suddenly found himself asking. "I mean... wind... wind's not going to hurt it, right?"
Heero frowned, glanced over at Duo, and then stared thoughtfully at the road ahead of them. "I don't know. Wind tolerance is something I consider on a jet or a Gundam... not a house. I didn't ask about that when I bought it."
Duo sighed. He had just stepped in it. Now Heero would be digging out the specs on their home. He would need to know the answer to that question. "Great," Duo said under his breath and glared out the window again.
It was good to get home. Closing the door on the world, Duo felt a deep tension ease. He was always on guard, even now, though he had come a long way from the young man who would kill at a wrong look directed his way. His home was the only place where he felt truly safe. Being told that it might be in danger, from a force he hardly knew anything about, was unnerving him more than he cared to admit to Heero
Going into the kitchen, Duo smelled dinner, cooked and left for them by their housekeeper, Harri. The man had left a note as well. Duo read it as he let Soda into the backyard. "Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Yuy, with your permission, I would like to buy supplies for your home for the approaching storm. I would also like to know your emergency plans, so that I may contact you should the storm hit our area. Sincerely, Harri."
Duo shoved the note into his pocket, reached into the cupboard, and took down his antidepressant pills. With a glass of water, he took them, as he decided that Heero didn't need to hear anything more about hurricanes. The man was wound up enough now. Any more, and he might find them a nice secure bunker a thousand miles away, and insist they go.
"What's for dinner?" Heero called from the other room and Duo heard the television go on.
Duo looked inside the containers and then called back, "Chicken and noodles... and some sort of vegetable dish!"
"Could we please eat in here?" Heero asked. "I would like to watch the weather news and I don't want to eat cold food afterward."
Another thing ruined. Duo scowled. He loved their sit down meals and the chance to talk. At work, they had to be aware of people listening, and they usually only talked about work related matters. At home, they could let down their professional masks and finally say how they had really felt about things and about each other in general. Duo also loved it just for the fact that it was what he had always seen people on vidshows do; real families and real couples, in normal lives, eating together.
"Sure!" Duo replied, though he wasn't thinking that at all, as he dished food onto a plate, poured a glass of water, and carried it in to Heero. Heero was sitting on the couch, watching the vidscreen. They rarely watched the thing and Duo was certain that Heero had probably had to take a few moments to even remember how to make it pop out of it's hidden recess in the wall. He grunted a thanks as Duo put the food on the coffee table. He began eating, engrossed in listening to a man on the screen, who was showing flowing charts behind him and explaining about wind velocities and storm surges.
Storm surges? It highlighted how ridiculous the entire thing was. They were not anywhere near water! They didn't need to worry! Duo seethed as he stalked back to the kitchen. He bypassed his own meal and went outside to watch Soda nosing about the yard. He leaned against a tree trunk, hunched and arms crossed over his chest, as if he were protecting himself from a blow.
He had never had a real home before. He had been taken in by the church, imprisoned by pimps in a two bedroom dive, and berthed in a rail bunk on a sweeper ship. None of that qualified, in his mind, as a true home. This home that Heero had lovingly bought, renovated, and furnished just for the day when his lover would come home to him, meant more than just a place out of the rain. It was filled with their love and their commitment. It was filled with their memories, good and bad, and their triumphs over personal demons and hardships. Wu Fei talked about leaving it for safer quarters during this storm and Heero seemed to be letting himself be convinced of that. Duo was absolutely sure that he couldn't do that. He couldn't let that sanctuary for his psyche and his soul stand alone against danger. He would defend it, any way he could.
The door to the kennel was open and it was empty. He had given the last puppy away, even the one he had been training himself to take Soda's place should something happen to his beloved dog. As Preventer agents, they were too busy to care for pets. Soda was the exception, since he was a registered agent himself and traveled everywhere with them. It was almost lonely without the gangling balls of fur to greet him morning and night, but Duo didn't depend on them, didn't depend on Soda either, for that matter, like he used to. Soda had been trained to protect him, to give him enough confidence and sense of safety to face the world. In the past few years, though, Duo had learned that he could protect himself and, though he knew his deep seated fear would never truly go away, he could tame it and keep it in check without the need for a four legged guard.
"You're not eating," Heero said from a safe distance behind him.
Duo controlled a flinch and made himself turn slowly instead of whipping around in a panic. He kept a tight rein on reflexes, letting his mind catch up as it identified Heero and his non threat status. "I like to eat with you," Duo couldn't help saying.
Heero understood. "Then come with me," he said and led the way back into the kitchen. The television was off and his plate and glass were back on the table. Heero wasn't stupid, Duo thought, Heero hadn't let himself become so engrossed in the news, that he hadn't noticed his surroundings and the sound of the backdoor opening and closing. The pills on the counter, and Duo's pensive stance outside, had told him all he needed to know.
Duo sat at the table as Heero pulled out a chair for him. Dishing out food, and pouring a cup of water for him, Heero placed the meal in front of his lover and then sat as well to finish his own meal. They were quiet. Duo had a few mouthfuls of chicken and noodles, swallowed, and then dared, "So?"
"I'm not sure," Heero replied. "The storm track is uncertain. It will pass close, though."
"I..." Duo almost announced his intention to ignore the threat, to defy even nature, but he couldn't think of words that didn't sound childish and... impotent. "I guess they'll let us know," he finished lamely.
Heero made a small noise of agreement. It was hard to capture the mood after that, the one where they relaxed and talked about mundane thoughts and happenings. When Duo had a fleeting thought that it was almost like being at a safe house during the war and waiting for the next mission, feeling that same heavy oppression of impending danger, he stood up and made the excuse of letting Soda back in to the house to cover his anguished expression. It firmed his resolve to keep Harri's note well hidden. He determined to give Heero more pleasant things to think about than storms that night.
After dinner, Heero took down the 'to do' list from the refrigerator and began making concise notes. His expression was very serious. "If we have to leave," he said at last, almost to himself, "We should make sure everything is secure here. We should take tomorrow off and do that."
"Po won't like that," Duo replied as he followed Heero into the living room.
"I think she will understand," Heero said as he sat on the couch, the list balanced on one knee as he continued to write. "I'll ask Mr. Hulitt what his plans are. He might need help getting his home secure. He might know a good hotel to stay in as well, one that can withstand a hurricane force wind."
It was becoming a mission for Heero, planned out meticulously, nothing left to chance.
"I'll inform Harri that he is off until the storm is over," Heero said. "I'm surprised that he didn't stay to discuss it."
Duo felt the note trying to burn a hole in his pocket. He said guiltily, "Well, he probably doesn't think it's a serious storm."
"Still...," Heero suddenly looked up suspiciously. His frown was dark. "Duo... knowing Harri, I find it hard to believe that he wouldn't have at least left a-"
Duo jerked the note out of his pocket and flipped it at Heero, snarling, "Okay! So he left a note! Happy, Mission Man?!" He stormed up the stairs and slammed shut the door to their room, panting and feeling panicky. It was bad enough that he felt threatened by the storm, but now he felt overwhelmed as well and out of control. That was not good for his psyche.
Duo paced the floor of their room, not even letting Soda in when the dog scratched and whined at the door. Heero gave him time and space to calm down, knowing his lover well enough not to chance a confrontation when he was angry.
The soft knock on the door came a half hour later. "Duo?" came Heero's tentative voice.
Duo crossed his arms over his chest defensively and said, "Come in."
He expected Heero to be angry with him over the note, but Heero didn't have the luxury of being able to express that anger. He had to stay calm and keep his temper under control, otherwise it was possible that he could trigger a very negative response from Duo.
Heero entered the bedroom cautiously. Soda slipped in as well and nosed Duo with troubled eyes. Duo sank hands into his soft ruff and sat down on the bed, not sure what to say.
Heero had taken the time to consider things. It always amazed Duo, his ability to empathize and divine his volatile moods. "The storm, " Heero said softly. "You feel threatened by it?" Duo gave a short nod and pulled his knees up to hug them. "Duo, we need to be prepared. There is a good chance that the storm will weaken or pass us by entirely, but not taking advantage of the time we have until it does, to secure our home, to make certain that we have a safe place to go-" Duo clutched at his knees convulsively and Heero saw it. "Is that it? You're afraid for our home?"
Duo nodded again, swallowed hard, and found the knees of his jeans suddenly very interesting as he said, "I... I don't want to leave it. I don't want to believe that anything can take it away from me. I'm not going anywhere. "
Heero's expression warmed. He slowly sat on the bed, looking for any negative response from Duo. When he didn't see one, he reached out, took hold of the end of Duo's braid, and rubbed it between his fingers as he said, "It means a great deal to me that this home has become so important to you. It was my dream, while I waited for you to leave the Institute, that you would be happy here. It's seen our good times and our bad times now. We've made friends here. It's been our safe house."
Duo frowned sharply. "Only problem, we left the safe houses when trouble came knocking," he reminded Heero, "This is one safe house, I don't want to leave."
"We won't," Heero assured him, "Not unless there isn't any other choice."
Duo wanted to tell him that he had already made his choice, and that choice was to stay no matter what, but he couldn't say the words. Like the note, he wanted to avoid it. It was still firmly in his mind that they weren't really in danger and that soon the weather men would come to their senses and inform Heero of that. All he had to do, he thought, was wait it out.
Duo hooked an arm around Heero's waist and pulled him down into the bed. Laying side by side he propped himself on an elbow and determined to wipe that cautious look off of Heero's face. He traced the line of Heero's shoulder and arm with a finger as he said, "You turn me on when you worry," he lied, "Before you go into full 'mission mode', and the storm gets here, why don't we..." He leaned forward and kissed the hollow of Heero's throat, giving it a warm swipe if his tongue.
Heero was more than agreeable. He let Duo take the lead and Duo was grateful. He was too high strung to have hands on him, or a body above him pressing down, making him feel even more threatened. Heero let him kiss and lick, suckle and stroke, and, when they reached a pinnacle together, he was the one to offer himself, letting Duo prepare him and mount him. Allowing Duo to push in, stretch him wide, and bury himself to the hilt, Heero lifted his knees and offered himself completely, knowing that Duo needed that control at that moment to bring his mind to order. Duo wasn't long, but he was thick, and he always gave Heero a sensation of being opened impossibly wide, impaled, and that helped him feel 'taken'. The mixture of pain and pleasure, that moment when he 'surrendered' to Duo's strength and need, was always the most exhilarating.
Duo slammed into Heero in a harsh rhythm, supported on his hands, face pressed into Heero's neck as he panted and groaned. Heero kissed him, caressed him, kept his lover in the here and now as he moaned and let himself ride a wave of his own pleasure. He loved his control taken from him, loved the moment when he was nothing; free of responsibility, free of having to be strong, free of being anything except a receiver for Duo's lust. He didn't do anything to hurry it. When Duo leaned back and began milking his erection with hard, tight strokes as he continued to thrust into him, Heero was almost disappointed. The strong wave of sensation, as his orgasm overtook him, and the feeling of Duo coming in hot spurts over his belly as he pulled out at the last minute, was his consolation as they finally lay, said by side, again and he slowly had to reclaim his control and his burden of responsibilities.
Duo wanted to have some sort of last stand, defying the storm and common sense. Heero knew, as he cradled Duo close and kissed the top of his head, that he had to keep him from doing that. Their house hadn't been build to withstand the winds the hurricane was carrying. If it was coming their way, if they were going to be in the path of the 'eye wall', then staying would be suicide. Seeing Duo's fear, and knowing his stubbornness, Heero knew that it wasn't going to be easy.
On To Chapter Two