Author: Blue
Category: AU, 2x5, 2x3, 4x3, 4x5, possible 1x2
Rating: NC-17 Warnings: AU, OOC, yaoi, language, touch of blood and amazingly light lime (diet flavor - wait, can you even call that a flavor?).
Spoilers: Nothing even close to spoilers. Unless you didn't know their names . . . in that case, oops.
Note: Welcome to the pause and regroup session. *grin* Poor Duo, so confused. And antsy. Confused and antsy. What a combination.

Dance With the Demons + Part 11
To Find the End

"Alright, I'll bite. What the hell just happened in there?" Duo heard Howard say, his voice gruff. He was once again driving the van, this time heading back into the city.

Iria sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed and expression pensive. "Why ask me?"

"Because Duo's too busy ranting," Howard said, grinning as a particularly foul stream of curses came from the back, demonstrating his point. He blinked, cocking his head to the side and listening. "Can ya do that to a person?"

"It seems as if Duo intends to find out."

"I think I want to be there when he tries that . . . ." Howard looked over at Iria, winked, and then turned back to the road.

"And people are afraid of me," she muttered under her breath. Iria shifted in her seat, looking back into the van. "Duo, are you done exercising your extensive vocabulary yet? As interesting as Howard seems to find it, we need to know where we are going."

Duo poked his head between the seats, making Iria jump back. "Devil's Bliss. You know it?"

"Yeah, I know it," Howard answered. "That where we're going?"

"Yep," Duo turned away, moving to settle into the back. Iria reached out, touching his arm. He halted, quirking an eyebrow at her. Was that actually concern showing on her face?

"I would ask why you're going there, but I think I already know. You want us to drop you off," she made the statement accusatory.

Duo scratched an itch on his cheek. "Yeah. You can save the warnings, though. That's about the one place where I'll actually be safe." Physically, at least. His mental health ­ already in a questionable state ­ was another issue all together. At least since he had gotten tangled up with Heero. And thinking of the annoying neck-nibbler, Duo had quite a few things he wanted straightened out. Like this annoying lightheaded feeling that just wouldn't quit.

"I gotta say, Duo," Howard was speaking, jolting Duo out of his thoughts. That was a bad sign. Howard using his name never came with good news. "That was some weird shit back there. I don't think I even want to know what is going on. You got messed up in some serious stuff here, little man."

Duo found himself agreeing wholeheartedly. That went beyond weird shit. Duo couldn't even begin to imagine what the hell was going on. He knew one thing; he didn't like it. No, hang on. He knew two things. The day was looking up. Maybe. Heero had more than an idea of what was going on. Duo was pretty sure Heero could tell him everything he wanted to know. The question was, would the vampire tell him.

"But," Howard continued, "if you find yourself needing friends ­ of the human variety," he added after a short pause, "me and Iria are going to be around for a while. Call us up again. Besides, Iria's a little pissed that she didn't get to slaughter anything."

Iria gave Howard a half-hearted glare. Duo wasn't sure if that was either because Iria was used to Howard's teasing, or because Howard was right. It was one of those questions Duo really didn't want an answer to.

"No worries, Howard. If I need you, I'll call." Duo reached out and took the hastily scribbled number Iria handed him.

"Sure ya will, Duo. But it won't do you any good if you don't realize you need us until its too late." Howard's voice was low.

Duo patted Howard on the shoulder and threw him a grin. "Like I said, no worries." With that, he turned away, rejoining Wufei and Trowa in the back.

Both shifters were still in panther form, stretched out on the van's floor. Since neither one had extra clothing, Duo had suggested they wait to shift back. Sneaking two naked men through the streets would be close to impossible. As panthers, they could slip through the shadows. Getting through the bar was a different story. Oh, well. Burn that bridge when they got to it. Settling on the floor between them, Duo blew out an explosive breath, ruffling his bangs. Wufei immediately rested his head in Duo's lap. Duo smiled wearily, scratching his ears.

"I wish you two had some idea of what the hell is going on . . . ." Duo said, mostly to himself.

Trowa sat up, resting a paw on Duo's leg. He bumped his forehead against Duo's in a strangely comforting gesture. A soft growl came from deep in his throat.

Duo's smile brightened a little. "You want me to scratch your ears too, Tro?" He reached up with his other hand, rubbing the top of Trowa's head. Almost too quiet to hear, Duo heard a rumbling coming from Trowa. The panther was purring.

Wufei made a snorting sound. He rolled over, halfway on his back in a quick movement, keeping his head in Duo's lap. His front paws were in the air, toes flexing. Wufei let out a tiny growl that was more like a cat's mewl than a sound that a panther would make.

Duo laughed out loud. "I am not rubbing your tummy, Wu."

Wufei managed to look disappointed.

Duo laughed again, and he felt a little of the fuzziness in his mind subside. They were comforting, actually. It surprised Duo how close he had grown to both of them in the short time they had known each other. Duo almost broke out into fits at that thought. He had had sex with both of them, that was pretty damn close, at least in Duo's way of thinking. It was more than that though. Like this, here and now; just having them around was soothing. Enjoyable.

"Oh, what the hell . . . ." Duo said, giving in under the visual assault of the panther's pout. He scratched under Wufei's chin, then gave his tummy a quick rub.

"Hey, little man," Howard called out from the front. "We're here." He looked back at Duo. "You sure you're good from here?"

"Nope, but since when did that stop me?" Never. Somehow, Duo always did what he set out to do. Eventually, anyway. "Thanks. Keep in touch," Duo said lightly, hopping out the back door.

The panthers followed quickly after him, slinking into the shadows between the buildings and disappearing. Duo could feel them there, even though he couldn't see them. That was disturbing in itself. Glancing around, he caught the glint of Trowa's green eyes. Shutting the door, Duo stuffed his hands into the pockets of his coat. And watched Howard and Iria drive away.

With a start, Duo turned back to the panthers. They were moving though the darkness, heading for the club. Duo shrugged and followed. He could have sworn he heard Wufei say for him to hurry up. The imagination acts up at the worst times.

+

A few minutes later, Duo entered Devil's Bliss through the main door. The panthers trotted ahead of him, slipping unnoticed though the crowd. Duo blinked. That wasn't right. Two huge cats wandering around in the middle of a city club should have attracted at least SOME measure of attention. Duo glanced around, trying to locate one of Heero's crew. If the vampires could make people overlook their fangs, then maybe concealing the panthers wasn't that hard to do either.

Duo saw Hilde, Zechs and Dorothy moving among the tables, but neither one seemed to acknowledge the panthers or Duo's presence. Odd. A little anti-social, too. Oh, well. Duo weaved though the press of bodies, heading for the side door.

Quatre leaned against the wall beside it, dressed in black jeans and a black dress shirt. The shirt was open, showing the pale skin of his chest. A black choker circled his throat and he was barefoot. The contrast was amazing. The vampire stood there, in the fitful lighting of Devil's Bliss, and looked like someone out of a wet dream. A very dark, very dangerous, very wicked someone. Very.

Duo quirked an eyebrow at him. "Giving everyone a free show, Q?"

The vampire smirked, fang glinting. Duo felt the heat of the room press in around him. That was interesting. Getting answers to his questions suddenly didn't seem very important. Seeing Quatre without those annoying little bits of cloth in the way seemed much more important. Duo shook his head. Where the hell did that come from?

Quatre lifted his arm, crooking a finger at Duo. And Duo found himself beside the vampire before another thought crossed his mind. Seemed like Quatre was picking up Heero's bad habits.

"Wha . . . ?" Duo said, slightly disoriented.

The door in front of him was opened and Quatre gave him a little shove inside. Then the blonde slammed the door shut, pushing Duo up against it with one hand on his shoulder and the other on his hip. He pressed his body against Duo, one thigh pushing its way between his legs. Duo's eyes widened as he tried to focus on Quatre's face. He was so close, his breath hot against Duo's face. Quatre said nothing, merely stared at him with those piercing blue eyes.

Duo swallowed. This wasn't in the plan anywhere. Duo shifted through his fuzzy mind. Nope. Not in any plan. He opened his mouth to speak, but Quatre's fingers were over his lips, silencing him before any sound escaped. Speak? What the hell was he doing trying to speak!? He should be trying to shoot him!

Quatre moved his hand away from Duo's lips, burying it in the hair at the back of his neck and tilting Duo's head to the side. Duo felt his heart rate speed up. Come to think of it, why would he want to shoot Quatre? The blonde was not . . . threatening him. Not really. Duo thought he should be at least be protesting, but he couldn't find the motivation to speak anymore, let alone draw a weapon.

"Shush, Duo," Quatre said, his lips trailing softly down Duo's exposed neck. "You surprised me, stealing Sally's energy like that." He nuzzled Duo's neck, then closed his mouth over the tender skin, giving it a tiny lick. "Oh, but Duo . . . the rush that your power gave me, so soon after you hurt me . . . ." The blonde shuddered.

This was not right. Incredibly far away from being even remotely right. Duo's mind fumbled, trying to remember exactly what Quatre was talking about. He remembered lashing out at Sally. Seeing Mariemeia and Lucrezia together. Heero and . . . oh. Duo saw Quatre fall to his knees in his mind's eye. That was what was going on. Although, if Quatre was pissed, this was a peculiar way of expressing it.

Duo swallowed again. "Quatre . . . I didn't mean . . . I don't -"

"I said hush, Duo. I'm not angry with you." Quatre smirked. "Does this seem to be something I would be doing if I was angry with you?"

Duo felt like ripping out his hair. What the fuck was wrong with him!? Pinned up against a door by Quatre! Forget that the little fuck was a vampire, Duo never put up with this kind of shit. From anyone, human or not. Slowly, ever so painfully slow, it dawned on Duo. No, this wasn't something you do when you're pissed at someone. This was something you do when you want to fuck someone. The little haze that had been in Duo's head ever since he had flipped out at Sally's evaporated in a puff.

"Alright, Q," Duo grated out. "Get off me, now."

"Why?" Quatre lifted his head up, brushing his lips across Duo's lightly. He stayed there, waiting for his answer with his mouth barely touching Duo's.

"Because," the braided man said, making his lips move over Quatre's, "if you don't let me go, I'm going to shoot you in the nuts."

Quatre jerked his head back. "Back to yourself, I see," he said, laughing. He moved back away from Duo, tucking his hands back into his pockets. "And here I thought you'd give me a kiss to go along with your little gift of power."

Duo shot the vampire a hard look. Quatre pouted back. In spite of himself, Duo found that he wasn't even a little miffed. "You're as bad as Wufei is."

Quatre seemed to consider that. "I don't know if I'd go quite that far, Duo."

"I would."

Chucking to himself, Quatre started walking down the stairs. Before opening the door, he turned and faced Duo again.

"Before you go in there threatening to shoot Heero in the groin, I should tell you something," Quatre said.

Duo looked at him suspiciously. "Yeah, what?"

"He's not really sure what's going on either."

Oh, perfect. This was going to be productive. "He told you that, Quat?"

"Actually, he did. We're keeping it between the five of us for now. Heero thinks it more . . . prudent."

Duo laughed, shaking his head. "Prudent. That's a good word for the Almighty Erus."

Quatre shrugged. "I have always been good with words," a pause, then, "among other things." His eyes were glinting in the dimmed hallway.

"You're always a flirt, huh, Q?" Duo found himself looking over the vampire again, this time he was struck by how beautiful the blonde really was. Duo had Wufei, and in a way, Trowa too. Yet he found himself craving just a little taste of the darkness that Quatre promised. With not another thought beyond that, Duo closed the small distance between them, cupping Quatre's head in his hands.

Quatre looked surprised; he hadn't seen Duo move until his hands had touched him. Then his eyes slid closed as Duo crushed their lips together. Quatre's hands grasped Duo's waist, drawing him closer.

Duo groaned when the vampire leaned into him, opening his mouth for Duo to explore. Quatre tasted sweet, just a hint of something tangy and even a little spicy. His tongue stroked the blonde's. He pulled away, drawing one soft lip into his mouth, then he pushed back inside, trying to take everything Quatre offered. Duo's breath came in short gasps and he could feel his heart racing. Then he felt something scrape his tongue, a tiny flash of pain followed by the sharp copper taste of blood. His own blood. Fuck. He had sliced himself open on one of Quatre's fangs.

Quatre's grip on Duo's hips convulsed, then his arms came up and tightened around him. A strangled groan reached his ears as Quatre drew Duo's tongue deep inside his mouth. The heated bulge against Duo's thigh let him know the vampire was more than just a little pleased at the new development.

Duo drew his mouth away from the vampire's, hearing a loud whimper. Quatre tried to follow, but Duo shook his head. The blonde sighed, melting into Duo's arms. Resting his head in the crook of Duo's neck, he said, "You taste fucking amazing, Duo."

Blinking, Duo waited for that to sink in. Sounded more like something he would say than something Quatre would. Forget that, what in the name of Jesus was he doing trying to crawl inside Quatre's skin, starting at his mouth!? And letting him taste his blood! Duo mentally kicked himself. Repeatedly.

Giving Quatre a little nudge, Duo said, "C'mon, Quatre. Stand up."

Quatre grinned. He nuzzled Duo's neck with his nose. "Can I have another taste?" His voice was muffled, but Duo could clearly hear the tone. Husky. Very much a bedroom voice.

"Fuck no! Quatre, get off of me."

Lazily, Quatre righted himself and moved away from Duo. His blue eyes widened slightly. Before Duo could react, he darted in and licked the corner of Duo's mouth, making an appreciative moan. Pulling back, he licked his lips. Duo saw the tiny droplet of red before Quatre's tongue swiped it into his mouth.

Well, damn it all to hell. That's where it was headed anyway. In a nice, comfy handbasket. Quatre was looking at him like he was the most delicious thing in the world and now that he had had a little taste, he wanted the entire buffet. Definitely as unnerving as hell. It was bad enough that Wufei and Trowa looked at him like they wanted to eat him, now Quatre was at it too. Duo glanced at Quatre's eyes. Wait, hang on. Duo rethought his last statement. Quatre looked like he was debating if he should eat him, fuck him or both. And Duo had the horrible suspicion that Quatre was going to go with Option C.

"Inside, Q, now." Duo reached around him a pulled open the door, motioning Quatre though. The vampire complied, gliding past one very shaken, very confused Duo. Damn, he was using the word ‘very' too much.

Treize was sitting comfortably on one of the red couches, conversing with Relena and Une. He looked up at the newcomers, smiling.

"Duo," he said pleasantly, "how very nice to see you again."

There was that word again. Extremely overused. Duo decided to get a new word.

"Treize," Duo replied, plastering on a smile even though he was considering how many ways to kill him. All Duo wanted to do now was sit down, not chat with the resident gentleman. Or the other two either, Duo added to his inner rant even as he said, "Relena, Une. Nice to see you're none the worse for wear, Une."

Relena smiled at him. "Welcome back, Duo." Well, that was unexpected. Duo almost felt guilty for his abruptness with her. Almost.

Une merely nodded her head. "The Erus and the panthers are waiting for you," she said, indicating the hallway that lead to Heero's quarters.

Treize reached for a cup of something that was sitting on a small table near his elbow. "When you are finished meeting with the Erus, Duo, let me know. I will see if we can find something for you to eat. You appear a trifle . . . wan."

"That sounds like a nice way to tell a guy he looks like shit." Duo scrubbed a hand over his face. And, damn it, his tongue was still stinging!

Treize laughed. A disgustingly mild, pleasant sound. Duo found himself disliking the man ­ vamp ­ whatever the fuck he was ­ because of a nice laugh. He had to get some sleep. Or some serious alcohol.

Duo waved a hand as he turned towards the door leading to Heero's room. Maybe he might take Treize up on that offer. Food was starting to sound good right about now. Sleep. Food. Alcohol. Sleep. Food. Alcohol. Choices, choices.

And Quatre . . . Duo shot a dirty look at the smirking vampire. The little shit was practically sashaying down the hallway. Yes, sashaying. Alright, that may be an exaggeration. But he looked like the cat that had gotten the cream. No, Duo corrected himself; the vampire that had gotten the blood. His blood, God damn it.

[cont]