The Medallion: Part the Eleventh
Returning the Favor

Duo slept like the dead. Though when Heero awoke him the next evening, he was pretty sure the dead had gotten a better deal when he tried to sit up and found he lacked the strength to do even that. "Ugh," he gurgled as Heero helped him to sit up against the soft, slightly-less-than-plump pillows at the head of the bed. "Anybody get the number of the elephant that did her Pilates on my head last night?"

Heero snorted and thrust a cup of steaming hot, black coffee under his nose. "Drink this."

Duo was proud that he managed not to toss his cookies as the smell of the toxic black soup hit him. He pushed Heero's hand away. "Nu-uh."

He heard Heero heave a little sigh. "It will make you feel better."

"I think me being unconscious would make me feel better," Duo mumbled, letting his head flop to the side so he could get a look at the clock. "Holy shit! It's nearly seven! I slept for thirteen hours?"

Heero gave him a sheepish look. "That would be my fault. I... took too much last night. I'm sorry." He pressed the coffee cup into Duo's hand. "Drink this. The caffeine helps. Trust me."

Duo made a face, but Heero was watching him so expectantly that Duo sighed and brought the cup to his lips. He nearly gagged on the taste, but managed to swallow. "Geh. Needs sugar. Lots of it." He grimaced as he took another sip, but surprisingly, this one went down easier and the pounding in his head began to let up.

Heero took the cup from him and set it aside. He placed one hand on Duo's brow, pushing back the tangled mess his hair had become once again. "How are you feeling?"

"Like crap. But it's easing off I think." He leaned into Heero's touch. "Do... do the women have this much trouble? Afterwards, I mean?" He could feel the blood rushing to his face.

Heero sat back and shook his head. "I usually only need a little to sustain me. But last night I..." To Duo's amazement, Heero blushed deeply and looked down at the sheets. "...I was... depleted and you, well... tasted good." He looked back up and moved to cup Duo's cheek. "You're addictive. Even now, after taking so much of your energy I wouldn't need to ‘feed' for several days, I want you again."

Duo felt warm and tingly, especially below his waist, as Heero looked at him with such intensity. But something inside cause him to hesitate, to pull back and look away. Did Heero only want him because he was apparently steak and potatoes and a piece of seven-layer death by chocolate cake to the incubus? Or was there more? He was afraid to find out, especially now, after they'd been intimate. Though he couldn't deny the feelings he was having for Heero, but he wasn't sure if those feelings were returned or even if they were the same feelings. For all he knew, he could simply be the last meal of a man condemned for eternity.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, hissing sharply at how stiff and sore he felt. Heero moved to help him. Duo tried to stand on his own, but was grateful for Heero's assistance when his knees decided to do their best Jell-O impression. Heero was dressed and assisted Duo into his own robe before he helped him out into the sitting room, easing him down on the sofa. To Duo's surprise, he found a meal laid out on the coffee table, along with his favorite - a giant bowl of french fries. And to his astonishment, he found he was actually hungry.

Heero handed him the bowl of fries. "You need to eat. It'll help get some of your strength back."

Duo tucked in, noting after the first few bites that Heero was right. He was feeling loads better. He was still sore. But the pounding headache and the nausea were rapidly fading. He sighed happily and leaned back against the sofa. "This is the best hangover I think I've ever had," he said, shoving another fry into his mouth.

Heero snorted. "It's not exactly a hangover. But I suppose the comparison is similar enough."

"So," Duo said, nibbling on his fries, "have you ever, you know, drained anyone to the point of death?" He stopped eating, cocking his head as he tried to remember what little mythology he'd learned in college. "Don't incubi traditionally suck their victim's souls?" He drew his legs up underneath him. "Are you going to eat my soul?"

Heero stared at him for a moment, then laughed and shook his head. "I am not a true incubus in that sense. As far as I know, incubi are myths."

"Says the two thousand year old man who lives in a hunk of metal," Duo retorted.

"Point taken. I picked up the label of ‘incubus' sometime in the seventh century. It was simply the closest thing they had to describe me. I do not eat souls." He sighed and looked away. "And yes, I have caused the deaths of two women, though it was not intentional."

"What happened?" Duo asked softly, setting his nearly-empty bowl aside.

Heero shrugged. "Their hearts were weak. They couldn't handle the... intensity." Heero's face looked wistful. "Had I known, I would have been more careful."

Duo was silent for a moment. "You didn't know," he replied, leaning toward Heero.

"I know. But they both were some of the few who were kind to me. I don't ever want to forget them."

Duo swung his legs to the floor and stood, groaning as his body protested the movement. Heero was on his feet in a flash and by Duo's side, his arm around Duo's waist to support him. "Still sore?"

"God, you have no idea." He looked up at Heero, a thoughtful look on his face. "Then again, maybe you do." He stretched until his back popped and scratched at his stomach, making a face. "I think I need another shower."

Heero's face lit up. "What about a bath? I could draw one for you and ah, wash your back again?"

Duo grinned at him. "There's no stopping you now, is there?"

"I am afraid, Mr. Maxwell, that you have created a monster."

Duo curled his arm around Heero's neck and leaned in to breathe the man's scent, letting his lips brush the underside of Heero's jaw. "Well, you know what they say. It takes one to know one."

Heero growled low in the back of his throat, and before Duo could react, he found himself in the air, ensconced in Heero's arms as the man carried him to the bathroom. Duo screeched and laughed and hung on for dear life. Heero had a way of making him feel almost like a teenager again, carefree and happy. And special. Duo felt precious in Heero's arms, and he didn't want to let go of that feeling.

Heero set him down carefully on the lid of the toilet. The marble bathtub could easily have accommodated four people and it came with the added bonus of Jacuzzi jets. Heero ran the water, then moved about the bathroom, gathering towels, soaps and other essentials needed for their bath. Duo felt warm inside as he watched Heero prepare their bath. And when Heero turned to catch his gaze, Duo felt his breath catch. The man was simply beautiful. How could he let him go?

When the water was of sufficient depth, Heero pushed the button to activate the jets and held his hand out to Duo.

"Awfully familiar with the use of a Jacuzzi, aren't we?" Duo kidded him as he took Heero's hand.

"It's not my first time," Heero said, pulling Duo to him to undo the belt of his robe.

Duo shivered in the cool air as the robe slipped from his body. The heat in Heero's eyes intensified as he looked down the length of Duo's body. Duo shivered again.

Heero drew off his own clothes and stepped into the swirling water of the bath. Duo took his outstretched hand and stepped in beside him. Together they sank into the warm, bubbling water, Duo leaning against Heero's chest, legs outstretched in front of him. He sighed in contentment.

"God, that feels good," he murmured, eyes closed, pulling Heero's arms to wrap around him.

Heero took a moment to sweep Duo's hair aside so he could rest his chin on Duo's shoulder. "This is nice."

Duo watches his hair floating on top of the bubbles. "Crap. I should have put it up."

"I'm glad you didn't. It feels good," Heero all but purred into his ear, making Duo shiver yet again.

"Hair fetish?"

"Not until I met you."

Duo turned his head to look at Heero. "Flatterer. But thanks. A lot of guys are turned off by it."

"Their loss."

"True."

The bath was working wonders on Duo's sore muscles. He sighed and leaned back against Heero, letting himself drift. He wasn't tired, but it felt good to let go, relax, letting his limbs float idly in the gurgling water. After a while Heero had him sit up and Duo rested his head on his knees as Heero washed his back. The soap made the bubbles frothy and Duo sneezed when some tried to escape up his nose.

Heero finished with his back and turned his attention to Duo's front. Once again leaning back against Heero's chest, Duo felt his breath catch when Heero rubbed the washcloth over his shoulders, across sensitive nipples, lower... He closed his eyes and arched his back slightly as Heero sought out lower regions to give them a "thorough cleansing," as the man called it.

Duo hissed and pressed into Heero's hand, the washcloth long since set adrift to bounce on top of the bubbles. He reached up to wrap one arm around Heero's neck, twisting his head and bringing Heero down until their lips met. Heero's tongue invaded his mouth, and Duo let him dominate, wanting to feel the man's raw power envelope him. He had to pull his mouth away eventually, to breathe and moan as Heero's hand continued to drive him wild.

When Heero's fingers went searching, however, Duo hissed and jumped. "Urgh, sorry," he mumbled, blushing.

"My fault. Don't be." He leaned in to nibble on the lobe of Duo's ear. "There are other things we can do besides that, you know. I have... many talents."

Duo shivered all over. "Why don't you show some of them to me?"

They were out of the bath before Duo could blink. Heero gave them a hurried towel-down before he took Duo's hand and dragged him to the bedroom. Duo found himself pushed down onto the bed, Heero on all fours above him with a predatory gleam in his eye. Duo gave him a grin of his own, reached up and flipped the other man over. He swung his leg over Heero's hips and hovered over him, grinning like a deranged gargoyle.

"My turn," he said as he bent down to take a nipple into his mouth.

Heero groaned and pressed up sharply. "Ah! Duo..." His head thrashed against the pillow as Duo's hand wandered lower, cupping his cock in his had. "You... you don't have to. I mean, I can't..."

Duo lifted his head. "But that doesn't mean you don't enjoy it, am I right?" Heero nodded. Duo bounced on top of him with glee. "Then lie back and relax. Let me do this. Please?"

Heero looked at him for a moment, opening his mouth once or twice as if wanting to say something, but in the end he nodded and lay back.

Duo licked his lips and looked down the length of the man underneath him. Their activities the night before had definitely restored Heero to his glory. Muscles rippled under soft, bronze skin. Duo reached out to touch Heero's stomach. The skin there was smooth, soft, but underneath he could feel Heero's strength. His hand slipped down to Heero's erection. He held it gently, marveling at the feel of velvet over steel.

He slithered down Heero's body, bending over his cock, wet tendrils of hair falling over Heero's stomach, making the man hiss softly. Duo couldn't hold himself back any longer. He ached to take Heero into his mouth, wanted to taste every long inch of him.

Heero grabbed the sheets and shouted when Duo gave in to his desire. If he'd been able, Duo would have been grinning like a loon over his lover's reaction. He was good at this. Zechs had been an excellent teacher, and now he had someone he cared for - a lot - to try out his skills. He wanted to turn Heero into a glob of incubus-flavored Jell-O and he used every trick he knew with his tongue, mouth and teeth to drive the man crazy.

When Heero mewled like a cat in heat, Duo knew he had succeeded. He moaned around Heero's cock and felt strong hands in his hair.

And then he was being pulled away from his prize, up the length of Heero's body to meet Heero's mouth with his own. Heero rolled them over and pressed one leg in between Duo's. Duo moaned and pulled away, breathing heavily. Heero pushed away wet strands of Duo's hair that clung to his face, then kissed him again, hard, demanding, before turning himself around, offering himself again to Duo's mouth even as he took Duo into his own.

Duo gasped and clung to Heero's hips. While he knew he was good, Heero was a master. How he'd managed to retain that skill after centuries of pleasuring women, Duo didn't know. Nor did he care at that moment as he took Heero back into his own mouth. It didn't take long until he was shuddering against Heero, hanging on as his body threatened to cleave itself down the middle from the force of his climax. He let Heero's cock slip out of his mouth with a wet, sloppy *pop* and he rolled to his back, spent and exhausted.

"Damn, Heero," he panted, his body still reeling from the aftershocks. "You do have a lot of talent."

Heero turned back around, pressing his mouth against Duo's. The young man groaned as he tasted himself on Heero's tongue. "It's not fair," he murmured a long time later, when Heero pulled back to breathe. "I wanna taste you like you did me."

Heero gave him a soft, sad smile. "I enjoyed it very much. No one has done that for me in... well, in a very long time. Thank you."

Duo kissed Heero's collarbone and curled up against his chest. He must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew, he was lying on top of Heero, bare ass to the world, his still-damp hair making him shiver.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Heero sat up with him. "Everything all right?"

Duo nodded. "I just really need to do something with my hair," he said, trying to run his fingers through the tangled mass.

"Will you let me?"

"I don't know. You didn't finish last time," Duo teased.

"My word of honor, I will not jump you again until your hair is tangle free."

"Deal."

They set up in the sitting room after rescuing their robes from the bathroom, Heero on the sofa and Duo on the floor in front of him. They found an old movie on TV, and Heero was extremely gentle on Duo's hair. The motions of the brush through his hair had a tranquilizing effect, and he found himself drifting off to sleep again before the hero could open up his promised can of whoop-ass on the villain.

He woke again when Heero pulled him up off the floor and onto the sofa next to him. He sighed and settled against Heero's chest. He was warm and being held in strong, comforting arms. He was asleep in moments and woke up again at dawn, when Heero was gone and he was alone on the sofa.

He stayed awake long enough for the nice cleaning lady to come in. The sheets on the bed were in serious need of changing, and he tried sink into the cushions on the sofa in embarrassment when she came out and gave him a knowing look. He spent the rest of the morning cleaning up his and Heero's belongings, not that they had much, but Duo decided he was tired of perpetuating the stereotype that two guys living together had to live like pigs. He decided to sleep the rest of the afternoon, so he could be bright eyed and bushy tailed for Heero when the sun went down.

The next two days were spent much the same way. They ordered room service, tried to watch a movie, but invariably ended up making out on the couch before stumbling to the bedroom for more rigorous pursuits.

On the third day, Duo awoke with a heavy heart. He had only one week left with Heero. He still hadn't broached the subject of possibly turning the coin over to Zechs after his month was up. He was worried about Heero's reaction. Would he want to stay with Duo, via Zechs, for another month? Or, even more terrifying to Duo, would Heero want only to please Zechs for that month, forgetting about him, only coming to him because Zechs wished? He was afraid to find out, but they were running out of time.

Zechs called a little before sunset to ask Duo if he and Heero would like to go out with himself and Wufei. Duo, not feeling much in the mood to be seen in public, declined, but invited the two of them over to play cards. Zechs pouted and Zechs whined, but in the end, Zechs agreed to give up a night on the town, but only if they could play strip poker. Duo simply sighed and shook his head and said he'd think about it.

He had placed the phone on the table when a pair of arms wrapped themselves around him. Duo moaned softly and tilted his head so Heero could nibble on that spot just below his ear.

"You have too many clothes on," Heero murmured, slipping a hand under Duo's shirt.

"And you don't have enough on," Duo replied, pulling away reluctantly. "Get dressed. We're about to have visitors."

Heero actually pouted and Duo had to laugh at how eerily alike his current lover and his former one could be.

"Put on lots of layers," Duo called out as Heero went in search of his pants. "Zechs is going to try to talk us into strip poker."

"A hot fudge sundae says I can get him stripped before I even have to remove a sock," Heero replied from the bedroom.

Duo was about to throw back a retort when he was interrupted by a knock at the door. He blinked and looked at the clock, and wondered if Zechs had been in the lobby when he'd called.

"Hurry up!" he called to Heero. "I think they're here!"

He moved to the door and pulled it open. "Jeez, that was fa-ooph!" The door flew open, sending him into the wall. A large, burly man in a black suit was on him in an instant, pinning him to the wall. Duo struggled in the man's grip, choking as the man's arm came up to press on his throat.

"Duo? I thought I heard..." Heero walked out of the bedroom and froze at the scene in front of him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Duo could see Heero's eyes narrow and his face twist with rage. He made a move toward them, when another figure appeared in the doorway.

"Hello, Pookie."

[part 10] [part 12] [back to Caroline's fic]