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Search for the Aqualord	By : RoseThorne Category: +S to Z > Slayers Views: 1533 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: We do not own Slayers and do not make any money writing this.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
Title: Search for the Aqualord

By: Chrissy Sky and Rose Thorne

Summary: A sacrifice from an unlikely source brings new changes to Zelgadis� life.

Warnings: YAOI. Zelgadis/Xellos. Slight spoilers for Rev-Evo.

-

Chapter Fourteen: The New Wish? In Other Words I Love You

-

Zelgadis watched in frustration as Xellos disappeared upstairs with a slight sashay of his hips that no normal man should have. But Xellos had always been far from normal.

�I'm going to go check out those restaurants with Lina and Amelia,� Gourry announced with a smile.

Zel sighed. �Go for it,� he said, rising. �I'll go over Xellos' notes and see what's useful. Want me to write a key for the shorthand that differs from normal, Lina?�

�Sure, thanks.� The redhead patted his arm lightly as he walked passed, surprising him. �See you in the morning?�

He smiled. �Sure. Going to start off with breakfast here?�

�Then second breakfast somewhere else.�

The chimera shook his head, fondly amused. He was surprised she didn�t get indigestion sometimes. �Alright then.�

He bid goodnight with a wave of his hand and went upstairs to the room he shared with Gourry and Xellos, finding the former priest there already, reading in bed by the light of a small, flickering candle.

Zelgadis� irritation came rushing back. �Could you not make innuendos, please?�

Xellos flushed ever so slightly and smiled. �Ah, sorry. It just came out.� He didn�t look particularly apologetic though.

Zel sighed and hung up his cloak while he tried to explain. �I just... want what's private to stay private. Please.�

He looked back just in time to see Xellos� smile falter and fall away, purple eyes stormy as they focused very pointedly on his book. �Alright.�

Zel frowned at him. �What?�

�It�s nothing.�

�You�re sure?� he prodded, concerned. The look on Xellos� face was starting to remind him of a few days ago when he had still been denying the possibility of a relationship.

Xellos only nodded, his long fingers tracing the spine of his book absently.

Zelgadis backtracked over what he had said. He had chided Xellos over making their relationship public�Ohh. Did Xellos think he was ashamed of him? Blast.

He took the book away and sat it on the nightstand so that Xellos couldn�t hide behind it anymore. �I just like my privacy, Xellos,� Zel assured gently, brushing his fingers over Xellos� cheek. �That�s all.�

Xellos� eyes widened, giving himself away. �... Have my thoughts become so obvious?� he whispered.

Zel shrugged. �To me, a little.�

The former priest�s smile was soft and embarrassed. �Oh my.�

He leaned in and kissed his embarrassed smile lightly, literally able to feel it as Xellos relaxed again. Xellos responded and for a few wonderful seconds that was all they did before Zel made himself stop, pull away.

�I seem to recall you didn't sleep much last night,� he said. �You need to get some rest. You haven't been sleeping consistently since the curse.�

Xellos� sigh was heavy with disappointment, likely having hoped that they would just keep kissing, and possibly do other things. The idea made Zel feel a little hot all over, but he resisted the temptation.

�I suppose it's healthier to have a consistent pattern...� He sounded like he was repeating something he had heard once.

�It is. Lina wants to have breakfast with us tomorrow morning, before they all go restaurant-hopping for the day.�

Xellos smiled fondly. �First breakfast?�

He chuckled. �Knowing Lina and Gourry, the first of many, yes.�

�If they were short and had furry toes, I'd call them Hobbits...�

�What?� Sometimes what Xellos said�especially when he was joking�referenced things that Zel had never encountered, and this seemed to be one of those times.

�Fictional creature from a book I read once.�

�Ah.� Zelgadis changed the subject. �Are you going to take a bath before bed?�

Xellos fingered a strand of hair before wrinkling his nose delicately. �I probably should, before I start to smell too bad. I�ve come to realize that humans smell even when they�re clean, but it�s just something I�ll have to live with.�

Of course Xellos would be fastidious about smells. �You don't smell bad,� Zel assured him �Just human.�

Xellos smiled as though it were a compliment, kissing his cheek. �I'm just getting used to it.�

Zel shrugged, embarrassed. �Before you just smelled like magic. It's certainly different.�

�Oh?� Xellos asked, cuddling close for a moment.

�Yeah.�

He could see from the look on Xellos� face that he hadn�t missed the admission that he�d taken the time to pay attention to his scent before. He rather hoped the former Mazoku didn�t pursue it.

�Hmm.� Xellos finally nuzzled him briefly before pulling away. �I should at least wash my hair. It's oily again.�

Zelgadis kissed him quickly before he got too far. It was silly, but he almost wanted to demand that Xellos remain and had no idea where this sudden clinginess came from. �I'll go through the rest of your notes while you're gone, then.�

Xellos left with a smile after one last caress and Zelgadis got ready for bed before sitting down in front of his lover�s notes. He read through it with some interest, mildly curious about the events of a thousand years ago that had led to Xellos� birth, marking the places where he could not read the shorthand.

The other man returned after a little while, dressed in pajamas provided by the inn, drying his hair with a towel. �Mm, that was lovely.�

Zelgadis looked up, unable to help but smile when he saw him. �Good to relax for a while?�

�Very.� Xellos sat on the bed and began working his brush through his hair.

Zelgadis watched him, mesmerized by the action. Somehow, he found everything Xellos did fascinating. He also, absently, wondered where Xellos had gotten the brush, as he didn�t remember buying it for him, yet he�d had it for awhile. Amelia had probably given it to him.

�Gourry still down there?� he finally asked.

Xellos nodded. �For the moment. He stayed down there late last night.�

Zelgadis blushed. �I figured he was giving us some privacy.�

�Oh, I�m sure.� Xellos finished brushing his hair and set the brush aside. Zelgadis took this as permission to sit beside him on the bed, leaving the notes on the desk.

Xellos pressed close to his side, and Zelgadis relaxed at this sign of clinginess, glad he wasn�t the only one. He gently tugged Xellos into lying down next to him in bed, reaching over to pinch out the candle.

Xellos reached for that hand, kissing his fingers, which were probably smoky and a little warm. Zelgadis ran the fingers of his other hand through Xellos� hair, which was starting to dry.

Hearing a happy sigh come from his lover, Zelgadis couldn�t resist leaning in and seeking a deep kiss. Xellos responded, moaning into his mouth, and Zelgadis had to firmly remind himself that the man was tired. He gently pulled back, brushing Xellos� cheek with his fingertips as he pouted. �Get some sleep.�

Xellos may have been a little disappointed, but he didn�t complain. �Alright.�

Zelgadis pulled him close, possessively, against his chest, smelling the sweet clean scent of Xellos� hair and caressing his back. He focused entirely on Xellos, feeling his breathing even out in slumber before falling into a peaceful sleep himself.

-

He never heard Gourry come in, but he did hear him the next morning when the blond got up, changed in the bathroom, and headed out�all quiet so as not to disturb them. Zelgadis stirred but stayed still, not wanting to wake Xellos, but the former priest woke regardless.

�Need thicker curtains,� Xellos murmured in complaint, hiding his face against Zel�s chest.

The chimera yawned. �We're supposed to have breakfast with Lina, anyway. We can sleep afterward.�

Xellos nuzzled his chest before sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes adorably. �Alright,� he agreed softly. �Good morning.�

��Morning.� Zelgadis sat up as well, smiling gently at his lover. He really couldn�t help the happiness he felt, and he could have listed the reasons but they really boiled down to one person: Xellos. �Go ahead and change.�

�Alright.� Xellos kissed him softly, also seemingly unable to help himself, and slid gracefully out of bed.

Zelgadis stretched as he waited, his skin creaking a bit, as he watched Xellos slip into the bathroom. He could hear Xellos brushing his teeth inside, and he reemerged from the small room dressed and ready for the day.

Violet eyes glanced out the window. �The clouds are much thicker today. We're definitely getting a storm soon.�

Zel rose and opened the window, letting in a cool breeze. It blew the musty air out of their rented room effectively, leaving the scent of fresh moisture in its wake. �It might storm today, from the smell.� He grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom to change.

�That�ll be good,� he heard Xellos say through the door.

He cleaned up a little, dressing as well, and walked into the room to find Xellos looking curiously up at the dark clouds rolling in. �Xellos?�

�Hm? Oh, I'm sorry. Just thinking.�

The chimera wrapped his arms around his lover from behind. �About what?�

Xellos leaned back against his solid frame. �I've always thought storms were interesting. Rain feels nice too.�

Zelgadis kissed the back of his neck, trying not to think about it. He hadn�t felt the rain since his transformation. With his stone skin it didn�t even make him cold, though he�d found out the hard way that his hair rusted. Xellos could feel it, but he couldn�t, and he changed the subject before jealousy could replace his happiness.

�Ready for breakfast?�

Xellos shivered and nodded, walking close behind him as they descended the stairs.

�By the way, I marked places where Lina might have trouble with your shorthand. I'm not done yet.�

Xellos smiled. �Thank you.�

He shrugged. �Your shorthand is a bit archaic, is all.�

The former priest�s staff tapped softly on the wooden steps as they walked. �I appreciate any help. Don't be so hard on yourself.�

Zel smiled slightly. �I just prefer to be of more use, is all.�

Xellos kissed his cheek. �You are very helpful to me, all the time.�

�Thanks,� he mumbled, ducking his face.

They joined the others at their table and took some food for themselves while they still could. Lina�s red eyes were narrowed, as though she suspected something, but all she said was, �Good morning, you two.�

Zel nodded neutrally in greeting. �Did you ask around about the town's restaurants yet?� If Lina didn�t want to talk about what was on her mind, then he wasn�t going to pry.

�Yeah! Sure you two don't want to come with us?�

He shook his head. �I�m sure. My body doesn't require much food, and I don't like to overeat.�

Xellos covered his mouth with a napkin, swallowing before speaking. �I still have much work to do, Lina-san.�

Amelia frowned at him. �Xellos-san, you should relax today as well!�

Xellos gave his uncomfortable laugh. �I'm sure Zelgadis will insist on it, actually. He can be quite firm.�

�Oh really?� Lina pressed with a devilish smirk.

But Xellos told her the truth, without insinuating anything. �Oh yes. Last night he made me take a bath and go straight to sleep instead of read. Though he was probably right to do it...�

Zel shrugged, a little embarrassed. �You're not used to human limitations.�

�That�s true.�

�Someone has to make sure you don't make yourself sick trying to do too much.�

Xellos smiled fondly, bringing his tea cup to his lips. �You�re volunteering?�

Zel�s lips twitched at the smile and the tone, but didn�t chide Xellos for flirting. �I've been doing it.�

�Zelgadis-san is so nice,� Xellos said, far too cheerfully�so much like his old self that Zel almost expected a prank.

�Zelgadis-san's kind heart truly shines through!� Amelia chimed in.

�Yes!�

Zelgadis sighed and focused on his own meal, since it was probably better just to ignore it. He promised Lina that he�d look over their notes some more while she was gone, though she hardly paid him any mind by this point, lost in her meal. Xellos, it seemed, started to daydream as he ate, which was almost as bad as reading while he ate.

After a little prodding, he found out that they planned to visit a sushi restaurant for lunch, a local delicacy made with freshwater fish from a nearby lake, which seemed to draw Xellos back to reality, somewhat.

�Mm, sushi�� He was eating already, but he sounded like he�d much rather have that instead, and there was a dreamy smile on his face.

Zel hesitated. He really didn�t want to go out, but he wanted Xellos to be happy. �Maybe we could meet them for lunch.�

Xellos smiled at him, eyes bright. �Or we could order sushi here.�

�Well, the innkeeper said that place is like the best one in town,� Lina said. �If you tip a maid enough, they might go get some for you...�

Zel surreptitiously checked his money purse. �That might be doable.�

He was going to have to do something to get more funds soon, though. He�d never known being in a relationship would cost so much, financially�though he�d bought clothing for Xellos because he�d needed it, not as a gift. Still, it wasn�t an inconvenience.

�Thank you, dear,� Xellos said happily.

Zelgadis blushed at the endearment.

Xellos was yawning by the time he finished his breakfast, and murmured something about taking a shower to wake up.

Zel frowned. �We're mostly relaxing today. If you want to sleep more, you should.�

�As you wish,� Xellos replied with a flush.

There it was again. Xellos was being far too obedient, and Zel thought it was more than just Xellos not finding a reason to disagree. Maybe he wanted orders? That made him more than a little uncomfortable.

He kept silent until the others were gone and they were upstairs again, sitting down at the table in their room with a sigh.

�You don't have to take a nap if you don't want to, Xellos. I'm not trying to boss you around.�

Xellos blinked at him, setting his staff against the wall. �I wasn't taking it as such, Zelgadis.�

He looked out the window, sighing. �I just don't want you to think that you have to do whatever I wish.�

Xellos walked up behind him, wrapping slender arms around his chest. �Having freedom is a little unusual for me, and I know I can do whatever I want, but I think I would appreciate being ordered every once in awhile. I�m not a Mazoku now but it�s still in my nature. I suppose I�m a little submissive that way, but it�s nothing to be concerned about. It�s not an obligation; I think I actually need it, at least every now and again. If it doesn�t make you uncomfortable?�

He frowned. He thought it�d feel better knowing the truth behind Xellos� complacency, but instead it troubled him even more.

�I don�t know� You know how long I worked for Rezo.� Xellos nodded and Zel continued awkwardly. �I would�ve done anything for him. Almost did. And he could�ve easily taken advantage of that. I don�t want to do that to you.�

�Almost did?� Xellos sounded worried.

Zelgadis squirmed uneasily. Admitting the truth out loud wasn�t easy. �It never mattered that he was my grandfather. I would've given myself to him.�

Xellos hugged him closer. �But he never took advantage of that.�

Zel shivered, though he wasn�t cold. Now, after everything, he couldn�t believe how na�ve he had been. �No, but I wanted him to. I fancied myself in love with him and I'd imagine him... ordering me to bed.�

�Ours is a different relationship, Zelgadis,� Xellos said softly.

�Different how? You want me to order you around.�

�You would never hurt me,� he said, smiling.

He blushed. �Well, no, of course not...� He certainly wasn�t Rezo. �What kind of orders would I have to give?�

Xellos nuzzled his neck, and though he couldn�t really feel it, the Shaman appreciated the gesture. �Only small things. Telling me to go take a bath, for example.�

Zel smiled slightly. �Or remind you to sleep?�

The former Mazoku grinned. �Exactly.�

He relaxed a bit and leaned back against him. �Alright.�

�You�re very dear to me,� Xellos whispered, kissing his neck.

The chimera relaxed even more at his words and as Xellos began rubbing his shoulders as hard as he could. It couldn�t have been easy, Zel knew his skin wasn�t pliable, but Xellos was getting stronger and he could feel the pressure. When Xellos stopped, he brought one of his hands forward, kissing it in thanks.

Xellos kissed the top of his head with a giggle and Zel pulled his unresisting body around and into his lap, where they could kiss properly. He gasped at the pressure in his lap and kissed Xellos until they were both breathless.

Xellos giggled again as he panted.

Zel rubbed his back idly, busy staring up into dazed violet eyes, content to hold him for the moment.

Those human eyes fluttered closed as Xellos laid his head on Zel�s shoulder, facing toward the bed. Zel kissed the back of his neck, relaxing.

�Am I heavy?� Xellos asked, and Zel wasn�t surprised to hear him yawn.

�Not at all.� Zel stood with him in his arms, easily carrying him to bed. �How about you take that nap?� He meant for it to come out as an order, but it came out as a question.

Xellos flushed, the red cheeks standing out sharply against the white pillow cover. �Alright. But later we spend time together?�

He smiled and lay down next to him. �Of course.�

Xellos seemed quite happy with this and curled up beside him as he fell asleep. Zel petted his hair idly, waiting until he was sleeping deeply before getting up to retrieve Xellos� notebooks. When he sat back down on the bed, he went through the rest of them and marked them for Lina.

Xellos� handwriting was a bit archaic, beautifully ornate, probably because he had learned to write a very long time ago, the same with the shorthand. Zel spend a few moments just staring at the pages and admiring it, wondering how many other things he still had to discover about his lover. He couldn�t wait to learn more.

When Xellos awoke again, he nuzzled Zelgadis� arm sleepily.

He smiled at the cuteness and set the notebooks aside. �Want me to order lunch?�

�Did I sleep that long?� Xellos asked instead, rubbing his eyes.

�A few hours. It's probably around eleven now. You needed the sleep, I'm betting.�

�I suppose so.�

Xellos cuddled closer and Zel really wasn�t in a hurry to get up. �We can order later if you're not hungry.�

Xellos moved partway on top of him at that statement. �Oh?�

�Yeah.� Zelgadis blushed as he put his arms around his boyfriend.

�Mm. Well, I am hungry, but not for food.�

Zelgadis blushed deeper.

�But if you don't want to...�

Zel watched him in silence for a moment, but realized he didn�t want to make Xellos wait anymore. He wanted this. He pulled him down for a deep kiss in answer.

Xellos emitted a squeak of surprise but relaxed into the kiss.

�I�ve just never�� Zel tried to confess when they parted again, blushing, but he was too embarrassed to actually say it.

Xellos nuzzled his cheek. �It�s alright, really. We can do whatever you want.�

�I... I've never... I don't...�

�Shh.� Xellos rubbed his shoulder soothingly. �I know, Zelgadis. It�s okay. We can still just touch, like before. It won�t change my feelings.�

Zelgadis was very embarrassed and was trying to hide it. �I'm not... adverse. I just don't know much about...� Fucking. Sex. Making love. He couldn�t make any of those words come out.

Xellos tilted his head thoughtfully. �Oh, I suppose that would be a problem. I can tell you about it.�

He blushed even harder, not at all comfortable talking about it. It was worse than ordering Xellos around.

�Or I can show you,� Xellos whispered impishly.

Zel gulped and nodded, his voice hoarse. �Alright.�

They drew closer, kissing and touching more, and the chimera quickly forgot to think as Xellos proceeded to show him what he knew.

-

Xellos went slow, treating Zelgadis with care, especially as it became apparent that being completely naked embarrassed the Shaman terribly. He tried to put all his love into the contact and his assurances, saying, �I like how you look.�

�I don�t,� was the boy�s very soft reply.

Simple, to the point, but it still broke his heart every time. Xellos went back to distracting him.

He pulled the blanket up over their heads, making an impromptu tent to make Zel feel more secure, and kissed his way down Zel�s body slowly, slowly, moving between his legs. He breathed hot air over Zel�s length before he licked, tasting him. Zelgadis shuddered underneath him and gripped the bed sheets. Xellos wondered absently if they would rip and took him fully into his mouth.

Zelgadis, still very inexperienced, was soon trembling and it wasn�t long before he came. Zelgadis then wrapped a hard-skinned, wonderfully textured hand around Xellos� length to reciprocate after he encouraged him, much to his delight. It didn�t take him long either, as he hadn�t been human for very long. He wasn�t used to such limited senses, and felt so much more in each of them.

As he caught his breath, he felt Zelgadis rest his head against his shoulder. Smiling, Xellos wrapped his arms securely around his chimera, cuddling. �Zelgadis��

Zelgadis kissed his skin lightly. �Hm?� He sounded almost asleep.

�I�� The words caught in his throat. He was human but he still couldn�t say them, and he hated himself for it. He wanted to tell him, knew he deserved it�maybe even need it�but he couldn�t.

�Me too,� Zelgadis said, surprising him.

Xellos started in shock, becoming fully awake. Zelgadis couldn�t have known what he meant to say, could he? He was half asleep, spent from their activities. He couldn�t!

�Xellos?�

He rubbed the chimera�s back soothingly. �Sleep.�

��Kay.� Zelgadis rubbed his rough cheek against his shoulder before he settled, breathing slowly becoming soft and even.

Xellos held him, staring up at the ceiling, no longer tired. It bothered him in a way he couldn�t really describe, that he couldn�t say the words yet Zelgadis thought he heard them anyway�and reciprocated! He should at least be able to say them.

Zelgadis stirred after an hour, lifting his head. �Hey.�

Xellos tried to smile back. �Hello.�

The smile fell. �What?�

He sighed heavily. �It�s nothing. I�m being silly again.�

He received a chaste kiss. �About what?�

Xellos hesitated but decided to answer. �It's only that... before you fell asleep, you said you did too. Only I never finished what I was going to say.�

�I assumed�� Zelgadis looked away, swallowing thickly. �What were you going to say?�

Oh dear. Now Zelgadis thought he�d meant something else! Xellos wasn�t sure if that was better, but from the look on the youth�s face, it wasn�t. �I do,� he said, blushing. �What you assumed.�

Zelgadis looked relieved. �Good. I meant it.�

�But, why?� After the things he�d done, he hardly thought he was exactly a catch. He almost feared that Zelgadis loved him solely because Xellos felt as strongly as he did.

The chimera rested his head on his shoulder, not looking at him. �Did you ever wonder why I was so angry with you after we met?�

Xellos frowned. �Well... I suppose I assumed I was just very good at making you angry.�

�No. After Rezo, I swore I would never let myself fall for anyone. Ever again, no matter what. But I couldn't help it.�

It took a moment to realize what he was saying. �All this time?� Xellos gasped, awed.

Zelgadis nodded. �I tried really hard to hate you instead. Tried to stay away from you.� A soft chuckle. �That didn't work very well.�

He smiled faintly. �Somehow I feel I should apologize for that... I just couldn't leave you alone.�

�I'm glad you didn't,� Zelgadis confessed softly.

Xellos swallowed hard. �I didn't quite understand what I was feeling back then. It took a long time.�

�I know. Mazoku aren't supposed to feel like that, are they?�

He shook his head. �No. It's why I couldn't stop myself after my change, I suppose. I've wanted you for so long, and then to suddenly have all this freedom... It's so overwhelming.�

�Is that why you don't want to change back?� Zelgadis asked, looking up at him with a hesitant expression.

The former Mazoku looked away guiltily and didn�t answer. He�d already made his case, but if Zelgadis still wished him to go back�

Zelgadis cupped his chin, making him look back, meet sky blue eyes. �Then we'll fight them.�

Xellos stared at him for a moment, speechless. �But you said earlier I should go back.�

�If you go back, this will end, won't it?�

Xellos blinked. There was an undercurrent of sorrow in Zel�s voice that made him want to hold him close and never let go.

�It would not change how I feel about you. Not one bit. But... Yes. Perhaps we could be together in secret, occasionally. Not like we are now. You also wouldn't be able to trust me, nor would I ask you to.�

Zelgadis� hesitance was gone, replaced with a more familiar resolve. �Neither of us would be happy with that.� He smiled a little. �And I... kind of want that happy ending now.�

Xellos smiled brightly at the words. He felt like he could fly without a spell, without being a Mazoku, and hugged his lover tightly, relieved and happy. �Oh, me too. Thank you, Zelgadis.�

He would fight, claw or crawl, suffer anything, to give Zelgadis that happy ever after.

TBC. Reviews are loved.
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Search for the Aqualord