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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
- 5
- 6
- 7
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.

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6. I Can�t Do This: Fighting Desire

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A short while later Lina came barging through the door, none too quietly. �So, what's this I hear about you two being married?�

Zelgadis jerked awake in the armchair. He was surprised; he didn�t remember falling asleep. He glanced at the clock, noting that nearly three hours had elapsed since he had last looked, and the sun was getting lower, casting the room in an orange glow. He blinked at Lina finally. �What?�

A wicked grin spread across her face. �You and Xellos got hitched and didn't tell us?�

From the bed, said former priest mumbled something unintelligible and pulled a pillow over his head.

Zelgadis was sympathetic. He could feel another headache coming on himself. �I didn't realize you took drunken rambling seriously, Lina. No wonder you lead us off on wild goose chases so often.�

�Oi, all stories can be helpful, even if they're obviously dumb.� The spirited sorceress poked Xellos� shoulder, snickering as he swatted at her sleepily.

�Except that this one is just ridiculous,� Zel told her grumpily. �He probably still has the hangover.�

�Nothing ridiculous about being married to you,� he mumbled from the bed.

Zelgadis felt his irritation rise again. This really wasn�t the place for this conversation, and if Xellos dared joke about it again, there would be hell to pay. �Aside from the fact that we're not married.�

�Well, yes. I should have asked first...�

Lina laughed it up. �Oh, boy. He married you in your sleep, Zel!�

Zel glared fiercely. They were both asking for it. �Yeah, well according to him, you and Gourry are married as well.�

�He what?!� Mood immediately changing, Lina rounded on Xellos, ready to deal out pain.

Xellos, sensing danger, sat up and raised his hands as though placating a wild animal. Which he was. �Well, in some cultures traveling so long together constitutes a common-law marriage!�

She grabbed the front of his shirt and shook him roughly like a rag doll, sending his hair in further disarray. �Stop talking nonsense! Idiot! Die already!�

�That is hardly going to help our situation, Lina,� Zelgadis pointed out, wincing internally. Xellos was fragile now, and Lina could hurt him too easily.

�But it'd make me feel better!� she complained, glaring.

�So would having a nice dinner.�

Those were the magic words. Lina dropped Xellos immediately. �Yeah, okay.�

He fell back onto the bed with a weak thump and laughed a little. �Iya��

Zelgadis resisted the impulse to roll his eyes. The former priest was still a glutton for punishment when it came to Lina. �Did you find out more information?� he asked, steering the conversation back to important matters.

Lina moved with the shift effortlessly. These kinds of antics were per the norm, after all. �Some folk stories about copies of a text left by golden dragons in the area... Enough that's worth checking out, even if they sound silly.�

Zel was immediately curious � and suspicious. They�d had far too many strange experiences in their travels for him not to be. �How silly? Not costumes-and-dancing silly again, I hope.�

The redhead rubbed one of her elbows self-consciously. �Well��

He glared at her. �Well?�

�Kinda��

With a disgusted sigh, Zel vacated the chair for her and sat on the bed, still keeping a small distance between himself and Xellos. �Details?�

Lina took the abandoned chair, crossing her legs and leaning back. �Apparently the temple is not only hidden, but booby-trapped. And there's fake ones too.�

�Well, that could mean whatever's hidden inside is important,� Zelgadis noted thoughtfully.

She nodded in agreement. �Yeah. And there�s lots of tales about dragons. It supports that whatever is in the real temple could be a Claire Bible.�

Zelgadis grinned slowly, feeling a flicker of hope. �It'd be nice if we actually found something worthwhile. We just need to find the real temple and get around the traps.�

Lina smirked back at him. �Yeah. Do you have any info, Xellos? Since the Claire Bibles are your specialty.�

The lump in bed hummed thoughtfully.

Zel glanced at him over his shoulder. �Anything you might have heard could be helpful, Xellos.�

Xellos sat up slowly, his movements still graceful despite the headache he probably still had. He sat close to the chimera but did not touch him, for which Zel was thankful.

�I've actually never been in this area before, but long ago there were rumors that it was indeed the dragons that had dispersed copies of the Claire Bible for protection against Mazoku. Though considering that it's humans who abuse the information written in them, it's considerably ironic.� He shrugged. �So it could be true.�

Zelgadis sighed. �Well, that's better than nothing, I guess. When do we start out?�

Lina eyed Xellos. �Unless someone is feeling better now, we should probably set out in the morning.�

�Saa.� Xellos ran a hand through his hair, combing out the tangles and putting it somewhat into order. He didn�t seem to be in the mood for more walking through the backcountry at the moment.

Zelgadis shrugged, feeling the same. �I'm still recovering from the attack last night, myself. I wouldn't mind a little more rest. It�s pretty late anyway.�

�Okay then,� Lina accepted. �Though tonight, Gourry's with you guys.�

Zelgadis shrugged. �Fine with me. So, dinner?�

Lina brightened instantly. �Yeah!� She hopped out of the chair. Zelgadis watched her leave and waited to be sure she was far enough down the hall before turning to Xellos. �How�s your hangover?�

Still finger combing his hair, Xellos smiled a little. �Better. Still hurts a bit.�

Zelgadis had expected as much. �Well, just drink a lot of water and don't eat too much.�

Xellos nodded. �Yes. Thank you, Zelgadis-san.�

Zelgadis rose and headed down after Lina. He heard Xellos� staff tapping on the floor as he followed down to the inn�s dining area. When they arrived at their group�s table, it was already laden with food. The others had thoughtfully left two seats open right next to each other � making it so that Zel had to sit next to Xellos, which he assumed Lina had engineered for her own amusement. He sat down without complaint to spite her.

It wouldn�t do to encourage her. This was exactly what he�d hoped to avoid, the reason he hadn�t wanted her � or anyone else � to find out.

Lina spoke between bites. �Nice of you to join us. Not too busy?�

�Busy?� Xellos echoed, confused.

Zelgadis was amused that the trickster had missed the innuendo. �She's apparently trying to imply we were up to something.�

�Oh, like her and Amelia this morning?� Gourry asked, unintentionally quipping.

Lina nearly choked on her food again. �What?!�

Zelgadis chuckled, feeling as though payback were close at hand. �Oh? What were you up to this morning?�

�Nothing!�

Gourry frowned. �But, Lina��

Lina recovered quickly, trying to turn the conversation. �And what about you two? Xellos doesn't blush for nothing.�

Zelgadis glanced at the former priest and sure enough, Xellos looked bizarrely like he was trying to hide behind his cup of tea and there was a faint blush on his cheeks.

Zel shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. �Maybe he does. How would we know?�

�Well, he wasn't human before, so maybe he's not used to it,� Amelia noted thoughtfully. She looked just as embarrassed by the conversation as Xellos.

�Used to what?� Gourry just had to ask. �Being in love?�

Lina became far too interested at that. Up until then Zel thought he could have merely kept going until she was distracted, but with the mention of the L word, the banter was taken to another level. Now, he knew, she�d stick to it like a bloodhound on a scent.

�Oh? Is he in love, then?� Her eyes twinkled as she leaned in, her amusement all too obvious.

�That's why he wants to marry Zel, isn't it?� Gourry wondered in a thoughtful tone, and Zel resisted the urge to strangle him for unintentionally helping her.

�Maybe you should get another room so you and hubby can be alone,� Lina teased with an unrepentant smirk.

�That�s not necessary,� Zel said mildly. As long as Xellos continued to say nothing and he acted like it was nothing, there was still some hope of getting her to drop it.

�Oh?� she pressed. �You don't mind an audience? I doubt Gourry would mind.�

Zelgadis smirked, taking the opportunity to alter the focus of the discussion; he had no qualms about throwing back what Lina was dishing out. �You tell me. He was in the room with you and Amelia last night.�

Lina sputtered predictably. �What that supposed to mean?!� she demanded, ignoring the placating hand Amelia placed on her arm.

�In any case, nothing's going on. I don't know why you're so interested in everyone else's love lives, Lina.�

�I'm not interested, I'm just amused!� Lina yelled. �Besides, he would totally tease me! He has!�

Xellos looked up from his teacup finally, feigning innocence and joining Zel on the offensive. �Oh? That's implying that there really is something going on, Lina-san! I had no idea!�

She growled and came after him with her fork, but Amelia held her back by grabbing hold of her slim waist. �Lina-san!�

Zelgadis snickered, though inwardly noted how the princess seemed pretty comfortable touching Lina there. He pushed the worry away for now. �So that's why you were so bothered this morning.�

�Amelia-san finally confessed to her feelings and you couldn't resist any longer?� Xellos asked cheerfully. He seemed to have perked up slightly.

�See,� Gourry said to him. �I told you I wasn't married to Lina.�

�Indeed. I apologize, Gourry-san.� He sounded almost like he meant it too. �Don't be so upset, Lina-san. We all have needs.�

Lina glared at them hard. �It's none of your business. Go focus on your own love lives, or lack thereof.� She waved at the nearest waiter. �Five of every dessert!�

�I have no interest in a love life,� Zelgadis told her, shrugging casually.

She was finally losing interest, and if he played his cards right, she�d only tease him a few more times about it before the sorceress dropped it entirely. What he didn�t expect was for Amelia to take up the torch, though in her case it was more serious.

She frowned at him in clear disapproval. �Zelgadis-san, it's cruel to lead Xellos-san on like that!�

He shrugged again. �I have no control over what he feels � if he feels anything.�

Beside him, Xellos stood abruptly, his chair scraping hard on the wooden floor. Zelgadis couldn�t see his face hidden behind his hair. �Do excuse me, everyone,� he murmured, ever polite, and his steps were quick as he went upstairs. A little too quick for someone who still had a headache. Zel stared after him, surprised.

Lina was startled as well. �Xellos!� Getting no reply, she turned on Zel, her concern apparent. �What's going on?�

Zelgadis shrugged uncomfortably. He had a guess � he might have accidentally hurt Xellos� feelings again, but hoped he was wrong. �I really couldn't tell you. Excuse me.� He stood and went after the strange new-human.

He found him back in their room. Xellos� back was to him as he stood on the room�s balcony, and one of his gloved hands was tangled in his hair in a grip that looked painful. From this angle, most of his face was still hidden, but Zel saw his lips were twisted in an agonized grimace of a smile.

Zelgadis crept closer to the open balcony doors. �Xellos��

Xellos jerked visibly at the sound of his voice and moved further away, perching on the edge of the balcony rail and facing the setting sun so that Zel could not see his face at all. �Yes?�

�I�m sorry,� Zel said softly, feeling lame again. �I told you this morning��

�I know,� was the other�s reply. There was no inflection in his tone and Zel couldn�t tell what he was feeling.

He hesitated before coming out onto the balcony, keeping a distance between them. �We're searching for a cure for you, anyway. Even if I could... I'd rather not start something that won't end well.�

No matter how much he craved it. A part of him wanted to give in, damn the consequences, but the more rational part of him was knew better than to risk what little sanity he had left.

�I almost hope we find nothing...�

Zelgadis stared at him. How could Xellos just give up? Him, of all people! Had humanity stripped him entirely of his ego? �That'd be a death sentence.�

Xellos exhaled, laughing softly. �Yes. But as much as I do hate this body, being trapped in one plane, being so small and cramped... It gives me a freedom I could not have before. Free will.� There was a short pause before he added one word, said in a softer, pained voice full of regret. �Joy.�

Zelgadis felt his heart constrict as an earlier suspicion was confirmed � Xellos hadn�t been entirely happy as a Mazoku, if at all. �Survival first, Xellos.�

�I know that. It doesn't stop me from hoping that instead of a cure, there is something we can use to fight them.�

So he wasn�t giving up. But what he was hoping for was unlikely. �Lina actually got a look at the real Claire Bible, and the best it could give her was Ragna Blade. A cure is your best bet.�

�Since it was the Water Dragon Lord's remaining presence, it probably gave her what it wanted to, not all that it could.�

Zelgadis sighed. He supposed that was reasonable, but� �I hope your search goes better than mine has. There's no way we'll be able to take on the remaining lords right now.�

Xellos looked away from the sunset, down at his hands, which were twisting a little in his lap. He frowned and seemed to force them to stop. �Yes. I don't like putting all of you in such danger.�

Zelgadis shrugged and readopted his casual tone in hopes of assuring him. �It's not as though we're not used to danger by now.�

�That's beside the point, Zelgadis-san.�

He sighed at the quiet frustration in Xellos� voice and went back inside, taking up his seat in the armchair again. �There's nothing we can do about it right now, Xellos. In any case, you're not the cause of the danger. Dynast probably would've killed us either way. He just went deeper and found out that Zelas was behind it, and so decided to get you, too.�

�It seems that way,� Xellos said, following him inside.

�I've figured for a while that I'd have an unhappy ending. All we can really do is keep fighting.�

A silence fell over the room, which should have made the shaman more suspicious but he had lowered his guard. Zelgadis was just beginning to relax when he felt a light touch on his chin. He flinched back but Xellos gently but firmly kept a hold on his face.

He stared up at Xellos� unreadable expression. �Xellos?�

As he watched, he saw Xellos blink, breaking into a small smile, sadness thick in his eyes. The taller man leaned in.

Zelgadis had never realized how sensitive his lips still were. He could feel the texture of Xellos� mouth, so soft that it nearly broke his heart. It was sudden, and he was too shocked to move, which didn�t seem to discourage Xellos at all.

As soon as he snapped out of his surprise, he tried to gently push him away. It did not have any effect. Xellos resisted and stubbornly kept hold of his chin, preventing him from turning away. The feeling of Xellos� lips was starting to make him shiver and he tried harder to get him to stop. He pulled on Xellos� hands which, to his dismay, only brought them closer. Xellos practically fell into his lap.

He didn�t want to hurt him, but he realized that he couldn�t dislodge Xellos now without doing so. Zel went still and waited for him to stop. At least, until he felt a tongue lightly brush his bottom lip.

He gasped, involuntarily parting his lips, and Xellos forced his tongue inside, deepening the kiss. Zelgadis struggled harder, which only made Xellos more forceful, and his fear rose. Even with all that had gone on, he hadn�t thought Xellos would do this! Desperate, he tried biting Xellos to get him to stop, but it only made the former Mazoku moan.

Mazoku? More like masochist! Zelgadis stood, hoping this would dislodge him. Instead, Xellos found his feet in time, standing fluidly with him and continuing the kiss. Off balance, Zelgadis fell backward onto the floor, pulling Xellos with him. This did nothing to dissuade him.

Then Xellos pressed their hips together and thrust, whimpering. Zelgadis couldn�t stop his instinctive reaction to kiss back, passion building with the fear. His shaking increased with that thought, and he couldn�t repress a tiny sound of fearful protest. He could feel Xellos� hardness rubbing against his own and feared the former priest really wouldn�t stop, and that he wouldn�t be able to suppress his own desire.

But thankfully Xellos did, the noise apparently bringing him to his senses. He hovered above Zel, panting softly. �Shh, it�s alright��

Zelgadis continued to tremble, breathing hard as well. He refused to look at him. �Why can't you just take no for an answer?�

He felt fingers lightly brush his wire hair. �I do not give up easily.�

�I didn't think that translated to forcing yourself on me,� Zelgadis whispered, pained. The betrayal stung. He had trusted Xellos enough to not see this coming.

The hand touching him immediately went still and pulled away. There was a long pause before he spoke. �It doesn't. I am sorry. I thought...� Xellos got off of him.

Released, Zelgadis lay on the floor for a long while, collecting his scattered thoughts and catching his. He tried to will away his arousal, which had stirred at Xellos� actions despite his fear.

Grabbing hold of the bed, he managed to pull himself up into a sitting position. With a start, he realized that Xellos was no longer there. His cloak and staff were both missing with him. The staff was understandable, but Xellos had left his cloak off for dinner.

Dimly, Zelgadis remembered catching sight of Xellos� face before he had got off of him. He had looked utterly shocked and guilt-ridden, as though he couldn�t believe what he�d just done.

Zel cursed softly in the darkness � Xellos hadn�t meant to try to hurt him! Of course, it went against all of Xellos� actions thus far. If the former priest had meant to lull him into a false sense of security, then he wouldn�t have stopped at all, but he had.

He surged to his feet and, forgetting his cloak and sword, ran out of the inn. Once outside he looked around frantically for Xellos, but did not see him.

�Xellos!� he called helplessly into the near-darkness, but received no response.

He cast Ray Wing on himself and soared into the air.

-

Hearing the distant yell, Xellos quickened his running steps, knowing that if he didn�t reach the trees quickly he wouldn�t make it. His minds was jumbled over what he�d nearly done, but he thought clearly enough to realize that he had to get away from Lina and her friends before this got any worse.

He was just nearing the treeline when he heard Zelgadis� voice again from somewhere above him. �Xellos! Stop!�

Ignoring him, Xellos darted into the trees. His mind working almost faster than his body, he ran some distance into the trees before he found a sheltered spot and quietly cast Levitation, floating up gently into the treetops to hide.

But now that he had stopped, he had time to berate himself.

Zelgadis� accusation had struck him to the core. Never before in his life had Xellos done anything so dishonorable. He rarely killed humans, because they were so good at killing themselves without any help from him. The dragons he had killed were usually done so in battle, and they had been fully prepared to kill him so it was perfectly fair. While his favorite attack was to strike someone from the Astral Plane, this was usually implemented during a fight. It was rarely done unless he was provoked.

His pride as a Mazoku � and his personal sense of honor � demanded nothing less. He had always looked down upon certain behavior of other Mazoku as undignified, something he could never allow himself to be. Humans as well, though mostly the wicked ones. Perhaps that was another reason why he liked Lina and her friends so well; they were so refreshingly honest and noble.

None of his sexual partners had ever been unwilling, human and Mazoku alike. He had never done anything so disgraceful, and he was sickened by the very idea.

To harm the one he cared for with all his soul� Xellos couldn�t believe he�d been reduced to this.

He wished, more than ever, that he still had a connection with his master. The Greater Beast would tell him what to do, and as much as he craved free will, at that moment he would gladly obey as long as what she told him made sense. Left to his own devices, his clearest thought was to run away.

If he left, Zelgadis would be safe from him. Xellos cared for him enough to do that.

Thinking about his master, Xellos realized that his mind had been unclear for some time. He missed his connection to her like a human would miss a limb. He had once been part of something much greater than his mere existence. Now he was tiny in comparison and adrift in these new sensations.

Perhaps his feelings were so strong in order to fill the void left by the lost connection�?

Zelgadis drew closer to him, disrupting his thoughts. �Xellos? Come on. This is ridiculous. Let's talk about this!�

Xellos closed his eyes, knowing that if he saw Zelgadis he would give in. For the youth�s own sake, he had to resist.

�Please, Xellos. I'd rather not stay out here all night, but I will if I have to.�

He stayed silent. Zelgadis would hopefully get frustrated soon and leave. Even if he didn�t give up the search and merely went to get the others, Xellos would still have time to escape.

He heard Zelgadis stop moving around below him and assumed that the chimera was listening for him to make a sound. �I know you can't teleport, and I don't hear you running. So you're stopped somewhere. I can wait for you to make a sound, or you can come out now.�

Xellos continued his silent occupation of the tree.

He heard Zelgadis shift again below, and by the sound of it, he was sitting down to wait him out as well. �Xellos, I'm not leaving. You'll eventually have to shift positions, or you'll get tired, or something.�

His lips twisted into a smile; he should have realized Zelgadis would be stubborn about this. He hated how much he cared for the young man. Zelgadis following him into the unknown night, after what he had done, made Xellos� feelings deepen even more.

Zelgadis went on. �I'm not mad, Xellos.� He paused. �Okay, that's a lie. I'm a little pissed. But not so much that I want you to run off and get yourself killed.�

Xellos waited until there was a breeze, which would carry his voice and make it harder for Zelgadis to locate his position. �I'll try again. Just let me go.� He hoped the threat would convince him.

Zelgadis only sounded irritated � probably because he couldn�t follow the sound of his voice. �Don't do this to me, Xellos. I freaked out. I'm sorry. I'm not... good with this sort of thing.�

Xellos forgot himself and leaned back against the tree he stood upon weakly, realizing too late that the rustle gave his location away. �I don't want to hurt you again.�

He heard Zelgadis levitate up to him, landing in front of him on the branch. �Then we'll both be more careful.�

Xellos shook his head frantically, his eyes tightly shut. Zelgadis didn�t understand!

He felt fingers touch his arm without hesitation. �Come on. Let's get back to the inn.�

The former priest tried to pull away from the touch but the tree limb was only so big and he couldn�t go far. �I can't stop and you can't do this,� he pleaded softly. �Just let me go.�

�No,� his dear chimera said stubbornly.

He clutched his staff to his chest. �Please,� he whispered, weakly.

�I�m not going to just abandon you to this,� Zelgadis hissed angrily.

He shuddered � Zelgadis couldn�t care about him after what he had done! The youth was probably worried for his safety and that of his friends. �I'll surrender myself and get Dynast to promise not to come after you. He'll have to keep his word. Once I'm gone, Dolphin will lose interest.�

�Dammit, Xellos. You know that won't work. He'll just kill us and then kill you anyway!�

�I'll make it work.� Zelgadis did not understand a Mazoku�s pride. If he made Dynast promise explicitly, then the Lord would have no choice. Even though it meant sacrificing his life, Xellos would do it willingly. He deserved to be punished for what he had done.

The grip on his arm tightened painfully enough to bruise. �Stop being a self-sacrificing idiot! That's what got you into this mess in the first place. If you actually think we'll stand by while you do that, you really are stupid.�

�Lina-san won't once she finds out I tried to force you,� he pointed out reasonably. �You shouldn't either.�

�I'm not an idiot, Xellos,� Zelgadis said softly after another pause. �I know it wasn't on purpose.�

That didn�t make it excusable! �I've never done anything so dishonorable. But I can't stop. Even now, I want to. Please, just let me go, Zelgadis.�

Even after what he had done and the disgust he felt at himself, he still wanted to press close to the enticing youth. He wanted to take hold of Zelgadis and protect him from the darkness, to care for him as no one else had.

�I won't. I came after you, Xellos,� Zelgadis declared softly, but with meaning in his voice. �Please.�

Xellos sighed, understanding what the chimera was saying � at least he thought so. Zelgadis was angry, but he didn�t hate him, and was possibly willing to forgive him. The fight went out of him and he acquiesced at last, realizing that he wouldn�t have really left anyway. The moment Zelgadis had called out his name, the matter had been decided. If Zelgadis forgave him, he might be able to forgive himself in time.

He opened his eyes finally, seeing Zelgadis� relieved smile, his teeth flashing in the moonlight. His eyes and hair reflected the light as well. He was, in that moment, dark, unearthly, beautifully human, and Xellos wanted him so much it was physically and emotionally wrenching.

�Come on, then,� Zelgadis urged. �Let�s go back to town.�

He nodded and cast Levitation again, taking them gently back down to the ground gently.

Without a word, Zelgadis led the way back, but as they approached town the youth stopped. Glancing at him, Xellos could faintly see a panic-stricken expression on his face and realized the problem.

�Wait,� he said softly, untying his hooded cloak and wrapping it around the chimera.

�Thanks,� Zelgadis said, embarrassed, and pulled the hood over his head.

Xellos shook his head. �It's the least I can do.�

The youth took a deep, shaky breath. �Xellos... I'm not... adverse. I just...� He paused awkwardly and tried again. �You know, after we fought Rezo, I left Lina and Gourry. I couldn't trust them enough to travel with them, even after all that. Because of Rezo.� He glanced furtively in Xellos� direction. �It's not easy for me to trust anyone. And this... is a lot bigger than just traveling with someone.�

Xellos nodded slowly and decided to match the confession with one of his own. It was only fair. �It was only going to be a kiss, because I didn't want you to give up on a happy ending so easily. Then you began pushing me away and I just reacted instinctively...�

�Mazoku instincts?�

Xellos shrugged. �I'm not sure,� he answered honestly.

Zelgadis sighed. �I'll keep that in mind. I could've pushed you away, but not without hurting you.�

Xellos forced himself to look away, not feeling any better about what he�d done. �You shouldn't worry about that.�

�I can't help that. I'm a lot stronger than normal humans. I'm used to being careful out of battle.�

�You still shouldn't.� Xellos pasted on a smile; he knew what would convince him. �After all, I may be a human now, but I was a Mazoku only a few days ago.�

He glanced back and saw Zelgadis shift uncomfortably. �It probably would've taken me a moment to remember you weren't human even then. I thought you were human until Lina told us otherwise. First impressions are hard to shake.�

Xellos tilted his head thoughtfully, surprised. �I see�� He had thought it was something Zelgadis kept firmly in mind, all the time. �How extraordinary.�

They resumed walking back to the inn. Zelgadis held the back door open for him and Xellos smiled at the gesture before he teetered suddenly, the long day catching up with him. He still hadn�t rested enough earlier.

He was surprised, then, when Zelgadis� strong arm wound itself around his waist and he guided him inside. Happiness fluttered in his chest at the simple contact.

Along the way they ran into Lina, who worriedly interrogated about where they had gone. Zelgadis lied smoothly, claiming that had merely been taking a walk. The sorceress didn�t believe that because of Xellos� state of exhaustion. She hounded them all the way to their room and Xellos quickly got tired of it.

�He came after me. I thought it might be safer for you if I left.� He knew Lina wouldn�t let it go until they were honest, and easily ignored Zelgadis� glare at his admission.

Lina glared at him as well. �Don't be stupid. As if we'd let you do that.�

�Yeah, I told him that,� Zelgadis complained. �Had to catch him first, though...�

Lina sighed. �You're more trouble than you're worth, Xellos.�

�I know,� he murmured softly, deciding not to tell her the whole truth, though it was tempting. Lina would likely only punish him, then Zelgadis would stubbornly defend him, and he didn�t feel like dealing with the trouble it would cause.

Lina left and, after being handed his pajamas, Xellos hid in the bathroom to change. It was a small room with only a toilet and a sink � no private shower.

He listened as Gourry entered and offered the bed to them again. Xellos squeaked at the idea, after what had occurred, and nearly fell over.

�I was comfortable in the chair this afternoon, Gourry,� Zelgadis protested. �And you had the floor last night in Lina's room. Take the bed.�

But Gourry remained firm. �No, you need your rest, Zel. I insist.�

A little frightened and knowing it showed, Xellos exited the bathroom and looked at the blond pleadingly. �Gourry-san, I don't think...�

Gourry interrupted with a smile. �It'll be good for you guys.� He blushed. �I mean, not for... Just for being close to each other.�

Xellos sighed, far too tired to argue and lay down, assuming Zelgadis would deal with it. The swordsman was far too intuitive for his own good.

But instead Zelgadis looked at him worriedly. �It's only sleeping. It'll be fine.�

He felt his face heat up. �Alright,� he agreed weakly. He wasn�t sure he would be able to resist, but perhaps if he remembered the pain he had caused, he could remain firm.

Xellos lay back on the bed on the far side and watched as Zelgadis get ready for bed. Gourry reclined in the chair and blew out the candle lighting the room. �G'night, guys.�

Zelgadis rested beside him on the bed, turning to face him. ��Night, Gourry.�

Xellos flushed in the darkness, watching the chimera. �Good night, Gourry-san.�

He knew he would be unable to sleep, but he was relieved when Zelgadis seemed to fall asleep easily beside him, despite what he had done. Xellos watched him sleep, only able to fall asleep hours later.

-

TBC. Next time, lots of chibis! Please review. ^^
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