This fic is based upon the poem, “Prayer to the Heavens” by my sister. It has been modified with her permission. She also helped me with this fic—saved me, I should say. Without her, these boys would be lying in bed, twiddling their thumbs and making pleasant conversation. Thanks also go out to Lilias, the best proof-reader a fic-writer could ask for!

This is a Christmas present for my first GWML wifey. Joriel-chan. Merry Christmas, sweetie!!

Warnings: Yaoi. 2x1.

Disclaimer: Duo and Heero belong to the producers, etc. at Sunrise and the Sotsu Agency. The poem belongs to the Space Pirate Ryoko.

//denotes poetry// The poem is best read as an extension of Duo’s thoughts—not elaborating on the action, but part of his psyche.

Prayer to the Heavens

//Heavenly Father forgive me

For I don't believe I have sinned.

Confines of the Ten Commandments broken

Pierced through and shattered

With sin and temptation//

Duo woke up with a start, his breath shallow and ragged as images of his dream faded. He glanced at the clock; it was only two-thirty. Yet he felt like he had slept all night. The room was unfamiliar when seen through the haze of half-sleep—it was rare for him stay so long. He turned over, studying the beautiful boy sleeping next to him.

The hard lines of Heero’s face—usually distant and cold—had been replaced by a peaceful, serene expression, completed with a tiny smile. He was almost angelic in the dim light of the bedroom.

Duo felt compelled to reach out and caress Heero's smooth cheek. He rarely got to see him like this. Even during their lovemaking, Heero looked fierce and intense. And afterward, his eyes burned with possessiveness rather than gentleness. Seeing this side of him—the soft, unguarded innocence—made Duo feel fundamentally protective.

Even after several months, it surprised Duo that he had somehow won a place in the soldier's heart. He never thought Heero would actually care—actually love him.

//All my fault, all my fault//

He sighed, sliding closer to his lover. It always felt satisfying to be so near him, to feel his breath against his hair. He loved the feeling of Heero's solid body on his, his lips against hot flesh. Duo pressed his palm into Heero's hand and laced their fingers together.

He brushed his mouth faintly against Heero's, remembering the first time they'd kissed. In spite of everything that had occurred between them since then, something innocent remained in Heero's kisses. Even after all the sex, all the times their bodies had tangled together, his eyes always seemed to suggest a first-time wonder that made Duo insatiable.

//Weak willed and shallow

Sins of the flesh

Fornication, deceit, neglecting my soul

And yet I cannot repent//

Heero's eyes fluttered open, meeting Duo's intense gaze.

"Duo?" he asked sleepily, a new smile creeping over his face. "You’re still here. Good."

Duo smiled, finding Heero's droopy eyes absolutely irresistible. "It's after two. You should go back to sleep," he whispered, gently stroking Heero's soft hair. If he didn’t close those eyes soon, neither of them would get much more rest.

Instead of obeying, Heero pulled Duo closer to him, holding him tightly in his arms. For a long while, neither spoke, simply enjoying the warmth of each other’s bodies. There were far too few times when they were able to slow down and hold each other. Duo closed his eyes, trying not to breathe his lover’s scent for fear of corrupting the quiet moment with passion.

//One lash or forty

Our Father, Hail Mary

A punishment to linger in the beauty of the light?

Rainbow sunbeams around me as I kneel on soft red carpet?

Repenting—counting beads

Whispering prayers until I cannot feel the words.//

Duo kissed Heero slowly, deeply. He savored the feeling of Heero's soft lips pliant beneath his, allowing his tongue to slide into his mouth. They paused to look into each other's eyes momentarily—Duo’s heart pounded at the flicker of mischief he read in his lover’s—before returning to their seduction.

Gradually Duo drew back, ignoring Heero’s demanding eyes only to trail his lips over the boy’s neck. He nibbled gently, feeling Heero's pulse throb against his lips. The Japanese boy's blood was pounding. Duo allowed himself a gratified smile before letting his lips slip over the smooth skin. He nipped at his lover's collarbone, then his chest, doing his best to keep this slow, to restrain the frenzied need to bury himself inside him.

//And I love you, my Father.

Forgive me, my Mother.

Forgive me that I can't be sorry.

I love him.

Can it be wrong?

Can it be evil?

Can it be a sin if it feels so right?//

Heero moaned, pressing his body against Duo's. "Just take me," he insisted, throwing his head back against the pillows. His back arched as he groaned, his eyes fluttering shut as hot skin brushed against hot skin.

Determined to wait, Duo looked up to see his lover's face. Heero’s sultry, dark blue gaze was partially masked by his thick, lowered lashes. His parted lips were dry from the air rushing over them with each gasp; his deep brown hair fell back from his forehead, exposing a tiny scar Duo had never noticed. Never had a creature looked so beautiful in Duo’s eyes.

The Japanese boy smiled slightly, showing his tiny, perfect teeth in the dim light. His face, though flushed with lust, looked innocent. Childlike. Duo’s chest tightened and his stomach flopped with resurgent affection. He was amazing, this paradox of purity and seduction. Duo dropped kisses in his lover’s jaw, tracing a pattern toward his ear.

//No! I was taught from childhood!//

Duo’s tongue gently lapped at the sensitive skin directly beneath Heero’s earlobe, finding the feeling of his lover’s fingernails clawing at his shoulders to be irresistible.

//Yes! They said follow your heart!//

“Love you,” Heero murmured tenderly, running his hands over Duo’s back.

//Bible stories, fairy tales,

Miracles, magic, true love

Can’t stop once you’ve started.

Can’t say no—don’t want to.//

Their lips met again in another heated kiss, and Duo felt dizzy with lust. It was beyond restraint now—he wanted Heero badly. He needed him.

Heero broke the kiss, bringing his hands up to Duo’s face. He ran his fingers lightly over his eyelids, cheeks, and lips, whispering affectionate words in his native language. Duo listened carefully, understanding only a fraction of the words, but knowing every nuance in Heero’s tone.

“Now,” Heero whispered in English. “Please, Duo. Now.”

Pulling away slightly, Duo spat in his hand, glancing up to see the anticipation in his lover’s dark eyes. He rubbed his fingers together, letting the slick wetness drip over his knuckles. “I need you, Heero,” he said, his voice low and shaking.

Heero only nodded, his forehead beading with sweat.

Shifting only slightly, Duo slid his damp finger into his lover. He felt the muscles contract, startled by his penetration. Stilling his hand, he waited until Heero relaxed, then began to move inside of him, smiling slightly at the tiny, involuntary sounds he made—grunts that quickly became moans.

//Let him hold me in the night as I say my prayers to you.

Let me touch him

Closer, closer, closer to you.

Will I come out of ecstasy to face the flames of hell?

Save me if I will not save myself.//

He entered him slowly—almost too slowly—and reached out to stroke Heero’s soft hair. His lover gasped at the intrusion—Duo loved the little noises he made when they fucked. He paused for a moment, letting Heero adjust, then he began rocking slowly against him. Duo was captivated by every movement of the boy beneath him—every spasm and tremor that rushed from one body to the other.

Sliding his hands over the rough skin of Heero’s thighs, Duo reached for his lover, anxious to share the sensations. At the touch of his hands, Heero jerked violently, inadvertently pulling Duo more deeply into himself. Duo groaned, grinding his pelvis closer. He was close to the edge, but he was determined to bring Heero with him. He trailed his fingers over the other boy’s erection, closing his hand around him slowly.

“Duo!” Heero’s voice was urgent and ragged. He gripped the sheet beneath him with both hands, his eyes squeezed shut. Understanding his lover’s unspoken demand, Duo moved more roughly against him, his hand working quickly and forcefully to achieve Heero’s climax. Too soon, the room seemed to fade around Duo, leaving him alone with the building sensations. He bit his lip, concentrating on the work of his hands, the sweat that ran down his chest, the familiar scent of his lover’s arousal—anything to distract him from the coming wave of pleasure. Anything to make it last a moment longer.

Heero stiffened beneath him, holding his breath for a long instant before letting it go in a rush. Duo felt the hot evidence of Heero’s climax on his hand a moment before losing it himself. He cried out, thrusting himself deeply into the other boy one last time before collapsing on him, breathless.

Heero’s sweat-drenched skin was cool and soothing against the fever of Duo’s own. He reached out blindly, finding his face and smoothing the long hair away to study his lover’s eyes. Beautiful. Heavy-lidded and satisfied, Heero was still absolutely beautiful.

//I believed I knew what was right

But how can I say that everyone else is wrong?

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you.

Were you sinless? Were you pure?

Let me be chosen

Bless me, bless him

Tell me I am not wrong

Love cannot be a sin.//

“I love you, you know,” he whispered hoarsely into the silence of the room. His confession was answered with a murmur of incoherent, sleepy words. He glanced up at Heero’s peaceful face. “Yeah, I know I don’t say it enough—but you mean everything to me, Heero.”

//How can you promise damnation

When I’ve touched the hands of Christ?

In the name of the Father,

And of the Son and the Holy Spirit

See the purity of my soul

And do not punish me for not repenting

Understand and bless us both:

Love is not a sin.//

Duo gathered the sleeping boy against his body, curling around him as his pulse gradually decelerated to its normal rate. He glanced at the clock—he should really go back to his own room. Heero murmured something in his sleep, something about love. Duo decided to stay. He kissed Heero’s forehead, closing his eyes.

//As I love you, promise me

Love is not a sin.//