Zelgadis sat upon a low branch of the oak tree, doing his shift of watch for the night. Xellos was supposed to watch after him. The handsome sword-mage killed the yawn that had been rising his throat and waited.

Xellos appeared quite suddenly and smiled his usual smile. "Hello my friend." He greeted.

Zel frowned slightly at the mazoku's usual light tone, for he is not naive enough to be tricked by the surface demeanor. Anyhow, he gracefully jumps off of the branch. "About time you came." He makes to go back to the camp area.           

"I didn't have to come but since it suits me anyway, I'll stay here a while." He sat on the branch, still smiling as always.

It's your shift. Zel rolled his eyes inwardly. He scrubbed lightly at his drooping eyes, and let out a small yawn. He is ready to curl up by the fire any time and go to sleep. Just as a reminder to the untrustworthy Mazoku, he sent a glance to Xellos. "You better keep good watch, Xellos."

"I always do." He grinned, one eye open slightly.

Zel sees the dark purple of Xellos's eyes, and a small shiver runs down his spine. The sight of the mostly-closed gaze always unnerved him. Hiding his uneasiness, he shrugged. "All right. See you in the morning."

Xellos closed his eyes again and waved. "Sleep well my friend... I'll watch over you."

Zel walked closer to the clearing where other members of the party were asleep. As was his custom, he took seat a small distance away, by the shadow of the bush, his back against the trunk of a tree. Sleep comes quickly to him, and he lays in peace. Xellos sat in the tree, drinking tea, and watching the shaman from a distance.... knowing that nothing and no one was going to bother the group. In his sleep, Zel mumbled something and shifted slightly. His lips remained a little parted as his head rolled laxly to one side, a nice curve of his neckline revealed from beneath the fine wire of bluish-silver hair. Xellos was watching al right... watching Zelgadis. Once he had finished his tea he vanished from the branch and appeared at the sleeper's side.

Oblivious of mazoku's presence by him, Zel remained asleep. His lean chest rose and fell smoothly in light breathing. Xellos smiled, resting one gloved hand on Zel's hair, letting it collect in his fingers.

The soft contact upon his head snaps Zel out of his sleep. He acts by fighter's instinct, his right hand springing to his side for his sword. Just as he is about to draw the blade, he realizes that it was just Xellos caressing his hair. "What are you doing?" He demanded sleepily.

"Just wanted to come check on you." He smiled, curling some bluish strands of hair between his fingers.

Zel drew his head away from mazoku's touch, sulking for having been awakened. His eyes are still clouded with whatever dream he had, rimming with natural moistness from sleep. "Leave me alone. I need this sleep..."

"I see..." Xellos produced a cup of tea. "Drink this and you will sleep as needed."

"This is caffeine." Zel glared lightly at the dark-haired mage, refusing to take the drink. His sleepiness was wearing out, and he fell into a bad mood. Great... now, I can't sleep. What the hell, just take the drink and shoo him away. He snatched the cup out of Xellos's hand and drank the bitter-tasting tea with one gulp.

"It's not caffeine my friend..." and quickly Zel found out how right he was.... as he nearly keeled over from sleep setting in.

Zel dropped the empty cup and sagged against the tree. His thoughts were dimming quickly, but he understood well enough that Xellos had drugged him. "Damn..." He muttered with bitterness before falling into forced sleep.

When he woke up he was still clothed at least... and laying on something soft, a bed made of down.... and felt better then he ever had before.

After a moment of relief that no harm had been imposed yet, Zel sat up and quickly looked around. He found Xellos seated at the nearby chair, and glared murderously, demanding what was going on. "You better have a good reason, Xellos..." He noticed that his sword was not with him, and bit his lips.

Xellos smiled. "Isn't the reason of being able to get what you always wished for good enough?"

Disturbed by some hint lying beneath Xellos's tone, Zel made to get out of the bed, only to be mildly kept down by the Mazoku. He hardened his glare. "I don't know what the hell you are talking about. Whatever you want, I won't give you. Leave me be."

"You said you wanted to be human again... I might be able to help you get your wish...." Xellos smiled, standing up from the chair.

Zel's widened his eyes at the mention of being human about. Skeptically, he studied the mazoku's expression for signs of treachery. "How?"

Xellos moved over to the bed. "First though.... I need something..."

Zel instinctively backed away slightly, his back pressing against the backboard. What is this bad feeling...? "...What is it that you want?"

Xellos sat down next to him and grabbed gently for Zel's wrist. "You...."

Zel jumped visibly at the hold on his wrist. He stared at Xellos, shocked by the proposal. "W-Wait, you can't mean..."

"But of course I do...." Xellos moved closer to him.

Comely face stricken, Zel pressed his back hard against the backboard, shrinking away. He edges sideways now, making to get out of the bed, away from the Mazoku. Just as he is about to scramble off of the mattress, the thought of reverting to human crosses his mind, hindering him. Nervously, he looked at Xellos.

Xellos put his other arm out in a way that kept Zelgadis from moving to either side as he smiled at him. "I don't understand why you'd want to be human again considering you are more perfect now."

"You call this perfect? Feel it!" Pushing back the nervous fear, Zel grabbed Xellos's right hand and pressed the palm to his cheek, over the skin like concrete. He is embittered.

Xellos smiled still. "Yes.... soft flesh only gets you hurt.... your hard flesh of the golem makes you practically indestructible."

"It may be advantageous, but do you think I want to live looking like this?" Zel demanded with thick bitterness. "You have no idea how I long to revert..." With a flare of frustration, he let to of Xellos's hand and turned his face away.

"What's wrong with how you look? I see nothing wrong with it." Xellos's glove just vanished as his hand stroked along Zel's stony cheek.

Zel shivered at the feel of cool palm, skin to skin. "You are a Mazoku. You don't know how it feels for me to walk among people, feeling their look of disgust and curiosity."

Xellos chuckled. "No because in this form they often just think I am one of them... but I do not care what they think."

"...I do!" Zel exclaimed, tears rimming his eyes now from rising emotions. "No one treats me as a person by the first look... it is only after they've seen what I can do that they value me. What am I? Just some creature to be used for fighting?"

"Perhaps..." Xellos moved his hand to cup under Zel's chin, "But is that how you see yourself?"

"...No." A drop overspills from his eye, sliding down his stony cheek. "I have feelings. I... I'm human."

"Then why does it mater what your outside looks like?" Xellos wiped the tear away.

"It matters to other people! Sometimes, /I/ start to doubt myself, if I am what I think I am. No one reassures me that I am of flesh and blood. They don't care..." Zel let out a small sob. He hates himself for showing weakness to a Mazoku, but gentle touch of Xellos's hand on his face weakens him. He gives in, and cries softly. "I'm sick and tired of being alone. I don't want to be an outcast..."

"How are you an outcast to Lina? Or Gourry? Or especially Amelia? After all... she does care a lot about you... heard her say she loves you..."

"...They'll probably like me better when I'm human..." Wrapping himself away in self-loathing, Zel refused to hear reasoning.

Xellos chuckled and sat in Zel’s lap all of a sudden. "Ah, but what makes you human?"

Zel blinked at the abrupt question. "...I was human. I'm just like anyone else, inside..." He whispered defensively.

"Then you are human." Xellos smiled.

Zel fell silent. He feels better by Xellos's words, and is surprised with himself as well as the other mage. I can't believe a Mazoku just comforted me/ "...Thanks." He allowed in a small voice.

Xellos kissed Zel's cheek. "None needed... was just stating what should have been obvious..."

Zel felt a short peck on his cheek, then a moment later, realizes that he had been kissed. He blushed slightly, abashed, and demanded timidly to hide the flush. "...Wait, why did you propose the bargain?"

"Because you said you still wanted to be.... human... on the outside... as strange as that is to me."

Zel lowered his gaze to his lap where Xellos sat. "...It may just be the matter of appearance, but I do want to be human. Nothing could be better..." He nervously licked his lips and faced the dark-haired Mazoku. "If... if I give you myself... you will help me change back?"

"Yes. I already agreed to it... have your body changed back to the appearance it once was." Xellos smiled cheerfully.

Zel clenched his fists to suppress the shivering. "...I take the bargain... Do what you will. And keep your end of the promise."

"Of course I will..." Xellos's clothing shifted off... as if it had never been on in the first place as he leaned in to kiss Zel, this time on the mouth.

Zel closed his eyes tight shut, turning as red as he can be from the glimpse he stole of Xellos's bareness. He lets himself be kissed, and an unconscious whimper slips out. He had been with women on few occasions, but he had never been with a man, or a Mazoku. He is rigid, and definitely afraid. Xellos started to work off the shaman's clothing, kissing him still. Zel shivered as his collarbone is bared, then his chest. He trembled but kept still, trying to be true to his end of the bargain. He swallows back tears and shaky breaths, and endures the process of being undressed. Xellos's kisses seemed shockingly gentle, and soon the tenderness continued with hands traveling his stony body.

Zel whimpered through tightly closed lips as a hand traced over his body. I can bear this... I'm not afraid, I'm not... He told himself over and over. He is not disgusted by a man's touch, as he had anticipated, but fear of unknown is there.

Xellos soon moved him so he was lying on the comfy bed. Zel was naked by this time and could feel the Mazoku over him. Zel sank against the springs, and slitted his eyes open to look up at Xellos. He almost breaks down into tears, seeing that both of them are naked now and there was no turning back. He stays put, however, with will power and clutched at the sheets to divert his thoughts.

The bed was so comfy and Xellos kept stroking down his sides with gentle touching. "You don't have to be worried my friend..." The Mazoku told him.

Zel looked at Xellos with uncertainty, but nodded small and tried to relax. He managed to peel his hands off of sheets and lay them spread on the mattress. "...Be gentle..." He pleaded barely audibly, and sniffled.

"I am going to be..." Xellos kissed him softly, his body moving all over the part golem's.

Zel fluttered his eyes closed and just felt the kiss. Xellos's body is surprisingly warm and solid against his, and he timidly wrapped his shaky arms around the mazoku’s back. Xellos's body was warm and soft, and he could feel ever part that was touching.... The Mazoku was just, pleasing to feel... which was odd in a way. Zel waited for Xellos to make some move, anticipation making him queasy. Xellos moved his body into position, gently probing into Zel's. Zel felt Xellos all over him, skin to skin. His shivering ceases slowly as he relaxes from the warmth. He tightens his arms around the mazoku's back. Xellos pushed Zel's legs apart and up some, to angle himself against and somewhat into him.

Zel trembles as he realizes what is to come. He stole a glance down at Xellos's member, and froze. This is impossible! That will not fit... Color drained from his face and he began to plead. "W-Wait..."

Xellos kissed him, still probing him out. Zel squirmed beneath Xellos, afraid yet, strangely, he does not put up resistance from fear. He lets out a shaky breath between laxly parted lips as mazoku's mouth left his.

"Roll over a minute..." Xellos told him.

"...All right..." Unsurely, Zel turned over to his belly and buried his cheek against the pillow. He twists his face so he can see Xellos.

Xellos scooted back and licked his tongue over the stone ass, purring somewhat.

"Wa...!?" Zel let out a surprised outcry as wet, warm sensation slid over the curve of his buttocks. He recognized the feel of the tongue, and pressed his face hard against the bed. He couldn't bear to see, out of embarrassment.

Xellos's tongue probed into Zel's tight hole. Zel shuddered at the alien feeling. He turns rigid, his body resisting the invasion as an automatic reaction. Xellos kept probing with his tongue, wanting to make him wet and easy to push into. Feeling the slithering flesh within him, Zel let out low whimpers. Tears spilled out, not from fear or pain, but the helplessness he felt before this unknown. Sound of saliva spreading against the inner lining fills his ears, and he let out a moan. Xellos's hands were stroking Zel's side as he continued to wet him up.

Small moans muffled in Zel's throat endlessly, the sensation of being probed changing from alien to pleasurable. His body feels hot, fevered. Xellos moved up and put his hardness at the wet entrance. Feeling the hard flesh press against him, Zel clutched at the sheets. There was strange anticipation within him. He wanted to feel Xellos within. Xellos was soon burying himself inside, as there was enough slickness to get him in. Zel let out a slow breath. The pain was mild, compared to what he had foreseen. There was no ripping sensation, just discomfort of being stretched to maximum. He bit back on a whimper, and just kept his body from turning rigid.

Xellos started to thrust in and out at and easy pace, kissing his ear every now and again. Zel arched back as the hot flesh ravaged him with strange gentleness. When Xellos glazed against a deep spot within, he let out a suppressed scream, assaulted by drastically strong bliss. Xellos smiled, quickly finding the spot again and striking it over and over as his hands went back to their roaming of Zel's body.

"Ah! Ah...! X-Xellos...!" Zel gave off high-pitched moans as the mazoku's sex pushed against the bundle of nerves. He feels himself swell at the crotch, and is shocked. He hasn't been touched there yet, but he is standing hard.

Xellos's hands moved there next though as he continued to thrust against the same spot over and over. His hands worked over the hardened cock, stroking it gently. Zel couldn't bear against the flooding pleasure, and began to mewl. His thoughts were pushed away and replaced by pursuit of further bliss. As Xellos's hands stroked his member, he began to spill early dew. The Mazoku smiled, continuing to make Zel filled with unbearable bliss with stroking and thrusting.

Crying out, Zel shook his head against the approaching climax. The wave was pushing hard against his control. Without realizing, his hips pumped up against Xellos's rocking motion, muscles within him contracting slightly to engulf the mage's sex. Xellos smiled at the actions, making the pleasure just that much more intense.

"Ahhh!" With a shrill moan, Zel broke into small spasms. A deep thrust forced him to give in, and he let go of himself. Carnal sound dragged from his throat as he came in Xellos's hand, fast and hard. Gasping shallowly, he sagged down to the sheets, Xellos still deep within him. His muscles continued to contract from the aftermath of climax.

This caused Xellos to expel into him with a pleased sound and one last pull on Zel's now limp cock. Zel shivered as fluid was released within. He felt it spread inside him and trickle out little by little. Exhausted, he lay on his stomach, face turned to side so he could glance up at Xellos.

Xellos took himself out and continued to smile his smile. "There now, feel good?"

Zel nodded laxly, too spent to speak. He felt drowsy. After Xellos withdrew, white liquid overflowed from his orifice and trailed along his thigh. He gave out a sigh. Xellos lay on the bed with him, his usual expression still on his face. Gradually, Zel's catty eyes drooped closed, and he slipped into a drowsy state of contentment. Xellos put an arm around him, holding him. It didn't take Zel to fall completely asleep. He didn't resist Xellos's hold, but snuggled closer to the mazoku's chest. Xellos stroked his back lightly, letting him get comfy.

 

Zel shifted in his sleep, stirred by natural awakening. He noticed a set of arms around him, and slitted his eyes to find Xellos next to him, holding him close.

Xellos woke up, or seemed to, as well. "Morning my friend."

Zel mumbled incomprehensible response, and turned over on his back, pushing away his wiry bangs which stuck to his forehead from dried sweat. His body is numb but it is a refreshing sensation. "...I kept my end of promise. I expect your part." He whispered, not at all aggressively or demandingly.

"Alright. So you still wish your body to become soft again, eh?"

Zel nodded. "Yes..."

"Alright... but you will never feel anything like you did last night quiet as good... just to warn you."

Zel blinked, and looked at Xellos. "Why?"

"Because a soft human body would never stand up to such feelings... it would turn into pain and rip apart your insides..."

...Why do I hesitate? Sex is nothing. All I want is to be of flesh and blood, right? Zel asked himself, delaying the decision. He had enjoyed being in arms of the dark-haired Mazoku. He wasn't sure now if he could give up such bliss.

Xellos sat their quietly smiling at Zel, letting him make his own choice.

“...” Zel bit his lower lip. He realized that he had been seeking such intimate contact; he had thought that being human again would grant him that wish, but saw that he had gotten it nevertheless. He flickered his gaze back to Xellos, at the patient smile, and sighed. "...I'll put off on becoming human..."

"Oh?" Xellos smiled still.

Zel turned red, and looked down. "...Last night, it was pretty wonderful... I don't want to give that up. If... if it's not a bother, could you... do it again sometime?" His voice turned smaller and smaller toward the end of the sentence.

"Of course! I did enjoy it myself."

Embarrassed with himself, Zel kept quiet. He continued to blush. Xellos leaned forward and kissed Zelgadis. Zel fluttered his eyes closed and welcomed the kiss. He cannot believe himself, but he does enjoy being touched ad cuddled as thus. Unsurely, he held on to Xellos during the lip lock. Xellos didn't seemed to even want to let go as he brought his hands up to either side of Zel's face. Deep flush coloring his handsome countenance, Zel let the Mazoku kiss him. He relished at the hands cupping his face.

"You don't want to give this up?" Xellos whispered, pulling himself against Zel’s hard body.

Zel shook his head small. "No..."

"Good..." Xellos stroked a hand down Zel's thigh.

Zel shivered from the touch, and melted into whatever was to come. He had found the comfort he needed. It didn't matter if Xellos was a Mazoku or untrustworthy, not at this moment. He drew his arms around the mage's shoulders and urged for another bout of sheer hot comfort.