I Will Protect You (Intended for Decaria/PM)

[Decaria Leclair]

He held him tenderly in his arms, eyes down on the other's; and though he watched the other steadily, he did not realize that Aiji had shrunk to his own size again, and there were subtle changes to his face--the shape of his nose, his lips and eye color slowly bleeding back to brown. Decaria had brought his hand up to cup the other's face, caressing it slowly and comfortingly, before his eyes snapped coldly back to Leo's. A frown had came upon his lips as he pressed the back of Aiji's head into his chest, a scowl disfiguring his handsome face as he hissed, "Have you forgotten that I saved your life?" He held his position there, keeping still whilst he brushed his fingers through Aiji's hair, "If it wasn't for me, those Death Eaters would have found you both...If anything, you're more like them than anything." He frowned deeper, gesticulating for a moment before saying, "Intolerant, arrogant, and cruel." He leaned forward with a growl, "You have no idea what my family has suffered because of this war. And by family, I mean mine and Aiji's. My father was marked a traitor for being caught saving the lives of muggleborns, my mother is the one ordered to kill him." He let his final sentence ring out, before looking down into Aiji's eyes again.

His skin had grew paler as well, and his eyes were reshaping..."Stop saying you're sorry. It's not your fault." He kissed the top of his head, before looking both ways and saying in a low voice, "Follow me."

Quickly, they had risen to the upper floor and opened there room, in time to catch the last of Aiji's transformation. Decaria had followed Aiji to the window, not looking back at Leo at all. "Hey..You don't owe me anything alright?" He smiled at him. "You give to me as well. You give me the greatest gift in the world..." He leaned forward, his voice dropping a bit, "You gave me your forgiveness, and then you gave me your trust, your understanding, your kindness...and then you gave me love, and a heart to love you with."

He pressed his forehead to Aiji's with a smile, closing his eyes, as he whispered, "Don't be scared. We're so close, you know that? We're going to be alright...Romania won't seem that far. Then we'll all be together. Both of our families..."

He leaned downwards, pressing his lips to the other's, an arm sneaking around his waist and a hand behind his head. It was a soft kiss, a gentle one, until, it became feverent, because this was the last kiss they would share in a very long time--and more than anything, Decaria need Aiji.

[Aiji Carrington]

As Leo changed into a simple shirt, jacket, and jeans, he sneered. He knew those two were expression their love right now without even being there to see it. They would, wouldn't they, while he's not there to make them uncomfortable.

He sneered mostly because of what the Death Eater had said. That Leo himself was as bad as the rest of them. That wasn't true at all. Leo felt as if he had all the right in the world to hate Death Eaters for what they have done and what they are doing now. He had no family because of Death Eaters. None wizard nor muggle. He was alone.

"Dammit," he grumbled to himself. "I didn't intend to like him like I do. When he smiles at me, I feel a sense of hope. And when I was able to hold him and he held me, I didn't feel alone then.....Now, I just want him for myself." He groaned, fingers brushing back through his auburn hair.

Aiji let his eyes drift close as Decaria spoke, his heart fluttering happily. He felt as if such simple and trivial things meant so much to Decaria, then he was glad that he was able to give at least that to the man he loved.

His breath went still as Decaria's lips descended upon his own and his insides fluttered as if he had swallowed a jar of butterflies. Such gentle contact made his knees go weak and he clung to Decaria as that kiss grew in intensity and desperation. Involuntary tears dampened his lashes and streaked his hot cheeks.

"I missed you so much," he whispered suddenly. "I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to see you again. I was so scared, Decaria. I can't stand to think of a life without you." He clung tighter.

"Sorry to interrupt," Leo stated bluntly as he strode in, arms crossed. "But I think you should go and change, Aiji."

The little blond had jumped, startled by the Gryffindor male's sudden intrusion as he quickly wiped away his useless tears, blushing deeply. "Oh, yes, right! I-I'll be right back." He smiled up at Decaria before he hurried off to change his clothes.

Leo glared at the Death Eater as he took a seat and spoke in a low voice. "You can't blame me for not trusting...Death Eaters...Your kind have a terrible reputation. Don't ever lump me into your group. Ever. I don't trust you. I'll never trust you. Its the truth of the matter and I won't apologize for it. I've also come to really like Aiji. No matter how strong he attempts to be, he's still so very fragile like glass or china. I've never wanted to protect someone as much as I have when I met him."

He wasn't looking at Decaria now but down at his hands. It almost sounded like a confession. A confession or undercover boasting. "When I held him that night, I couldn't sleep. I just...watched him, this beautiful, fragile flower in my arms. He clung to me with such desperation that I honestly fell in love. I wanted to chase away his fears and sooth his troubles. I wanted touch that beautiful face and kiss those soft lips..."

He, then, looked up at Decaria. "And then there is you. My rival, and on team Death Eater, no less. I want him for myself, but you admittedly won't let him go. Its dangerous already, don't you think? Why are you endangering yourself and Aiji by being together at all? If you really want to ensure his safety, let him go. I appreciate your help thus far, but we muggle borns can take care of each other just fine. Aiji shouldn't be so deeply involved with what's going on..." He was serious, but he let his words die when he heard Aiji return to them. The blond seemed to be a bit hesitant as if expecting to walk in on a fight. He smiled in relief when he saw no one was dead.

"Thank you for the clothes, Decaria!" He smiled brightly as he hurried over to the male, tossing his arms around him to hold him tight. He felt as if he held on to Decaria as much as he could, then the man would never leave him and never get hurt. He would be fine as long as Aiji held him and kept him close.

"So, Romania, huh? What's in Romania?" Leo interrupted purposely.

[Decaria Leclair]

Of course...Leo, the idiot Gryffindor, had to interrupt. Decaria's blood began to boil, but he held himself back as he slowly let go of Aiji's waist, reaching up to caress the other's blushing face as he struggled to get up and wipe his tears before Leo could see them. Decaria watch him leave with a sweet smile on his face, before crossing his legs and putting his hands laced upon his knees. He looked like a smirking devil dressed in Dior and Gaultier. His smirk began to fade when they were alone, and Leo began to speak to him.

Decaria remained silent, as the other hardly paused in his monologue, but every moral fiber in his body was being broken. He could not believe the words he was hearing, and more than that, he wondered what Aiji wanted--if this hurt Aiji as much as it hurt him to hear. He held himself back for Aiji's sake. He knew the second he would retort, he'd reach for his wand and try to kill the man who tried to take his beloved angel away from him. Yet, the second that Aiji came back, Leo acted normal again--and Decaria was reeling with rage at the fact that, Leo didn't let Aiji see that side of him. Leo was a bastard and Aiji just didn't see it--

Decaria threw himself forward, despite the fact that Aiji clung to him so sweetly, he could not calm down when such accusations were thrust upon him. "My kind. My KIND?!" His face was overcome with rage as he hissed this, he wanted to scream--but then others would hear him. "I am not a Death Eater, I am not an elitist, I'm not a murderer, and I'm not just letting him go because you want me to. You have no idea what I went through just to have him. You have no idea what I'd do for him and only him." He gripped onto Aiji gently but firmly, unable again, to swallow the anger and his damaged pride. "You're just a spoiled rotten brat. You have no idea what it's like to sacrifice something because you have someone you want to save. I became a Death Eater for this reason and this reason only. His parents know of my decision. My parents know of my decision. They all agree that this was the best way to get someone on the inside--I am a tracker. All over Britain, the snatchers are capturing muggle borns, or killing them--but do you know what I do? Every single person who has been a wizard at Hogwarts--they know me by name and name alone, and the fact that, for three years I have loved Aiji and that he too, his a muggle born. They only know my name but they trust me because of my name, the reputation you slander. My home has turned into a place for refugees and I save peoples lives, yet you have the audacity to say that I'm endangering him. That I will get him killed, and insinuate that I'm a bother to you both?"

He gripped onto the raven haired beauty in his arms, finally letting his anger dissipate. His shoulders were shaking, and he was breathing deeply. "I use to be a horrible man. I use to pride myself on being bred pure, but god, you alone are the one separating people based on their blood. You think that you can take care of him better than I, because your parents are muggles? I say I can take better care of him than you, because if he ever loved another person I would let him love that man though it would break my heart to let him go and never touch him again. I would let him love and never try to tear them apart, but I'd kill myself the second I had a chance to. I am more of a man than you for this reason, stop trying to take away the person I love. You're bitter, you're angry and you're stupidly arrogant. You think that if you force yourself on him, he'll love you more than me? Think of that, really think of that logic you're using, look me in the eyes and tell me you deserve him more than I."

[Aiji Carrington]

Aiji was taken by surprise by the other's sudden rage, looking up to try and catch his gaze but only realizing those fierce hazel eyes were directed to Leo. These words were directed to Leo with such ferocity that Aiji was clinging to the man desperately, afraid of what he may do at such a high level of stress. He would have asked what it was that Leo said to make Decaria so angry, but he could tell by the content of the other's words.

Leo stood there, straight faced, less than amused. He was, admittedly, surprised by what he heard in regards to Decaria's role in this whole war. He had believed the male was just as cruel and vicious a murder as the rest of them, that none of them could be trusted, those Death Eaters. It was hard to believe such a man would be saving the very ones he was sent out to destroy. It was almost too glamorous to believe.

However, he could not refute one thing, and that was the love that guy had for the Hufflepuff male in his arms. He could tell, by the look in those eyes, that Decaria would do anything for Aiji, which would include letting him go.

Aiji, himself, was surprised by these words and was shaking his head, tears in his eyes. He would never want to be with anyone but Decaria. Ever! And Decaria should never perish! The very though pained him so much for it has been his biggest fear during this whole time of war! Everyday he worried and to hear that Decaria would take his own life was heart breaking!

He reached around to take Decaria's hands, bringing them from around his waist to be held between them, fingers intertwined and pressed to his heart. He opened his mouth to speak, but Leo was faster.

"So, if Aiji were to fall in love with me, you would just allow him to go off with some other man...? The love of your life...? I don't know about you, Leclair, but I fight for the ones I love. Even though he insists on being with you, I would try my best to win his heart and show him just how much I truly do love him. I just wouldn't let him go."

"Leo!" Aiji, shocked, whirled around to stare at the male with wide eyes. He could hardly find words for what he just said, other than, "No!"

Green eyes turned to Aiji, softened and both apologetic and adoring. "I can't help the way my heart feels. I really do love you, Aiji." One corner of his lips twitched upward. "I didn't say anything before, but I've taken a liking to you for a while now. Its just...that guy has always been there, standing in my way. The moment I saw you on your own and in danger and he wasn't there, I realized that was my place. I'm the one to save you..."

Aiji's brows contorted as he listened to Leo's words with a light shake of his head. "Leo, please just...stop..." He could hardly take this. He didn't want this at all. He'd rather Leo hate him, because it is easier to accept rather than the fact that Leo loves him and aggressively so! He doesn't want to break another person's heart, but he also wants to make it clear that...no matter what Leo does or says, Aiji simply can't give his heart to him, because Decaria has it.

"You just don't understand, Aiji," Leo continued. "You're almost guaranteed pain with this guy, even if he loves you to death. He's the enemy, no matter how much good he tries to do." His eyes turned to Decaria, hardened glass emerald once again. "If he's found out by his peers, he would be killed and so would you, Aiji. The life led by danger nearly always ends short and painfully. I, on the other hand," he looked back at the Hufflepuff, "do not come with small print and added baggage. You deserve better."

"Just stop!" Aiji shrieked. "Please! I can't love anyone else, Leo! Don't you understand? Please, understand! Please! I'm sorry, but...I love him so much..." Tears were falling in abundance down the slope of his cheeks from his watery brown eyes. "I could never love anyone else."

"You can't or you won't?"

[Decaria Leclair]

His eyes had fallen down to Aiji's when he felt his hands removed from the male's waist. Instead, with the gentlest motion, Aiji slowly grabbed his hands, and their fingers intertwined. Decaria blinked softly, all of his anger having faded because of this, and he reached down, wrapping his arms still around the other to keep him still in his chest. Decaria was afraid that if Aiji left his arms, Leo would snatch him into his own. He no longer felt anger, but instead, distress over the fact that Leo's words had caused him to say something that could cause his beloved so much pain. Aiji was shrieking and he was crying as he begged the male to stop trying to force Decaria to let him go. These were the tears Decaria hated--tears that fell out of fear and anguish. The expression on Aiji's face was agonizing, and tore Decaria apart.

Before the male could respond to Leo's question, Decaria placed a kiss very gently to Aiji's tear stained cheek, and squeezed his hands as tightly as he could without hurting Aiji, and spoke for him.

"He can't and he won't."

He picked up his head slowly, his eyes glaring, though his voice was very gentle now. "I don't think you love him either." He stood a little straighter, keeping his arm around Aiji and holding onto him protectively. "You're in love with the idea of being in love with someone you believe needs you. Stop fooling yourself." He placed his hand over Aiji's breast, right where his heart beat in his chest. He looked down at Aiji as he did this, holding Aiji's hand as he did so, and keeping both of their hands there. "You say that he was on his own. But I was there. He's never been alone, and in that moment that you grabbed him--even if you hadn't--I was about to stun the man who tried to kill him. Look at this." He motioned to Aiji's tears silently, "...The fact that you willingly caused this...shows that you can't love him, that you don't, at all."

He looked at Leo again, glaring Hazel eyes gazing in a dead pan stare. They were cold and yet they were a blaze with green and copper fire. "These are not tears of happiness, of love and adoration. These are tears of desperate sorrow, pleading you to let him love who he wants to love and not to hurt him anymore--because that is what you're doing." His eyes were stern, never waving, "You don't understand. To Aiji, pain is something terrible, something he never wants to make anyone feel, but you're forcing him to say what he means, and forcing him to reject you. What's more important to you? His heart or his friendship? Clearly, it is the former."

"You act as if the war will never end. You say that he will always be in danger with me...and you want him to run away with you. You say my good deeds don't matter, but they do." He held his breath for a moment, pressing his face against the other's cheek for a moment, nuzzling him quietly before he stood up again, gazing at him as he said, "...If there's one thing I've realized, from Aiji, no gift ever means nothing. No act of kindness goes unnoticed. This war is wrong. Blood status...means nothing, and as Voldermort goes on his way for absolute power, that is wrong too. Power is nothing without love." He smiled at Aiji a little, "I'm not just doing nothing. What I do helps the Order do what they need to--and when the time comes, the lives I saved will help defeat the darkness. Evil will never live long...Aiji is never alone, because I am always there, figuratively in his heart, and making sure he is safe until we can go home again." He smiled, holding onto Aiji's hand.

"I'm no longer a curse breaker. I'll retire and we'll both start our own shop. We'll get married...have kids...in a world where evil is vanquished."

He took a step back, bringing Aiji with him as he turned the other around so that he could bury his face in his chest. He wanted to old the other, to comfort him. "I suppose I am a liar. I could never give this up, so I understand you a bit. I want to continue to lie and say that I'd do anything for him to love the person he loves, even if it isn't me, but I can't. I can't live without Aiji...which is why We're going to Romania...I'll set all of those who the snatchers have caught free, and I'll fake my death, so Aiji and I can be together with our family." He looked up, still keeping a possessive arm around him, "This is no longer Aiji Carrington, but Aiji Carrington-Leclair. Please, stop hurting him, in fact, you've done enough. You can leave, he doesn't need you anymore."

[Aiji Carrington]

He could hardly believe Leo's persistence, and it only upset him more that the male refused to give up. He couldn't take all of this tension and he didn't want to come to dislike Leo because of it! Aiji simply wanted him to let it go. He was so upset that he could hardly speak, and thus when Decaria began to speak, he didn't complain for Decaria's words were true. He can't and he won't.

Leo was surprised by the calm nature of the other's voice now, but he was still angered by his words. How dare he try and justify Leo's love for Aiji?! How dare he when he had no idea how he had gotten to this point! He had this one sided love for the Hufflepuff for over a year now, always watching from afar but not ever able to get close enough. He knew of the Hufflepuff before hand, but there was always Decaria there by his side. When the Slytherin finally graduated, Aiji was then on his own at the school and anyone had the opportunity to steal him away. But...regrettably, Leo dragged his feet and simply watched as the Hufflepuff turned people down and went on with life.

Many different emotions shifted through his eyes as he stood there, Decaria's words coming at him. Watching as Aiji looked up at that man with so much love in his watery brown eyes that Leo couldn't stand it! Why couldn't that be him? Why couldn't he hold Aiji and have the male's heart? Why, even after having saved his life and kept him save did Aiji not finally feel what he feels?

Well...that was because Aiji truly loves Decaria with his whole being. Just as Decaria was admitting that he could never let Aiji go, Aiji himself couldn't do the same. Even the first time they fell out was proof of that. Truly, if it were to happen again, Aiji knew he would just die because Decaria simply is his heart, and without his heart he can not live! So hearing Decaria's words made him smile, holding on to him as he imagined these wonderful gifts Decaria promised him: a shop they would share, a home, children...a name. Aiji Carrington-Leclair.

"Decaria..." his voice was weak from the tears, tears he could not stop. "Decaria, I love you so much..." Raising on the tips of his toes, he sobbed softly, pressing his lips to the other's. The ring on his finger glinted in the light as he cupped the other's face. He felt horrible that he didn't know how to fully express to Decaria just how much he loved him, but he hoped and hoped so much that Decaria knew it somehow, some way.

Leo shook his head, his lips pressed into a tight line. "My only regret...is not having made a move when I had the chance...You're wrong, Leclair. I love Aiji...You're just lucky that he's devoted, or else I would have stolen him right out of your arms..." He frowned, gazing at Aiji a moment, who shook his head, silently telling the male to let it go.

Please, Leo.

"Whatever..." sore words in which were followed by his departure. He couldn't be here right now. Not when his heart was ripped out and trampled on so brutally.

[Decaria Leclair]

He was filled relief when his eyes turned downwards to stare into those beautiful amber eyes and felt the other's lips upon his own in an instant. His heart was beating painfully before that, and he was not sure if what he said was what Aiji wanted to say, or what he thought. He hoped Aiji understood, that his angel still loved him despite what he did, and the mistakes he's committed. Aiji was the one who accepted him for who he was with all the mistakes he's made, the one who fell in love with him, showing him that he actually mattered. He was never insulted, or degraded by Aiji, like his family would often do to him. The other was never afraid of him, and in times when he was alone, Aiji held him and made all of that fear and anger disappear. He was the only one who ever broke his hard, uncrackable shield, and stepped into his heart the very second he met him.

Decaria kissed him very softly in return, smiling, a simple, gentle peck. Aiji's soft, pink lips were tempting in the extreme, and the older male could hardly think of letting him go. He ignored Leo, instead, his mind going elsewhere as the angered Gryffindor left. The door slammed shut and the two of them were left alone, staring into each other's eyes. Decaria laughed a little bit, pulling Aiji to sit back down on the couch with him, placing a hand on his thigh and rubbing it a bit comfortingly as he looked from the hands that held each other to the other's eyes again.

"...Aiji." He whispered very softly, squeezing his hand. "...Please don't leave me. I don't know what I'd do...I love you so much. So, irrefutably much." Decaria smiled again, moving a bit, before he leaned in and pressed his lips to Aiji's again.