Shades of Grey by Laekin and bonnejeanne

Part One

Quatre tucked his hands into his pockets, fingering the letter in the right one. He and Duo knew nothing of the details of the mission. They had each been given snippets from their respective lovers before the three other boys had headed out and had sat down in the wee hours of a sleepless night to put together what little they knew. Wufei was to assume the identity of a recruit for this splinter group of terrorists. He was too deliver Heero and Trowa as gifts of 'good intentions' to the leader of the group, a card carrying psycho.

That had been about all that they two of them could work out. It had been almost as frustrating as not knowing anything. Now, Quatre wondered what had gone so wrong.

As Quatre was reading the letter, Wufei walked back to his solitary room, dropping his jacket and his small bag on the floor. The room was spartan and normally gave him a place to retreat from the chaos of their lives but right now all he could see was an empty place with nothing to distract him from thoughts he did not want to face.

Turning, Wufei made his way out of the back of the house and made use of a small trellis to climb up to the roof. The vastness of the sky, slowly darkening to evening, was not as confined but the comfort was slight. Sitting there looking up, he felt moisture at the corner of his eyes and wiped it away impatiently.

~ It was over... done. Put it behind you, Wufei.~

Quatre read the letter one more time then folded it up as he gnawed on his lower lip. From Heero and Duo's bedroom he could hear music playing.. a sure sign that something was going on up there. Heero had gotten into the habit of playing the music since Duo could be... erm.. vocal. Quatre wished he had a better idea of what had happened. He could *feel* the tension in both Heero and Wufei. However just careening into the Dragon's room with a bright 'Wanna talk about it?' was a good way to get himself backflipped right out the door.

Still. Sliding the note into his the pocket of the simple blue oxford shirt he wore, he headed along the hall. Wufei's door stood open.. but no Wufei in sight. Hmm. Where would he go.. where would he go. Quatre circled back down through the kitchens, nope..not here... out into the garden's... no.

Turning to reenter the house, Quatre happened to spot the form of his friend up on the roof.

Oh goodness. Now he had a real dilemma.

If he went up on the roof there would be no bushing it off as an..'oops didn't see you sitting there.. mind if I join you?' Reaching into his pocket he brushed the note with his fingers. Trowa would not have sent such a note and given such permission if the situation wasn't dire. Trusting in his lover's instincts.. Quatre trotted over to the ivy trellis and began a painstaking climb.

Wufei's eyes were closed. He was deep in memory as the little Arabian made his way up to the flat surface of the roof. If he concentrated, Wufei could hear the remembered sound of Meiran's laughter... then her last, brave tears. Wufei did not hear the boy approach.

Making a mental note that the gutters needed cleaning, Quatre heaved himself onto the broad roof of his house. Brushing himself off fastidiously, he looked at the deep in thought Wufei and again felt insecurity assail him. Maybe he shouldn't interrupt. Wufei looked so deep in thought and Quatre couldn't believe that the other boy would welcome his intrusion.

Again, Trowa's words drifted across his thoughts. He could almost hear his lover's calm voice speaking them in a softly coaxing tone. Taking a deep breath, Quatre made his way across the roof. Tucking his hands into the pockets of his khaki slacks he made a production of clearing his throat.

You just did NOT creep up on a Gundam Pilot.

"Hey Wufei... I know dragons are supposed to like tall mountains and all but still..." Quatre spoke in a bright sweet tone.

Wufei blinked, hearing Quatre's voice, and his eyes focused on the blonde. Quatre saw an extra shine there.

Wufei? Tears?

The Chinese boy wiped his face quickly and the cool mask tried to come over his face, to protect but it was... imperfect this time.

"Why do you call me a dragon?" Wufei said harshly. "That is my clan, but not what I am."

Quatre halted in midstep and almost took a full step back but in his eyes there came a level of resolve and instead he pressed forward.

"It was not intended as a slight Wufei but I apologize if I spoke incorrectly."

Wufei lowered his eyes. "Not a slight... an undeserved... Quatre... you should not be up here. You should be downstairs preparing for Trowa's return."

His decision made, Quatre blithely walked closer and then settled himself gracefully down on the roof. Close but not crowding the other boy. Stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles he leaned back on his hands, giving a little shrug.

"Trowa contacted me. He won't be back till late tomorrow night. There is little good I can do him by fretting myself."

'And it would seem there is hopefully a lot good I can do for you.' Quatre thought to himself.

Wufei glanced over, then away. "I am sorry. It will be... lonely for you. I should have been the one to take care of the wrapping up," he said, scowling to himself. I have no one waiting for me.

Quatre peeked over at him from under his bangs. The fading sun was catching the platinum highlights in his hair and he had to shake a particularly reflective piece out of his eye.

"We all do as we must. If Trowa felt that he needed to see to the details then that is what he is doing. Besides.. it just means I get to follow you around like a lost little puppy." He put a little lightness into his tone. Playing with words he had heard Wufei mutter about him once.

Wufei winced internally at the words but thought he showed nothing on the surface. He glanced at the blond. Unaccustomed to prevarication, he finally said, "What was in the letter, Quatre?"

Quatre shifted again, turning to look up at the sunset. He smiled to himself, thinking how lucky they all were to be able to see the views both from Earth and from Space.

"Not much. He's man of few words even on paper. He mentioned that the mission was difficult."

Wufei looked distrustfully at Quatre. He suspect there had been more in the letter than that. Trowa was well-known as the most tightlipped of the group, he was also known to be especially close to Quatre in more ways than just physically. Perhaps he'd felt he had to warn the little blond about...

A dark flush of shame stole under Wufei's skin.

Quatre winced beneath the distrust he read in Wufei's eyes. In fact it stung him more then he was willing to admit. All this time and Wufei still wouldn't trust him. Well.. he wasn't of a nature to press or to use ultimatums. Wufei was a friend and Quatre would hold out his own trust and friendship for as long as it took. Reaching into his pocket he pulled the note out and held it, still folded, towards Wufei. He knew that Trowa had worded it in such a way that sharing it with Wufei would not be a violation of their own trust.

Quatre didn't say a word, just held it out.

Wufei regarded the offered letter with surprise. Something inside him twisted.

'You can be a real jerk, Wufei.' Duo had said that once.

Wufei simply shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "I apologize. You didn't deserve that."

Quatre slide the letter back into his pocket. "It's all right, though it's Trowa you should apologize to. He would never betray you, even to me. Though he did sound concerned about you and Heero."

Wufei ducked his head. "Heero... is strong. He will work through his... issues." Then almost as an afterthought, hearing how it sounded, "As will I."

Quatre looked over for at Wufei for a moment. Then he nodded. "You're both strong. But Heero has Duo to help him tonight." Unspoken were the words 'and you have me.. Whether you want me or not.' Quatre lapsed back into companionable silence.

Wufei accepted the presence of the little Arabian. His honor would not allow him to do otherwise. But the boy's silent support did not ease him. It had quite the opposite effect. It brought back to his mind every detail of the mission, particularly those details he did not want to think about. Wufei found himself looking at Quatre from under lowered eyelids, noticing all the things he already knew so well about the other boy's face.

How well he knew all their faces. They would no doubt be surprised by this... that he'd studied them each minutely, even that braided baka. Shuddering inwardly, he remembered the words of the faction leader.

~Why don't you join me... I could use a boy like you... nice... attractive... I'd appreciate you... your own don't seem to... ~

Wufei knew he should leave the roof... night was fully fallen. Quatre should go down, at least, but he probably wouldn't budge until Wufei did. Standing up, Wufei looked up at the stars, wishing they could cleanse him as they once had. Too long ago.

Quatre too watched the stars. For once though, his expressive face was calm and almost angelic instead of the riot of emotions that usually danced along his features. As Wufei moved he turned his head too look up at the other boy. Wufei looked at Quatre, his dark eyes even more shadowed without the light of the fading sun, and said quietly, "Beware dragons, little one. They can devour."

Then he went to the edge of the roof and flipped himself gracefully over edge, found the trellis with his feet and climbing down. He stayed, not watching, but listening, to make sure Quatre made it down safely.

Standing up Quatre brushed himself off. He knew that Wufei spoke a warning but when had he ever backed down from what he believed in? More cautiously then Wufei, Quatre descended the trellis. He was a decent little climber and the structure hardly shifted beneath his slight weight.

Dropping lightly onto the ground beside Wufei, Quatre looked around. The night was balmy and scented with early summer flowers.

"I say we go thataway." Quatre pointed down a path into the garden that lead towards the small stream that feed a small grove of weeping willows where Quatre loved to spend time.

Wufei watched him for a moment. "You," he said, "Should go 'thataway'.." and pointed into the house. "If I must, I will come in with you to insure it."

Quatre, with gentle firmness, took Wufei's arm and steered the Chinese boy towards the path. Trowa might have warned Wufei that for all his genteel ways, Quatre could be very.. insistent when he wanted something. Beaming a bright smile up at Wufei the small blonde now choose to chatter.

"I don't feel like going inside. It's a nice night. I don't particularly feel like listening to AC/DC and believe me I've been listening to it non stop since you three left. Besides, I want to show you the jasper plants. They're not blooming as they should and maybe you have an idea."

Wufei failed to dig his heels in properly and got swept along. "I can make the music stop," Wufei growled. He was perfectly capable of walking through Heero & Duo's closed door, ending the sounds and leaving. "I know nothing about gardening."

Undeterred Quatre lead Wufei along, keeping ahold of the other boy. The twinkle in those turquoise eyes reflecting the rising moon from above. "That's alright.. neither do I. But I think if you talk to them nicely it perks them right up."

"I don't... talk... to plants," Wufei ground out. Then the clearing opened up, showing the willows in the moonlight. He stopped. Suddenly he shivered, though the slight breeze was warm.

Walking close to the other boy Quatre felt the shiver. He stilled the light hearted comment he'd been about to speak and looked towards Wufei's dark shuttered eyes. Sliding his hand down along a well muscled forearm, Quatre entangled his small fingers with Wufei's applying gentle supportive pressure.

The energy in the warm body beside him drew Wufei's attention to Quatre's face. His hand tightened over the blonde's fingers. The willows in the moonlight... Meiran had loved willows. Meiran was gone... nothing left to curb his baser nature.

Suddenly Wufei slid his other hand under Quatre's chin and lifted his face, kissing him. The kiss was raw and hungry and terrifying. Then it stopped as suddenly it had begun and Wufei growled like a tiger, jerking his hand away and turning towards the open grass and the willows beyond. "Go, Winner!" he said in a low voice. "Go - now! Run, little one..."

End Part 1

Laekin and bonnejeanne

Please send comments to: seregill@aol.com or bonnejeanne@yahoo.com

On to Part 2

Back to the Prologue

Back to the Series Index

Back to Laekin's page