7 Feb 2001
TITLE: Momma 'Cille's Kountry Kookin'
AUTHOR: kumiko & tzigane (guilty as charged)
PART: Story 2 of Lingering Days
FANDOM: Gundam Wing
PAIRING: 6+5
WARNINGS: AU/OOC; heavy shounen-ai
DISCLAIMER: They don't belong to us. If they did, they'd spend more time naked.
C&C: If you feel the urge ^_^
"Hmmm," Wufei told Sally as he flipped through his mail, peering through the lenses of the spectacles perched on his nose. "They're offering flu shots down at the infirmary. Think we ought to go get one?"
"Oh, I *hate* those!" she replied. She was sitting on the floor of his room, painting her toenails a vivid fuchsia color. "Every year I get one and it hurts like hell for days and then I feel like I have the flu for a week. What's the point, I say?"
He shook his head at her. "I've never had one make me sick, so I think I'll go ahead and get one. Can't tend goats if you've got the flu, you know." A glance over at the clock revealed that it was five-thirty -- time for supper. "Want to run down to the cafeteria? I heard tonight is a catering gig, so the desserts ought to be pretty good, even if nothing else is edible..."
"Mmm -- sorry. I can't go anywhere for twenty minutes. Gotta let the polish dry." She wiggled her toes at him. "By the way -- heard from Mr. Blond lately?"
Wufei's expression fell a little. "Not since Saturday. I played student for my lunch hour at three before I went to dip ice cream over at the dry goods store. He had some kind of paper due first of the week, though, and it's only Wednesday, so..."
Sally looked up at him, one eyebrow raised. "Uh-oh -- sounds like you're becoming addicted and you hardly know him... better watch that." She began painting her fingers next. "Have you two even been on a date yet? I mean, has the bum even asked you out?"
"I can ask as well as he can!" Wufei protested. "And it's not like we've had time... we're still 'getting to know one another'! Maybe I'll ask him, next time I see him," he finished almost dreamily.
Sally all but snorted. "Yeah, well, just be careful, okay? He kinda seemed like a player to me. I mean, that kind of guy is only alone because he *wants* to be alone, you know? To play the field? Just be careful." /Besides... there's always *me*, if you'd bother to look this way.../
"You really think so?" After Trowa, he'd been more than a little insecure, particularly considering Trowa's views on sex with *him* and what he'd ended up doing with that blond Arabian... as if Arabians were *blond*, of all things! His lips pursed slightly, brows drawing sharply together. "Well, worst thing that can happen is I can get a crush and have my heart broken, right? So, I'll live, anyway.... and you only met him for what? Three minutes, Sal? He's really nice..."
"Hmm, maybe," she said skeptically. "There's just something about him... seems too good to be true and I don't want to have to pick you up in pieces if he turns out to be a jerk. I mean -- look at it from my point of view: he's tall, blond, got the car, the sunglasses, the smooth moves... He's probably a lot more experienced than you. A *lot* more..."
That pursing of lips was turning steadily into an unhappy frown. "You don't like him," Wufei said quietly. "He doesn't seem nearly that bad at all, and it's not *my* fault if he's got more experience! He's older, for one, and maybe that'll mean more stable..."
She capped her bottle of nail polish and started blowing on her fingers to help it dry. "He's just very different from what you've seemed to like in the past, that's all. So I'm going to be keeping my eye on him. If he tries to pull anything, he'll have *me* to answer to."
She nodded her head decisively and then waved a half-dry hand at him. "So run along. I'm going to use your VCR -- I've got three soaps to catch up on."
"All right," Wufei told her, sliding off of the bed and shoving his feet into slip-on shoes as he tucked his glasses into their case and held them in his hand to take them with him. "If Mueller comes back..."
"He can watch my soaps with me," she said, finishing his sentence with a smirk. "It'll do him good."
With one last doubting glance, Wufei slipped out and shut the door behind him.
The trip down the stairs and out of the dorm was a quick one, dusk sneaking up the way it did in early fall, the heat still sweltering, but not mind bogglingly so. A lot of other people were heading in the direction of the cafeteria, and he wasn't the only one by himself, so he didn't mind it so much even as he ran up a flight of steps and into the building that housed the cafeteria.
There was already a line waiting just outside the door, and Wufei glanced around just as he arrived, black eyes widening with some surprise.
Zechs was standing against the railing, by himself, reading a small book so intently that he seemed oblivious to the crowd around him. He wore long, slim fitting pants of deep blue and a slouchy cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up and half of the buttons undone. His long hair was caught in a very loose tail that hung over one shoulder and there was a peaceful look on his face.
Strolling up almost casually, Wufei tilted his head, several strands of black hair falling into his face. "Good book?" he asked.
As if in slow motion, Zechs pulled himself out of the pages and looked at his questioner. A slow, sexy smile spread over his face. "A very good book indeed -- and it just got better."
Wufei's knees became *decidedly* weak at that answer, and he swallowed. "Looking for company for dinner?" he asked, trying to keep the sheer huskiness in his voice down.
Zechs's own voice, normally deep, also seemed a bit husky -- and deeper than normal. "I *hadn't* been... until now." He gave Wufei a brilliant smile and just then the doors behind them opened. "Shall we?" he said. /Although I would rather take you behind those potted plants over there and... get a hold of yourself, Zechs!/
"Tell you what. Looks like they're having broiled porkchops again, and...well, there's this place," Wufei began, fingers reaching up and fiddling with some of the loose hair before tucking it behind an ear.
"Oh, tell me about it," Zechs said, and then leaned in close to Wufei's ear. "And if you do that again with your hair," he said in a breathy voice, "I cannot be held responsible for my actions..."
Swallowing hard, eyes gone just a bit hazy with pure and unadulterated *lust*, Wufei took a deep breath. "It's a little place outside of town, down highway 320. *Real* Southern cooking, worth the trip. All the homemade fried chicken you can stand to eat."
"Sounds perfect," Zechs murmured, staring into Wufei's eyes. "You driving, or shall I?" /Oh, *damn* I want you.../
That brought a distinct grin to Wufei's face. "You make an offer like that and expect me to turn it down? You can drive!"
"Come with me," Zechs said smoothly as they walked away from the cafeteria. For a moment it was like swimming upstream to spawn, so thick was the crowd surging forward for pork chops, but they finally cleared it and headed for the parking lot behind the Humanities building.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch," Zechs said, "my major professor asked for a hideous amount of revisions on my paper and I'm afraid I haven't had time to think about much else."
"Oh, it's all right!" Wufei told him, hurrying after Zechs as the long-legged man seemed to eat up the distance towards the parking lot. "I figured you were busy, you know..." He paused. "Though I'll admit I thought about you a lot," he continued on, flushing slightly.
"Did you?" Zechs said, turning to the younger man and smiling. "Well that's interesting because *you* happened to be a major distraction to me while I was trying to finish my paper..."
That smile was enough to make Wufei almost trip over his own feet again as he came to a halt, lifting a hand and putting it behind his head as he laughed and looked sheepish. "Sorry. Well, not really, but still."
Zechs stopped as well, turning around to look at Wufei and tilting his head to one side. "I have to admit though -- you and Yeats seem to go together, in a way..."
"How is that?" Wufei asked, all curiosity.
"'How many loved your moments of glad grace,/And loved your beauty with love false or true,/But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,/And loved the sorrows of your changing face..." The blond man's expression had softened, eyes just a bit dreamy as he recited. "Indeed... you and Yeats..."
If Wufei's knees had been weak before, *now* they were putty, and he wasn't sure he could walk so much as another step. Instead, he swallowed deeply and let out a steady breath, gooseflesh dancing over his skin. "Ah, you sure know how to make my bones go all watery," he managed to say, not even thinking about Sally's warnings one bit.
"Well then," the tall blond said, "allow me to help you." He closed the distance between them and in one movement swept Wufei up and into his arms. Grinning at his captive, he headed towards his car.
At that sweeping gesture, Wufei had gasped, glancing around quickly before just *relaxing*. Half the campus knew he swung both ways, anyway, which was probably why he had such problems with Mueller. "You want to be careful," he told Zechs solemnly. "Wouldn't want to throw your back out lifting such a great weight!"
"I may be older than you, *child*," Zechs said in mock offense, "but I assure you that I'm in no danger of back problems any time soon. Other afflictions, perhaps, but not that."
They had reached his car and Zechs deposited Wufei neatly at the passenger side door. He didn't let him go right away though. He'd been keeping an eye on the parking lot and knew it to be fairly deserted at the moment, so he leaned down and pressed a kiss, slow and gentle, to Wufei's mouth. "I missed you."
At that point, Wufei knew that whatever this was, love, lust or something miraculously and wonderfully in between, it was something that was more exquisite than he'd felt in his entire life. "Yeah," he agreed huskily, leaning and stealing a second kiss, tongue just barely darting out to trace the line of Zechs's lower lip in invitation.
With a soft groan, Zechs wrapped his arms around the smaller man, pulling him close as he leaned back against the car. His tongue glided along Wufei's lips, begging for entrance, one hand sliding around his waist, the other tangling itself in ebony silk. "Mmmm... Wufei..."
"God, that's nice," Wufei managed to gasp, parting his mouth willingly for Zechs. The softness of those lips, the tenderness of what he felt, it was almost too much for his brain to take in at all!
"I suppose," Zechs murmured between kisses, "that we should stop... and at least... get into the car... uhmmmm... or we'll never... make it to dinner..."
"Right," came the dazed agreement, "you'd miss cat-head biscuits..."
Zechs pulled back a bit, still holding on to Wufei. One platinum eyebrow raised. "Excuse me, but I could have sworn I just heard you say, 'cat-head'."
"Sure. You'll have to see it to understand," Wufei told him lightly, eyes suddenly sparkling with humor in addition to the clamoring his body seemed destined to show. "Shall we?"
"We shall, indeed," Zechs nodded, pulling away from the car and opening the door for Wufei. Once he was in, Zechs slid into the driver's seat and turned the key. The car purred to life. "So," he said, trying to regain his composure, "which way do we go?"
"Left out of the back entrance and down to the four way stop. Then there's a right onto 320 and another fifteen mile drive or so," Wufei said. "It's worth it, though. Promise."
Zechs followed the directions and soon they were speeding down the highway out of town. He looked over at Wufei and had to smile again, at the sight of him there. "So, what have you been doing with your week?"
"Work, work, and more work," was the reply. "Had a paper due Monday, an exam Wednesday morning, and I've done more reading about Victorian prostitution than any man in his right mind ought to have to do! I take it your paper ended up turning out?" Wufei asked, turning his head to look at the gorgeous blond driving the car.
Zechs nodded. "Three drafts and much swearing later, it is turned in and seems to satisfy Professor Noin. How did you do on your exam? Did you remember all the facts about castration correctly?"
A delicate shudder snuck down Wufei's spine and he crossed his legs uncomfortably. "Yes. Unfortunately," he said, shivering again. "I think it's indelibly printed on my brain now!"
"Hmm, not good," Zechs murmured. "We'll have to think of something that will make you forget it -- or remember that it wasn't *you* who went through it." He had a pleased expression on his face as he said it, as if he were thinking of something especially delightful.
At that particular moment, Wufei was *quite* sure already that it hadn't been him, and he turned a rather charming shade of crimson to prove it. "...yes," he finally managed to say, squirming slightly in his seat.
Zechs's smile widened until it was almost a smirk. "Tell me something about this restaurant we're going to. What should I order... and how should I treat the waitresses?"
THAT earned him a sudden grin, and Wufei looked out the window. Another few miles... "The waitress will show *you* how to treat *her*, no problems. It's Momma 'cille's Kountry Kookin' -- with a 'K'," Wufei explained, "which is corny, but the food's not. They'll have a menu up on a chalkboard when we get there. There's never any guarantee as to what you'll get, but usually there's fried chicken, and not any of that stuff you get at KFC, either. Real honest to-God slaved over fried chicken, and all sorts of vegetables; you wouldn't believe what they can do with a *tomato*," he announced. "You'll like Momma Lucille."
"Does she treat Northerners nicely? I get funny looks down here sometimes..."
"So long as you don't make any cracks about inbreeding, 'Deliverance', or the Lost Cause, you should be safe," Wufei told him. "If you do any of the above, the waitress will probably use a spoon to whap your knuckles."
Zechs put on a sufficient fear face to indicate he understood. "Does your history major include the Civil War?" he asked. "It seems like this would be a fascinating place to study it."
"As if you could get *out* of studying the War Between the States here," Wufei joked. "It's the next right. You'll see the restaurant, it's a little building with a couple of rockers outside, and a picnic table... But it *is* a great place to study that kind of thing," he said. "People take it so seriously here! That's why it's called the Religion of the Lost Cause."
"Ahh," Zechs said, making the turn. "And that's why I won't speak about it around here. How about this -- I'll just keep my mouth shut and let *you* do the talking."
"No need to do that!" Wufei replied quickly. "They're really friendly. I'll order for us, though, if you like." He grinned. "I know what's *good*. Everything's good, but there are some things that aren't worth eating. Like rutabagas. Those are the nastiest things..."
"Right," Zechs said in a serious voice. "First thing to remember: no rutabagas."
They got out of the car and approached the entry to the restaurant. There were several cars in the lot put the landscape was deserted to either side of them. Zechs moved a little closer to Wufei and whispered, "Where did all these people come from... and are they watching us through the curtains?"
Wufei only grinned at him. "The food's good, and it's dinnertime. Come on!"
The door that led into the restaurant held several glass panes in the upper part, a pink-flowered material used for a curtain wafting in air-conditioned splendor as he opened it. Inside lay several tables and a mismatched jumble of chairs, along with a sideboard and a menu on a chalkboard, just as he'd said. On the board clearly printed in pink chalk was the menu, which read:
Today's Menu:Fried Chicken Roast Beef Baked Chicken Rice & Gravy Squash & Onion Green Beans Cream 40's Shucked Corn Mashed Potatoes Sliced Tomatoes Potatoes Carrots Cornbread Hot Rolls Biscuits
Dessert:
Peach Cobbler Pecan Pie Pound Cake
"You'll *like* this," Wufei informed him as an overweight waitress hurried their way, red hair up in a ponytail and a distinct grin on her face.
"Boy, you ain't been to see us in nearly a *week*. Momma was starting to think you didn't love us no more! And I see you've got just the hottest thang on two legs right behind you," she noted, pinching Wufei's cheek. "You can't distract any of us, though! You come right on and sit down at that back table, honey, and I'll get you just whatever you want!"
Despite the air conditioning, Zechs found his face to be a bit red and he tried to follow Wufei unobtrusively to the table their server had indicated -- a difficult thing to do, given that he was approximately ten inches taller. He felt certain that everyone was in the restaurant was watching them as they sat down.
And why wouldn't they be? Not only was the blond a stranger, they were both very good looking young men and had obviously captured the eyes of most of the women in the restaurant already!
"Now, honey," the waitress said as they were seated, "you just tell Miss Jane what you want and I'll bring it right on out!"
"Ah..." Wufei paused decisively. "We'll have fried chicken, squash and onions, cream forties, rice and gravy... And a plate of sliced tomatoes." He nodded. "And cat-head biscuits, and after we eat all that, I don't know if we'll have any room for peach cobbler, but I'd sure like to try. Is that okay with you, too?" he asked Zechs.
Zechs gaped at the sheer amount of food Wufei had ordered. "Ah... yes, all right... you're the expert..." He gave Miss Jane a weak smile.
"I'll bring it right on out, you sweetheart. "You gonna share like usual, right?" she asked, nodding at them both. "You oughta both get a plate, honey, somebody ought to be *feedin'* you more often. You tell that Sally I said not to let you miss out on meals now, you hear?" She waved her pencil at him before turning around and bustling back off into the kitchen to put in their order.
"It's just one plate," Wufei said with a grin, "but it'll be enough for both of us, if I know Momma 'cille and Miss Jane."
Zechs was looking him up and down, a baffled look on his face. "Where do you *put* it?? That sounds like enough food for three people *my* size! And do I even want to know what 20s or 30s are?"
"I have hollow legs," Wufei told him with raised eyebrows. "You know, growing boy and all that. Once you take a bite, you'll *know* why people leave here groaning and waddling!" He winked at Zechs, tongue darting out to moisten his upper lip. /Not that I can't think of better reasons to be groaning and waddling.../ To put off that thought, he answered Zechs's second question. "A cream forty is a kind of field pea. You've got all other kinds, but those and Big Boys are the only kinds I can ever remember."
The blond propped his chin on his hand and stared at his companion. "Fascinating -- it's like an entirely different language you're speaking. Even your accent is getting heavier..."
"I don't have an accent!" Wufei declared, flushing further and grinning. "It happens. Even living in Atlanta, it happens."
"Believe me, *you* have an accent," Zechs said. "But I find it very attractive."
Practically melting, Wufei planted his elbows on the table and leaned forward. "I'm glad you..."
"Boy, *get* those elbows off of that table!" Miss Jane teased, combing back and plopping down a tray. One plate full of sliced tomato went between them, another full of food, as well, and a second empty one. "So you can split it," she said, "because I know you're going to share, even though you oughta *eat* more, you cute little thing!" That was promptly followed by two huge glasses of sweet tea, a pinch of Wufei's cheek, and the woman scurrying off again.
"She's really your mother, isn't she," said Zechs, "and you're just not telling me." He looked at the plates, the mass of food that was in front of them, and just shook his head. "If I lose my girlish figure, it'll be all *your* fault."
"Trust me," Wufei said, picking up a biscuit and drifting it towards Zechs's mouth. "Just take a bite. Buttermilk." He grinned. "They call them cat's heads because they're as big as cat's heads."
Zechs's eyes locked onto Wufei's and he took a small bite of biscuit. "Mmmm..." he murmured, still gazing at him, "that *is* delicious." The gaze lingered just a bit longer and Zechs repeated, "*Very* delicious indeed."
With a slight flustered sound, Wufei went to work, delving into the food and divvying it up quickly. "Here. You'll like all of it. Just *wait* 'til she brings out the peach cobbler!"
/I love it when he does that... goes all red on me. I wonder what other parts of him turn red...?/ "Thank you," Zechs said to the mounded plate he was handed. He picked up a fork and began eating. "Is this the kind of food you grew up with?"
"Some," he said. "My mom's family is Chinese, too, but they came to America sometime in the late eighteenth century and settled down here, so that's how she knew to cook. My dad cooks, too, though, and *he* makes authentic Chinese. Me, too. If you want, I'll cook for you sometime?" he offered, not stuttering even once.
Zechs smiled at him. "That's very kind of you," he said, trying not to spit field peas at Wufei as he spoke. "Do I get to see you dressed up in an apron?" he teased.
"....only if you ask *very* nicely," he was informed primly as Wufei began to work on the chicken in front of him with sounds of *definite* enjoyment. "Hmmm..."
They ate in companionable silence for some time and then Zechs took a swig of tea. For a brief moment, his entire face seemed to crumple inward, and then he shook his head and shuddered. "Oh, that is *nasty* stuff!" he whispered. "How many bowls of sugar go into something like this -- and can I get some unsweetened lemonade to go with it?"
"Ah..." Wufei was grinning from ear to ear when he called, "Miss Jane!"
A moment later, the woman was back. "What you need, you cute little thang?"
"Could we get some ice water, please?" he asked politely.
THAT earned Zechs a ~look~. "Young man, you aren't from around here, are you?"
Zechs shook his head and managed to get out, "North... far, far North..."
She reached out and patted him on his cheek. "Well, you're a pretty little thang, too, so I guess I'll let you get away with it. How 'bout some Coke? You like Dr. Pepper?"
Zechs looked confused. "Coke? Dr. Pepper?" Looking a bit pleading, he said "Do you have anything... without sugar?" He tried to smile winningly, but wasn't at all sure of the effect, given that his tongue still felt like it was twitching.
Wufei was doing his best not to laugh in the face of that look, and having a difficult time of it as Miss Jane said, "Well, honey, I can bring you some water, but you have to clean that plate. Have a tomato, honey. I'll be *right* back!"
Zechs stared after her and then looked over to Wufei. "*You* asked for ice water, so first she offers me *Coke*, then *Dr. Pepper*, and now I have to eat *tomatoes* to get the water again?" He put on a pained expression. "Has the world gone mad?"
"She just wants to be sure you're happy!" Wufei told him blithely, using his fork to give Zechs a slice of tomato. "It's really good if you put salt on it."
Zechs took the tomato reluctantly, eating only because he could tell Miss Jane meant business. "Very good," he informed Wufei. "Much better than the tea."
"You know, you're really cute when you don't believe me," Wufei said incredibly softly.
Now it was Zechs's turn to blush. He looked at Wufei for several moments, blinking as if he thought maybe he hadn't heard correctly. "You... you think I'm cute?" he said, with a tentative smile.
"Sure," Wufei told him, unable to believe that Zechs hadn't known what he though. "I mean, well, you're gorgeous. Like some sort of glimmering Norse *GOD* or something. Why wouldn't I think you were cute?"
Zechs shrugged and his blush deepened. "Norse gods aren't everyone's type," he said, and then added, "and I speak from personal experience."
A snort came in answer. "Huh. Obviously whoever that is isn't very bright!"
Zechs had to laugh. "Well *thank you*, Wufei. I certainly appreciate that." He grimaced again and ate the last bite of his tomato. "Where *is* Miss Jane when you need her?" he grumbled.
"Here I am, sweetheart, now you just drink your water, and you're *sure* I can't get you anything else? Why, I might even make a little tea that ain't so sweet," the woman said from behind him, making him jump nearly out of his skin to Wufei's obvious delight.
"Thanks," Zechs said, smiling and trying not to lose his composure. "I'll be... *just* fine with the water."
A quick pat on his cheek, a bright smile, and Miss Jane said, "Now you boys finish all that, and I'll bring you peach cobbler!"
It was all Wufei could do not to laugh. Poor Zechs! He felt so very *tender* about the other man suddenly that it was all he could do not to flush and stutter, and he knew if he'd been standing, he'd have tripped right over thin air.
"She expects us to eat *cobbler* after this?" Zechs murmured incredulously, then turned to Wufei. "Explain your people, the stupid foreigner does not understand."
"It's really not *that* much, Zechs," Wufei said, tilting his head to the side. "You don't like it? We can go..."
That earned a laugh as Zechs patted him on the back. "No, no -- I'm teasing you. I wouldn't deny cobbler to anyone, especially," he said bringing the tip of his finger to the tip of Wufei's nose, "*you.*
The touch of that finger brought the smile back to Wufei's face as he waved some of the *best* smelling chicken imaginable under Zechs's nose. "That sounds pretty promising to me. Have to eat your chicken, first."
They continued eating their way through the plate of food. When the last remains were polished off -- by Wufei with Zechs looking on shaking his head in disbelief -- the blond man sat back and looked thoughtfully at his companion. "So tell me, where is the best spot in the county for a bit of after-dinner relaxation? I ask because I have a chapter of Longfellow to read at home and right now the prospect horrifies me."
"Mmmmm..." Wufei's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Tell you what. We'll take the peach cobbler and some ice cream and I know the perfect place to get all the mosquito bites you could ask for... but it's private and beautiful, if that's what you mean."
"I can endure mosquito bites for private and beautiful," Zechs murmured, holding Wufei's gaze. "Especially the private part." /I want to touch you so badly... do you want to touch me?/
"You boys almost done here?" It was amazing how the full-figured waitress could sneak right up to the table before anybody knew she was there!
"Yes, ma'am," Wufei replied. "Could we have peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream to go, though?"
She fairly beamed at them. "You sweet *thangs*, of course you can. You cleaned your plate, didn't you?" Plates, in fact, that were being taken up from the table even as she spoke, Miss Jane loading her arms with them. "I'll bring it right out to you, sweetheart, in its own little container!"
"You realize, of course," Zechs said, "that the ice cream won't stand a chance out there. We'll be drinking it before we get to your pretty place."
Wufei winked at him. "Trust me. It's better if it's melted, anyway. A lot of older people like canned milk with their cobbler, but ice cream that's a little melted is better."
Zechs put both elbows on the table and propped his chin in his hands, staring at the dark-eyed boy across the table. "You have *everything* planned, don't you," he said softly, The faintest hint of a smile playing around his lips. "Tell me -- do you ever get... *flustered*?"
"Right now," Wufei admitted, biting his lower lip. "I mean, I've had almost a week to think about this, about..." His tongue tripped. "G..g..going somewhere with you, so..."
The smile turned tender. "We don't have to go anywhere after this if it makes you uncomfortable." /Please don't take me up on that offer!/
"No!" Wufei protested quickly. "I want to go! I mean, I *really* want to go!"
"I was hoping you would say that," Zechs said, grinning. "It *has* been a *very* long week."
"Here you boys go," Miss Jane interrupted, plopping down peach cobbler, vanilla ice cream and the bill -- one conspicuously lacking the dessert and the sweet tea Zechs hadn't liked. "Now y'all enjoy your cobbler, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am," Wufei answered with a smile. "We will!"
Zechs snatched up the bill and calculated a tip, leaving the money on the table. "Okay, navigator," he said, standing and stretching, "where's this beautiful place of yours?"
"You're an evil man," Wufei noted, shaking his head slightly as he stood, as well, and they headed for the door. "Another five miles or so down this road, there'll be a dirt one. Come on!"
They walked to the car, the warmth and humidity of the air making the landscape around them shimmer slightly in the early evening sunlight. Zechs opened the door for Wufei and, after the boy had seated himself, pulled the seat belt over Wufei's lap. "Let me just help you with this," he murmured, clicking the belt into place as he leaned over the seat. "Have to make sure my passengers are safe, you know." His ponytail fell over his shoulders and brushed Wufei's arm and, as Zechs was straightening up he made sure to brush his lips over his companion's.
Clutching the cobbler in his lap, Wufei leaned into Zechs as the other man started to move away from the kiss, not letting him loose until the sweetness that passed between them was temporarily explored. "Mmm..."
Fairly humming with pleasure, Zechs pulled back gently, azure eyes staring into ebony. "It's going to be very hard to concentrate on the road," he said softly, and then stood, closing the door and walking around to the driver's side.
"I think my brain just turned to water-gravy," Wufei whispered as Zechs slid behind the wheel. "Take a right on the way out, okay?"
"You got it," Zechs said, and they turned out onto the road, driving slower than Zechs would usually because the blond had no idea where he was going. "Will there be any nasty wildlife at this place, that I'll have to defend you from and beat away with pointed sticks?" he asked in a teasing voice.
"Just mosquitoes and fish, I'd imagine," Wufei replied, looking after at Zechs and biting his lower lip. Heaven help him, he was already hard as a stone just *thinking* about being alone with the other man! Thank God the car had bucket seats! With any hope, it'd help to keep him from making Zechs think he was easy by keeping them at least *some* distance apart! Not that those would help when they got out of the car...
"Well *that's* good to know, because I'd hate for any beasties to take my attention away from you -- and the cobbler, of course." /Which I have no plans to eat and which I intend to make *you* forget about, pretty thing.../
Wufei shifted in his seat and smiled. "You'll like it," he said enthusiastically as they passed a red farmhouse. "It's the next road on the right. Quarter mile, maybe."
Zechs noticed the boy's squirming out of the corner of his eye. /Hope I'm not coming on too strong... maybe I should back off a bit. I don't want him to think he's being forced... *damn* he's pretty!/
The car slowed and they took the turn, heading at a respectably slow pace down the road. "Up the hill, you'll take a left. It looks like a field, but there's a house we'll pass and then another right down to the lake," Wufei explained. "I've got permission to come down here on occasion."
"Permission?" Zechs asked, looking puzzled.
"It's private property," Wufei explained as they passed the house, waving at the older gentleman who was pruning roses in the yard. "There's an older couple that lives in the house -- my mom dated their oldest son before he was drafted and sent to Vietnam. He died there, and so she went on to nursing and moved to Atlanta. They don't mind us going down to the lake," he said. "You'll like it. Cross over the dam here and keep going down to the woods, all right?"
"So, did your mother grow up around here?" Zechs asked, making the crossing and turning towards a wooded area ahead of them.
"Down the road," Wufei answered quietly. "People talk about the South and prejudice, but they don't understand anything much about it. Even though her parents were Chinese and even though she was, they were accepted in the community because they're nice people and they work hard and..." He gave a sheepish look at Zechs as they pulled quietly in and parked. "Uh, I'm probably babbling. Sorry. Come on, let's get out. It's a little walk from here, but not far. The lake spills over, and runs down just a ways."
Looking at him thoughtfully, Zechs decided that it was a conversation best left to another time, but made a mental note to himself to ask later. The began walking down the path Wufei had pointed out and after a few steps, Zechs reached out for Wufei's hand.
Wufei was glad for the touch, a relief to know that he hadn't put Zechs off when he'd started to talk in the car. They walked a very short piece and then the trees opened up and the dam curved around, and there it was.
Filled with fall flowers and grass as green as if it was spring, the tiny glade was shaded from the sun as it started to set, a little stream of water running through it that wasn't very deep -- perhaps only deep enough for a little wading. "This is it," he said softly.
For several long moments the blond man just stood and stared, taking in the softness of the grass, the vivid oranges and yellows of the flowers, the soft sound of the stream. "Wufei," he breathed at last, "this is absolutely *beautiful*!"
"I hoped you'd like it," Wufei admitted, a little relieved that Zechs *did*. "I didn't think about a blanket or anything, but..."
"Oh, that's okay," Zechs said, finding a soft patch of grass in the shade. "I don't mind grass stains." He sat down and smiled up at Wufei, holding out a hand in invitation.
It was an easy thing to settle down next to Zechs, melting ice cream and cobbler in hand, and to look up at him shyly. "So. Um..."
"So did you come here when you were little?" Zechs said, brushing an errant lock of hair away from Wufei's face. "Seems like a great place for a kid."
"Pretty much whenever we came down from Atlanta to visit my grandparents. The Walkers didn't have any grandchildren, so we came and visited with them,too, whenever we came." Wufei was leaning over slightly towards Zechs, face upturned. "It's really nice."
"Mmm... very nice," Zechs murmured, his voice deep and soft. Then he, too, leaned over, rubbing noses with Wufei before ghosting a kiss over his lips. "Very nice, indeed..."
Breath wafting loose lightly, Wufei's mouth parted, touching Zechs's again, the containers in his lap tumbling into the grass. "Mmmm..."
The invitation was enough for Zechs, who pressed his lips against Wufei's mouth and trailed his tongue along the front of his teeth. "Mmm, you taste so good," he whispered.
"Zechs..." Wufei whispered, letting his own tongue dart out to lightly touch Zechs's. "Mmmm...."
A large hand rose to tangle in silky dark hair, and Zechs pressed further, exploring the younger man's mouth in slow, sensuous moves. /Uhm... Can't get enough of you... no matter how long the kisses last, it's not enough.../
Wufei didn't even feel it as his back lightly touched the grass beneath them, Zechs still kissing him, his brain not even remotely functioning. All he could think or do was to kiss Zechs more, fingers tangling in long strands of blond hair as little whimpers began to work their way up, slowly but surely.
Now that they were laying down, Zechs let his free hand wander over Wufei's face, caressing his cheek, running his thumb along the smooth jaw and then trailing down to stroke the smaller man's neck and throat. "So beautiful," he murmured against warm lips. "Beautiful boy..."
"Yes," Wufei whined quietly beneath Zechs's lips. "Kiss me again, Zechs," he breathed. "You have the softest mouth, so good..."
Zechs was glad to obey that tender order and his kisses grew hungrier as they went on, as if Wufei were a banquet on which to feast. He pulled back, pressing his lips to the edge of Wufei's mouth, and then nuzzled down to the warm, coppery skin of his throat, trailing soft kisses as he went. "Oh... Wufei... so pretty..."
It seemed like it had been forever since anyone had kissed him that way, and Wufei gave a short, sharp sound, shuddering with the intensity of the feelings that flooded him as Zechs found a cluster of nerves in his throat with his teeth. "Anh!!"
"Mmm... special place," Zechs breathed against heated skin. "Have to remember that one..." he added, and moved up a bit to nibble at Wufei's earlobe.
The distinct throb that danced between Wufei's thighs was distracting, and he shifted, pressing himself against Zechs's hip and letting loose a shaken sigh as the beautiful blond caught an earlobe lightly and teased at it. His hands had roamed down to the waistband of Zechs's jeans, tugging at the shirt there and pulling it loose so that fingers could caress across firm muscle and bare flesh. Zechs gave a soft moan as Wufei's hands moved under his shirt. He blew softly in the delicate shell of ear he'd been nursing, letting his tongue lightly trail around the outside of it. Rationality seemed to flicker away as his body responded more and more to instinct, and when the boy pressed up to him again he couldn't help pressing back, rubbing a long, firm erection against Wufei's thigh.
Oh, GOD, it was exquisite, and Wufei couldn't help closing his eyes tightly, thinking how very nice it would be to be naked just now, totally and completely, and to have the taste of the flesh rubbing against his thigh in the back of his throat! "Zechs," he whispered, shuddering. "Oh, Zechs...!"
"Mmmm... so good..." came the whispered reply, as Zechs's hands pushed up Wufei's shirt until his chest was exposed. He brushed a thumb over one, taut nipple, and then his fingers stopped moving to tease at it, to rub it, and pinch at it lightly. Kisses trailed down the smaller man's neck and Zechs nuzzled his way to where he could take one of those pretty nubs into his mouth, and suckle at it firmly.
The wavering sound of pleasure that came loose from Wufei at that suckling touch was swallowed by the babbling of the brook so close by them, his spine straightening, legs moving to wrap around Zechs's as they rocked against one another. He couldn't believe they were doing this! He couldn't believe that they were.... "Oh, GOD!"
A soft, hungry growling sound came from the blond man as he kissed his way over to the other nipple, one fingertip flickering still on the one he'd left. With every suckle the ache between his legs grew stronger, his body longing to complete the act.
Somewhere though, a faint voice was expressing doubt and it was enough to distract him. Pulling off of the turgid nipple reluctantly, he raised himself a bit on hands and knees and kissed Wufei again. "Are we going too fast?" he asked in a low, breathy voice. "Maybe we should slow down a bit... otherwise I might do something we'll both regret." He smiled softly down at the dark-eyed boy, and waited for an answer.
Swallowing hard, Wufei nodded, his face flushed partially from passion and partially from sudden mortification. "I didn't want you to think I was easy," he whispered, mouth turning down slightly at the edges. "Guess I already screwed that up, huh? I'm sorry, Zechs. I didn't mean to lead you on so fast, it was just so nice and *you're* so nice, and..."
Zechs dropped one hip to the ground so that he was half-laying next to Wufei, one long leg between the smaller man's. He went back to kissing him for a moment and then let the hand that wasn't propping him up brush over Wufei's cheeks and lips. "I don't think you're 'easy', you sweet fool. I stopped because I was afraid that *I* would lose control... And I'd hate to do something before you're ready to do it. I'd hate how *you* would think of me if I did."
He leaned in for a few more long kisses and then added, "What I think we have here is a case of both of us thinking the other is slightly wonderful and both wanting each other because of it. So *no* frowning," he admonished and kissed the very edges of Wufei's mouth.
Those words were more than enough to give Wufei peace of mind and to completely re-assure him that Sally was quite wrong about Zechs being fast. "All right," he murmured, not minding a bit as he leaned and kissed Zechs sweetly. "I really appreciate it, you're so nice..."
Zechs nuzzled the side of Wufei's neck and growled softly. "Nice? *Nice?* Is that all I am to you?" he said in mock gruffness. "I'll show you *nice*..." He distracted the younger man with kisses as his fingers darted to Wufei's belly where they dug in lightly, and tickled.
The sound that first emerged was something akin to a squeak, followed quickly by squirming and no small amount of laughter. Wufei's head shook from side to side as he attempted to fight Zechs off, rubber band coming loose in the frenzy and making a mess of all of that black hair, his hands finally finding Zechs's and *almost* stilling them as he continued to giggle. "Not nice! More than nice! Lots more than nice!!"
Zechs relented saying, "That's better," and wrapped an arm around Wufei's waist, pulling him up just a bit, to be kissed. When they broke off, he stared into the boy's dark eyes. "And look at you," he said in a soft voice, "all undone... you take my breath away, Wufei."
Fingers rose nimbly and let loose Zechs's hair to spill down in a rain over both of them. "And you mine," he whispered. "When I was little, Mrs. Walker used to tell me stories sometime and there was one about a boy who fell asleep in a clearing just like this one and the King of the Fairies came and toted him away. She'd have a new story about the boy and the fairy King every time I went to visit her, and you..." Wufei closed his eyes and smiled. "You're just like a fairy tale come true."
One at a time, his eyelids were kissed softly. "I wish I could describe the feelings I have when I'm with you," Zechs said. "They're so warm, so much... anticipation, I suppose. And longing... longing to be with you, to hold you, and touch you..." He laughed softly. "I'm a very 'touchy' person -- I'll warn you of that right away."
"I don't mind being touched," Wufei told him, smiling. "Wait 'til you meet my mother." That, in and of itself, was implication of what he felt --something deep and distinctly marvelous!
"Do you look like her -- or your father?" Zechs asked, going back to nuzzling lightly at the younger man's neck, one hand lightly caressing his belly.
"Ahhh! A... a little bit of both," Wufei managed to say, deeply enjoying the feel of Zechs's nose and lips against his throat. "Short. They're both short..."
"Short," Zechs murmured, "right. And who had the exquisitely shaped dark eyes? The perfect oval face?" Zechs had moved upwards as he spoke and now he buried his face in Wufei's hair. "Mmmm... hair that's pure silk..."
Wufei sighed ecstatically against Zechs's ear. He was terrible at taking compliments and worse at giving them, but oh, from Zechs, it seemed so easy! "From the King of the Wood-Fairies, that's quite a compliment," he whispered, lightly kissing the earlobe so close to him and then nibbling at it tenderly.
Zechs gave a squirm of pleasure. "Mmm...I *would* like to lure you away from the real world, I think... take you somewhere green and cool..." He laughed against Wufei's hair. "... and let you have your way with me!"
"You'd let me do that?" Now *that* was something! Trowa'd been so funny about sex it hadn't been... well... FUNNY!
"Mmm, sure," the blond replied, lazily. "I can be persuaded to take turns." His hand trailed upwards and teased at one of Wufei's nipples again. "As long as I could ravish you on a regular basis..."
A definite squirm of Wufei's hips provided no relief whatsoever and the young man moaned. "Oh, I think maybe I would like that. I think maybe I would like that a *lot*..."
Zechs sighed happily and with a last tweak sat up, smiling down at the untucked boy next to him. "I should probably get you home. It *is* a school night, 'child'. What would people say if the schoolmaster began contributing to the delinquency of a goatherd?"
"They'd run us out of town on a rail covered in tar and feathers," Wufei told him, smiling.... and then he remembered. "I forgot to tell Sally where I was going! She'll be worried!"
"The Lady Sally sounds a hard taskmaster," Zechs mused as he stood. He reached a hand out to Wufei and pulled the younger man up -- and into his arms for a last, lingering kiss. "If it helps I'll write you a note," he murmured.
The last filtering rays of sunlight struck moonbeam gold hair and turned it pure shining silver for a moment, making Wufei shiver. "Uh, I don't know if that would help," he said, "but thanks."
As they walked back to the car, Zechs reached out again for Wufei's hand. "Can we..." He felt suddenly shy. "Can we do something like this again sometime soon?"
"I'd *really* like that," Wufei admitted, fingers twining in Zechs's. "I mean, a whole lot. I'd like that a whole lot."
"Great," Zechs said. "What's your work schedule on Saturday?"
"Nine to five, just the goats and me, or so it was supposed to be." Wufei had the grace to look sheepish. "I asked if I could spend some time playing student and got the okay."
"Did you?" Zechs said, nearly grinning. "Well, *that* should be delightful. Are you a good student -- or a mischievous one?"
That drew a sly smile from Wufei. "Depends," he drawled, "on what you're wanting and if the goats were good that morning!"
Zechs laughed. "Oh, well -- I don't want all that much more than the goats: your doting company, the occasionally snuffle into your pockets, you know..."
They had reached the car and Zechs held the passenger door open, winking at the dark-haired boy. "And *I* only bite when you want me too!"
"Oh, I *want* you to!" Wufei told him fervently as he slid into the car and put the seatbelt on. "I want you to!"
They drove home talking of classes and work, and soon were at the entrance to the dorm again. Zechs turned off the motor and looked over at his passenger. "I really enjoyed tonight," he said softly, and smiled, "even with the tea."
"I can't wait to do it again," Wufei agreed with an absolutely brilliant gleam in his eye. "So, I'll see you on Saturday?"
"I'll be waiting -- cedar switch in hand," Zechs said wiggling his eyebrows. "I suppose it would be better for me to kiss you in here, rather than out there..." He tangled his fingers in Wufei's hair and pulled him gently towards him for a long, lingering kiss.
When that was done, both sets of lips were lightly swollen and they were just a tad on the wrong side of breathless, but it was still *very* wonderful. "It's gotten dark," Wufei whispered, "I'm going in." That was more to tell *himself* to move than anything else.
"Okay," Zechs said softly, tucking an errant lock of hair behind Wufei's ear. "See you Saturday, then."
With a sigh that wobbled only slightly with the desire that *still* sang in his hormones, Wufei slipped out of the car and into the dorm, running up the stairs to his dorm room.
Having frightened Mueller away earlier by threatening to paint his toenails, Sally was lying comfortably atop Wufei's bed, watching television. When Wufei opened the door she sat up, looked sternly at him and said, "*Where* have you been?"
He was practically floating as he shucked off his shoes and dropped down on the bed next to her, sitting cross-legged. "I ran into Zechs at supper and invited him to go out to eat," he confessed. "God, I'm crazy about that man!"
She looked down at her watch and then gave him a playful shove. "Dinner? That lasts nearly three hours?"
His face heated up as he pulled his knees up to his chest. "Accompanied by a few kisses," he admitted, "but he was an absolute gentleman every last minute, I swear!"
"Oh, give it *up*, Chang! 'A few kisses' is something he gives you at the door. Was he pressuring you?" Her eyes narrowed and took on a 'mother wolf' gleam.
"Not at all!" Wufei told her, beginning to sweat a bit under that look. "*HE* was the one who stopped kissing *ME*, even, Sal. He's a nice man! Really!"
"Mmm hmm, right. I think I may need to have a word with him," she said. "English department, you said?"
The color in his face had gone from pleasure to almost shame. "Yeah," he said softly. "Sal, come on. He's a nice guy."
"I'm just worried about you," she said, beginning to collect her things. "I mean -- he's *older* right? What if he takes advantage of you? What if he's just playing around? What if you're just... oh, I don't know -- just a way to blow off steam while he's writing his thesis?" She zipped up her bag, folded her arms, and frowned. "I *worry* about you! You can be so... trusting."
Wufei's unhappiness was distinctly telling. "Just because I screwed up with Trowa isn't any reason to think that I'm going to screw up with Zechs, Sally. He really is nice. Really. And he won't take advantage of me. How can it be taking advantage when I want him so much?"
"It *can* be," she replied stubbornly, "if he *makes* you want him so much." She put an arm around him and gave him a sideways hug. "Look, Fei -- you know I want you to be happy. But that also means I don't want to see you hurt. If this Zechs guy is all sweet to you and gets you to go to bed with him and then drops you cold, *I'm* going to be a very unhappy Sally, and you can *tell* him that for me, all right?" One more squeeze and she gave him a kiss on the cheek and stood to go.
"Yeah," Wufei said softly, looking at her solemnly as she stood beside the bed. "I know you worry about me. Thanks, Sally...only I really don't think he's all that bad, you know."
She raised a sleekly tweezed eyebrow. "We'll see," she said and headed for the door, turning to give him a wink before she left.
End of Part 2
(:./kumiko/ldays2)
