"Duo! You're supposed to wash the vegetables before you cut them!"
The long-haired American peered at the cutting board, where he'd been wielding a huge knife with as much enthusiasm as Shinigami's scythe. "Why?"
Wufei clutched at his loose hair. "Forget it. Just... continue..."
"Hai!" Duo said cheerfully, and resumed whacking away at the unfortunate pepper he was currently mutilating.
Wufei sighed and turned his attention back to the chicken meat he was slicing for their proposed stir fry. He didn't trust Duo around raw meat. Actually, he didn't trust Duo anywhere near the kitchen in general, but it was a little too late, as he'd already agreed to go along with this...
Finished with the meat, he crossed to the stove -- which he'd managed to fix about a week ago -- and lifted the lid off the pot, which was boiling over.
"DUO!"
"Eh?" Duo turned at Wufei's howl, eyes wide, braid twitching.
Wufei sputtered and fumed "You can't cook the noodles and the rice in the same pot!"
"Why not? It saves time!" Duo declared cheerfully.
Wufei groaned and sank his head into his hands.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Duo asked, cuddling next to Wufei on their bed, clad for sleep in a baggy tee-shirt and a pair of boxers.
"Nm... no. Pretty good, actually." Actually, it had been. Wufei was glad Duo had allowed him to 'help' with dinner. Otherwise it could have been a complete disaster.
"Maybe I ought to cook for us more often!"
Wufei choked. "Uh, Duo..."
"As long as I have you to 'help' me..."
Wufei looked down at the gleam of lazy amusement in Duo's hooded eyes, and couldn't help smiling in reply. "Sure, why not?"
Duo wormed a hand up underneath Wufei's tank top, running his fingers over the slim chest, his cheek resting comfortably against Wufei's shoulder. "I liked it," he murmured, cuddling closer. "Cooking with you, I mean. It felt like... like we're home here."
"Mm..." Wufei yawned.
"But I still can't believe you forgot to contact the others!"
"Duo!" Wufei blushed hotly and glared down at Duo, who was grinning.
"Well, I'm glad you forgot..." He leaned up for a lingering kiss. "Although..." He sighed heavily, nestling his head under Wufei's chin. "I guess we'd better get back soon. I wish... I wish we could just forget about Gundams and this damn war and just..."
"Just be normal boys?"
Duo giggled unexpectedly, his dark mood lightening. "I hardly think either of us counts as 'normal', Wu-chan!"
"Oi," Wufei protested mildly, though he had to agree with Duo.
Duo suddenly removed his hand from Wufei's shirt and rolled over, so that he was sitting, straddling Wufei's hips.
"Duo, what--?"
Duo cut him off with a kiss, wrapping his arms firmly around Wufei's neck. His mouth worked slowly, sweetly against Wufei's, not demanding, but definitely very thorough. Wufei leaned into the kiss, returning each taste and caress. And when Duo's tongue flickered out to play with his upper lip, he tentatively returned the gesture, sliding his own along Duo's lower lip. Their tongues met and twined, softly playing against one another.
Finally Duo drew back, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. "See, Wu-chan? You're getting better," he murmured, nuzzling his nose against Wufei's.
Wufei managed not to blush, trying to control his harsh breathing, the pounding of his heart. "Not that I'm complaining, Duo, but what was that for?"
Duo kissed the tip of his nose lightly. "To thank you."
"I thought that's what dinner was for."
"Yeah, but you helped with that."
"I like to think I helped with this too," Wufei commented dryly.
Duo stared at the Chinese boy for a moment, then rolled off of him, howling with laughter. Then he yelped as he rolled right off the small bed and landed with a thump on the floor.
Wufei leaned over to give Duo his hand. Duo was still giggling as Wufei hauled him up, though he winced a little as he forgot and tried to put weight on his broken leg.
"Ooh, Wufei, man! That was classic!" He snuggled close once more, arms wrapped tightly around Wufei's chest. "That was just... classic!"
"Hn." Wufei buried his face in Duo's soft hair. He didn't ever want to lose this; Duo warm in his arms, heavy against his chest, cheerful and open, affectionate... to say the least; but he was so afraid of what would happen once they rejoined the others.
"I still can't believe you did that, though," Duo said against the flesh of Wufei's collarbone.
"What, kissed you back?"
Duo giggled. "Baka. No, I meant going to all that trouble to get my outfit. You didn't have to bother."
"I know. But I wanted to."
"Why?"
Wufei closed his eyes. *Because I love you.* The words were so easy to say in his head, but he didn't dare speak them aloud. So far he'd never come straight out and told Duo. He was frightened of what might happen if he said it. He was pretty sure Duo understood how he felt, but knowing it for certain was another thing entirely. If it was verbalized, it might prove too much for the other boy, might drive him away. And Wufei had already decided crumbs from Duo would be better than a banquet with someone else.
So he answered Duo with a question of his own.
"Why do you wear that stuff anyway, Duo? I mean, if there's anyone I know who's less... um..." He tried to think of a word he could use that wasn't too insulting. And failed. "Er..."
Duo was silent for a time, twining his fingers in Wufei's hair. "It's sort of a legacy. Sorta like your 'justice'. Not as important, but... it helps me remember..."
"Mm?" Wufei tried to encourage without pushing.
"You don't wanna hear my tale of woes," Duo said, laughing mirthlessly.
Wufei tightened his arms. "Of course I do. It's a part of what makes you who you are, Duo. Besides, you listened to me... about Nataku." He grimaced, still humiliated that he had allowed himself to weaken enough to shed tears. Not that Nataku wasn't worth tears, but...
"Are you serious?" Duo asked, levering up and staring Wufei in the eyes.
"Duo. You know me," Wufei said simply. That was answer enough.
Duo blinked, then smiled slightly and kissed him, before lowering himself to lay against Wufei's chest again. "Well, you're loosening up a little," he commented. "But you're still pretty serious most of the time, aren't you?"
Wufei waited patiently.
Duo sighed. "It's not that big a thing. Just... Dressing like this reminds me of two of the only people in my life who cared about me. You know?"
"Who were they?"
"Father Maxwell... and Sister Helen." Duo moved more closely against Wufei, seeking comfort. "I was a war orphan. Migrated to Colony V08744 when I was seven. I... There was Solo. He was the first person to ever care about me, even a little. You know? But he died."
"Is that where you got your given name?" Wufei asked, suddenly seeing a connection.
"Yup." He could feel Duo smile against his chest. "It was the least I could do, since I wasn't able to save him in time..." Duo's voice faltered and he was silent, as he roamed the past in his mind for a while. "Then the Maxwell Church took me in."
"Ah." Wufei could see, now, where Duo's name came from. And why.
"I was only there for a short time, but I was happy..."
"What happened?"
"War," Duo spat. "Isn't that always it? Everyone was killed while I was off stealing a mobile suit. War takes all that's good and destroys it, for no reason. No one gains and everyone loses!"
Wufei winced, but he certainly couldn't disagree. "That's why you fight in Shinigami?"
"Yeah." Duo buried his face in Wufei's shirt, fighting tears. "Just wanna end all the hurting. That's all."
Wufei held him silently. After all, what could he say? He had the same feelings, the same cause. He had lost his family, his people, his home, his wife... They were no different at the heart of the matter. They had different reasons, perhaps, but they were fellow warriors now, with the same objectives, the same orders, the same willingness to give their lives for a better future...
"Gomen. Sorry for dumping on you, Wufei."
He clenched his arms around Duo, tightly enough to make the other boy squeak in startlement. "Iie. Don't apologize. I wanted to know. I asked. And I'm glad you told me. I'm just sorry to make you relive the pain..."
"Baka." Duo sat up and kissed him again. His cheeks were damp, but his face was peaceful.
"Duo... do you think this war will ever end?" Wufei asked, suddenly melancholy. He would love more than anything to see Duo have a chance to live as a regular person... grow up to be an adult... without having to worry about Leos or self destruct buttons...
"Once I get back in Shinigami, it'll be over in a flash!" Duo replied cheerfully, yawning. Wufei gave him a bemused look and he grinned. "Relax, Wu-chan." He cuddled close once more. "We'll take care of things."
Wufei shook his head affectionately, and tugged the blankets up over them. It was close to midnight; way past time for them to get to sleep. He reached over Duo and flicked the lamp off.
"Wufei?"
"Mm?"
Duo lifted his head and kissed Wufei fiercely, almost bruisingly. "Nothing." He lay back down against Wufei's chest, arms clasped close around the other boy.
Wufei lay awake, wondering what that had signified. His mouth was still tingling as Duo's breathing slowed and became regular with sleep. Had Duo been trying to say something with that kiss? Or was Wufei so desperate he was reading things into a simple gesture of affection?
Finally he gave up speculation and held Duo close, allowing slumber to claim him as well.
What he had now was enough... whatever it was.
Wufei slipped quietly into the tiny bedroom. It was almost a shock. Duo had done a thorough cleaning job while he had been gone -- it even looked as though the floor had been scrubbed -- and the window was open, allowing fresh, green-smelling air to waft in.
It was nice, though...
Duo himself lay sprawled on his back on the bed, sleeping quietly. He was wearing some of the clothing Wufei had gotten him the very first time he'd gone to town, a large tank top and a pair of black sweatpants. Wufei had seen most of the rest of the clothing belonging to the two boys hanging on the make-shift clothesline he'd set up to the side of the cabin, as he pulled up in the Jeep. Duo's unbound hair was still a bit damp, and his face was as clean as the cabin.
Duo must have been burning off a lot of nervous energy, Wufei surmised, as he moved softly across the clean floor. Even the extra blankets had been folded.
He just hoped Duo hadn't been too hard on his weakened leg. It had been close to a month since it had been broken, but Duo hadn't exactly been treating it gently all that time.
Standing beside the bed, he took advantage of the opportunity to watch Duo sleep. They went to bed in the dark and Duo usually woke at the same time he did in the morning, so chances like this weren't as frequent as Wufei liked.
He looked so innocent, like a fallen angel, especially with his unbraided hair spilling about his face and shoulders, rich chestnut waves shot through with honey-gold highlights. Dark lashes swept above his smooth, slumber-flushed cheeks. In sleep, Duo's face was utterly open and free of the jester's mask he still wore much of the time. Wufei reached down and lightly traced his fingertips along the soft line of Duo's temple, cheekbone, jaw... Then bent to whisper feather-soft kisses over Duo's brow, nose, chin, and, finally, brushed gently over his lips.
"Hm... Wufei..." Duo murmured, still mostly asleep. Wufei felt his heart leap in his chest at the sound of his name riding Duo's breath. *His* name, in Duo's unaware state; not... anyone else's!
He tangled his hand in the hair at the back of Duo's head and kissed him more firmly, as Duo's arm came up to curl around his neck, tugging gently but insistently. He answered this unspoken demand by sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning lower over Duo, his mouth working Duo's, their tongues twining, playing tag. Duo's fingers tangled almost painfully in Wufei's loose hair, the other hand resting against his chest, then running up over his shoulder, under his jacket. Wufei cradled the back of Duo's head with the hand still threaded through that long, glorious hair, tugging the American boy up toward his hungry mouth. He used his other hand to brace himself over Duo, careful not to tug at any loose strands of Duo's hair.
Eventually, of course, they both had to breathe. Wufei pulled back, pressing a light kiss to each of Duo's eyelids, then kissing his nose, making Duo sputter, his eyes popping open. He grinned down at Duo, black eyes gleaming.
Duo smirked, his own indigo-blue eyes heavy-lidded and dark. "Saaa, Wufei... you sure know how to wake a guy up," he commented, his voice husky, as Wufei pulled free of his embrace and sat up. Duo stretched languidly, his lips still curved, his gaze fixed on Wufei, who was admiring the lean young body on the bed beside him.
"Duo..."
Suddenly Duo blinked and his soft, sleepy expression firmed. "Ne, Wufei! What did they say?"
Wufei grimaced and shrugged out of his jacket. "Not much. I got a hold of Quatre, and he was excited and happy." He smiled at the memory, and Duo grinned in sympathy. "He said he misses you, Duo." Duo flushed and sat up, pushing his hair back from his face, then wrapping his arms around Wufei's chest.
"What then?"
"Then? Oh! Then Trowa took over, since Quatre wasn't getting much of anything coherent said. The Gundams are all in good shape, the pilots are alive... There haven't been any new missions while we've been here, so essentially they've just been hiding out, too."
"What about Shinigami?" Duo prompted, squeezing Wufei.
"Uh..."
"Baka!" Duo cried. "Don't tell me you forgot to ask!"
Wufei grinned. "Of course not. Shinigami's fine; ready and waiting. Quatre's men fixed it up for you, with a little help from Howard."
Duo's eyes shone with happiness, and he leaned up to kiss Wufei swiftly. "Arigatou!"
"I didn't do anything," Wufei protested.
"You saved my life."
Wufei blushed. "Well, there is that... But Trowa was the one who rescued Shinigami."
"I'll have to thank him too," Duo grinned.
"Duo..." Wufei didn't trust that wicked gleam in the wide blue eyes.
Duo laughed then stretched to kiss Wufei's chin. "Baka. Not like that! You think I want Rashid and the rest of Quatre's goons coming after my blood? Nuh-uh. I'll leave Trowa to Quatre!"
"Hm..."
Duo tucked his head under Wufei's chin. "B'sides, I have you."
Wufei's eyes widened, and he tightened his arms around Duo, his heart aching. But it was such a sweet pain...
After a few moments of silence, Duo squirmed. "So, did Trowa say when they wanted us back?"
Wufei sighed. "Not really. Quatre's eager to see both of us again, but Trowa was more realistic. He said to be sure you were strong enough before we rejoined them."
"Strong enough for what?" Duo inquired, his hand creeping up Wufei's thigh.
"Um..."
"So, we're okay here for a while?"
"As far as I know."
"Good!" Duo was very vehement in that. And his fingers were still moving, sliding slowly upwards...
"Duo." Wufei stood abruptly.
"Araa? Sa~aa... Gomen, Wufei," Duo grimaced, his eyes wide and vulnerable. "I know... I know you're not--"
"Iie. It's not that."
"Then what?"
Wufei turned away from the confusion and almost-pain in Duo's face, and crossed to look out the window, his arms defensively folded. He'd thought he could just take things as they were, but talking to Trowa had changed his mind. It was one thing, while they were alone here in the small cabin, but the situation was going to be vastly different, once they were with the other pilots.
"What is it, Wufei?" Duo asked, sounding worried.
"Duo, what..." It was impossible to call any words to his mind. There was so much he had to say, so much they had to discuss, and he didn't know where to start.
"Ne?"
He decided to dive right in. He was the only pilot who hadn't tried to self destruct his Gundam... But here he was, about to blow the most important relationship in his life, destroy the comfortable illusion he'd built for himself, that there could ever be anything for him with Duo.
Wufei drew in a deep breath. "Duo, what are we? To each other, I mean."
Duo was silent long moments, each second digging deeper into Wufei's soul, the agony becoming nearly unbearable. Finally he spoke.
"I'm not sure."
Wufei closed his eyes. At least it wasn't a flat-out rejection. "Sou ka..."
"Wufei?"
"Nani?"
Suddenly Duo was behind him, close enough to touch, but not touching, his body heat washing over Wufei like a never-ending wave. Wufei was hyper-aware of each small breath Duo took, of the rustle of his hair, even of the shifting of the bone against bone in his joints.
"What am I to you?" Duo asked, his voice deep with intensity.
So, now it came out. He was glad, in a way. It was cowardly to resist saying it, after all. But it was still one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do.
At least he didn't have to look at Duo as he said it.
"I love you, Duo," he whispered.
There was a sharp, indrawn breath, then strong arms wrapped around his waist, and Duo buried his face in Wufei's loose black hair. Wufei felt relief rush through him, hot and hard and painful. He wasn't going to hope... But it was so good to know that saying it, admitting it, wasn't going to drive Duo away from him. That had been his greatest fear...
"Wufei..."
"Duo, I don't want... You don't have to..."
"Wufei." Duo's arms vanished, then hard hands were on his shoulders, turning him. He gazed into Duo's eyes, falling forever. The expression on Duo's face was impossible to interpret.
"Ne?"
"I..." Duo licked his lips. "I'm not sure... I don't think I can say it, like you can. I'm not as brave as you. But I'm... I feel..."
Wufei dared to lean forward and kiss Duo lightly. "Duo, as long as you're my friend, as long as knowing doesn't drive you away from me--"
"Iie. Wufei. Iie. You shouldn't... shouldn't have to settle for less than..."
"Duo." Wufei smiled softly, hands cupping Duo's face, one thumb tracing over his lower lip. "Everything about you is everything I need. I decided long ago that even a single smile from you means more than my own life."
Duo flushed brightly. "Wufei..."
Wufei kissed him softly again.
"Wufei, I..." Duo drew in a deep breath. "I thought... I mean, I never..."
An impish grin quirked Wufei's lips. "The great Duo Maxwell at a loss for words?"
Duo blushed and smacked Wufei's head lightly. "Baka." Then he wrapped his arms tightly around Wufei's neck, grinding their lips together in a kiss that was more passion than pleasure, was almost hard enough to draw blood.
"Wufei, you really do...?"
Wufei had to close his eyes at the aching vulnerability filling Duo's sweet face. "I love you," he whispered again, brushing his nose against Duo's. There was a strange sort of freedom in speaking the words aloud.
"Wu..."
"Nm?"
Duo pulled away, cheeks flushed, eyes shining. "Will you braid my hair?"
Wufei nodded, smiling. This was best for Duo, that they break the tension. Before Duo said something he regretted, or didn't mean. "Hai."
They settled on the bed, Wufei wielding the brush with expert hands.
"Wufei?"
"Ne?"
Duo squirmed a little on the mattress before him. "I'm... I..."
Wufei stroked the brush through Duo's long locks slowly, soothingly. "Duo, don't say anything because you feel you have to. I told you, it's all right."
"Yeah, but..."
"Duo." Wufei lifted the mass of thick hair and pressed a firm kiss to the back of Duo's neck. "Shut up."
"Ah."
End Part 4
(:./knm/time4)
