"It's almost noon," Trowa commented quietly as Duo and Wufei finally made their way into what had apparently once been a small parlor, but which had now filled with computers, maps, print-outs, and various other items OZ would be very, very interested in.
Wufei shrugged while Duo blushed a little. "Did we miss anything?"
"Not really." Trowa returned to where he was leaning over the back of Quatre's chair, as the small blonde's fingers flew over the keyboard. "It looks as though we may be moving out in a few days, though."
Duo grimaced and tightened his grip on Wufei's hand. Wufei squeezed back.
"As long as we're together," Duo whispered in his ear. Wufei nodded, pulling Duo over with him to watch the data flicker on Quatre's screen for a moment.
"Where's Heero?" he asked Trowa, then grunted as Duo elbowed him sharply.
"At the shooting range I think."
"Arigatou."
Wufei turned to leave, but Duo set in his heels, shaking his head, his braid snapping. "No way, Wu, man! I'm not going near that guy when he has a gun! No way!"
Wufei hauled on Duo's hand with determination, and Duo's weak leg betrayed him, buckling and sending him stumbling after his lover. "Noooo!" Duo wailed as he was dragged from the room. He clutched at Trowa's sleeve, but missed.
ÒWufeeeee~eiiiiiiii!!Ó
Quatre turned in his chair, staring after them with huge blue eyes. "Do you think they'll be all right?" he asked anxiously, gazing up at Trowa.
Trowa looked back impassively. "It's their business, not ours." Then his face softened almost imperceptibly. "Don't worry. Wufei can take care of things."
"Ah..." Quatre didn't sound entirely certain, but he turned back to the computer. "Ganbatte, Duo," he whispered softly, then smiled as he felt Trowa's fingers tangle gently in his hair.
"They'll be all right."
"Ah."
"Nonononononononono..."
"Duo." Wufei stopped abruptly and Duo slammed into his hard shoulder.
"Uf! Itai!" He rubbed his chest, grimacing. "Nanda, Wufei?"
Wufei turned, his black eyes flashing. "If you don't want to do this... really don't want to do this... then don't."
Duo blinked, his expression startled. "Na-nani?"
Wufei shook his head, reaching up his free hand to softly stroke one of Duo's cheeks. "I can't force you. I *won't* force you. I just..." He swallowed thickly and shook his head again. "If you don't want to..."
Duo frowned. "I don't want to. But I will. I'll do it... for you, Wufei."
"Iie. You have to do this for yoursel--"
"I can't!" Duo interrupted. His face twisted and he pulled the hand still twined in his up to clasp it against his chest in both his own. "I'm not as brave as you, Wufei. I can babble forever, but I can never say anything really important! Well, almost never," he added, evidently thinking of the times he'd told Wufei he loved him. He shook his head. "I'm enough of a coward that I could never talk to Heero for my own sake. But if I'm doing it for you... maybe I can capture a little of your courage. If I do it for you..."
Wufei wrapped his free arm around Duo's neck and tugged him in for a long, sweet kiss. They were standing in the middle of the lawn, in plain sight of anyone who might happen to glance their way, but he didn't care. When it concerned Duo, he wanted the whole world to know how he felt.
Duo stiffened a moment, instinctively, but then he melted into the embrace, taking in not only the action, but the intent behind it.
"Wufei..." he murmured against the other boy's lips, then they gave themselves over to tactile enjoyment for a long moment.
"That's cute," a slightly nasal, sinkingly familiar voice suddenly spoke, breaking into their interlude.
They pulled apart and looked over at Heero, who was siting down a rifle barrel at them.
"If I were OZ, you'd be dead," he said in a flat monotone, as Duo squeaked in fear and ducked behind Wufei.
Wufei snorted and folded his arms, gazing down his nose at the other boy, ignoring the blue-steel death staring him in the face. "If you were OZ, you'd be dead already."
Heero sneered and lowered the gun.
Duo edged slowly around Wufei, clinging to his arm, his eyes flickering back and forth between the firearm in Heero's hands and the Gundam pilot's frozen face. "Um, Hee--" his voice broke and he gulped as Heero's burning gaze fixed on him. "Heero, we need to talk."
Heero's face grew, if anything, colder. "No. We don't."
"Heero!" Duo lurched forward as Heero turned to walk away, grabbing at the other pilot. Heero wrenched his arm away violently, and Duo faltered, his bad leg giving out, tumbling him backwards into the grass just as Heero raised the butt of the gun.
Wufei's hand struck swifter than thought, catching the rifle in an iron grip. "You're lucky he fell," the Chinese boy said evenly, his face a rigid mask. Even Heero took a step back at the ice-cold fury in those slanted black eyes. "Give. Me. The. Gun."
Duo scrambled awkwardly to his feet. "Don't kill him, Wufei!" he begged, looking fearfully at the two pilots stuck in a frozen tableau. "Wufei! Heero! Oh, shit, you guys! Don't--"
Heero released the gun, allowing Wufei to claim it. Duo gulped, wringing his braid nervously in both hands.
Wufei tucked the rifle under his arm, his face still utterly expressionless. "You and Duo are going to go over to the patio, and sit and talk. I will remain here. If you so much as touch a hair on his head, you are dead. Do you understand me?"
Duo's eyes widened. Heero didn't take orders well; not from anyone other than Dr. J at any rate. There was no way he was going to--
"Ninmu ryoukai."
Duo gaped. Wufei nodded shortly, his fierce gaze softening slightly. Heero turned and moved stiffly toward the patio.
"Wu...?"
"Go with him, Duo." Wufei grabbed the nape of Duo's neck and pressed a hard, quick kiss to his mouth, before shoving him gently after Heero. "Go talk."
"A... ah!" Duo blinked over his shoulder at Wufei, then his face firmed. "M-matte, Heero! Matte!"
Wufei felt his heart clench as Duo limped as quickly as he could after the other pilot.
He hoped he was doing the right thing...
About five minutes later, under Wufei's eagle eye, Heero rose and stalked into the mansion, leaving Duo sitting at the table, staring down at his clasped hands, his head bowed, his shoulders slumped.
Wufei wasn't sure whether he ought to go to Duo, or leave him alone. His only other relationship had been built on resentment and mutual dislike, and he'd only realized he'd had true feelings for Nataku after her death. So he wasn't sure...
Well, the best thing would be to go to Duo. If Duo needed him, he had to be there. If Duo rebuffed him... it would hurt, but he could take it.
It was, after all, *his* fault this confrontation had been forced. It would be completely wrong for him to bow out now; worse than cowardly, it would be unforgivable.
He strode swiftly across the lawn to the patio. Placing the rifle on the bench to the opposite side of the table from Duo -- just to be safe -- he moved to stand beside the silent boy. His hand hovered over Duo's shoulder, but he wasn't sure yet...
"Duo?"
Duo raised his head, tears tracking down his cheeks, but a strangely tranquil look on his face. "Daijoubu, Wufei," he said softly, standing and pressing against Wufei's chest, his arms circling about the slim waist. "It's... it's all right... I think."
Wufei clasped his arms tightly about Duo in relief, causing the boy to squeak in discomfort. He buried his face in Duo's thick hair. "Honto ni...?"
"Ah. Daijoubu."
"And Heero...?"
Duo shook his head. "I'll... I'll talk about it later, Wufei... Later. Right now, I... I just *can't*--"
"Wakatta." Wufei squeezed Duo, then pulled back to kiss his forehead. "Are you angry with me?" he asked anxiously, gazing into Duo's pale face.
Duo's teary eyes widened in shock. "Why would I be angry, Wufei?" he demanded, his arms tightening. Wufei felt his heart lift, both at the words and at the true surprise he could hear behind their tone. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Duo added seriously, his gaze fixed on Wufei's.
Wufei's breath caught in his throat and he just had to kiss Duo, before he did something stupid, like bursting into tears.
"Duo! Wufei! Lunch is-- Eep!"
They both looked over to the patio doorway, where Quatre was slowly turning red, his hands clapped over his mouth.
Wufei rolled up his eyes as Duo laughed ruefully. "This happens far too often!"
"Wouldn't happen if we waited until we were in our bedroom," Wufei admitted sheepishly.
"Ne, Wu-chan, I'm hungry!" Duo protested. "I wanna eat lunch first!"
Wufei blinked incredulously as poor Quatre scuttled quickly inside. "Duo! You hentai! I wasn't suggesting anything!"
"You weren't?" Duo pouted. "Now I'm disappointed!"
"Duo...!"
Wufei chased Duo into the mansion, as the American boy laughed madly.
"Kuso..."
Wufei frowned at the computer screen. This was a legitimate problem Trowa had asked his help with, and yet he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the taller boy was... stalling... somehow, for some reason.
Well, Duo was with Quatre, so Wufei didn't have to worry too much about him. Not that he didn't still worry anyway, but he could trust Quatre to take care of Duo. The gods knew Duo wasn't often capable of taking care of himself. Not when it really mattered, anyway.
"There." He sat back and rubbed his eyes wearily. It was past ten, and he was feeling cross-eyed from staring at the computer screen so long. "I hope that was handled to your satisfaction."
Trowa picked up the print-out and scanned it quickly as Wufei stood and stretched, listening to his back cracking. "Perfect," Trowa finally murmured, his voice so emotionless that the word didn't even sound like a compliment.
Wufei shook his head, then pushed black hair out of his face. "Is that everything?"
"Hai." Trowa sat down at the computer and began typing rapidly, completely dismissing Wufei's presence.
Well used to this treatment from the quiet boy and beyond ready for bed, Wufei crossed to the door. It opened before he reached it, and Quatre slipped in. Wufei stiffened.
"Where's--"
"He's waiting in your room," Quatre hastened to assure him, a sweet smile lighting his soft face. "Daijoubu."
Wufei smiled back, noting with amusement Quatre's surprise at this sincere expression. He hadn't been able to replace his old masks since rejoining the others, nor did he wish to. They would just have to learn to deal with the real Wufei.
"See if you can get that baka off the machine," he instructed, cocking a thumb over his shoulder at Trowa. Quatre colored slightly and Wufei grinned. "Sleep well, Quatre."
"You too, Wufei," Quatre replied, a little too quickly, a strange gleam in his wide eyes. Wufei gave him an odd look as Quatre brushed past him, headed toward the sudden silence that had overtaken the clacking of a keyboard being used. Then he shook his head and sighed, leaving the other two pilots to... whatever they had with each other. He wasn't sure, but, then, it wasn't really any of his business.
He yawned as he walked down the hall. Gods, he was tired. But it was a good tired. Not the sick weariness he was all too used to; the bone-deep fatigue that not even a full night's sleep could touch. This was a healthy sort of tired. Duo had far too much energy, and -- he blushed -- a raging libido. He was going to have his hands full in the future...
Pun most definitely intended.
Yawning so widely he thought his jaw would crack, he finally reached the hall in the guest wing where his room was... where Duo waited.
He stopped dead in his tracks, however, when another door opened; the one across from his and Duo's room.
Heero was wearing his uniform tanktop and spandex shorts, and there was very little chance of concealing a weapon in that outfit, but Wufei tensed immediately. After all, when the boy's hands could bend steel he didn't *need* a weapon!
Brilliant blue eyes blazing into Wufei's, Heero strode forward, his steps certain, unhurried. Wufei scowled, standing stiff, ready to defend himself, but trying not to look as though he welcomed a fight. He didn't relish being beat up by Heero, but neither was he going to turn tail and flee like a coward. He hoped it wouldn't come down to violence, but if it did...
Heero came to a stop directly before him, so close he could feel the other boy's body heat, and one hand snapped forward, grasping his upper arm painfully. Wufei didn't flinch, just continued to glare at Heero, trying to read that blank face, those burning eyes.
Heero's hand tightened, and Wufei could feel the bones of his arm grating against one another.
"Take good care of him," Heero gritted out, the words seeming to force themselves through a constricted throat.
Wufei's brows rose. But he really ought not to be surprised, he told himself.
"I fully intend to."
Heero gave a sharp nod, then released his arm and continued down the hall. Wufei looked after him, taking in the taut back and stiff shoulders. He couldn't help but feel for the other pilot. Losing Duo...
Then he winced and rubbed his arm. There was going to be a massive bruise there tomorrow!
"Kisama..."
Sighing deeply, he strode to his own door and grasped the knob. He hoped Duo was already in bed. It was late, and the American pilot was still recovering from the wounds he'd received a month or so ago.
He slipped quietly inside, not wishing to disturb Duo if he was indeed asleep, and silently closed the door behind him before turning.
The first thing that captured his notice was a soft, sweet fragrance. After a moment, he placed it as the scent of roses. The room was dark but filled with a soft golden glow that flickered strangely.
After giving his eyes a moment to adjust, Wufei looked around. There were a dozen small candles set on the table in gleaming holders. More candles ranged along the mantel of a fireplace he hadn't even noticed previously, wherein a small fire crackled quietly. Vases filled with roses were set everywhere about the room, the blooms so close to black in the dim light that they must in actuality be a deep crimson shade. There were gauzy white swathes of linen draped artistically over the window, over the furniture, hiding the end of the bed...
And in the midst of all this amatory splendor sat the most beautiful ornamentation the room could boast.
Crosslegged on the floor before the bed was Duo. He was wearing a pair of dark pants, and a thin white silk shirt was literally hanging off his shoulders. Loose hair cascaded about his face and over his bare chest, the smooth dark streams shot through with gleaming threads of pure gold. His pale skin was brushed to a warm glow by the candlelight, his heavy-lidded eyes deep and smoldering.
The entire effect was slightly marred by the wide grin curving his lips, but as far as Wufei was concerned, that was the most sensual thing about him.
"Duo, what...?" he began, taking a step into the room, unable to take his gaze off of the glorious young boy before him.
Duo's smirk broadened and he leapt to his feet, bounding across the room, and into Wufei's ready embrace. "D'ya like it?" he asked cheerfully, wrapping his arms around Wufei's neck and pressing him unsubtly back against the door.
"A-ah!" Wufei blinked. "But why did you--"
Duo cut him off with a long, deep kiss, and he gladly gave over his curiosity to be replaced by the sensation of Duo's lips warm and firm on his own, Duo's tongue a demanding squirm in his mouth.
Finally Duo pulled away, giving them both a chance to catch their breath. The room smelled like roses, but Duo himself carried the warm scent of musk and arousal. "Duo..."
"I wanted to do something for you," Duo said softly, nuzzling Wufei's nose with his own, his soft hair brushing the other boy's cheek, spilling to surround their close-pressed bodies in a thin curtain. "Because you've done so much for me."
"So, this is what you and Quatre were up to?" Wufei queried, leaning forward to kiss Duo's lips lightly, his fingers playing over the smooth planes of Duo's back through the silk shirt, causing Duo to shiver and push against him.
"Ah. We got Trowa to distract you, and... and..." And Duo himself seemed to be becoming quite distracted, his lids fluttering over glazed eyes, his lips parting to sigh softly, as Wufei's hands roamed skillfully over his body. "Aa... Wufei..."
"Duo..." Wufei claimed Duo's mouth again, tugging Duo more tightly against him.
After a long moment of eternity, Duo drew away, cheeks flushed, lips full and glistening, his breath gusting hot and wet over Wufei's face. "Hang on a sec, Wu," he said huskily, reluctantly freeing himself from Wufei's arms.
Wufei frowned, then watched avidly as Duo's lithe form darted about the room, blowing out candles, his hair wafting behind him like a soft shadow. Soon the only illumination came from the fire dying on the hearth, and a thin shaft of pale moonlight that managed to slice its way in through the window, dancing along the smooth line of Duo's cheek as he turned to Wufei.
Wordlessly, Duo raised a hand, beckoning. Wufei reached forward and clasped his fingers, warm and strong, solid in the darkness, then allowed Duo to drag him over to the bed, somehow shedding most of his clothing along the way.
"This is beautiful, Duo. Arigatou," Wufei murmured as Duo pulled him down onto the soft, fresh-smelling sheets. He traced a wet kiss along the line of Duo's jaw and up under his ear, his lips playing over the rapid pulse he found there.
Duo gasped and tightened his arms around Wufei's shoulders. "I wanted to... I wanted to show you... how much I love you..." he managed to gasp out.
"Show me, Duo," Wufei whispered, his words washing heated breath over Duo's ear, causing the other boy to shudder beneath him.
"I love you," Duo moaned, hands clenching on Wufei's back. "I love you, Wufei."
Wufei pulled back, gazing down into that sweet face, suddenly completely serious. He stroked silken hair back from Duo's eyes and kissed his brow gently. "I love you, Duo. Always and forever."
Duo gazed up at him, tears trickling down his cheeks, his mouth curving in a tender, vulnerable smile.
"Always and forever..."
"Forever..."
The End
(:./knm/time7)
