August 14 1999
Ryoga smiled in relief when Shenlong landed nearby. He was just starting to really worry that the watch didn't work or that no-one had even noticed he was gone... Wufei opened the hatch, and Ryoga leaped up to join him in Shenlong's cramped but heated interior.
"Canada," Wufei said quietly.
"Huh?"
"You're in Canada."
"Oh." Ryoga looked as puzzled as Wufei felt.
"Do you remember how you got here?"
"Well... no." Ryoga answered with a shrug. Suddenly appearing in a new place was not at all unusual for him.
"I think you went through a dimensional portal."
"Ah," Ryoga said, still confused.
"Which would explain how you moved through time."
"Uh-huh."
"Now you just need to learn to control your power."
"Huh? You think that I-?"
"It looked ki-based," Wufei said musingly. "No wonder it took you so short a time to learn your ki attacks. You've been manipulating ki on an unconscious level since you were a child." Ryoga merely stared back at him, his eyes wide in shock. "I think," Wufei posed, "that you tend to move through dimensions when you're under emotional stress."
"Huh," Ryoga said, nodding. That was certainly true. Every time he'd ever gotten lost, it was almost a relief. A chance to get away from whatever had him worried, without drawing blame... after all, nobody could be upset with him if he just got lost, really lost instead of taking responsibility for his mistakes. And just today, he had been working side by side with Wufei, his cheeks reddening from the cold and a sudden blush... and then he had gotten lost.
"It's food for thought, anyway," Wufei said casually. "You're going to have to sit on my lap so I can close the hatch." Ryoga swallowed hard and nodded his head - there certainly wasn't room in the small cockpit for him to sit on the floor. He could feel his cheeks heating in another blush as he gingerly crawled up into Wufei's lap and tried to sit small.
Wufei paused a moment longer than was necessary, waiting to assure himself that Ryoga was done shifting around on his lap. He tried to distract himself from the firm buttocks pressed against his legs by puzzling over Ryoga's dimensional travel. It seemed to be emotionally triggered... but anger obviously didn't make him transfer, or he would have disappeared any number of times while Wufei was nursing him back to health.
"Here we go," Wufei warned at last, and Ryoga tensed on his lap, a quiet gasp the only testimony to his surprise as Shenlong smoothly lifted off. The motion threw Ryoga a little off-balance, and Wufei reached out to grab him as he started to slide off his precarious perch. Ryoga froze, his eyes widening as the Chinese boy's hand landed just above the waistband of his trousers - and the next thing he knew, he was in the forest again.
"Shit!" Wufei gasped, staring at the empty air where Ryoga had been. It was damn inconvenient having him just pop out like that. But... if he vanished every time he got carried away emotionally, then maybe... no, that was preposterous. Ryoga couldn't possibly be attracted to him. He must have gotten embarrassed. He was certainly blushing when Shenlong landed again, opening the hatch for him to jump in a second time.
"Sorry," Ryoga mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck in a self-conscious, shamefaced gesture.
"Hold on this time," Wufei instructed, and Ryoga seated himself facing the stern pilot, his face scarlet as he grabbed onto the harness straps that crisscrossed over Wufei's chest.
"R-ready," Ryogua mumbled, and this time they got all the way back to the house without incident. Wufei heaved a sigh of relief as Ryoga bounded down from the cockpit. The Chinese boy took a moment to draw a long, shaky breath, cooling his raging hormones before exiting Shenlong, his thighs still warm from Ryoga's body.
Wufei led the way to the house, thankful to note that the other four pilots were outside. They happened to be in the middle of a fierce snowball fight as the prodigal Lost Boy ran to meet them, gracefully dodging the freezing projectiles on his way. Wufei paused to watch in admiration as Ryoga's lithe, powerful form sailed through the air, sometimes changing directions midair to avoid a snowball.
"Hey, welcome back!" Duo called happily. "Wu-man, where'd ya go?"
"I got lost," Ryoga admitted. "Wufei came to get me."
"It worked!" Quatre cried, hugging Ryoga and flashing Trowa a blindingly brilliant smile. "Trowa, it worked!"
"Thank you so much," Ryoga said, giving Quatre and Trowa another grateful hug for their thoughtfulness.
"You're home in time for dinner," Heero commented, and everyone filed into the house. In a confidential whisper, Quatre admitted to Wufei that they had been waiting for him and Ryoga to return, so they'd be able to see that it was safe to go indoors.
"Did you have a pleasant afternoon?" Wufei asked politely, his mind elsewhere. Quatre nodded, blushing red as a beet, and hurried to catch up to Trowa. Wufei barely even noticed; his attention was focused on Ryoga as the Lost Boy made his way indoors, his voice echoing in a rare laugh over something Duo had said. Ryoga paused to brush a dusting of snow from his thick, silky bangs, then Wufei had one last glimpse of his luscious bottom in tight black denim before he stepped into the house.
Duo had turned around to stare at him, and Wufei quickly collected himself and hurried inside, shutting the door securely.
"Duo, I'd like to speak with you," Wufei said quietly. Duo glanced at Heero, who nodded almost imperceptibly, then followed Wufei up the ladder to the loft in order to carry on a quick, urgently whispered conversation.
"But it's so early!" Ryoga protested. The sun had barely set when Duo announced that he was going to bed and Heero, Quatre and Trowa agreed with him.
"Yeah," Duo answered with a huge yawn, "but I got all worn out today."
"Hn," Heero commented.
"And I just want to go to bed."
"Ah," Ryoga said, smiling in spite of his sudden blush.
"Would you two mind changing into your PJ's now?" Quatre asked. "That way you won't wake us up when you're ready for bed."
"Sure," Ryoga said, blushing again. He hadn't even liked the idea of sleeping in the red pajamas, let alone using them as lounge wear... but there wasn't much he wouldn't do for his friends. After a quick change of clothes, he went back down the ladder and turned the TV on with the volume low. A few minutes later, Wufei joined him.
"So was it a good Christmas for you?" the Chinese boy asked curiously.
"It was the best," Ryoga said with a happy sigh, curling his legs up under him on the couch. "How about you?"
"I don't know yet," Wufei answered enigmatically.
"Ah." Ryoga didn't press the issue. Wufei certainly hadn't looked like he was enjoying himself much today.
"Would you like some traditional cider?"
"Sure," Ryoga answered, smiling. So that was the problem. Wufei was upset because the others had forgotten one of the traditions. Still blushing over the pajamas in spite of the fact that everyone else was wearing them, Ryoga followed the silent boy into the kitchen and sat down at the table while Wufei poured them each a mug of hard cider.
"It tastes... different," Ryoga said, grimacing slightly.
"It's an old recipe," Wufei answered with a hint of a smile, taking a careful sip. Duo's only suggestion on keeping Ryoga from disappearing during a serious discussion was to get him a little drunk first - and he had warned Wufei that it took an awful lot to get the boy drunk. Wufei had stealthily mixed up a strong concoction that he hoped would keep Ryoga still long enough for him to admit his feelings... and the flip side was that if Ryoga didn't return his feelings, he could act as though nothing had happened. It wasn't exactly honorable... but he wouldn't actually be lying.
Ryoga decided that the best way to avoid tasting the drink was to down it quickly - but as soon as Wufei saw that his mug was empty, he refilled it. Ryoga sighed at the now-full mug. It might be traditional, but it sure as hell tasted awful. No wonder the others had "forgotten" the tradition. Struggling to mask a grimace, Ryoga took another long pull. He was on his third mug of the repulsive stuff when they moved back to the couch to watch Christmas shows on the TV.
Wufei waited till the liquor had painted a flush across Ryoga's face before he set his own mug down. He had carefully drunk very little of the powerful mixture, but Ryoga should be nicely buzzed by now.
"I'd like to talk to you seriously for a minute," Wufei said quietly, and Ryoga quickly finished the rest of his drink and set the empty mug down, giving Wufei his full attention.
"Ok," Ryoga said.
"I wanted to say that..." Wufei stopped mid-sentence, and didn't look as though he had any plans to continue what he had been about to say.
"Huh?"
Wufei paused a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he concentrated. This wasn't going to be easy, but Duo had repeated Ryoga's words to him, insisting that there was no time to waste. He didn't want to keep this bottled up, and regret it later... but the words wouldn't come. He wasn't even sure what it was he wanted to say! He couldn't say he loved Ryoga... he just wanted him. Wanted to make him sigh and groan and smile. Wanted to curl up in his arms and stay there forever... wanted to take care of him, to eat with him and sleep with him and laugh with him and play with him...
In the end, the words didn't matter. Ryoga leaned in to try and catch his eye, and Wufei merely moved in swiftly and kissed him, knowing that the boy's reaction might be violent, and not caring. Ryoga made some soft, muffled protest before melting into the kiss, moaning in that sweet, husky voice of his as Wufei gripped his arms and pulled him in close.
Ryoga gasped as Wufei's tongued darted out to touch his lips. This couldn't be happening! Somehow he had gotten all turned around, and he found himself sitting on Wufei's lap, straddling his thighs, his mouth caught in the sweet warmth of Wufei's kiss as he stared into the fathomless depths of Wufei's eyes... and it had to be real, Wufei was warm and solid in his arms, and with a moan of acceptance Ryoga opened his mouth to the gentle invasion, twining his tongue with Wufei's in a sensual dance as his eyes slid closed.
Wufei's hands slid over the soft flannel covering Ryoga's back, gently kneading the tight muscles before slowly sliding down to cup his buttocks. Ryoga tensed, then squirmed a little, wrapping his arms tighter around Wufei's shoulders without protest. Wufei took that as all the permission he needed, and he caressed the rounded bottom freely before his hands slid around to Ryoga's chest and slowly started unbuttoning the red pajamas.
Wufei's mouth left Ryoga's, and the Lost Boy whimpered in soft protest as the warm fabric of his pajamas slid away from his chest and Wufei fastened his mouth on one taut nipple, his hands gripping Ryoga's bottom again and pulling him in closer.
"Ahh... Wu..." Ryoga sighed, and Wufei moved on to the other nipple, the sensation delicate and exquisite. Oh, but Wufei knew what he was doing... Ryoga threw his head back and moaned softly, dimly aware that Wufei's hands were squeezing his buttocks, long fingers teasing at the line between them before moving to unbutton the flap in the pajamas. Ryoga gasped as cold air washed over his naked bottom before Wufei's warm hands covered the chilled flesh in a gentle caress.
"Wufei..." Ryoga sighed, and Wufei moaned huskily against the warm, sweet skin of his throat before catching his mouth in another deep kiss. Ryoga whimpered in pleasure and half-hearted protest as a moistened finger wormed its way inside him, and he arched up against Wufei's body, his breath coming in quick little pants as Wufei's finger hit on the sweet spot. Wufei pulled back from the kiss to watch Ryoga's face as he slowly moved his finger in a delicate caress. Ryoga's brows were drawn together, and he had his lower lip caught between his teeth in an effort to stifle his whimpers as his hips started grinding instinctively. His eyes slid open, and he looked at Wufei with such a self-conscious expression it tugged at the Chinese boy's heartstrings. Wufei took pity on him and leaned in to kiss him again, to wipe his doubts and shyness away.
Ryoga froze in a moment of anxiety as he felt Wufei unbuttoning his own pajamas, and the hot length of the Chinese boy's manhood nudging at his buttocks. His eyes opened again, searching Wufei's face desperately for some kind of sign...
Wufei quickly lubricated his eager shaft and tossed the tube onto the end table, his free arm wrapping around Ryoga's waist. The poor boy was looking so unsure, and Wufei paused with his manhood poised at the boy's hidden opening.
"Ryoga...?" he asked huskily. The boy looked almost frightened, but it was Ryoga who moved next, lowering himself onto Wufei's shaft with a soft moan. Ryoga's eyes closed again, and he cursed himself inwardly for his weakness even as Wufei's manhood stoked the fire in him, his limbs melting with pleasure at the heated motion of Wufei's shaft sliding in and out. Ryoga decided to just enjoy the moment for what it was, and feel guilty later for having sex with a man who didn't care about him. They were both drunk, and lonely. It would have to be enough.
"Ah... Ryoga..." Wufei muttered, his hands clenching on the Lost Boy's thrusting hips. He leaned in to kiss the boy's throat as Ryoga threw his head back again, and quickly unfastened the rest of Ryoga's buttons, freeing the Lost Boy's manhood at last. Wufei surrounded the heated flesh with gently demanding fingers as Ryoga started moving faster and faster, and with a muted whimper Wufei came, burying his face against Ryoga's throat again as his seed spilled out into Ryoga's heat. For a long moment he froze, and Ryoga carefully started trying to disentangle himself from Wufei's tight embrace.
"Don't," Wufei said, grimacing in one last little jolt of pleasure as his manhood slid out of Ryoga's tight body. Pressing a kiss to Ryoga's sweet lips, the Chinese pilot turned and bore him down onto the couch. Ryoga looked up at him in surprise and waited in almost-fearful anticipation as Wufei yanked the red pajamas out of the way and engulfed Ryoga's manhood with his mouth in one swift move.
"Wufei!" Ryoga gasped in shock and pleasure, his eyes rolling back as Wufei's mouth and lips cleverly played across his hard shaft, drawing on his manhood with enough enthusiasm to make up for lack of experience. Wufei was determined that Ryoga was going to enjoy this encounter, but he found that he actually liked it himself. He liked the feeling of Ryoga's hard flesh against his lips, liked the sensation in his mouth... and he loved, absolutely loved, the helpless, thrilled whimpers Ryoga was trying to stifle.
Wufei slid his still-slick finger back inside Ryoga's tight passage, and found the spot again, and carefully pressed against it with a delicate touch as he drew Ryoga as far into his mouth as possible. With one last, helpless groan of warning, Ryoga reached a violent climax, his body tightening around Wufei's finger as his seed spilled forth in a hot rush. Wufei tried to swallow, choked, and ended up lying half on top of Ryoga's sated body, his finger still thrust up inside Ryoga's grasping tightness as he coughed.
"Sorry," Ryoga whispered contritely, his hands reaching out to hesitantly hug the Chinese boy. Wufei gave him a lopsided smile and hugged him back tightly.
"Don't be. I'll get better at it," the Chinese boy whispered back, and slowly began moving his finger again. Ryoga gaped at him in surprise, his body automatically responding as Wufei grinned at him. So Duo had been telling the truth after all... not that Duo ever lied, but he certainly could have been exaggerating about Ryoga's prowess. Wufei was delighted to find that it was no exaggeration. Maybe by the time the alcohol wore off, he'd be good enough at pleasuring Ryoga that the Lost Boy would let him keep doing it...
"Oh, Wufei..." Ryoga sighed. If only this could last, he'd be deliriously happy...
Duo woke as the sun slanted in across his face. With a grimace, he sat up and pulled the cotton out of his ears. Heero's eyes snapped open as soon as Duo moved, and the two boys smiled at each other.
"I wonder if it worked," Duo whispered as Heero pulled wads of cotton out of his own ears.
"Only one way to tell," Heero answered solemnly. The two boys crept over to the railing and looked down into the room below. Ryoga and Wufei were fast asleep on the couch, all twisted up together in half-naked disarray.
"I think it worked," Duo said with a smirk, and he and Heero crept back where the two sleeping boys couldn't see them. With a loud groan, Duo stretched.
"Wow, nothing like a good night's sleep!" he said loudly, grinning at Heero. "I'm starved, though. Let's get some breakfast!"
Heero grinned back at Duo as they overheard the muffled sounds of two boys scrambling back into long red pajamas in panic and consternation.
"How would you like eggs for breakfast?" Heero asked, still smiling. Duo was struggling not to laugh at the sounds from downstairs, and tried to distract himself by shaking Quatre and Trowa awake.
"How about pancakes instead?" Duo said. Quatre looked confused for a moment before he remembered to pull the cotton out of his ears.
"Good morning," he said with a sweet smile, wishing he hadn't missed the fun. Duo was all but turning purple with repressed laughter.
"Want pancakes?" Heero asked, pulling on a robe over his red pajamas and running his fingers through his tangled hair.
"That sounds good," Quatre said, and Trowa merely nodded agreement. Trowa was never much of a talker, but especially not first thing in the morning. Quatre leaned over to give him a kiss and wish him good morning before the four pilots filed downstairs.
Ryoga and Wufei were in the kitchen by the time the others got downstairs. Wufei was busily preparing a pot of coffee and Ryoga was seated at the kitchen table, drinking a glass of juice. Duo tossed Heero a knowing grin as he noted that the two boys were pretending not to notice each other.
"Good morning," Quatre chirped, and Ryoga and Wufei both responded in kind, their voices subdued. Ryoga stared down into the juice glass reflectively, and Quatre patted his shoulder gently before striking up a conversation with too-cheerful Duo. Anyone could see that Ryoga had heavy issues on his mind. Quatre only hoped that whatever unfinished business was left between Ryoga and Wufei would be settled soon. He so hated to see his friends looking mopey.
"Going to check on the Gundams this morning," Heero announced suddenly. "Duo's going with me."
"Uh... yeah, that's right," Duo nodded, smiling unabashedly. So Heero wanted to get him alone...
"Oh, we should probably go, too," Quatre said, knowing without looking that Trowa was nodding as well. "After all, Wufei flew Shenlong yesterday, but we haven't seen Sandrock or Heavyarms for a while."
"Uh, we can check on them for you if ya want," Duo said, hoping Quatre would drop the subject. He'd hate to waste an opportunity to get Heero alone...
"I'd like to see Sandrock for myself," Quatre said with a smile to soften the inflexibility of his tone. Couldn't Duo take a hint? Ryoga and Wufei needed some time alone!
"Uh, yeah, of course," Duo answered glumly. Damn. Couldn't Quatre take a hint?
Ryoga glanced from one to the other of his friends, his heart sinking as he realized that he and Wufei would be alone. He didn't know what to say to Wufei. Thank you? Let's fuck again some time? I wish you loved me?
Ryoga shook in head, exasperated. Why should he care whether Wufei loved him? It was obvious that the Chinese boy didn't care for him much at all. He was just the nearest warm body when Wufei happened to get drunk. Damn. He had worried after that first time with Duo, that the other pilots would think he was cheap... but now he was thinking it of himself. He had slept with Wufei. He had had desperate sex with a man who didn't care at all about him, in a moment of weakness and neediness. And now he would have to face the stern pilot alone. He caught a glimpse of Wufei's profile as the Chinese boy poured the fresh coffee. Such a hard, unforgiving expression on his face... Ryoga's heart sunk farther, and he dreaded the moment that he and Wufei were left alone.
Wufei stole a glance at Ryoga as he leaned over to pour coffee, and saw the boy's eyes sliding away furtively. Damn. He must have frightened him off. He had hoped... he had hoped to be able to take his time with Ryoga. That precious moment waking up with Ryoga in his arms had been wrecked by Duo's big, loud mouth. Not that he would rather have been caught in a compromising position with Ryoga! That might have embarrassed him into disappearing again... and that was a concern now. Ryoga obviously didn't want to face him. How could he keep him from disappearing before they had a chance to talk it out?
Wufei puzzled over it while Trowa flipped pancakes and Heero fried bacon. Everyone sat down at the table and started eating before an idea occurred to him.
"So... did you all have a good Christmas?" he asked quietly.
"Oh, yeah!" Duo cried enthusiastically, echoed by Heero, Trowa and Quatre.
"What about you, Wufei?" Quatre asked.
"It was the best Christmas I've ever had," the pilot said solemnly. Heero and Duo grinned slyly at each other, but Wufei only had eyes for Ryoga, who looked up hopefully. "Absolutely wonderful," Wufei added, and Ryoga ducked his head again, smiling as a blush darkened his face. Wufei calmly began eating his pancakes, ignoring Duo's idiotic grin. So what if Duo found it amusing? At least Ryoga didn't look afraid of him anymore.
Ryoga stared down at his plate, using his knife to draw patterns in the syrup as he smiled to himself. Wufei wasn't angry. And maybe it wasn't even a one-night stand. From what Wufei had said, he seemed to have enjoyed himself. Maybe... maybe they could... Ryoga found himself looking forward to the other pilots leaving, so he and Wufei could have the house to themselves. He hoped...
"Well, hate to eat and run, but we gotta go," Duo announced, stretching again as he rose from the table. Maybe if he and Heero could leave first they'd have a little time alone before the other two...
"Oh, well, we'd better hurry, then," Quatre said, and the four pilots quickly finished their food and changed clothes, then took off. Ryoga was still staring down at his uneaten pancakes as the door closed behind them.
"Aren't you hungry?" Wufei asked.
"Uh... not really," Ryoga answered, blushing again. He found himself staring at the plate, and hating himself for his shyness. If he could only work up the nerve to look in Wufei's eyes...
"Ryoga," Wufei said solemnly, and Ryoga froze. "I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
"I didn't mean to rush you. I'm sorry that I took advantage of you."
"But... I was going to apologize to you..." Ryoga mumbled.
"Do you regret..."
"No. You?"
"I don't have any regrets," Wufei said firmly. "I'm only sorry for taking advantage-"
"You didn't. I cooperated."
"Yes, you did," Wufei said after a startled pause. Ryoga looked up at last, and noted with some surprise that Wufei was blushing at least as much as he was. After another long pause, Wufei finally spoke again.
"If you ever want to cooperate again sometime..."
"Ah," said Ryoga. "How about now?"
"Really?" This time it was Wufei's turn to fall silent as Ryoga rose from the table and caught his hands in a firm, gentle grip.
"I'd like to... uh... if you would, I mean," Ryoga said.
"Any time," Wufei answered, and Ryoga rewarded him with a delighted smile. The two boys made their way upstairs to enjoy each other in privacy and comfort... and it was enough. There didn't have to be promises of love or fidelity traded between them, though that would follow in time. For now, there was nothing but the sweet slide of flesh against flesh, whispered groans and shared pleasure. It was enough.
Ryoga lay staring up at the wooden ceiling as the sun slanted across the bed, drenching them in warmth. Wufei lay half across him, one arm and leg thrown across his naked body, and Ryoga held him in a loose embrace, the freed strands of Wufei's long hair tickling against his chest. Soon they would have to get up and dress, before their friends came back. But for now, Ryoga lay in near-perfect contentment, smiling gently and thanking his lucky stars. After years of wandering... after two hundred years of being lost, he had finally found a home. Wufei tightened his arms around Ryoga as happy tears started to gather in his wide brown eyes.
Home.
THE END
Yoiko ^__^
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