China

By Esmerelda

Based on the song "China" by Tori Amos

 

Duo Maxwell nearly spit out his morning cola when he logged into his comm unit and found a message from Chang Wufei waiting on the server. The message was very brief and to the point, much like the Chinese Gundam pilot:

 

We need to talk in person. I will send a plane to fly you to my home. This place has no name- don’t bother looking it up. When will you have a free week to visit?

-Wufei

 

Duo smiled. So there was some unfinished business, like Wufei said nearly a year ago. Had it honestly been nearly a year since the two had spoken? It was four years since the pilots had stepped into their Gundams, but a year since speaking… Duo thoughtfully took a sip of cola and reached for a jam tart before opening a reply link. Chewing slowly before swallowing the raspberry pastry, he thought back to the last time he laid eyes on Chang Wufei.

 

-

 

They were in San Francisco, looking for something to get for Heero as a way of saying "congratulations on your marriage to Relena Peacecraft and may you have good luck in dealing with her." They had shopped for hours in every mall they could find trying to find the perfect gift, and then they found it. An exquisite crystal dove resting on the back of an exquisite crystal lion. It was fitting, considering Heero’s violent nature and Relena’s pacifist attitudes. Duo didn’t really know why Wufei suggested that the gift be from both himself and Duo, but it was a fair way to give the gift. After all, both men spotted it at the same time and excitedly murmured amongst themselves about how perfect it was.

 

After purchasing the gift, they had dinner in an old-style hamburger place. That was when Wufei became the first person to utterly shock Duo Maxwell.

 

"You were in love with him, weren’t you?" That was it. Just like that. He didn’t even bother to look up at Duo when he said it. He just calmly dipped a fry in a pool of ketchup and took a graceful bite, waiting to hear the American’s response. Duo was too much in shock to reply to that. Wufei’s black eyes seemed to stare right through him as he chewed on that deep-fried bit of potato. What could Duo do when faced with such a shocking question?

 

He told the truth.

 

"Yeah, I guess I was," Duo murmured wistfully. "I mean, I knew it would never happen. After all, it was obvious he had a thing for Relena, even if he couldn’t show it. He never said anything, but it was there. Now look at him. He was grinning like an idiot in that video message saying he and Relena had eloped. I’ve never seen him so happy before. It…just wasn’t meant to be."

 

Dinner was silent after that, as was the walk back to their hotel, and the elevator ride back to their shared room… Quatre Raberba Winner and Trowa Barton were obviously back from their shopping excursion, given the "Do not disturb" sign hanging from the doorknob of their shared room. Even when Duo walked into the bathroom to take a steaming hot shower, not a word was uttered. Even when he stepped out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel, his long chestnut-brown hair sopping wet and hanging past his waist in dripping sections. Wufei was standing there, waiting for him. Nothing was said, but no words could describe exactly what happened after that. To put it simply, Wufei put his arms around the wet American and kissed him. Pressed up against him, ran his fingers through his hair, and moved his tongue over Duo’s lips like they were made of ice. The element of surprise caused Duo to drop his towel, but that didn’t stop Wufei’s kiss, nor did it stop Duo from enjoying it. And the feeling he got from it… that was what made the event so indescribable. It was a mix of confusion and something else…

Whatever it was, it was over too quickly, and there was no going further. Wufei brushed past the startled American to take his shower, and by the time he had finished, Duo had already fallen asleep on one of the single beds, dampening the pillows around him with his still wet hair.

The next morning, Wufei was gone, as were his belongings. There was a note on the nightstand next to Duo’s bed:

 

I paid for the room. The manager said unless you want to start paying, you need to be out by noon tomorrow. Sorry about last night- we’ll just consider this unfinished business until I can gather the nerve to talk to you again. I had the figures gift-wrapped and mailed to H and R. Until then.

-Wufei

 

-

 

Duo smiled softly. So Wufei’s finally gathered the nerve to talk to me again. I wish I hadn’t fallen asleep then… I might’ve been able to tell him that I enjoyed it. Now I have the chance.

 

Duo finished off the last of the tart and began to type his reply.

 

Any time’s good. Nice hearing from you. Looking forward to seeing you again.

-D-

 

The next morning, Duo checked his messages again. Once again, there was a message from Wufei. His heart skipped a bit when he read it.

 

There will be a plane to pick you up at the airport nearest your house at noon tomorrow- yes, I do know where you live; I have been getting your letters. I’m sorry I never replied- I haven’t been ready to. We’ll talk at my place. Looking forward to seeing you as well, Duo.

-Wufei

 

-

 

China all the way to New York

 

"Duo Maxwell… We’ve been expecting you."

 

Duo smiled as he stepped into the small airplane, carrying a duffel bag with a week ‘s worth of clothes and his laptop. Peeking inside the plane to face the owner of the voice, he smiled.

"You the pilot?"

 

The man nodded, his dark hair shining in the noon sunlight. "Yes. The flight will be about fifteen hours, and we have one stewardess on board, so feel free to ask her for anything- meals, water, peanuts, what have you."

 

Duo hopped into the plane and took a seat near the window, buckling up carefully. "I’m the only passenger?"

 

"Yes."

 

"So let’s go! I’ve been waiting nearly a year to see my friend!"

 

I can feel the distance getting close

 

Hour by hour passed in the air. The cabin was now dark except for the warming glow of Duo’s laptop and the mind-numbing game flashing across it. Duo’s violet eyes were mesmerized by the flashing patterns of light, and when it seemed that he would become completely lost within the clutches of fantasy, he pressed a key, and the game vanished. Typing furiously, Duo brought up the computer photo album he compiled with the other Gundam pilots and their allies.

 

There were photos of Heero and Relena together- too many to count. With many of them, Relena was smiling and Heero wasn’t. And then, there was the picture where Heero was laughing and Relena was infuriated. Duo remembered that day well. That was when he tried to tell her his feelings for her, but broke down in nervousness and began laughing. Poor Relena! She thought he was being so insincere… if only she knew.

 

Duo kept pushing the "next" button until he came to the gallery that contained photos of Wufei. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your face…

 

You're right next to me
But I need an airplane

 

All of the photos of Wufei and Duo together were in places where both of them had to travel. Not at either one of their houses, like Trowa and Quatre’s pictures, which featured both of them in either Quatre’s mansion or in Trowa’s traveling circus. There was the amusement park in Tokyo where Duo dragged Wufei and Heero on every wild ride he could find. In one picture, Duo was holding Wufei in a loose embrace in front of the Tunnel of Love. The photo was meant as a joke to be used on greeting cards to Sally Po, Milliard and Relena Peacecraft, and Lucrezia Noin, with the caption "The best wild ride Duo and Wufei ever saw", but it wound up becoming the icon of that visit. Whenever someone referred to "the Tunnel of Love", the Gundam pilots immediately came up with "Tokyo". Duo felt his face grow warm thinking about that. Wufei didn’t seem to mind having his picture taken in that manner- even after ducking away from the camera during the whole day. Did he have feelings for me this whole time? Duo sighed as he looked out the window of the plane. The ocean glimmered beneath the light of a full moon. Why couldn’t us pilots live closer together? It’d be a lot easier when visiting each other. But then again, that’s what’s making this visit particularly special. What are you planning for my visit, Chang Wufei? Will you back out at the last second and burst into laughter, like Heero did?

 

-

 

I can feel the distance as you breathe

 

"Mister Maxwell?"

 

Duo opened his eyes slowly, squinting against the harsh morning light. "Yeah? What’s up?"

 

"Mister Maxwell, we’ve landed."

 

Duo hopped out of his seat excitedly, stuffing his laptop into his duffel bag and dashing out the door of the plane while shouting a quick "Thanks" to the pilots and stewardess. Running down the small steps, his thoughts turned to his long chestnut braid and rumpled black clothing, but only for a second. Wufei would understand. I don’t have to dress up just for him.

 

Looking around excitedly on the landing strip, Duo’s breath came in excited ragged gasps. A car honk focused his attention to the east, where the sun was flaring. A black jeep suddenly came to view, as did the driver. "Hey! Wufei!" Duo screamed, dropping his bag and waving his arms excitedly. The jeep pulled to a stop in front of the plane, and Chang Wufei stepped out, as graceful as ever.

 

He hadn’t changed much since the time Duo saw him last. His obsidian hair was still at his shoulders and was pulled back, and he still was wearing his favorite white silk outfit. He was slightly more muscular now, and he walked with the grace of a tiger as he approached the American.

 

"It’s been a long time, Duo," Wufei voiced in a rich baritone, stooping down to pick up Duo’s bag.

"Yeah, it has," Duo agreed, feeling a pang of guilt for not carrying his own bag. "Do you want me to carry that, Wufei? I don’t want to cause any more trouble for you…"

 

"Nonsense. I invited you- the least I can do is carry your bag to the jeep. I trust you had a good flight?"

 

His speech was forced. Even Duo could tell that- Duo, who was the world’s worst mind reader. Wufei was hiding something…

 

"Yeah, the flight was smooth. So, what have you been up to? Did you ever get in touch with the other guys? I hear Heero and Relena are expecting a baby," Duo chattered, trying to make conversation as they stepped into the Jeep and began to move away from the landing strip.

 

"Relena had the baby- it’s a girl. Her name is Karen. Karen Mariana Peacecraft. Heero seemed quite proud of himself," Wufei said unemotionally. Duo stared out the window of the jeep.

 

"Did he tell everyone else?"

 

"I think so."

 

Duo sighed. "Why would he keep it from me? I didn’t even know Relena was expecting until Quatre blabbed to me."

 

Wufei kept his eyes on the road as he made several sharp turns into the Chinese woods.

 

"Maybe Heero knew… about your feelings for him, I mean."

 

Duo leaned against the window and sighed. "I wouldn’t be surprised."

 

The jeep went on in silence.

 

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you

 

The jeep stopped in front of a large brick house in the middle of nowhere. There were trees and bamboo everywhere, and the mountains in the background were extremely picturesque. Other than that, there was nothing. Wufei exited the jeep quickly and pulled Duo’s bag from the backseat. "Here we are. I hope you find your accommodations adequate."

 

Oh, Wufei… do you know how phony that sounded? I know you’re trying hard to please me. Why? Is there something you couldn’t say back in San Francisco? We’re both adults now… can’t you just open your mouth and say what you’re thinking? Or is it what I think it is?

 

"Something wrong?" Wufei suddenly asked, noticing Duo’s odd stare. Duo shook his head quickly, causing his chestnut braid to shimmy.

 

"Nah, just thinking. Why was I invited here, anyway? I think I have an idea, but it’s best for me not to assume things."

 

Wufei stepped closer to Duo, his face suddenly soft. "It’s about the unfinished business, Duo. We need to talk about it… try to figure out what to do about it."

 

Duo’s heart leapt. What to do about it! Maybe… just maybe… He stepped forward to put his hands on Wufei’s shoulders, but the Chinese man turned and walked toward the house.

 

How can I when you build the great wall around you

 

Wufei… you haven’t changed a bit. Whenever you’re faced with your emotions, you wall yourself up and hide from them. You’ve been able to trust me for years. I’ve been able to keep every one of your secrets- even San Francisco. Were you ashamed of that? Are you ashamed of your emotions, Wufei? With his head spinning, Duo followed Wufei into the spacious house.

 

In your eyes I saw a future together

 

The tour of the house went by too quickly. Wufei talked the whole way through, only because he had to. "Bathroom on the left, bedroom on the right, closet straight ahead, we just passed the laundry room…" So monotonous. Duo tried to lighten the atmosphere.

 

"So, planning on sharing all this space with someone, or does Nataku have a shrine in half of the house?" he joked. Wufei turned around, almost glad for the rude interruption. His black eyes seemed to glow as he smiled slightly.

 

"It’s in the garage. As for the house… I prefer solitude, and lots of it. You knew that already…" Duo grinned. "Well then, if I suddenly move in with you, you’ll still have your solitude, right? I like it here. So quiet. Not like New York City, where quiet is hearing the cars go past."

 

You just look away in the distance

 

A slight smile played across Wufei’s face, and before Duo could comment on it, it was gone. Vanished in a mask of decorum. But there was something else… how Wufei’s eyes glimmered… was it shame? Shame for what? What could Wufei be ashamed of?

 

"You might want to get some rest before dinner. I’ll show you to your room," he murmured, walking back the way they came.

 

-

 

China decorates our table

 

Groggy and jet lagged, Duo brushed his long hair quickly before changing into jeans and a thin white shirt. He debated whether or not to pull it back in a braid, and, letting his lazy side get the better of him, just brushed the tangles out and let it cascade down his back in brown waves. Walking briskly out of the room, Duo headed down the large staircase to the dining room, where he smelled the sweetness of sweet and sour chicken and sticky rice.

 

"Wufei! What time is it?" Duo called as he took the stairs two at a time.

 

"About six thirty. I was just getting ready to come wake you," Wufei called back. There was disappointment in his voice. Duo’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest for the sixth time that day. Planning to wake me up… Images of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White flew through his head- fairy tales nearly forgotten from his childhood. Duo silently cursed himself for waking up early. He tried not to let it show as he skidded into the large dining room. The small table in the center was beautifully decorated, with fine china and silver chopsticks. There were two candles sitting in the center, gleaming romantically and casting their warm glare on the crystal goblets accenting the décor.

 

"Damn, Wufei… this is fit for royalty! I didn’t know you knew how to cook or anything… wasn’t that a woman’s job?" he teased. From the kitchen, he heard Wufei clear his throat loudly.

 

"Living on my own, I had to learn how to cook my own meals. It wasn’t too difficult, you know," he called. There was a small clank, and then Wufei’s voice came again. "Stay out of my way right now- this is heavy and very hot," he warned. Duo obediently moved into a far corner of the dining room. Wufei stepped out of the kitchen, carrying an elegant platter of sweet and sour chicken surrounded by gleaming sticky rice. Placing it gracefully between the two candles, Wufei glanced up at his guest.

 

"Can I come to the table now?" Duo asked, grinning. Wufei’s jaw dropped and his mouth hung open, his eyes fixated on Duo.

 

"I…I…" he stammered. Duo stepped forward into the reaches of the candlelight and pulled his own chair out.

 

"You okay, Wufei? Something wrong?"

 

Wufei shook his head, still in shock. "No… nothing. Your hair… it’s just grown since I last saw you. It’s…" he struggled to get the words out. "It’s beautiful."

 

Duo blushed visibly as he sat down at the table. "Thanks, Wufei…" His gaze suddenly wandered to the chopsticks next to his plate. "Hey… Wufei… got any forks? I can’t use chopsticks… Heero tried to teach me, but he said I was a lost cause."

 

Wufei smiled as he shook his head. "Sorry. You’ll just have to learn."

 

Duo sighed as he reluctantly picked up the silver chopsticks and tried to fit them to his hand. Wufei dug a silver serving spoon into the chicken and poured a heap of the sweet smelling food on Duo’s plate.

 

"Just try," Wufei murmured, watching Duo’s every move. He hid a smile as Duo clumsily stabbed the chopsticks into the steaming rice and swirled them around, trying to grab a piece of chicken. After a minute of fruitless efforts, Duo sighed in exasperation and let the chopsticks fall to the plate. The clatter rang throughout the dining room.

 

"I’m hopeless. I told you," Duo moaned. Wufei rose from his chair and walked over to Duo’s side of the table, picking up the chopsticks with one hand and holding Duo’s right hand with the other. He carefully molded Duo’s hands around the chopsticks until he was holding them properly, and then wrapped his own hand around Duo’s fingers. He guided Duo’s arm toward a piece of chicken, and Duo opened his hand enough so the chopsticks were on both sides of the morsel. Wufei’s grip tightened, and the bit of food was grabbed. Wufei then guided Duo’s hand until the piece of chicken was at his lips, whereupon Duo opened his mouth and finally managed to taste the sweetness of the meal.

 

"Better?" Wufei murmured gently. Duo chewed and swallowed, grinning and turning red.

"Yes… it’s delicious. You’re a good cook, Wufei," he whispered, dimly aware of the fact that Wufei’s hand was still enclosing his own.

 

"Do you think you can get it on your own, now?" Wufei asked, reluctantly releasing his grip. Duo nodded dumbly as he automatically moved to grasp another piece of chicken. His hand shook as he brought the piece of food to his lips, but he managed to take another bite. Wufei suppressed a grin as he walked back to his chair, finally allowing himself to begin eating.

 

Funny how the cracks don't seem to show

 

Dinner was perfect. The gentle atmosphere, the sun setting below the mountaintops… Duo just wished he had a replay button on his memories so he could relive this evening again and again and again…

 

As Wufei and Duo cleared the table and set everything into the sink, Duo reflected on the dinner conversation. Now he knew that Wufei was being paid to grow bamboo on his property. It was becoming a rarity now that China was nearly eighty percent urbanized. It seemed that people were willing to pay a lot of money and give land away to those willing to grow bamboo. Duo smiled to himself. At least Wufei was doing well. Duo still worked as a mechanic, living in an apartment in New York, living off of cheeseburgers and corn puffs. At least now people came to him, and he nearly always had work. He vaguely wondered how people would react to the "Gone for at least a week- sorry for the inconvenience" sign posted on the locked doors to his shop.

 

Duo absently fingered his plate before setting it in the sink. Suddenly, his slender fingers came across a tiny chip. It was fresh- the way the porcelain rubbed off on his fingers… it must’ve been when he let his silver chopsticks fall to the plate. "Wufei?" he said sheepishly, "I dinked your plate…"

 

Wufei turned to inspect the damage. "I can hardly see it. When you feel guilty about something, minor scratches seem to be large gouges. This is nothing. Don’t worry about it."

Duo glanced back at the plate. Wufei was right- it wasn’t that big at all- in fact, if someone wasn’t looking for it, it was impossible to find. "Thanks, Wufei…"

Wufei held up a bottle of white whine. "After dinner drink?"

Duo grinned. "Of course! I love that stuff!"

 

Pour the wine dear

 

"Is that enough for a first glass?" Wufei calmly asked, filling Duo’s goblet halfway. Duo nodded.

"This is perfect," he grinned, sitting down on one of the leather couches. "So anyway," he began, sampling the sweet wine, "let’s get to this unfinished business. It’s been eating at us for the past year, so let’s get it straightened out."

 

Wufei took in a deep breath before downing most of his wine. "You’ve always gotten straight to the point, Duo," he murmured, sitting down on the other side of the long couch. "I always liked that in you… but now… I don’t know if I can. I want to talk about it, but the words just don’t come. I’m sorry…"

 

You say we'll take a holiday

 

Wufei hurriedly changed the subject. "So… is there anywhere you have in mind to go while you’re here? I can give you a tour of the grounds or show you Nataku’s shrine. What do you want to do? Name a place, and we’ll go there. Just the two of us."

 

But we never can agree on where to go

 

Duo narrowed his eyes. "I didn’t come to take a tour. I came to talk to you."

Wufei’s ivory skin paled. "But… I wanted to show you my homeland. I know you love to explore and sample new things. We can visit the mall- it’s about an hour from here. Or how about the amusement park? That’s three hours away…"

 

Duo shook his head. "But Wufei… we need to talk about this. You said you were going to talk about unfinished business. We have time now- so let’s get to it. We have a whole week to tour the grounds and pay our respects to Nataku, and more then enough time to shop and have fun at the amusement park. I’d just rather sit with you here and talk about what happened."

Wufei turned away. "Why are you so determined to bring it up? I honestly don’t have anything to say about it right now about that. I’m just too…" he couldn’t finish the sentence, but Duo knew what he was going to say. Humiliated.

 

Duo’s eyes gleamed. "Well, then, I’ll start," he said, gauging Wufei’s reaction. A slight twitch, but that was it. "When you kissed me… in San Francisco… I can’t explain it, but something happened. I’ve always admired you, Wufei; the way you always completed your mission with such efficiency and grace, how you always managed to see right through me when I put up a false front, how you moved… it was like watching water flow. But when you kissed me… it was like… you felt the same things for me. I thought I was in love with Heero, but when you caught me off guard and ran your fingers through my hair and put your face to mine… that all shattered. For the past year, you’ve been in my thoughts every day. I can’t help it. I dream about you, my thoughts turn to you when I’m not doing anything else…" he trailed off, turning away. He heard the cushions groan as Wufei edged closer to him.

 

"You… felt that?" he asked softly, now sitting right next to Duo. Duo nodded slowly.

 

"Yeah. It’s like a wonderful curse."

 

Wufei stared into Duo’s violet eyes. "It’s not a curse if you enjoy it. It’s a blessing."

 

Duo grinned. "Well, did you feel this ‘blessing’ too? Be honest, Wufei, because I don’t want to do or say anything I regret later, and I’m sure as hell you don’t want to, either."

 

Wufei’s eyes closed for an instant. "You’re right. I don’t want to do something that I’d regret later…" he paused. "But I have to. I… just have to." He carefully set his wine glass aside, putting it on the glass coffee table. Reaching forward, he took Duo’s empty glass and placed it next to his own. "You see…" He reached out and held Duo’s chin in both hands, slowly drawing the American closer to him. Duo shivered involuntarily. "I… I love you, Duo Maxwell."

 

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you

 

Wufei sealed his words with a kiss. A soft, controlled kiss that lightly brushed against the American’s lips and threatened to melt away into nothingness should he open his eyes. Duo sighed as he succumbed to Wufei’s kiss, reaching out with his hands to grip the silk fabric of Wufei’s tunic. It was over too quickly, and as Wufei stared into those violet depths of Duo’s eyes, he saw the American shiver uncontrollably.

 

"Wufei… oh, Wufei…" Duo whispered, covering the Chinese man’s face with his own, seeking with his tongue and pushing against him. Wufei couldn’t stop the growl that emerged from his throat as he pushed back, pinning the American against the sofa and kissing back ferociously. Duo’s hair spilled out across the leather of the sofa, blending with its dark hue and glimmering in the harsh artificial light. Wufei pulled back, admiring the man stretched out below him, reaching out to stroke the silky strands of chestnut hair.

 

"You’re so beautiful…" he murmured. Duo drew in a ragged gasp, trying to hide the fact that the whole matter was arousing him. He had fantasized about this moment for such a long time, but now that it was within his grasp, he wanted to stay in control as not to ruin his chances. Wufei seemed perfectly controlled while he stroked Duo’s long mass of hair, gazing lovingly into his eyes.

 

"So what do you suggest we do about it, Wufei?" Duo retorted, grinning widely. His grin grew even larger when a smile played across Wufei’s face.

 

Wufei brushed his fingers lightly over the buttons of Duo’s white shirt. "I have a few ideas…" he purred, undoing the top button. There was no hiding Duo’s arousal now. He felt it pushing up against Wufei, and the Chinese man obviously noticed the new presence pressing against him. Wufei leaned forward for another kiss, moving his hips against Duo’s arousal as he did so. Duo moaned with pleasure as his hands flew up to undo the buttons on the front of Wufei’s tunic.

 

How can I when you build the great wall around you

 

Suddenly, Wufei pulled back, standing up and stepped away from the startled American, his tunic halfway unbuttoned and revealing his black undershirt.

 

"Hey, Wufei… what’s wrong?" Duo asked quietly, panicking internally. What have I done wrong? Did I offend him? What happened?

 

"Nothing… nothing at all. Just… not here," he murmured, reaching into a nearby liquor cabinet and pulling out a bottle of tequila. Duo grinned, remembering the time the former pilots had traveled to Mexico and wound up getting completely smashed at a bar in Acapulco. Wufei seemed particularly fond of the tequila there, so it was no surprise he kept a bottle in his liquor cabinet. With the bottle in one hand, Wufei moved back toward the sofa, and in one quick movement, scooped Duo up in his arms and began to walk toward the stairs. Duo burst into giddy laughter as he felt the wine from during and after dinner setting in. Wufei paused only to shut off the lights in the living room before carrying the giggling American upstairs and to his bedroom. The walk was a quick one, considering Duo couldn’t have weighed more than a hundred and thirty pounds. Wufei had carried nearly twice that when repairing Nataku in the past. When Wufei arrived at his room, he mentally thanked himself for leaving the door partially open. Using Duo to open the door, Wufei kissed him tenderly before moving to the large bed on the other side of the room and gently placing him on the cotton sheets. Duo sighed with contentment as he undid another button on his shirt.

 

"This is a nice room you’ve got, Wufei," he murmured, undoing button after button. Wufei placed the bottle of tequila on a low table before rushing to the American’s side.

 

"Here, allow me," he whispered, unfastening the last buttons and taking off Duo’s shirt, flinging it across the room. Duo pushed up for another kiss, unbuttoning the lower half of Wufei’s tunic and pushing it off of his shoulders. The tunic fluttered to the ground softly as Duo began to push Wufei’s undershirt up over his head. Wufei grinned as he nuzzled Duo softly, assisting with the removal of his shirt. Duo purred quietly as his hands traced the contours of Wufei’s chiseled stomach and muscled chest. Exploring, Wufei began to unfasten the buttons on Duo’s jeans, allowing his hand to slip through and stroke the smooth fabric of Duo’s boxers. Duo groaned with delight as Wufei’s fingers brushed against his erection, sending shocks of pleasure through his body.

 

Duo’s hands began to wander to Wufei’s silk pants, pushing them down over his bare hips, pressing against the warmth of his body. Wufei cried out loudly, his voice echoing off of the walls of his room. Duo felt the silk material slide off of Wufei’s body, and then strong hands began tugging at his pants, pulling them down as well. He kicked off his shoes and arched toward Wufei, trying to help him remove his jeans. Wufei was hard now- Duo could feel him digging into his hip as he struggled with his garments.

 

He squeezed his eyes shut as he felt his jeans slide over his ankles and his boxers being pulled down. There was nothing between the men but the dusk air, but that gap was immediately closed as Wufei pressed down against Duo, grinding his hips against the American’s. Both men were gasping for breath between hot, searing kisses. Wufei pulled away long enough to grab the bottle of Tequila on the table nearby, and, pulling off the cap, took a short swig from it.

 

"Want some?" he asked, holding out the bottle to Duo. Duo grinned and took the bottle, sipping carefully from it and allowing the acrid liquid to burn his throat. He handed the bottle back to Wufei, who put it back on the table. Stepping back to the bed, Wufei carefully spread Duo’s legs and squeezed himself in between them, breathing gently on Duo’s shuddering member. Duo whimpered softly as Wufei gently kissed the shaft, allowing his tongue to flick out and dampen the sensitive skin.

 

"Wufei… please…" Duo begged, arching his back slightly. Wufei smiled as he ran his tongue up the entire length of the shaft and enclosing his mouth over the head. Duo shivered at that touch, oh how he longed for more! Wufei was surging lower on the shaft, taking in its whole length as Duo screamed for more. Just when it seemed that the world would explode in a burst of earth-shaking pleasure, Wufei eased away from the shaft, kissing the head softly before looking up at Duo. "Wufei…." Duo moaned, his violet eyes wide with need. Wufei smiled softly as he reached for the bottle of tequila again, taking another long swig. Instead of swallowing, however, he pulled the American to his knees and pressed his face against his lips, allowing the alcohol to flow between them. Both men’s tongues surged into each other’s mouths, trying to swallow the lion’s share of the sharp liquid. Tequila ran down their chins and dripped onto their searing bodies.

 

Wufei began to ease Duo onto his back, reaching behind his hard buttocks to lift his legs. A moan from Duo; a strong shove- and the position was reversed. Both men struggled for the top, kissing ferociously and growling, their hands pawing at each other. Finally, Wufei’s arms thrust out like pistons, pinning Duo’s arms to the soft mattress. Groaning with triumph, Wufei pressed against Duo’s opening, penetrating completely; gasping as those tight walls squeezed against him. Duo screamed loudly, twisting his head to the side. Small tears of pain began to form at the corners of his eyes. Wufei’s eyes began to close as he thrust over and over inside the American, basking in the cries he was eliciting from his lover. Just when it seemed like the world would collapse, Wufei burst, crying out as he flowed his release into Duo, collapsing against him as he felt his seed flowing out of that warm body and dripping onto the dark sheets of his bed. Duo was whimpering, gently flipping the panting Chinese man onto his back and raising his legs enough to allow better access to his entrance.

 

Duo grunted as he thrust up inside of Wufei, gasping at the tight walls closing in on him. Wufei’s pants rose into animal howls as Duo plunged into him rhythmically, his chestnut hair damp with sweat and pouring over both men. The world exploded once more in a climax of screams and pleasure as Duo thrust one last time and moaned with ecstasy, pumping his love into Wufei and allowing it to seep out and soak into the sheets. Wufei’s cries became softer and more controlled as he slid off of Duo’s shaft and leaned upward for a breathtaking kiss. The two men collapsed on each other, crying softly. What they had just shared… it was greater than anything they had ever encountered in their lives.

 

After what seemed like an eternity in that embrace, Wufei wrinkled his nose at the overwhelming stench of sweat and tequila. "We need a shower…" he grumbled, hopping off the bed and dragging the exhausted American with him, leading him toward the bathroom. Duo could only purr in reply, half-closing his eyes in anticipation.

 

In your eyes I saw a future together

 

"I could do this forever," Wufei purred, rubbing chamomile shampoo through Duo’s wet hair lovingly, immersing his hands in the rich later and then rinsing it off, watching the suds run off of Duo’s hair like lace falling from an exquisite gown. Duo could only moan in reply, enjoying every minute of it- how the cold minty conditioner tingled as it touched his scalp, and the strong hands massaging it into him, rubbing with intense care as they traveled down the length of Duo’s mane. "I just want to do this every day for the rest of my life. Every single day, when you wake up, and before you go to sleep… just for the chance to touch you," he murmured. Duo grinned.

"That’s not impossible, is it?"

 

Silence. "No… I guess not…" Wufei murmured thoughtfully, taken aback by the statement. A smile played across his face. "Not impossible at all…"

 

More silence. The water was shut off, and as Duo slowly rubbed a fluffy towel over his body, Wufei quickly dried himself and pulled out a hair dryer, blasting the American’s hair with soothing heat. When the lovers had dried, they both headed back to the bed, where the sheets were changed in a hurry; the old ones were piled in a corner to be washed at a later date.

Both men quietly slid beneath the cool sheets of Wufei’s bed and Wufei sighed contentedly as he felt Duo’s thin arms go around his waist and the slow, even breaths of the American as he fell asleep. He was just about to drift off when…

 

You just look away in the distance

 

"Incoming video call from the Peacecraft residence," Wufei’s bedside comm unit blared rudely. Wufei groaned as he reached for the comm unit, his hand brushing against the bottle of tequila. On a second thought, Wufei took a long swig before he turned the comm unit to face him and sat up, pressing the "accept" button. Beside him, Duo stirred and moaned, his eyes squinting slightly. Wufei turned his attention to the screen as the image of Relena Peacecraft flashed on.

"Wufei? Oh… I’m sorry to wake you… I didn’t realize you were asleep at this hour." Wufei glanced at his alarm clock. Ten-thirty. So the night was still young…

 

"Don’t worry about it. I didn’t have a chance to fall asleep yet. Is something wrong?"

 

Heero’s face appeared on the screen, his blue eyes glimmering excitedly. "We just wanted to announce that…"

 

"We just found out we’re having another baby!" Relena cut in, grinning. Wufei’s eyes widened.

 

"So soon? What about your health, Relena? You’re too weak to have another baby so soon after the first," he gasped. Beside him, Duo stirred, rolling over.

 

"Don’t worry about it! I’ll be fine. The doctors say I’m more than healthy enough to have another baby," Relena chirped. Heero smiled lovingly, gazing at his wife.

 

"I just thought you’d like to know, Wufei. After all, you seemed so thrilled when we told you about Karen…"

 

A sudden impulse surged through Wufei’s mind. "Did you tell Duo yet?"

 

Heero’s eyes darkened. "Yes… we told him. He seemed happy to hear about it."

 

Wufei felt his stomach turn. "You’re lying," he breathed, barely being able to choke the words out. Duo stirred once more.

 

"Excuse me?" Heero asked slowly.

 

Duo moaned from beside Wufei. Unable to bear any more, Wufei exploded. "I said, you’re lying! I know you haven’t talked to him at all! He had no clue you were expecting Karen until Quatre told him, and I was the one to inform him that she was born! And I know you didn’t talk to him because he’s with me right now!"

 

Duo groaned and stretched, sitting up and putting his arms around Wufei’s waist. "What’s going on?" he grumbled sleepily, resting his head on Wufei’s shoulder. "Why are you shouting?"

 

"D-duo?!" Heero choked out, his face pale. Duo snapped to attention, his eyes widening as he realized what was going on. "Uh oh…" he mumbled. Finally trying to make the best of the situation, he forced a grin. "Hey Heero and Relena! I haven’t talked to you guys in ages! What’s up?" he called, grinning.

 

Heero struggled for words. "I- I had no idea you were… in China… with Wufei…" he choked. Wufei’s lips curled upward in a soft smile.

 

"Well, now you know," he murmured, turning to the side to give Duo a soft kiss on the cheek. The tequila was beginning to affect him now that it was being compounded with all of the other drinks he had in the past five hours. "Is something wrong with that?"

 

Duo grinned. "You aren’t jealous, are you?" he teased. Relena coughed loudly.

"If you’ll excuse me, Heero has a little more decency than that. You two are so disgusting… and you wonder why you’ve never heard anything, Duo? There’s your reason right there."

"My choice of lovers? Or did you know about…" Duo squeaked, genuinely hurt and not being able to finish the sentence. It was obvious that Heero had known all along about Duo’s affections for him in the past. How could they do this to me? First they shun me, now this? How could they possibly…?

 

"We’re sorry, Duo," Heero murmured gently, "but we just can’t approve of the lifestyle…"

 

Wufei’s rage was building as his mind was clouding with the tequila. "How could you say such a thing? You’re talking to your best friend, damn it! What has he ever done to you? I don’t think loving you counts as anything wrong. Open your goddamn eyes, Heero. You’re not fifteen anymore. You’re an adult, so start acting like one! If you are so narrow minded that you would shun your goddamn best friend for loving you, then you’re even weaker than I once thought." Tears were welling up in his eyes, but Wufei felt no shame for the display. The tequila was masking all emotions but one: rage.

 

Duo glanced up at Wufei, his heart doing somersaults in his chest. "Wufei…" he whispered, his eyes wide. "You’re crying…"

 

Wufei smiled, momentarily forgetting the comm link. "Yeah, I’m crying. I don’t care, though… you’re all that matters," he murmured, twisting so he could kiss Duo softly on the lips without disturbing the American’s position on his shoulder. Finally, Wufei turned back to the screen to face the disgusted couple. "If you can’t accept Duo, you can’t accept me. If you’re not going to talk to him, then you have no right to talk to me, either. Good bye." With that, Wufei shut off the comm link, reaching for the tequila and taking another swig.

 

"Thank you… Wufei…" Duo stammered, sliding off of the Chinese man’s shoulder. "I’m sorry to be such a burden."

 

Wufei slowly set down the bottle, recapped it, and turned around to face Duo. "You’re not a burden. I was doing what was right. Well, now that we’re both up, what should we do?"

Duo laughed loudly as Wufei tackled him beneath the sheets.

 

-

 

China all the way to New York

 

Wufei had been asleep for quite a while, but now Duo was completely awake, slowly stroking Wufei’s silken hair. Basking in the glow of the full moon, Duo glanced at the clock. Two thirty. Damn jet lag… Duo just wanted to get to sleep, but his mind was still in New York, fixing cars and busses. Sighing, Duo ran his hand down Wufei’s cheek; half hoping the touch would wake him up.

 

Maybe you got lost in Mexico

 

Wufei was out cold. It seemed that the tequila affected him more than he let on. Leave it to Wufei to seem sober when he’s really smashed. Planting a kiss on Wufei’s cheek, Duo wrapped an arm around the sleeping man’s midsection and squeezed, hoping for a reaction. Still nothing.

 

You're right next to me
I think that you can hear me

 

"Hey, Wufei…" Duo whispered. Nothing. "Wufei, wake up. When I’m up, I want everybody up. C’mon… want another round?" Wufei snorted softly and burrowed his face in a pillow. "Yeah, I know you hear me. Well, if you’re going to be that way, I might as well just talk. Maybe you’ll get sick of it and tackle me or something," Duo continued, not even bothering to whisper. The tequila would muffle his words anyway. "Anyway… thanks for sticking up for me earlier. You sacrificed your friendship with the Peacecrafts… for me? I hardly think I’m worth it, but you obviously seem to think I am… I guess that’s what love is. Risking your dignity to save the one you love. I’d do it for you in a heartbeat… so I guess that’s love, huh? You know… I never did tell you I loved you. I’ll probably repeat myself again in the morning… or afternoon… whenever you wake up. I’ll be sure to wake up early and make my special hangover cure- I know you’ll need it. Listen to me, Wufei… I’m babbling and I don’t know why. You’ll probably wake up if I keep going on like this, so I’d better shut up and get to sleep before you get pissed or something. ‘Night."

 

Funny how the distance learns to grow

 

In reply, Wufei groaned and rolled over, squirming out of Duo’s grasp. I guess that means I need to shut up and get to sleep. Duo smiled as he closed his eyes, reflecting on the night. If he left the next morning, the trip would’ve most definitely been worth it. And for a week of this… it would be priceless.

 

With this in his mind, Duo rolled over and began to drift off to sleep.

 

-

 

Sometimes I think you want me to touch you

 

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead!" Duo called as he heard the thump of weary footsteps on the staircase. "It’s about time you got up!"

 

Wufei groaned in reply. "I’ve got a horrible headache… I wish you didn’t let me drink so much tequila…"

 

Duo chuckled softly. "Well, I’ve got something that’ll perk you back up. Plus, I made you breakfast. Sit down at the table."

 

Wufei groaned again. "I don’t even want to think about food… and I bet you made a mess in the kitchen."

 

"Actually, I was good boy and cleaned up after myself. As for the food, you don’t have to eat it- but I suggest you have some of my special hangover cure before you do anything else. I’m sure you look like hell."

 

A laugh. "Yeah, I do. What’s that smell, anyway? It smells horrible."

 

Duo walked into the dining room, carrying a porcelain teapot and wearing only his red boxers. "That horrible smell is coming from what’s going to cure your hangover. You’re going to drink at least two teacups of it."

 

Wufei moaned and buried his face in his hands, the sunlight glinting off of the black silk of his long robe. "Sometimes the cure is worse than the ailment," he grumbled. Duo laughed.

"Damn straight. Drink up." He handed a teacup full of evil looking tea to Wufei. Wufei stared at the concoction warily, not wanting to sample it.

 

"What’s in it?"

 

"Some herbs that I always take with me on trips. I usually end up getting smashed when I go places, so I always keep this stuff with me so I’m always a happy bundle of energy after a night of drinking. It won’t kill you; I’m still alive."

 

Wufei tentatively took a sip of the steaming tea. "It’s not too bad…" he mused aloud, downing the entire cupful. "It’s not too good, either, but at least it’s not lethal."

 

Duo poured Wufei another cup. "You should feel better in a few minutes… so how about that breakfast? I made French toast and scrambled eggs!"

 

Wufei finally nodded. "All right… but you’re going to eat it too, right?"

 

"Of course! I’m starving! Here- I’ll start serving!"

 

Wufei took another sip of the tea, already feeling his headache subside. "Hey… Duo?" he finally called. Duo flounced in happily, his unbound hair swinging free and a plate of French toast in his arms.

 

"Yeah? What’s up, Wufei?"

 

"Was last night… was it… was it your first time?"

 

Duo set the plate down slowly. "Yeah… actually. That was so incredible… I always thought it would hurt like hell… but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Why?"

 

Wufei shook his head. "Idle curiosity. I was somewhat hoping you’d say it was your first time."

 

"Well, it was," Duo said with a grin as he happily piled some eggs on a plate. "Here you go, Wufei," he chirped. Wufei reached for some chopsticks and began to pick at the eggs, taking small bites in between sips of Duo’s "Hangover tea".

 

"Duo… I heard you talking last night," Wufei stated abruptly. Duo flushed.

 

"Sorry… I thought you were out cold."

 

Wufei smiled. "No… it’s okay. I almost thought it was a dream. I’m glad it wasn’t."

"Did you hear the most important part?"

 

Wufei’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "What was it?"

 

Duo looked up from a mouthful of scrambled eggs. Swallowing them quickly, Duo rushed to Wufei’s side of the table and pulled his chair back, sitting on the startled man’s lap. "Well, I think it went a little something like this…" He then brought his lips close to Wufei’s ear, nibbling on the lobe slightly. "I love you."

 

How can I when you build the great wall around you

 

Wufei’s lips curled up into a smile, but the shrill beeping of the main comm unit pierced through the tranquil atmosphere, shattering the tender mood. Duo groaned as he slid off of Wufei’s lap, allowing the Chinese man to answer the video link coming through. "Is it from the Peacecrafts again?" Duo called, frowning. Silence. "Well, is it?"

 

"No…" Wufei called back, in shock. "It’s from Quatre…" Duo rushed to Wufei’s side.

"Quatre? I wonder what he wants? Answer it!"

 

Wufei slowly pressed the "accept" button, and Quatre’s face flickered onto the screen. He never seemed to age… his huge emerald eyes sparkled like a child’s as a wide grin spread across his face.

 

"Oh thank god!" he cried, grinning. "I was afraid that you guys were really hung over and passed out or something- Heero and Relena said you both were totally smashed!"

 

Duo’s eyes narrowed. "We had a little bit to drink, but we weren’t smashed. I think buzzed is more like it."

 

Quatre’s eyes widened. "You’re kidding! Relena said you guys were totally incoherent and that Duo had passed out in your bed, Wufei."

 

"Why that lying…" he growled. "I suppose she told you everything else that happened?"

Quatre nodded. "I didn’t exactly believe her. She said that you guys were sleeping with each other, and I know how she feels about that sort of thing, so she probably noticed that you had a drink or two and blew it out of proportion so that we’d be disgusted, too. But the truth of the matter is… well… I suppose that’s why I called."

 

"Why did you call, anyway?" Duo finally cut in. In the background, a shadowy figure was moving behind Quatre.

 

"Well, I was hoping to offer support. It was totally wrong for Relena and Heero to say such things to you guys, and, well… they’re not speaking to us any more, either."

Wufei raised an eyebrow. "Who’s ‘us’?"

 

Quatre giggled. "Me and Trowa. You see… Relena has very bad timing when it comes to calls, and… well… I had just stepped out of the shower."

Wufei snickered. "What’s so bad about that?"

 

"Well… Trowa also had just stepped out of the shower…"

 

Duo laughed. "Let me guess. It was your shower."

 

Quatre laughed nervously. "Yeah, it was. I was actually surprised that nobody figured anything out about us until now. We’ve been together like this since… gosh, it must’ve been since the war. When Relena saw us both dripping wet and wearing nothing but towels, she automatically assumed… correctly, I might add… that we’ve been… together. She then told us about you guys, so… I figured I’d call to make sure you guys are okay. Hope the wicked witch didn’t hurt you all too badly…" he added with a wink.

 

Duo and Wufei both laughed in reply. So they weren’t alone in being shunned by the Peacecrafts.

 

I can feel the distance

 

"So how’s the weather in Saudi, anyway?" Duo finally asked, his spirits soaring.

"Same as always. Hot. Hey- want to talk to Trowa for a bit? I just remembered I was supposed to make breakfast today. Sure beats eating Trowa’s cooking. Yesterday, he found out that we had tofu, and he wound up making a tofu, cheese, soda cracker, mushroom, and bean sprout omelet. I was SO sick. My stomach still hurts."

 

"Hey! I heard that!" Trowa called from in the background. "You just can’t appreciate fine cooking!"

 

Quatre pretended to stick his finger down his throat and gag. "If that’s fine cooking, give me garbage any day. Anyway… here’s Trowa. I’m going to make some real breakfast. Later!"

Trowa replaced the image of Quatre on the comm link after a short pause. "Hey Wufei and Duo! Heard you’re not going to be getting any more ornate Christmas cards from the Peacecrafts- my condolences."

 

Wufei laughed. "Yeah, we’re missing a lot. So, how have you been?"

 

"Same ol’, same ol’. Can’t really complain. Anything new?"

 

Duo shook his head. "Nothing other than what you already know about. What about you guys? What’s been going on?"

 

Trowa leaned in to the comm link, his eyes sparkling beneath his gravity-defying bangs. "Don’t tell Quatre I told you this, but we’re planning on going to the L6 colony sometime in the near future."

 

Duo raised an eyebrow. "What’s so good about L6?"

 

A grin spread across Trowa’s face. "It’s the only colony that legalizes same-sex marriages."

 

Wufei’s eyes widened. "Marriage? Wow… I never pictured you two getting…"

 

"Hey!" Quatre’s voice suddenly pierced through the quiet conversation. Duo leapt back, startled. "Trowa! I told you to keep it a secret until it was made final!"

 

Trowa turned away from the comm link. "But Quatre… it’s not like they’re going to tell anyone… and… well…" he trailed off. Wufei and Duo heard Quatre sigh in the background.

"Well… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt. Besides, it’s not like they’re going to shun us like Heero and Relena," he murmured. Suddenly, he gasped loudly. "Oh! The breakfast!"

 

I can feel the distance

 

Trowa chuckled softly, turning back to the comm link. "Well, that was the fastest I’ve ever seen Quatre run. Anyway… what are you all planning on doing?"

 

Duo shrugged. "Wufei’s going to show me around, and then I’m going back to New York in a week."

 

Wufei’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Why don’t you guys come, too? It’d be an… engagement party for you both."

 

Trowa grinned. "Really? That would be great! Let me see what Quatre has to say about this… be right back."

 

Trowa disappeared from the screen. Duo grinned slowly as he turned to Wufei. "Think they’ll come?"

 

"I’m sure of it," Wufei answered. "It’d be great to have a get-together like this. I’d invite Heero and Relena, but I’m sure they wouldn’t want anything to do with the likes of us," he continued, grinning. Trowa reappeared on the screen, panting for breath.

 

"Quatre said he’d love to! He’ll fly us over to your place as soon as we can finish breakfast and get packed- if you’ll send the coordinates of the nearest airstrip."

 

Wufei smiled as he punched in the coordinates of the isolated airstrip a mile away. "Looking forward to seeing you both. Be sure to radio in when you’re going to land- my radio’s the same frequency as always. Until then."

 

I can feel the distance getting close...

 

The comm link shut off, and Wufei turned to face Duo. "Well, looks like we’re getting some more guests tonight. What do you want to do until then?"

 

A wicked smile played across Duo’s face as he tugged at the belt on Wufei’s robe. "I’ve got a few ideas…"

 

-The End

 

Ez's last words: First off, I'd like to apologize to Hee-chan for making him such a bastard. He doesn't deserve it. Really. He's a nice guy. *sniffles* He's probably just jealous that he doesn't have a man. Yeah... that's it... *snickers madly* I can see it now. Noin and Zechs divorce, Heero and Relena divorce, Heero hooks up with Zechs, Noin hooks up with---- um... I'll just hold that thought. I'm not a big yuri fan. (Waits for the canned "Well, we should hope not!") *cough* I've said enough. Good night, everybody! Or good morning... or good afternoon...