Happy Holidays

Author: Ashkara
Rating: PG-13 in the beginning, NC-17 mostly…
Pairings: 1x2x5, or some permutation thereof
Warnings: yaoi lemon, so don’t read if you’re not into that, please…
flames will be used to heat my freezing apartment…
Disclaimer: If I owned these three, I wouldn’t be *writing* about
them, if you catch my meaning… *wink, wink* Don’t own, don’t sue,
merci beaucoup!
Notes: I’ve decided that this will be my holiday fic, so Happy
Holidays to all! This story is dedicated to Manon – you’ve gone
through some major changes in your life this year, but you’ve met
them all as gracefully as one could ask for. I wish you a very Merry
Christmas and the best of luck in your new adventure in the new year!
School rocks – you’re gonna have the time of your life! Hugs,
Ashkara

Heero Yuy was not the sort of person to feel fear. No – he was a war hero twice over, partner of the infamous Shinigami still, even as a Preventer, and one of the few people on or off the planet who ever dared talk back to Lady Une when she was in command mode.

All the same, fear was registered in his mind as he stared down a mountainside in Val d’Isere, France. His partner and fellow ex-Gundam pilot, Duo Maxwell, had somehow convinced him to come along on a short skiing trip in the French Alps as part of his Christmas present. Heero had quickly decided not to mention that he’d never been skiing before. For some reason, he felt he could never let Duo know – it wasn’t even that Duo would mock him for his ignorance. The American agent, himself, had had such a chaotic childhood and adolescence that new experiences were fairly normal for him. He just didn’t want Duo to know, since he’d looked so excited about the idea…

Heero regretted it now, though. Duo had naturally assumed that Heero knew how to ski and was indeed rather good at it – he was good at everything else, so why not? And now he was staring down a very steep-looking mountainside, clutching at his ski poles as though they could save him…

“Heero? I swear you don’t hear half of what I say to you…”

Jumping a little as he tore his eyes from the hillside, Heero faced Duo, who was giving him a concerned look. “Sorry. What did you say?”

Duo took off his sunglasses. “I asked if you were really up to this. It’s supposed to be a tough hill…”

Heero gulped. On one hand, he was being given an opportunity to back out, but on the other… Did Duo really think he wasn’t up to it? That *he* couldn’t handle it? Nonsense! “I’ll try not to leave you behind.”

He got a grin in return for his cocky statement, and he felt his stomach doing little flip-flops. This was a really bad idea…

“Let’s go, then! Last one down gets to pick up the tab at the bar, tonight!” With a flip of his braid, Duo was off, laughing in sheer joy as he sped off down the slope. With a deep gulp of air, Heero followed.

He could hear Duo howling ahead of him, clearly enjoying the adrenaline rush of the experience, but all Heero could truly muster was terror. It looked so much easier than it was! He knew he was moving far too quickly, but he didn’t have a clue how to slow down, the world was rushing past…

He passed Duo and smirked momentarily at the other agent’s cry of outrage, but it fell from his face quickly. There were trees ahead. He had to turn, had to turn, had to turn…

“HEERO! LOOK OUT, YOU IDIOT!!! SLOW DOWN!!!!!!”

He yelped as he managed to turn and avoid the trees, but now he was headed towards a bunch of rocks, and he knew he was out of control. “Oh shit! Shit shit shit shit!!!!”

Hitting the first boulder, he lost both his poles, arms flailing hopelessly as he continued moving. He was wobbling right towards another boulder…

His left ski caught on something, and Heero yelped as he cartwheeled into the snow, sliding…

He yelped again as he was jerked roughly – someone had hold of him and was dragging him to a stop, a spray of snow going up from his rescuer’s skis…

“Jesus, Heero! You scared the living hell out of me! Talk to me, He-man…”

Duo. Duo had caught him as he tumbled and somehow managed to stop them both from smashing into the rocks…

“Come on, buddy! I need you to say something…” Duo’s hands were cold as he yanked off his gloves and ran them gently but firmly along Heero’s neck and spine. He breathed a sigh of relief as he finished – the Japanese pilot didn’t seem to have any neck or back injuries.

Heero finally blinked up at his partner. “I hurt.”

Cobalt eyes glinted down at him. “No shit, Yuy. What the hell was that?!” Duo laid him down gently in the snow, straightening him out. “You’re lucky I caught up with you, baka.”

Heero groaned as gentle hands brushed his left leg. “Never skied before…”

Duo glared down at the Japanese boy. “And you didn’t mention it until now. *Brilliant* idea, Heero. You should have told me!” Duo reached into a pocket on his snow suit and pulled out a flare, quickly cracking and throwing it. “Thank God you’re still alive after a stunt like that!”

“M’sorry…” The last thing Heero saw as he fainted were Duo’s concerned eyes, swimming above him…

~*~

“Damn fool kids! Don’t know what you were thinking, venturing down into these rocks…”

Heero groggily registered Duo snapping back at whoever was speaking, “He lost control, buddy, okay? You think this happened on *purpose?!* You think I *wanted* to be here?!”

There were three men around them, and Duo was hovering over him, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. “Cut the kid some slack, Meir. That must have been some save. You know the ledge isn’t far.”

Duo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know. I…” The braided boy looked down, his face lighting up instantly as he caught sight of Heero’s open eyes. “Heero! Guys, he’s awake.”

“Good sign,” the man nearest to him said. His eyes swung around – the speaker has blond hair and grey eyes in a tanned face. “Young man, I’ll need you to remain still while I check you for injuries…”

“Already did that,” Duo quipped from his other side, scooting closer to Heero as he spoke. “Spinal column and neck are unobstructed, but he appears to have either fractured or broken his left leg, severe bruising and strains to both arms. No broken ribs, possible concussion.”

The blond man whistled. “Pretty thorough exam.”

Duo unzipped his snowsuit enough to pull out the badge they were required by law to carry at all times. “Yeah, they train us good. We need to get him indoors.”

Grey eyes whistled as he read the rank off of Duo’s badge. “Preventers, huh? You’re obviously not desk jockeys.” He shot Duo an evaluating look.

Duo’s smile became brittle. “No, we’re not. Let’s get him moved before he blacks out again, shall we?” Heero saw the grey-eyed man stiffen, and knew the look his partner had to be wearing. Duo could be frightening when he wanted to be. He wasn’t surprised when the three followed Duo’s order without a word.

As the ski rescuers moved away to prepare a mobile stretcher for him, Heero felt Duo leaning over him, and looked up to find a gentle smile on his partner’s face. “I’m sorry you’re hurt, Heero. Just try and stay with me a little longer – we’ll get a doctor to look at you as soon as we’re off this damned mountain.”

Heero smiled back, ignoring the way the world seemed to be spinning around him. “Okay.”

~*~

Hours later, Heero glared as his companion fretted over his pillows and blankets. “I’m not going to be comfortable for as long as I have this stinking cast on my foot, you know, so stop it!” he snapped grumpily.

Duo shot him a sour look, pausing in his ministrations. “You wouldn’t be *in* a cast had you used that brain of yours, hotshot. You’ll be happy I bothered with all this a few hours from now when your ass goes numb from too much sitting.” That being said, he grabbed one last pillow and used it to elevate the cast around Heero’s broken ankle.

Heero groaned and collapsed back into the bed of pillows around him, pulling one over his face. As much as he hated to admit it, he was in true pain. “At least we can tell Wufei not to come waste his time on a wasted holiday. Maybe we can fly home,” he said, the words muffled by the pillow.

Duo smiled a little nervously. “Yeah, about that. I called to talk to him about it. He’s coming out, anyway. Day after tomorrow, as planned.”

The Japanese boy pulled the pillow from his face to stare at the American. “What the hell for?!” he asked as he watched Duo perch on the bed at his side.

Duo gave him a small smile as he reached over and stroked his fingertips over the heavy cast. “Neither of us considers taking care of you to be a waste of time, Heero. You know we all need the time off, and if it was him or me, wouldn’t you want to be here?”

Heero stared deep into cobalt blue eyes, feeling his dark mood lessen somewhat. “I ruined your vacation, Duo. We haven’t gotten away in nearly a year now, and I ruined it.”

Duo scooted closer and caught one of Heero’s hands in his. “We’re not at our desks – I call it a vacation, whatever you might think. Besides, having you laid up gives us an excuse to light a roaring fire in that fireplace,” he said, gesturing at the empty fireplace across the room, “order lots of room service, and I get to give you a sponge bath…”

A devilish glint lit Prussian blue eyes as Heero yanked Duo almost into his lap. “I’m not supposed to leave this bed, you know…” His arms tightened around the young man he was holding as Heero lowered his lips to Duo’s and kissed him slowly, thoroughly.

Duo was panting for air as he slowly pushed against Heero’s chest and leaned his forehead against the other boy’s. “We promised, Heero. No nookie until Wufei’s here to participate.”

Heero managed a pout. “But we didn’t know then that I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed…”

Duo shook his head slowly, softening it by pressing a line of kisses along Heero’s jaw. “It wouldn’t be fair, love. You know that.”

“Doesn’t mean I like it,” Heero grumped, pulling Duo down until the long-haired boy was lying back against his chest. He hugged him carefully, mindful of his strength. “I’m going to be bored out of my mind.”

Duo laughed, his eyes dancing. “That’s usually my line, Hee-chan.” He wrapped his arms around Heero’s. “I’ll just have to find a way to keep you occupied. No! Not *that* way…” he laughed as he felt Heero’s nimble fingers beginning a seductive trail up his sides. He slapped the Japanese boy’s hands gently, more for the effect than any other reason. His eyes lit up at a thought. “Hey – I could read to you! That would be fun!”

Heero arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t bring anything with me…”

“I did!” Duo was up and off the bed in a flash, digging through a bag with the sort of manic energy that had attracted Heero and Wufei’s attention, to begin with. Crowing in triumph, Duo straightened, brandishing a book over his head. He bounced back towards the bed and flashed his companion a smile. “You’re gonna love this, I promise!”

Watching as the excited boy settled himself comfortable and opened a large red book, Heero smiled to himself. No matter what the story was, it would be worth it to see that look on Duo’s face.

~*~

“ ‘Frodo felt sleep coming upon him, even as Gildor finished speaking. ‘I will sleep now,’ he said; and the elf led him to a bower beside Pippin, and he threw himself upon a bed and fell at once into a dreamless slumber.’” Duo carefully marked his page and set the book down. “I think I need to take a break. How about you, Heero?”

He turned his head – the Japanese boy was watching him with wide, curious eyes. Duo grinned – Heero had been anything but willing to accept his idea, but it had only taken a few minutes of reading to snare the Perfect Soldier’s attention. “How do you like the story?” He grimaced at the rough sound of his own voice.

Heero let go of the braided boy slowly. “You’ll keep reading in a little while, right?” He couldn’t help the amazement he felt – Duo was a gifted storyteller, so much so that Heero couldn’t remember ever enjoying a story as much as he was enjoying this one, and just looking at the book, he knew that it was far from done.

Duo stretched and reached for a glass of water. “Of course I will! I’m surprised you haven’t read it yet – The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular stories ever written.” He took a long drink before refilling the glass and handing it to Heero.

He pushed the book out of the way as he sat down again, this time facing Heero. Duo gave him a long look in the eyes. “You feeling okay?”

Heero didn’t bother trying to hide his pain – Duo knew him too well for that! “It hurts, but I’ll live. At least I didn’t have to set it myself, this time.”

Duo snorted at that memory. “You knew precisely how gross that was, I know it. You jerk!”

Heero laughed as he easily caught the playful fist that flew at him. He was about to say something else, but his stomach growled loudly. Both boys laughed at the sound.

Duo stood again and walked towards the telephone. “Sounds like it’s lunchtime. What can I get you, Mr. Yuy?”

Heero smiled back – maybe being laid up wasn’t so bad, when you had someone taking care of you like this. “Ham and swiss on wheat?”

Duo nodded, “Yeah, I know. With lettuce, tomato and mustard, but no mayonnaise. A little pepper. That’s my Heero.” He began dialling.

Heero smiled as he watched his lover from the bed. He was truly lucky to have such a man in his life, let alone both this one and the absent Wufei.

~*~

Wufei approached the door and let himself in, using all the stealth skills he possessed. He set his bags down with a sigh, looked around, and smiled. Duo had obviously chosen their lodgings.

The suite of room was beautiful, complete with high ceilings and the half-timbered look of exposed beams. The furnishings were lush and comfortable-looking, and table lamps gave the main sitting room a cosy, warm glow. Wufei shook his head in amusement, still smiling to himself – he could only imagine the looks Duo must have gotten when requesting such a romantic place for three young men to share. With only one bedroom, to boot.

He moved to the bedroom door and let himself in. It was surprisingly neat. The bed was rumpled, but made, with a large pile of pillows indicating where Heero would have been, had he been there…

Wufei ignored the cheerful blaze in the fireplace and the storybook view from the large window, choosing instead to listen to the various sounds of hilarity coming from behind the closed bathroom door.

“Duo no bak- cut that out! It tickles!”

A cheerful laugh followed and a voice that sounded a little rough replied, “If you could just hold still for a moment!” There was a splash and a great deal of sputtering that followed, along with more laughter.

Wufei was puzzled – Duo’s voice was usually warm and rich and smooth, sort of like a good Bordeaux wine, yet he sounded a little…

“Tyrant. When my ankle is healed, you’ll pay for that.”

Wufei heard Duo snort. “You know you like me that way, so don’t complain. Now lean your head back so I can rinse your hair.” More water sounds.

Duo yelped next, though, and Heero’s voice growled, “This would be more fun if you joined me…”

“We promised, Yuy! Control your bodily urges, if you please!”

“Mmmm, that’s nice,” Heero remarked, and Wufei could only imagine that Duo had wrapped him in a towel. There were a few moments of silence before Heero spoke again, “So… you’ll read me the next chapter, right?”

Duo laughed. “Alright, already! As soon as you’re dry and dressed and I get my cup of tea. Reading is hard work, you know.”

“Hn. Maybe for *some* people.”

He could hear Duo slapping Heero’s arm, and see the little gesture in his mind’s eye. “Jerk. Now lean on me when you stand this time, okay?”

Wufei smiled brightly to himself as he flopped back on the bed and turned expectantly to the door. They had no idea that he’d gotten out early…

“Up you go! Now I just need to find the doorknob…” The bathroom door swung open, and Wufei’s grin deepened as Duo walked out, cradling Heero in his arms like a large child, a position the Japanese boy seemed only too happy to be in. Neither saw him as Duo walked straight to the pile of pillows. “Good thing I keep in shape, love, or you’d be hobbling around this place… WU!”

The Chinese Preventer couldn’t help smiling at the gleam in his American lover’s eyes as they lit upon him, lounging on the bed as though he’d been there the whole time. Heero’s head whipped around, too, as soon as he was – carefully – placed back on his pillows, and the Japanese smiled as well. “You’re early.”

Wufei leaned in to give Heero a kiss before he opened his arms and Duo pounced on him, giving him the sort of hug that once would have made him reach for his gun. Wufeiiiiiii…”

He kissed the brown head that was nestled against his shoulder. “I’m happy to see you, too, love.” Gently disengaging himself from Duo, the Chinese boy stood and walked around the bed to examine Heero’s cast foot. He looked back up at his Japanese lover. “That must have hurt.”

Heero rolled his eyes. “Yes, a bit. But it’s much better now…”

Duo shook his head, his braid swinging over his broad shoulders. “Don’t listen to him! No matter what he says, he’s not to walk on it until a full week has passed!”

Wufei chuckled as Heero shot Duo a malice-less glare. “*He’s* been coercing me into behaving properly, as he calls it…”

Wufei couldn’t help asking, “How? This is a trick I should learn…”

Duo laughed, and it looked as though even Heero was close to laughing. “I just threaten to put the book down. He shuts up real fast like that.”

“Book?”

Duo nodded and grabbed a large, red leather-bound book that had until now been lying, unnoticed, on the right side table. “Did you know he’s never read The Lord of the Rings? I couldn’t believe it, personally.”

Wufei laughed and gathered both his lovers at his sides, kissing both heads gently. “I’ve missed you both terribly.” He leaned back into the bed and sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “This place is beautiful. And so comfortable…”

Heero gave a low laugh. “I think he’s tired, Duo. Perhaps we should let him rest a little before we jump him.”

“Jump *me?!*” Wufei squeaked, his eyes snapping open. “What?!”

Duo looked up at the man upon whose chest he was resting and gave a small smile. “We promised, Fei. We’ve been waiting for you, and Heero’s been a little frisky.”

“Duo!”

Wufei couldn’t help his laughter as Duo mimicked the other boy’s tone perfectly, “Heero!”

He squeezed them both and waited for them to quiet down. “Maybe… What do you say to allowing me to take you both to dinner tonight, and then after… We’ll see what happens, ne?”

Duo and Heero exchanged glances from their spots, and smiled. Heero nodded.

Duo sat up and gave Wufei a long, sweet kiss. “Well, in that case…” He leaned over and picked up the book before settling back into his spot again. “D’you mind?”

Wufei shook his head. “Not at all. Where are you in the story?”

Duo opened the book and smiled. “Chapter Ten – The Breaking of the Fellowship. ‘Aragorn led them to the right arm of the River. Here upon its western side under the shadow of Tol Brandir, a green lawn ran down to the water from the feet of Amon Hen…’”

~*~

Several people looked up as Wufei followed Duo through the doorway into the dining room, practically carrying Heero, rather than allowing him to use his crutches. Several of the ladies present frankly stared at the three resplendent young men, at least until it became clear how the three looked at each other. Wufei wore fine black slacks that clung just right about his hips and a white, high-collared sweater, his hair loose around his face. Duo wore a grey sweater with a red pattern woven into it over a similar pair of black pants, tendrils of hair pulled from his braid to frame a starry-eyed face. Last but certainly not least, Heero wore a bright blue button-down shirt that complimented his eyes to perfection.

The three were shown directly to a table near a double paned window, giving them a perfect view of the snow-covered peak in the distance, a gentle snowfall floating down outside. Heero stared out at it with a wistful look on his face. “Beautiful…”

Wufei caught the look. “Maybe we can get you outside sometime soon, love…”

Heero looked up sharply and shook his head. “No – I know I’ve given Duo plenty of grief, but he’s right. Not until I’m able to walk on it at least a little.” He picked up his menu and opened it.

Duo followed suit, and whistled softly under his breath. “Lord, I can’t pronounce half of this stuff…”

Wufei leaned over and softly began to translate the menu for both his companions in a whisper. By the time he was finished, all three boys were smiling again.

The waiter approached, and Wufei ordered for them all. “Un coq au vin, un poulet basquaise, et un roti de veau aux champignons farcies, s’il vous plait.”

As the waiter walked away, smirking, Duo leaned in close. “Did I ever tell you I thought French was a really sexy language?”

Wufei and Heero shared a fond, amused smile. “Here we go,” the Chinese boy quipped, a devilish gleam lighting his eyes. Heero nodded his agreement, a similar look spreading over his face.

~*~

The two Asian boys exchanged identical evil grins as the bathroom door closed behind Duo. In a hushed voice, Heero said, “He has been teasing me relentlessly for days, Fei. It would only be right to help even the score.”

Wufei leaned in to place a gentle kiss on the Japanese boy’s lips. “You’re trying to tell me it would be justice served, are you not?”

“Exactly,” Heero replied huskily, a hungry light in his eyes as he watched Wufei pull the white sweater off over his head. “Jesus, Fei…”

The Chinese boy turned around and quickly straddled himself over Heero’s lap, slowly working the buttons of his shirt. He leaned close to whisper, “He’ll be joining us in… three, two, one…”

“Hey! After we waited for so long! Fei, you turncoat!”

Quick as lightning, Wufei swooped in for a deep kiss, wrapping his arms around Heero’s now bare torso and pressing their bodies together as both boys moaned. Both ignored Duo’s entrance completely as they lost themselves in each other, Heero’s hands buried in Wufei’s loose hair and trailing down his well-muscled back.

BOUNCE! Duo pounced onto the bed next to them. “Hello! Remember me? Guys?” Both were still ignoring him, so Duo turned to his secret weapon.

Crawling off the bed, he slowly peeled off his sweater and, now bare to the waist, he reached for the tie on his braid.

Wufei and Heero slowly turned to watch as long fingers separated and combed through Duo’s masses of brown, silky hair. Unbound, it fell almost to his knees, shot through with highlights in blond, red and mahogany. Those same hands trailed down over a toned body to the waistband of Duo’s slacks, where long fingers made quick work of the fastenings and slowly began to peel both pants and boxers off. He straightened –

Both Asians frankly stared at the stark beauty of the American boy’s body as he stood before them, completely bared to their sight. Two sets of eyes slowly slid up to find the other boy smirking at them evilly. “I knew *that* would catch your attention!”

Growling to himself, Wufei reached out and yanked the teasing boy onto the bed and indeed over his lap, face down. Stroking Duo’s hair gently and taking the opportunity to cop a feel, he said, “Well, well, Heero informs me that you were a terrible tease while we were separated, love. You know that isn’t kind, especially when he was laid up.”

Heero smirked into Duo’s eyes, noting with pleasure the heated gleam, tempered with a note of uncertainty. “Hey, I never! I just…”

SLAP!

Duo jumped as Wufei rubbed at the spot he’d just spanked. “You were a bad boy…”

SLAP!

“Ow! This isn’t funny, guys…”

SLAP!

All the same, Duo couldn’t help the blush that was spreading over his face and down his neck. It was strangely exciting to be in his position, with Wufei administering his brand of justice…

SLAP! “Mmmmm…”

Wufei smirked – Duo wasn’t squirming against him as he had at first, but was rather rubbing against him and arching into each slap. “I think he likes it, Heero.”

“Hn,” Heero remarked, moving closer and tilting Duo’s face up so he could look into the American’s bright, lust-glazed cobalt blue eyes. “I think you’re right.” He leaned over and kissed Duo deeply, sucking his lower lip hungrily, and Duo moaned into his ministrations, even though Wufei kept up his barrage of slaps and pinches to Duo’s now pinked ass.

Pushing masses of hair aside, Wufei leaned over and kissed one pink cheek gently, soothing his hand over it before leaning in and kissing more, trailing small kisses and licks over reddened flesh. “Ah, Duo… did you enjoy that?” Slicking one finger with his own saliva, he started teasing at Duo’s entrance.

As the long-haired boy moaned, Heero smirked at Wufei. “He must have – he’s beyond words, love. Get him on his hands and knees.”

Duo rolled over before anyone could try to move him, pushing Wufei back onto the bed as he leaned over him. He quickly opened the Chinese boy’s pants and liberated the sizeable erection he found there. “I’m going to enjoy this, too,” he said with an evil little smile as he leaned closer and ran the tip of his tongue up Wufei’s cock. Locking eyes with his lover, Duo slowly went down on him.

Wufei’s hands found their way into Duo’s hair, muscles clenching all over him as the pleasure of a mouth surrounding him stole over his senses. At the same time, Heero moved behind Duo and took up the job of stretching him in preparation for a further act. He kissed a path across Duo’s back from one shoulderblade to the other, lips hovering over quivering muscle and hot skin. The American arched into his touches warmly, his whole body seeming to come alive with every flick of Heero’s tongue.

Heero locked eyes with Wufei as both Duo and the Chinese boy moaned – Wufei had both hands buried in Duo’s hair, urging Duo closer into his lap as he thrust wantonly into that teasing mouth. Receiving a grin and a nod from his Chinese lover, Heero quickly levered himself to his knees and moved behind the American, and then just as quickly thrust himself into him.

He stared into the coal dark eyes across from him – Duo’s body felt like a warm, tight satin glove around him, inviting and sinfully good, and he was panting roughly already when he realised that he and Wufei had synchronised their thrusts into the hot, beautiful creature that was their third. Heero changed the angle of his thrusts ever so slightly and was rewarded with a loud moan from around Duo’s mouthful of flesh, and a visible shiver that passed over Wufei’s sweat-slicked form as it reverberated through him. “God, Heero… do that again!”

“Ninmu,” thrust, “ryoukai,” thrust again. Duo was writhing between them, his eyes closed as he struggled to hold himself back. It was just too good – he’d waited too long for the feeling of his lovers inside of him again…

“Now, Heero! Make him come now!” Wufei commanded, grabbing the back of Duo’s head and thrusting even harder into the heat of his mouth. Biting a ridge of muscle and soothing the bite with a flick of his tongue, Heero was only too glad to oblige – both arms snaked around the American’s body, and Heero held the other boy fast against him with his right arm while his left hand wrapped around Duo’s neglected erection and began pumping furiously.

Wufei’s eyes went impossibly wide as he felt himself slipping even deeper into the wet heat of Duo, and a single digit crept its way between his legs to tease at his entrance so gently, finally slipping inside him. “I’m so close, baby…”

All at once, space and time seemed to collapse as the heat around his erection enveloped Wufei completely – he screamed out loud as he came right inside Duo’s greedily waiting mouth, his whole body tensing in his release, looking so insanely beautiful and hot.

Duo and Heero both came almost simultaneously after that. Duo’s whole body spasmed, and his eyesight sparked pure white as Heero hit the right spot inside of him one last time and came, himself, collapsing onto Duo’s back exhaustedly.

The three slowly lowered themselves to the bed, still panting for air. Wufei pulled Heero’s left hand to his lips and smiled at both his lovers as he began licking it clean, sucking each fingertip gently and nipping at the Japanese boy’s wrist affectionately. “Love you two.”

Duo pulled his head back up – he was laying on Heero’s far side on his stomach. “Don’t think I’ll be able to sit tomorrow, but damn, was it worth it.” The other two laughed, and Heero snaked an arm around the slender, long-haired boy to pull him closer to his side.

Heero asked, “How much longer are we staying here?”

Wufei replied back, “Today’s the 22nd, and we’re not leaving before the 26th.”

The Japanese boy smirked. “Good. Because I think we’re going to have to try this again. Several times.”

All three smiled at the thought.

~*~

The wind had kicked up and was howling outside a curtained window late the next afternoon, and added its touch to the tension in the room beyond.

The king-sized bad was littered with three bodies – Heero was propped up on his pillows and, at his side, Wufei lay on his stomach, his face propped in his cupped palms as one of Heero’s hands idly stroked through his straight, shoulder length, jet black hair. Both boys’ attention, though, was focused on the third, seated Indian-style across from them, a blanket wrapped around his bare shoulders and a large red book propped in his lap.

Duo’s face was flushed as he read, “Pippin sat with his knees drawn up and the ball between them. He bent low over it, looking like a greedy child stooping over a bowl of food, in a corner away from the others. He drew his cloak aside and gazed at it. The air seemed still and tense about him. As first the globe was dark, black as jet, with the moonlight gleaming on its surface. Then there came a faint glow and stir in the heart of it…”

Heero was surprised to find himself reaching for Wufei’s hand as Duo continued reading, clasping it tightly in his own. He was even further surprised to find that Wufei’s fingers were cold in his grasp, and he looked down. The Chinese boy’s eyes were riveted to Duo’s face with rapt attention, glowing with his own excitement and involvement in the story –

“’It’s not for you, Saruman!’ he cried in a shrill and toneless voice, shrinking away from Gandalf…” Both Asian boys shivered as Duo’s expressive voice rang out clearly over the crackling of the fire. Expressions and emotions flew over the boy’s mobile features. Wufei was inching closer to Heero without realising it, taking comfort in the feel of the Japanese boy’s body pressing against his own. He was certain that he could feel the wind of Shadowfax’s passing as Duo’s voice finished speaking and the book closed.

Duo set the book aside and yawned, his eyes downcast.

Wufei’s eyes twinkled with merriment. “Tried of reading, Duo?”

Cobalt blue eyes swung up with a playful glint. “It’s tough work, Fei! Even *my* throat needs a little break, sometimes,” he added with a wink.

Wufei rolled onto his back and cushioned his head in his hands. “I just hope you’re well-rested by this evening, that’s all.”

Bother Duo and Heero stared at the other boy, part in surprise and part in suspicion. Wufei had… he had made some kind of plan? Heero was the one to ask, “Why’s that?”

Wufei’s eyes strayed lazily to the window. “Well, you’ve been cramped in this room for too long, both of you, so we’re going out.”

Duo shook his head. “Fei, you know what the doc said – he’s not allowed to put any kind of pressure on it yet…”

“I wasn’t finished yet, Duo-love,” Wufei silenced him gently, reaching over and taking hold of one slim-fingered hand. “He won’t be walking – none of us will. We’re going on a sleigh ride.”

Both Asians had to work not to smile at the way the American boy’s eyes lit up at the very thought. “You mean like in the song? An actual sleigh, with reindeer and all that…”

Heero lost the battle and smiled. “Probably not the reindeer part, Duo. Fei, that’s a fantastic idea. Thank you.” He leaned over and kissed Wufei gently on the lips.

Pleased with himself, Wufei rolled up and off the bed, stretching lazily as he stared down at his lovers. “We’ve got about an hour and a half before we have to go downstairs. Just enough time to give Yuy his sponge bath.”

Heero’s protests fell on deaf ears as Wufei lifted him and carried him to the bathroom. Like the rest of the suite, it was built for elegance, with a huge, sunken tub set in a large cedar platform that occupied a full half of the room. Wufei distantly suspected the tub was what made Duo decide on the room. He set Heero down gently on the platform and quickly set to stripping him down, nodding and smiling as Duo joined him in the task.

Heero was in heaven as hands danced over his skin, and he shut his eyes, content to let his lovers do as they would, whether he liked it or not. His eyes flew open again, though, as a set of lips began trailing down over his stomach, and he looked down. “Fei… that’s not how you give a s-sponge bath.”

The Chinese boy looked back up at him with an evil glint in his sparkling eyes. “I know.”

~*~

They were ten minutes late for the ride, but the driver didn’t seem to mind. All the boys comfortably settled, the driver chirruped to his team and the sleigh moved out with a merry tinkle of harness bells.

Safely snuggled under a blanket to protect against the chill of the approaching evening, Duo darted a look to Wufei, on Heero’s far side. “You know, you never told us any more about your mission except that it wasn’t hard, Fei.”

The Chinese boy arched an eyebrow. “You two have had me otherwise occupied,” he replied, deadpan. He always loved to watch how Heero changed colours during this sort of conversation, especially in front of strangers.

He sighed, though, and looked back out into the snow-covered landscape. “Not much to tell. Easy mission – basic surveillance of a guy we thought was involved in black market arms sales. He wasn’t. Pretty boring, but working with Marquise… sucks, if you’ll forgive the vernacular. I doubt he’ll ever stop hating me. Ever.”

Heero groped under the blanket for Wufei’s hand and squeezed it. “I should have taken the mission. Zechs is an idiot if he can’t let the past be…” He stopped speaking abruptly as Duo poked him in the side. Both Asians looked up –

The driver fidgeted – he’d obviously been listening. After an awkward moment of silence, the man asked, “Aren’t you boys a bit young to be in the military?”

Duo shrugged. “Maybe, but we’re good at what we do. We’re not military – we’re Preventers.”

The driver’s eyes went wide. “You’re the Preventers Major who had that accident a few days ago!”

Heero tried to shrink down between his two lovers. “Yes, that was me. *Captain* Maxwell, here,” he said, gesturing to Duo, “was the one who went after me.”

The driver stopped the sleigh and turned to look at the three. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have him around, then,” he admonished, giving Heero a serious glare that would have deflated any normal person. “That mountain is dangerous! You must respect it for what it is!”

Wufei cleared his throat and glared at the older man. “I assure you he is quite aware of that, *without* any more well-meant lectures.”

All the same, the man turned and looked for a moment before his arm shot out. “There!” he pointed towards a mountain.

Wufei’s eyes went wide as he took it in – steep and challenging-looking, the slope was clearly the sort of thing that only true, seasoned skiers had any right to be attempting! The driver’s voice cut in. “Your friend was in those rocks before the other young man caught him. They could have both been killed. In fact, it’s a miracle they weren’t.”

Wufei turned wide eyes on Heero. “Okay… so… that was *amazingly* stupid of you, do you agree?” Duo snorted, and the Chinese boy’s eyes swivelled to rest on him. “And you! Allowing him to try it when he didn’t have a clue what he was doing! Bakayarou!”

Duo managed to look decently contrite. “I know, I’m sorry. But he’s alive, isn’t he? I didn’t let him die!”

Wufei shook his head. “Driver, please continue.”

As soon as the man’s head was turned back to the team, Wufei’s hand darted out and grabbed the back of Heero’s neck, pulling him in for a deep kiss. As they pulled apart, he looked up and caught Duo’s eyes. “Very lucky to have you around, love. Thank you.”

Duo smiled back, and both boys wrapped their arms around the figure in the middle. Heero took a deep sigh of relief. Wufei’s anger was never something to be looked forward to, but it appeared that the Chinese boy was going to let it go and just enjoy this ride.

Heero smiled to himself. He *had* been cooped up in that room for too long; he was definitely going to enjoy this!

Only a few moments passed before Duo’s voice piped up in song, “Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling too, come on it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you…”

Heero laughed and joined in, and Wufei joined them soon after. Unseen by the three, the driver smiled to himself.

~*~

“Knock, knock.”

Heero sighed, but couldn’t quite wipe his grin. “Who’s there?”

“Olive.”

“Olive who?”

Duo laughed as he unlocked the door to their room and stepped aside to let Wufei pass, carrying Heero in. “Olive, the other reindeer!”

All three found themselves laughing at the lame joke.

Wufei walked over to the couch and set Heero down there, then sat down himself. “That was beautiful, wasn’t it?”

“Hai.” Heero held his hand out until Duo moved to take it, and pulled the American down at his side. “Cold, though.”

Cobalt eyes sought out Heero’s concernedly. “How’s the foot feel?”

“It doesn’t, actually,” Heero replied, truthfully, “numb from the cold.”

“Damn.” Wufei moved to light the fireplace while Duo slipped to the floor and uncovered Heero’s foot to examine it. “It *is* cold. You should have told us.”

Heero shrugged. “Didn’t think about it – I was having too much fun.”

Duo stood and vanished into the bedroom for a moment, reappearing with a blanket in his arms. He wrapped it around Heero and tucked it carefully around the cast. “There – that should help.”

Wufei looked up from where he knelt, in front of the fireplace. “Maybe we should take him back to bed…”

“No!” Heero shook his head, a little embarrassed at his outburst. “I mean, it’s so nice to be somewhere *other* than the bedroom, for once. Let’s stay out here? A little bit?”

Both of the other boys watched in fascination as Heero’s face slid into a pout that, two years ago, would *never* have found itself there. It was impossible to deny Heero what he wanted when he gave them that look.

And he knew it, well.

Duo and Wufei exchanged looks. They didn’t have to look to know that Heero now wore a satisfied, smug look. Duo grinned. “I never should have taught him that trick.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” Wufei agreed. “So… what should we do, then? I could order dinner up?”

Duo’s stomach rumbled at the very thought, and both other boys smiled. “The stomach that speaks for itself,” Heero quipped.

Duo grinned at the expected comment. “What can I say? I’m still a growing boy.” Strangely enough for a nineteen year old, it was true.

Wufei ordered quickly and set the phone back down. “Twenty minutes. They’re throwing in a bottle of wine.”

“Nice,” Heero said. “What did you order?”

“You’ll find out when it gets here, won’t you?”

Heero was about to object when Duo stood and clapped his hands together. “Twenty minutes – guess we have time for a quick chapter, then?”

Wufei smiled.

Heero’s face lit up. “Don’t’ we get to see what Frodo’s been up to now? And Sam?”

Wufei chuckled. “I think that’s a yes, Duo.”

As the American bounced from the room, Wufei quickly slid onto the couch, next to Heero. “He hasn’t found the bag yet – I don’t even think he’s looked for it.”

Heero quirked an eyebrow. “Trust me, he has. We won’t catch him at it until he wants us to. Where is it?”

“Someplace safe,” Wufei replied archly, smiling down at his Japanese lover before swooping down for a kiss. “He’ll be so surprised!”

Both managed to look innocent as Duo bounced back in again, the Red Book in his hands. However, they both also missed the smile on his face.

~*~

“Housekeeping is gonna be soooo pissed!” Duo giggled, as he blindly reached out for one or both of his lovers. The green scarf tied around his eyes had the normally graceful boy stumbling and feeling around himself like an old man, but the other two refused to take pity on him. No- especially not after pouring the last bits of red wine from the bottle right onto his stomach and then lapping it off.

Wufei silently lifted Heero out of Duo’s reach again as the braided boy made a lucky lunge. Duo’s hands encountered still-warm blankets, and he huffed. “Oh, come on! That’s not fair and you know it! If he can’t move on his own, he deserves to get caught!”

Setting Heero down carefully, Wufei stealthily moved around Duo, and then closer, until he could feel the other boy’s body heat on his chest. Leaning to Duo’s ear, he whispered, “Boo.”

Duo jumped in surprise. “Wu…” The word trailed off as bronzed arms snaked around his body and pulled him back against the toned warmth that was Wufei. The Chinese boy began kissing a trail down Duo’s neck, hands roaming over Duo’s warm, alabaster skin.

The braided boy reached for his blindfold, but strong hands grabbed his wrists and held him back. “I don’t think so, Maxwell.” Wufei spun him around for a deep kiss that had the other boy moaning into his mouth – he reached down and grabbed the firm globes of Duo’s ass, grinding their bodies together hungrily.

“Feeling a little left out over here,” Heero complained from his place on the bed.

Duo laughed. “It’s your own damn fault you can’t just join us… OW!”

Wufei grinned as Duo rubbed at the spot on his backside that had just been slapped. “That wasn’t very nice, Duo,” he admonished.

The braided boy pushed away from his Chinese lover quickly, tearing at the cloth that covered his eyes. “Uh-uh, not happening again!” Cobalt eyes gleamed wickedly as the knot came loose and the blindfold came off. “You are *not* spanking me again on this vacation, and that’s that!”

Heero waited for just the right moment as Duo backed in his direction, and grabbed hold of the swinging braid to pull the boy down next to him. “So what if we promise not to spank you again? Will you put the blindfold back on?” He didn’t bother playing around – he kissed Duo’s throat just below his left ear, and the braided boy instantly turned into a pile of goo in his hands.

Chuckling to himself, he pulled the blindfold from nerveless fingers and carefully tied it around Duo’s eyes again. He kissed the blindfolded boy lingeringly. “You have no idea how good you look like that.”

Duo was about to answer, but his words died in a moan as he felt Wufei’s hard chest against his back. There were now two mouths working over his face and neck, wandering down to his shoulders. He cried out as Wufei gave him a hard nip at the base of his neck, but the Chinese boy licked at the bite just as quickly. “You taste so good, Duo…”

“I bet he does,” Heero drawled. The next thing Duo knew, a hot mouth was working its way down his chest and stomach and lower still.

“God, Heero…” Duo moaned as Heero’s tongue twirled in his navel. Wufei slipped around him and kissed him deeply, simultaneously reaching back down with a lubed finger and teasing at Duo’s entrance.

Heero chose that moment to run his tongue along Duo’s cock lingeringly. “Mmmm.” Licking his lips, he slowly took Duo into his mouth, his eyes glued to the attractive picture of his two lovers kissing as though their lives depended on it. He closed his eyes as he sucked down on the American, and reached for the tube of lube.

Wufei’s eyes were bright as he watched Heero beginning to prep himself while lapping at Duo’s cock. He cautiously slipped a second finger into Duo. The braided boy was a creature of his senses, one hand buried in Heero’s hair while the other slipped behind him to stroke Wufei roughly.

He faltered, though, as the fingers inside of him disappeared abruptly –

SLAP!

“FEI! You…” SLAP! “Mmmmmm, you promised…” SLAP! “Oh, yeah…”

Wufei grinned – Duo liked the rough play, always had. “I made no such ridiculous promise, love.” SLAP!

“Ahhhh… Heero, you promised me…” SLAP!

Heero slowly released Duo’s cock, taking one last lick at the very tip. He grinned up at Wufei. “I lied.” Taking hold of Duo’s shoulders, he gently pulled the still-blindfolded boy down on top of him.

Heero’s chest was already slick with a fine layer of perspiration as Duo settled above him. The braided boy allowed Wufei to lead him, seeking out Heero’s lips with his own and groaning, knowing that he was tasting himself on the Japanese boy’s tongue. Wufei had him perfectly poised above Heero’s body, cock rubbing suggestively over the other boy’s body, just as Wufei’s was pressed tightly against Duo’s ass.

Wufei nibbled at Duo’s ear. “Love you, Duo.” He slowly began pushing in.

Heero moaned as Duo invaded his body – he had his own eyes closed, as though to share in the American’s blindness, and it served to heighten every sensation as Duo slowly slid into him. “Duo, baby…”

Wufei set a rhythm between them, pulling Duo out of the other boy, only to force him even deeper in with the next smooth, hard thrust, his breath coming out raggedly. To be inside Duo… He was quickly losing control as the heat surrounding his cock burned its way through his restraint.

He grabbed the end of Duo’s braid and snapped the band that held it together easily, letting long locks fall and settle over all three of them.

Heero felt the whisper of something warm and soft against his skin and opened his eyes again. He was met with the sight of Duo directly above him, hair loose and wild as he both took and was taken. Wufei had reached around the American boy to pump Heero roughly, and he was so close…

He knew what it was he needed, though. Reaching up, he ripped the blindfold off Duo’s eyes.

Cobalt blue eyes were dilated with passion, their colour darkened to something more violet than blue as they met Heero’s –

“Ged, Heero, I love you… Feiiiiiiiiiiiii…” Duo moaned out as he came, thrust deep inside of Heero’s willing body. The Japanese boy followed him immediately, screaming in his completion.

Another thrust, and Wufei came as well, biting down on Duo’s neck as he pumped himself into the long-haired boy, trembling.

He just had enough presence of mind to roll himself and Duo off of Heero as all three went boneless, barely even able to breathe in the aftermath. Wufei buried his face in Duo’s hair and inhaled deeply.

When he was finally able to think clearly again, Heero took a look at the set of bit marks on Duo’s neck and shoulders and laughed. “It’s a good thing you have a few more days off left, love,” he whispered teasingly. “You’ve been marked.”

Wufei’s sated grin was completely unrepentant. “Remind me to give you a set to match, Yuy.”

“Hey, Fei?”

“What?”

“I need a matching set.”

Duo laughed. “And to think people say you don’t have a sense of humour,” he murmured sleepily, snuggling closer to Wufei.

The Chinese boy laughed and pulled a blanket up to cover them all.

~*~

The sun was not yet up the next morning when Duo snuck out of bed and out to the main room to make a quick phone call. “Good morning – I’d like to speak with Jacques, please… Merci beaucoup.”

He waited for a moment. “Yes, sir, thanks. I was calling about the… Yes. Great! When?”

Cobalt eyes flashed with merriment. “Good? That’s perfect, Jacques. Wouldn’t be the same without it. How soon?”

His gaze strayed back to the bedroom. “They’re both still asleep, actually. Perfect timing.”

He paused for a few moments, then laughed long and low. “It *is* possible, you’ll see. I’ll expect you up here in five minutes. But whatever you do, *don’t* knock!” Still chuckling, he hung up the phone.

Duo quickly made his way back to the bedroom and crawled back onto the bed. Heero’s eyes blinked slowly. “Duo?”

The braided boy smiled. “Morning, Heero. Didja sleep well?”

With something between a laugh and a growl, Heero grabbed hold of Duo’s arm and pulled him back down into his embrace. “Better now.”

“Mmmm,” Duo sighed, closing his eyes happily. He’d never thought, during the war, that Heero would be a cuddler. Then again, he hadn’t even considered that he would be alive, let alone as lucky as to belong to both Wufei and Heero. He kissed Heero’s forehead gently. “I think it’s time to get up, love. Big day.”

Heero blinked. “Why?”

“Christmas Eve, silly!” Duo squealed, turning in Heero’s arms to poke at Wufei –

A hand caught his before it could reach its objective. “You wouldn’t dare, love,” came a muffled voice, as Wufei didn’t even bother to turn his face from the pillow.

“Oh yes, I would!” Duo bounced on the bed, and both of its other inhabitants sat up in surprise. “Wakey! Wakey! Wak – EEP!” he yelped in surprise as Wufei yanked him down by the braid.

The Chinese boy finally faced his American lover full on. “What exactly are you up to, Duo?”

He was surprised to get a smug smile in return, and let Duo pry his braid loose. “You’ll just have to find out, eh? Now go – Heero needs his bath, and you know it will never get done if *I’m* the one doing it!”

Grumbling, Wufei stretched lingeringly and brushed his long hair back behind his ears. He looked over at Heero. “Is that okay with you, love?”

Heero quirked a half smile. “Duo will never give us peace unless we do as directed, Chang.” He held his arms up like a child. “I’m all yours.”

Wufei scooped Heero up onto his shoulder. “So you are. Later, Duo.”

The American grinned. “Enjoy yourselves, but leave me some hot water, okay?”

All he got was a vague murmur of acknowledgement as Heero reached down from his position and pulled the door shut. Duo shook his head – Heero’s hand had been headed straight for Wufei’s rear, he was sure.
He pulled on a pair of black jeans and Heero’s white sweater before he quickly undid his braid and brushed out his hair, wincing as he pulled at the tangles. They all knew better than to let him fall asleep with it loose, but last night…

Duo laughed to himself. Last night had been incredible! Despite the spankings…

Tying off the braid again, he slipped out to the main room and to the front door. “Bonjour, Jacques.”

“Monsieur Duo! We are here as requested,” a tall, heavyset man with grizzled grey hair said, a small smile playing over his face.

Duo looked past the man – sure enough, there were three other men there, and between them all, a medium-sized cut tree. A grin broke out over his face. “You all are the best! It wouldn’t be the same without one…”

Jacques shrugged in a distinctly French way. “Ce n’est rien, monsieur. You are not our only guests to request a tree. We took the liberty of bringing some decorations, as well.”

Duo ducked his head back in through the door – he could vaguely hear voices and laughter in the bathroom. He stepped out into the hallway and pushed up his sleeves. “The cost is clear, gentlemen. Let’s get it inside.”

~*~

Wufei sputtered as Heero poured water over his head and sank lower into the bath. “Damn you, Yuy…”

Heero smiled like the Cheshire cat. “Oh, so *you* can bathe *me* but I’m not allowed to return the favour? Besides, this’ll give Duo a few more minutes to do whatever he’s doing out there.”

Wufei cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”

Heero shook his head. “No, you?”

“Not a clue.”

~*~

Duo was waiting for them when they reappeared – Heero stopped towelling his hair and took a pointed look at the grin Duo was wearing. “Just answer me this – should I be scared?”

“Heero, baby, it’s Christmas Eve. Even *I* don’t misbehave too badly today,” Duo replied evenly. Both Asians couldn’t help being more worried than ever. Duo was clearly very excited about something, and that something had about a fifty-fifty chance of being either extremely destructive or mischievous. Heero was ready to bet on the second option – he doubted that Duo had brought explosives with them on vacation (though he was known for bringing various small items that never would have found their way into normal people’s bags.)

Wufei snorted and tossed Hero some clothes, including one of Duo’s sweaters. “Will it get us kicked out of this hotel before Heero is ready to leave?”

Duo grinned. “Nope. Hurry up!”

Wufei and Heero exchanged looks, but followed the order once again.

Both boys dressed and presentable, Duo lifted Heero into his arms and winked at Wufei. “Follow me, please.” He kicked open the bedroom door and went out.

Both Asians stared open-mouthed at the tree. Duo had somehow managed to get the lights on while they bathed, and said lights were twinkling merrily. Heero’s jaw flapped for a moment before he said, “You ordered a tree, got it in here and managed to get the lights on, and all without us hearing it?”

Duo laughed and hugged Heero tightly against his chest. “I’m not the master of stealth for nothing, babe.”

Wufei wrapped his arms around the pair from behind. “No, you’re not. It’s a lovely surprise, Duo, thank you.”

Duo giggled as he set Heero down on the couch and darted around the sofa for a box. “That’s not all – we get to decorate! Apparently, they get a lot of requests for stuff like this here – they had all the stuff ready without me even having to ask for it!”

Wufei looked somewhat chagrined as he moved to the front closet and pulled something out. He approached Heero slowly, hiding whatever he’d taken out behind his back. “You’ll need these if you’re going to help us decorate, love.”

A pair of crutches.

Heero stared at the offered items blankly. “How long have those been there?”

Duo answered, “Almost since we first got you back here after the fall. The doc warned me, though, that you really needed to stay off the foot, so I decided not to tell you about them. Wu agreed.”

Duo bowed his head, ready for a full-fledged Yuy temper tantrum.

He was surprised when said boy simply laughed and grabbed hold of his hand. “I’d have to be stupid to complain about being carried around everywhere by the men I love. You are an idiot, Duo Maxwell, but I love you that way.”

Duo’s eyes smiled as he dropped a quick kiss on Heero’s cheek. “Now let’s get this sucker decorated so you two can put out our presents after I fall asleep tonight – I promise I’ll make that early.”

“How did you know?!” Wufei sputtered.

Duo lifted a box of ornaments and stood next to the tree as Heero used the crutches to pull himself up and move closer. As soon as he was sure the Japanese boy was steady on his foot, he turned back to Wufei. “Called Trowa and asked him to ship the stuff to us. He told me it was all gone – I just guessed you’d bring it with. I’d *love* to know where you’ve hidden it all…”

“Not a chance, Duo-babe.”

“Damn.”

~*~

“’’He’s going out of harm’s way, I tell you,’ answered Shagrat. ‘See? He’s precious. I don’t trust all my lads, and none of yours; not you neither, when you’re mad for fun. He’s going where I want him, and where you won’t come, if you don’t keep civil. Up to the top, I say. He’ll be safe there.’’” Heero snorted. “Hn. OZ could have learned something from these Orcs. About not trusting the men, that is. If they’d ever put one of us at the top of a tower, both the prisoner and the tower would be gone in a matter of hours.”

Pausing in the process of putting tinsel on the tree, both Wufei and Duo grinned at Heero. The Japanese boy had tired quickly on one foot, so he volunteered to read more of the story out for them. He also had the tendency to stop in the middle of what he was reading, though, to explore some strange side thought. Wufei turned back to the tree, but called over his shoulder, “You really shouldn’t stop in the middle of the important parts, Heero.”

The Japanese boy considered that. “Well, Frodo has to live, right? He didn’t make it all the way to Mordor just to die before he completed the mission.”

Silence.

“Did he?” When all he got was silence, Heero slammed the book shut. “Oh, come on! Did he?”

Duo finally took pity on him. “No, your reasoning is on target, as usual. But Wufei’s right.”

Heero fell silent as he watched his two lovers putting the finishing touches on the tree. “It’s beautiful,” he said, as they stepped back to look.

“It truly is.” Wufei pulled Duo into his arms for a hug. “This was a terrific idea.”

Duo simply grinned and buried his face in Wufei’s shoulder.

~*~

Later that evening, after an early dinner, the three boys were in their room. Heero lay with his head cradled in Wufei’s lap on the sofa, the end of Duo’s braid in his hand, from where he sat on the floor. He stared up at the tree in silent contemplation before asking, “Duo, what is the significance of putting an angel on top of the tree, instead of a star?”

Duo’s own eyes gravitated to the tree top. “I don’t really know – Father Maxwell used to put an angel on top, but I’ve always liked the idea of the star that marked Jesus’ birth, since nothing else did.”

Wufei grunted. “Makes him seem more like us, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Heero agreed.

Duo nodded. “Maybe it’s the religion thing, too – the star’s less religious than an angel would be.”

“Kind of a silly tradition, to decorate a tree,” Heero remarked after a moment of quiet.

Duo smiled. “Maybe, but it sure is a pretty one.”

“Hn. Agreed.” Heero drew the hair in his hand to his face and kissed it gently.

Wufei idly stroked his fingers through Heero’s unruly hair. “You know, in a way we’re very lucky to be here, instead of at home.”

Duo turned his head and cocked an eyebrow. “Why’s that?”

“Une can’t call us for any missions over here, and we have room service,” Wufei deadpanned.

All three boys laughed.

~*~

Duo woke the next morning to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, and opened his eyes. Wufei was there, waving a steaming mug under his nose. He blinked sleepily. “Hi.”

Wufei couldn’t help a small smile – Duo was too cute when he first woke up. “Merry Christmas, Duo. Good morning.”

Duo smiled as he sat up and Wufei sat next to him, handing him the mug of coffee. I already brought Heero out to the main room, just came back for you.”

Duo put the mug down on the nightstand and pulled Wufei in for a kiss. “I love you, Fei.”

Wufei sucked Duo’s lower lip as though he was tasting a fine wine, and slowly released it, a soft smile on his face. “Love you, too. Now up! It’s time for your presents!”

Duo pretended to grumble as he climbed from the warm of bed and allowed Wufei to wrap him in a bathrobe. He picked up his coffee and followed the Chinese boy out.

There was a pile of packages under the tree, sure enough. Duo yanked on Wufei’s robe sleeve until the other boy stopped walking. “Are you gonna tell me *now* where you hid them?”

Wufei laughed out loud. “Right behind Heero’s crutches, love. In the closet you swore not to open until Heero could use them, remember?”

Duo groaned. “And I didn’t think of that… why?”

Wufei declined to answer, but tugged him by the hand to Heero’s side. Duo put the mug down again before he hugged Heero tightly. “Merry Christmas, Hee-chan.”

Wufei puffed himself up importantly. “So… since I seem to be the most awake this morning, *I* will do the handing out…”

Duo and Heero exchanged amused looks as Wufei turned to rummage under the tree, giving them a nice view of his rear.

The gifts were distributed quickly, with smiles all around. A new bottle of Duo’s favourite cologne and a new, custom-made shoulder holster with extra spaces for his knives, a hardcover edition of the collected works of Pushkin and a pocket watch for Wufei (Duo had caught him admiring the timepiece in a shop window,) a new and improved version of Final Fantasy for Heero to try and beat, accompanied by a new lather jacket that the Japanese boy immediately slipped into. Duo eventually jumped up from hs spot, though, and vanished back into the bedroom.

He returned almost immediately, though, and handed a package to Wufei and Heero. “Here. I ordered this special a couple days ago.”

Puzzled, they both reached for and tore off the gaudy, but cheerful wrapping paper –

To uncover a boxed set of the Lord of the Rings movies in VidDisc. Heero looked up with smiling eyes. “Duo, this is great!”

The braided boy fidgeted and twisted sad braid in his hands. “You just can’t watch the last one until we’ve read it, okay?”

Heero nodded. “Thank you, Duo. I love it.”

Duo reached out and took Heero’s hand in his left and Wufei’s hand in his right. “I love you. Both of you.”

~*~

Later that afternoon, they decided to block out the howling of the snowstorm building outside by watching the movies. As the first one ended, Heero took a deep breath. “That Legolas guy is cute.”

Wufei shot Duo a quick look. “He’s developing a thing for blonds, now. We’d best warn Zechs.”

“Hah!” Duo laughed, not missing how Heero rolled his eyes at them. “I think we should warn Quatre, personally.”

“I think Trowa would kick his ass for trying.”

“I think you’re both bakas,” Heero interjected. “How could I possibly want more when I have two people like yourselves in bed with me?”

A moment of silence, then, “He makes a very good point, Duo. We *are* rather attractive guys, after all.”

Duo just giggled. Okay, so maybe drinking the whole bottle of champagne the management sent up was not a good idea!

Heero laughed and pulled Wufei and Duo tight to his sides. “This has been a great Christmas, even laid up. I don’t deserve you two, but I’m glad you’re here.”

Wufei gently kissed Heero, squeezing Duo’s hand as he did so. “We belong here with you – where else would we be?”

“Damn straight!” Duo pounced over Heero and kissed Wufei before pulling back and kissing Heero as slowly and thoroughly as he’d kissed the Chinese boy. He eventually settled back down with his head resting on Heero’s chest.

Heero absently played with Duo’s bangs, and remarked after a few moments of silence, “I can’t believe we have to go home tomorrow.”

Duo groaned at the very thought, but Wufei replied, “Don’t think about it – tomorrow is tomorrow. Just focus on today and us.”

Heero nodded and stroked his hand along Duo’s braid for a few minutes in silent contemplation. “We should make this a habit – not me falling down a mountain, of course. But coming here.”

Duo laughed softly, but shortly added his own consent, “Yeah – just a few days of just us… sounds wonderful. Our *family*.”

“Consider it done,” Wufei said. He clasped an arm tight around Heero while his other hand traced fingertips along Duo’s jaw. “Merry Christmas.”

owari

Happy Holidays to everyone! I won’t be on much for the next week,
since my family will be in town, so I want to take this opportunity
to wish everyone a safe, fun time, and for those of you I won’t see
or talk to until then, a wonderful New Year.

Hugs and kisses,

Ashkara