Disclaimer: Just letting the demons play.

The gallery show continues……

Artists

Chapter 2

Wufei had managed to detach Relena from his arm when two other women approached and the trio began talking and laughing, leaving Wufei to stealthily make his escape. He started to slowly make his way back to the front of the gallery where the party for Heero's pieces was being held, enjoying the quiet time to peruse the other artwork. Maybe I should just call Sally and tell her to forget coming. By the time she gets here the party will practically be over. Also, that means I can go home.

Wufei debated for a few more minutes and then pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed Sally's number. One ring, two rings and then Wufei became aware of mirror sounds coming from the distance. Is it possible?

Wufei snapped the phone shut and walked towards the next section of the gallery. He rounded the corner to find Sally standing there, drink in hand and smile in place.

"Hey there, Wufei. Sorry I'm so late. Why were you just calling me?"

"Glad you could make it. I was calling to cancel."

Sally's smile morphed into a frown and she put her one available hand on her hip.

"Excuse me?"

Wufei sighed and Sally hooked her arm in his and began leading him back to the front of the gallery.

"These people are just so phony and then I was kidnapped by Yuy's publicist so she could sacrifice him to this she wolf."

Without realizing it, Wufei had shivered at the mention of the slinky woman eyeing up Heero. Sally continued until they were back to the front of the gallery and then she leaned into Wufei's ear as she admired a photograph of a model done up to look like a Bird Of Paradise. It was very well done, the color sharp, the few pieces of clothing the girl was allowed to wear blended superbly with her mostly painted body.

"So you met Yuy? What's he like?"

Wufei sighed and looked around the expansive room, not interested in the art on the wall anymore. He really did want to leave, but now that Sally was here, he couldn't. She had been looking forward to getting out and doing something for the first time in months.

"He's, uh…..well…..he's like that."

Sally looked in the direction in which Wufei had nodded and saw a man with wild chestnut hair flanked on all sides by some manner of smiling woman. He was dressed simply in a pair of tan slacks and a fitted white button up shirt that he had left untucked.

"Now I see why you wanted to come."

"Excuse me?"

Sally waved off Wufei's indignation with a smile and quiet scoff.

"Oh please, Wufei. You can't fool me. Yuy is gorgeous. You came to gawk."

Wufei stepped into Sally and lowered his voice, hoping she would do the same.

"I came because I like his work."

Sally gazed around at the various mounted pieces of photography.

"I admit he has talent, but this isn't your style."

"But his earlier works are. There are a few hanging in the café I frequent."

"I see."

Sally took a sip of her wine and saw Wufei dart his eyes away and the slightest of color on his cheeks. You can't fool me, Wufei.

"Well I say go for it. It's been long enough."

Wufei narrowed his eyes, warning his friend he didn't want to continue their conversation and wasn't surprised when she chuckled and walked away. Damn woman.

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Once Wufei reappeared in the main gallery, Heero kept a close eye on him, following his movements as he roamed the gallery with a woman he didn't recognize. He noted that she had an arm hooked into Wufei's and a few times he'd caught them speaking rather closely. Did he just meet this woman here? Or is it a date? Although she wasn't here when he and I talked earlier.

As an hour ticked by Heero noted that both Wufei and the woman on his arm were spying on him when they knew the other wasn't looking. Well now, isn't that interesting. Heero never acknowledged the woman, but the two times his and Wufei's eyes met, he offered a small smile.

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"Leaving so soon?"

Wufei and Sally stopped walking towards the door and turned to see Heero standing there.

"Yes."

Sally saw the twinge of disappointment in Heero and immediately spoke up, not caring if Wufei got mad at her for interfering or not. He needs to get back out there.

"No, he's not leaving, just me."

"Sally, I can't just let you---"

Sally slipped out from Wufei's arm and smiled.

"I'm a big girl, I can get a cab and---"

Wufei reached out and grabbed Sally's hand, hoping his friend would understand his silent plea. Please don't leave me alone with this man. I'll make a complete fool of myself. I'm not ready for this yet.

"Unacceptable. You're ill. I'll take you----"

"Take my car."

Two pairs of shocked eyes looked at Heero but he held his own, seeming completely casual.

"The gallery had a car pick me up. He's parked right outside. I insist you let him take you home if you're feeling sick."

Sally understood immediately and inclined her head to hide the smile she felt escaping while Wufei continued to gape at the unpredictable photographer.

"Thank you, Mr. Yuy, that's very generous of you. Goodnight, Wufei. Call me later and tell me all the details, ok?"

Sally leaned in and kissed him on the cheek and walked out the door with Heero who walked her to the car and gave instructions to the driver before returning to Wufei.

"Shall we?"

"Thank you, Yuy. You didn't have to do that. I should have taken her home myself."

"She didn't see it that way."

"Because she's a stubborn and meddlesome woman."

Heero heard the irritation in Wufei's voice but he also recognized the passionate emotion behind the words. Is it possible they're involved with each other after all? Did I misread the situation? They seemed close but not like they were on a date.

"How long have you two been together?"

"Since college."

"Wow, that's a pretty long time not to be married by now."

Wufei almost spit out the wine he had just sipped and managed to swallow it before choking out a response.

"M-married? What makes you think…?"

Heero smiled as he pat Wufei on the back, amused at his response and delighted to have his theory reaffirmed.

"I just asked you how long you and Sally were together. What did you think I meant?"

"Sally and I are just friends."

Wufei noticed the broad smile on Heero's face and his eyes narrowed as he straightened up and took a step back from Heero, his voice now very serious.

"If you're thinking of pursuing her I'll warn you right now. She's bossy, opinionated, keeps horrible hours, and can't cook."

Heero chuckled and took a long drink from his water bottle before turning his attention back to Wufei.

"Thanks for the warning. But she's not my type."

Wufei felt a wave of relief wash over him and he took another sip of his wine as he admonished himself for feeling jealous of a man he didn't even know and had no plans of knowing. I need to get out of here.

"I really should go. You are the main attraction here and there are people you should be talking to."

"But I only want to talk with you."

Wufei opened his mouth to say something but just then Heero's eyes darted away to look elsewhere and Wufei turned to follow his gaze, finding the woman from before gazing at Heero. Wow. Can't get more obvious than that. How can women act like that? It's so coarse.

Wufei returned his attention to Heero who was smiling at the woman. He offered a nod and Wufei turned back to see the woman looking very pleased. When Wufei turned back to Heero, he found blue eyes studying him and a sly smile wreaking havoc with his insides. It's just a smile, but….

"You really don't want to be here, do you?"

Wufei scoffed and took a sip of his wine before answering.

"I want to be here about as much as you."

Heero chuckled and turned away, scanning the crowd. Suddenly he reached out and took Wufei's glass, placing it on a passing waiter's tray and then reached out, clasping hands with Wufei and pulling him towards the door.

"What? Wait---!"

Heero didn't stop until they were not only out the door and on the street, but almost a block away, Wufei protesting and trying to tug himself free the entire time.

"I said….LET GO!!"

Wufei grunted and managed to finally pull himself free of Heero's grip and he stood there staring at Heero, disbelieving, while the photographer just stood there amused.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"I thought you wanted to leave."

"I did but----"

"Then what's the problem?"

Wufei looked back at the bright lights he knew to be the gallery and then back to Heero who still looked unperturbed about the situation. Wufei rubbed his face and took a deep breath and then faced Heero again.

"You realize Relena is going to kill you for ducking out on your own gallery show."

Heero chuckled and matched the smirk being aimed at him.

"She'll get over it."

"So now what?"

"I thought we could get a drink."

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It wasn't exactly the kind of place Wufei would go to get a drink, but he didn't really mind the atmosphere because his attention was focused on the man sitting next to him. After agreeing to get a drink, Heero and Wufei walked down the block and walked into the first bar they came to.

It was decorated in art deco and neon and the music was rather loud but easily blocked out since it was just a pounding beat. After taking a seat at the bar which was lit from beneath, Wufei looked around to see the same type of pretentious people that were at the gallery.

"Are you sure it's safe for you to be here?"

"Hm?"

"This place is filled with people like those from the gallery."

"And what kind of people is that? Keeping in mind that both of us, and Sally were in attendance tonight."

"Hmph. I don't pretend to be something I'm not and spout pretentious nonsense in the hopes of sounding like I know something about art."

"Wow. How do you really feel?"

Wufei felt his cheeks getting warm and he took a drink as a distraction. This is why I wanted to get away from him. I'm just going to say something to offend him or make myself look foolish. Why the hell did I come with him?!

"So how did you become a writer?"

Wufei chuckled and bowed his head.

"I was shanghaied."

He took another drink and then turned slightly to make eye contact with Heero, his hand still on his drink.

"I offered to help a friend of mine with his creative writing assignment and ended up pretty much writing the whole thing myself. The idiot turned it in and after the professor read it, he told my friend that he had submitted it to a writing contest being held by the university. So he panicked and told the truth, failing the class, but giving the professor my name."

"So what happened with the contest and the professor?"

"The guy kept pestering me to take writing classes and telling me I was wasting my time doing anything else. I managed to keep him at bay for awhile until I won the contest. Then he became unbearable and wore me down until I finally agreed to submit something for a contest being held by a local publishing company."

"And the second coming of Dickens was born."

Wufei chuckled and took another sip of his drink, noting how his glass was almost empty and yet Heero's was suspiciously full. How much have I had to drink tonight? A few glasses of wine and this drink. But I haven't eaten anything. I was counting on going out to dinner with Sally afterwards. I wonder if this place has food?

Wufei craned his neck, looking around at the other patrons sitting at the bar and the surrounding tables, a frown on his face.

"Something wrong?"

"No food."

"You're hungry?"

"Yeah."

Heero smiled at the needy voice and the almost pouty lips. My god, he gets even better. Heero reached out for his drink, threw his head back and drank the whole thing in one serving and slammed it back on the table.

"Let's go."

"Huh?"

Before Wufei knew what was happening, he was being dragged by Heero once again out into the cool evening.

"Where are you taking me now?"

"Don't worry, it's not far."

Heero slowed his pace so Wufei was now walking by his side and he reveled in the feeling of holding hands with the writer. But his contentment was short-lived as Wufei shyly pulled his had from Heero's and put his hands in his jacket pockets. I guess that was pushing it considering we just met, but I can't help it. I'm so drawn to this man it's frightening.

"Here we go."

Heero stopped at a hotdog cart and gestured for two as he reached for his wallet and paid the man.

"Hotdogs?"

"Trust me."

Heero smiled at the vendor and grabbed some napkins as they took a few steps back to eat. And with the first bite Wufei understood why Heero looked so happy to be eating a hotdog. He didn't have much experience with hotdogs, but he'd eaten a few in his lifetime and he couldn't recall them ever tasting this good.

"Wow."

Heero just smiled as he chewed a mouthful, his cheeks puffed out from biting off too much. Wufei just shook his head and held up his hotdog in salute.

"Thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome."

And so the pair leaned against the brick wall and ate their hotdogs, not really saying much else, but enjoying the company of the person standing next to them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wufei tossed his hotdog wrapper and napkin in the garbage and rejoined Heero who had pushed off the wall and now stood in the middle of the wide city sidewalk. Wufei bowed his head and rocked on his heels as he braced himself to actually do what he'd been telling himself to do all night.

"I have to go."

"I know. I should be getting back too."

Wufei was relieved that Heero didn't try to get him to stay. I probably would. He turned towards the street and raised his arm, hailing a cab.

"Come back and let my driver take you home."

"No, thank you. That's nice of you but I'll just take a cab."

Wufei stepped into the street as a cab pulled up. He opened the door and stood there facing Heero who looked a little disappointed.

"You're a very talented man, Heero Yuy, and I was honored to share a hotdog with you."

Heero's face slowly morphed into a smile and Wufei smiled back. Good. That's the last image I want of him. Wufei raised his hand in goodbye and then slipped into the cab.

Heero watched until he could no longer distinguish the cab's taillights from the others before heading back to the gallery. I have to see him again. I can't let tonight be the only night.

To be continued….