WOOING WUFEI
Acquiring Affection Arc

AUTHOR: Kenen and E.
DISCLAIMER: Gundam Wing is a product of Bandai and others that we use for entertainment purposes.
PAIRINGS: Duo Maxwell + Chang Wufei.
WARNINGS: M/M

Chapter 3 :: The Spring A.C. 197 : That Night

Wufei scowled at the door to Duo's apartment wondering why he should grace the idiot with his presence after last night's foray. But he couldn't really work up ire toward the braided boy. As frightening as Duo's pursuit was, the American was only behaving in his typical manner; and that was the key to beating him at his own game.

Unconsciously, Wufei checked his appearance. He wasn't wearing anything exceptional, just his usual Chinese styled clothing, though it was more beige than white for a change. His hair had been beaten into submission and was slicked back in its usual fashion. There was nothing extraordinary about this visit and Chang Wufei wanted to express that to Duo and make sure the boy understood he was only there to get rid of him, nothing more. That clarified to himself, Wufei rang the doorbell twice.

Not a minute later Duo Maxwell was beaming as he welcomed Nataku's pilot into his humble abode, or so he'd termed it. Upon crossing the threshold Wufei was stunned twice in the same second. First to shock him was the apartment.

Well, what were you expecting? Skeletons from his previous victims? his psyche demanded.

Yep. But instead there was only an equal mixture of black, white, and gray among the walls, furniture, and carpeting. It was very clean, nothing fancy, but definitely . . . Wufei searched his mind for a word, but could only come up with homey, and welcoming, in a dark type of way.

The second shock that had immediately followed the first was Duo himself. The American was not in his typical simulated priest gear, but a black outfit similar to his own Chinese garments. It was . . . Wufei bit his lip and thought long and hard on a word other than the one that had instantaneously came to mind, but could come up with nothing. It was . . . sexy and . . . kind of endearing that Duo would go through such lengths to . . . Little matter, Wufei told himself firmly. It's a ploy for your affections . . . and damned if it's not working!

There was something else different about Duo that also drew his attention: his hair. Or more correctly half of his hair; part of it was in his customary braid but the bottom flowed free framing his face. Chang Wufei found himself wishing he were at home and this whole ordeal over.

"Hey 'Fei, glad you could come," Duo greeted sweetly.

"You mean you're glad you didn't have to drag me kicking and screaming down the street, right?" Wufei replied sardonically, a knowing eyebrow raised.

Duo grinned sheepishly. "I know for a fact you wouldn't have kicked and screamed," he mumbled, his eyes downcast in mock humbleness. While his head was bowed, he happened to notice that his heart's desire had brought a gift. "Why 'Fei-baby, I didn't know you . . ." Duo halted when he happened to glimpse Wufei's expression. He'd promised that he would do absolutely nothing to antagonize Wufei tonight and he would not make a liar out of himself. "Alright, let's just put this on ice and dinner will be served in a few minutes." Duo took the wine bottle from Wufei's grip and then led him into the sitting room where a low table had been set with cushions at either end. Wufei chose one and sat on his knees as Duo disappeared into the kitchen, which had the most appetizing aromas wafting from it. When Duo returned he set two well-filled plates down, one for Wufei the other himself, and lit the single candle in the center of the table.

"See," Duo grinned, "Everything you wanted me to cook: yakisoba, shrimp fried rice, egg rolls, and tempura, and sesame chicken."

Wufei kept his expression carefully blank as he eyed his plate. He had to give Duo credit though, "It looks wonderful," he replied.

"Thanks," Duo chirped. He handed a small, sakura decorated, rectangular, box to Wufei with his best imitation of a shy smile. "Here."

Wufei's eyebrow inched back up his forehead. "I just got here, Duo . . . and what have I told you about getting me gifts?"

"'Fei . . . ahem, I mean Wufei, you don't have to consider it a gift . . . more so a way for you to eat the food I've prepared . . . for you," Duo managed to stutter out. Man, this is harder than I thought it'd be. But I shall triumph!

Chang accomplished closing his mouth somehow. It'd been gaping horribly, and he wasn't quite sure for how long before he demanded, "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Maxwell?"

Duo blinked innocently at him, his violet eyes more misty lavender in his confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about, Wufei. Could you please accept the gift before your food gets cold." Inside one, Duo Maxwell's head a little voice chanted, "One way or another, I'm gonna woo you, I'm gonna get'cha get'cha get'cha get'cha . . ."

The last of the Long clan numbly accepted the little box and absently opened it. That was twice! He'd done it twice! Wufei's confused mind managed to process. No embarrassing little pet names, no incessant 'Fei, 'Fei, 'Fei . . . Wufei stuffed another chopstick full of food into his mouth, before realizing what he was doing. He looked to his hand and gasped; Duo's gift clattering loudly on the table before losing its momentum and lying still. Two perfectly shaped golden chopsticks.

"Maxwell!"

"Wha—Yes?" Duo answered calmly placing down his own chopsticks to eye Wufei curiously. "What's wrong, you don't like it?"

"Yes, I mean, no, I mean, look at that," Wufei stammered indicating what he meant by pointing at the present.

"You don't want to eat?" Duo asked, his mouth forming a small 'o' of disappointment.

"No, Maxwell." He picked up the golden sticks and held them up for Duo's inspection.

"You don't like the design?" Duo guessed, "Man, and I thought the dragon imprint would be a really good idea, y'know?"

"No, Maxwell, I don't know, I'm just curious about why you thought to give me gold chopsticks."

"It's real if that's what you're worried about."

"No!" Wufei slammed his hand on the table for emphasis. "No, I mean, why gold chopsticks?"

"Because you deserve the best," Duo answered simply. Wufei didn't bother to dispute that. If Maxwell wanted to be 'difficult' then Chang Wufei would let him . . . for now.

They sat in silence, the only noise to be heard were the rhythmic tic of the clock on the wall and the occasional clink of expensive chopsticks on just as expensive plates. It was too quiet Wufei decided; too quiet and predictable, especially with Duo Maxwell in the room. "Why aren't you talking?" Wufei asked after awhile. Nataku's pilot figured there was no possible way this evening was going to go as he'd thought so he may well contribute to distorting the image he'd fantasized.

"Because you want me to be quiet." Another simple answer from one, Duo Maxwell; there was something officially wrong with the world, Chang mentally confirmed.

"I don't . . . em . . ." Wufei paused to sort out his thoughts.

"See, you can't really decide can you? Look, Wufei . . ."

"Don't call me that," the Chinese boy snapped reflexively.

Duo's sable brow shot up. "Then what am I suppose to call you?" he queried.

Hell if I know, Chang psychologically reasoned. That was his name, so why did it sound so foreign coming from Duo? "I only meant, whatever happened to ''Fei'?"

"Well, you don't seem to like it and I didn't want to give you indigestion and have you blame it on my inability to cook instead of my big mouth and . . . I'm sorry I'm yakkin' again. I merely want to enjoy your presence for a little while and have you feel comfortable here with me."

It was too plausible. Why did he have to make sense at a time like this? Why couldn't he be reliable obnoxious Duo? Why was he behaving like . . . well, himself. Always proper, if curtly polite, and reasonable, where did Duo get off being 'reasonable'? "I don't mind you talking . . ."

Duo's little heart flip-flopped in his chest.

"It is your house after all."

Damn it 'Fei, why'd you have to go and ruin it? Duo's thoughts clamored. His little heart tripped, landed on its main artery, and died. He opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it, besides 'Fei was speaking again.

"Dinner is delicious. Even if I did have indigestion I would have thought it worth it to eat such a meal."

The little heart revived and thundered happily in his chest in time to the little voice that sang, "One way or another, I'm gonna woo you, I'm gonna get'cha get'cha get'cha get'cha . . ."

The meal concluded, Duo cleared the table and made Wufei sit on the couch to relax when he attempted to help. When the braided boy returned from 'the mysterious kitchen' he was carrying two glasses of wine and handed one to Wufei.

"I rented all kinds of classics," he informed the Chinese boy as the settled in to watch a movie. There were quite a few selections, "The Siege" "Terminator's" "End of Days" horror flicks, lots of death flicks, even some chick flicks, "My Best-Friends Wedding" being among that collection. After some debate they decided on "Meet Joe Black" and for some reason Wufei wasn't surprised to learn that is was Duo's favorite.

"Shame they didn't have cryonics back then . . ." Duo murmured almost tearfully.

"Why do you say that?" Wufei queried. He'd only read the reviews of the flick, hadn't actually seen it. It was only the previews so he didn't mind the chat.

"Because, someone as gorgeous as Brad Pitt did not deserve to die, ever," Duo answered. He pointed to the screen emphatically as a baby-faced blonde blue-eyed hunk smiled.

Wufei whistled appreciatively. Duo was right . . .

Halfway through the movie Duo yawned, raising his hands over his head. Wufei prepared himself for the inevitable; and was surprised when it didn't come.

The braided boy merely resettled himself and continued watching the film.

Was this disappointment? Wufei wondered, his amazement twisting into hurt. He didn't understand it, this was suppose to be a good thing, wasn't it?

Duo watched the emotions play across Wufei's face, poor Chinese boy wasn't even aware that he'd dropped his indifferent mask. Got'cha.

"Wufei?" Duo whispered.

"Yes?"

"Can I put my arm around you?"

Onyx flicked to amethyst in wary concern. I'm losing again aren't I? the black orbs seemed to question.

Hell yeah, the purple answered slightly dancing, Give it up, you're licked.

Wufei came back to himself with a nod. Oh gods now I'm delusional . . . "Sure, Maxwell," Wufei conceded, scooting closer to Duo and leaning on his chest. Duo's arm came around him in a warm embrace.

Duo smiled softly. What do y'know, William Parrish was right. Love does make you want to dance like a dervish . . .