Disclaimer: Just letting the demons play.

Artists

Chapter 9

Wufei had his jacket draped over his arm, hands shoved in his pockets, as he and Heero rode the elevator up to Heero's loft. They'd just finished a long, leisurely dinner where Wufei was beginning to think he drank more than he ate. But every time the thought occurred to him, it quickly melted away like snow on your skin, and he was left with a content, warm feeling with no worries.

"You look happy."

Wufei turned to Heero and just smiled.

"I would say drunk would be the more appropriate term."

Both men chuckled and exited the elevator, entering Heero's loft. Heero proceeded to disappear back into his bedroom and Wufei tossed his jacket over the back of the sofa before sinking into the comfortable leather.

When Heero reemerged he found Wufei laying on his sofa, possibly asleep.

"Hey. You want some coffee or something?"

"Water actually, thanks."

Heero sat a bottle of water on the table in front of Wufei and went over to his workstation, already chugging away at his own bottle. Wufei sat up and opened his water, watching Heero. He found himself doing that a lot lately. Wufei closed his eyes and drank some water, welcoming the cool liquid in his overheated body.

"Come over here and check these out."

Wufei put his water down and joined Heero at his brightly lit workstation where several black and white pictures were laid out. Wufei blinked at the myriad of photos, all of him. He gazed in wonder, as if seeing himself for the first time.

"I'm really happy with how they turned out. I'm hoping….you'll agree to let me shoot you some more."

Heero's voice was soft and it was barely registering in Wufei's fuzzy, alcohol-slowed mind. He looked to the photographer who seemed to be watching him intently.

"Why?'

Heero smiled and leaned in closer, his elbows on the wooden surface.

"You still don't get it, do you?" Heero picked a few pictures and placed them in front of Wufei. "You are a photographer's dream. Your dark features and deep eyes….the way you carry yourself…..you try to hide your emotions, but they're all there….I can see them…the camera sees them."

Wufei kept gazing at the pictures and he just couldn't see what Heero was speaking of. He frowned and shook his head a few times before walking away.

"You're crazy."

Heero shook his head, not wishing to risk an argument with Wufei. The night had been going very well and he didn't want to ruin it. I'll get through to him someday. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

"Is it me, or is it hot in here?"

Heero stifled his laughter and went over to the sofa to see Wufei unbuttoning his shirt one more button with one hand while fanning himself with the other. His cheeks were flushed and he parted his lips, licking them. Heero wanted to remain in control of himself physically, so he decided to indulge his other desire.

"It's you."

Before Wufei could look up a flash filled his eyes and he looked up at Heero, glaring.

"You bastard."

Wufei pushed off the sofa and walked towards the other side of the room, making sure to brush past Heero with a firm shoulder. He looked up and browsed the bookcase, trying to distract himself from the intense heat he was feeling.

Again there was a flash and Wufei growled, turning away from Heero.

"Stop it!"

"I can't help it."

Wufei felt a trickle of sweat run down his back and he unbuttoned his shirt by three more buttons, not thinking of his surroundings. I should leave. Call a cab. I'm not in the mood….damn! Why is it so hot in here?!

Wufei made his way back and grabbed his bottle of water, chugging deeply. He ignored the sounds and flashes of Heero's camera, wanting only the cold water. When he was done he saw Heero just staring at him again, camera at his side. He rolled his eyes and turned away from the photographer heading into the kitchen to throw away the empty bottle.

He reached into the fridge to grab another bottle of water when the cool air hit his skin. He closed his eyes and welcomed the relief. But he wasn't getting the full impact because he still had his shirt on. So he reached down and finished unbuttoning his shirt, letting it fall open. He let out a small sigh of relief and would have probably stayed there longer if he hadn't caught the sound of Heero's laughter.

Wufei grabbed a bottle of water and righted himself, letting the door close behind him. He kept his eyes on Heero, like a mouse keeping an eye on the cat stalking it. He moved to behind the breakfast bar and leaned there, elbows and forearms against cool granite.

"You have a sickness, you know that?"

Heero's smile grew and he shrugged.

"It's my job."

Wufei scoffed and took another sip of water. Their eyes remained locked and Wufei's mind tumbled thoughts of escape, sleep, and defeat. Finally he sighed and let his head fall, ebony hair splayed on the countertop. I know I'm going to regret this….

"Fine. You have one hour."

"Excuse me?"

Heero could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but he fought to remain calm.

Wufei looked up at Heero, chin now resting in his hand, his eyes at half mast.

"I figure I have one hour left in me before I fall asleep. So if you want to take my pict---"

Wufei's words were cutoff with a flash of Heero's camera. Wufei's eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"What? You said I only had an hour. Don't want to waste this opportunity."

Wufei smiled despite himself to see Heero's eagerness and obvious joy. He's so passionate about his work. It's good to see him going back to his roots.

And keeping this thought in mind while letting the alcohol take over, Wufei allowed Heero to take his picture. Thinking this was going to be like last time, Wufei began wandering Heero's apartment as the two exchanged playful barbs. But after awhile, Heero grabbed Wufei's arm and pulled him towards the other side of the loft.

Wufei went along, figuring he did agree to let Heero take pictures for an hour. He glanced at a wall clock and frowned. But when did I agree? Has it been ten minutes? Twenty? Shit, I have no clue.

His mind occupied with thoughts of time, Wufei didn't notice that Heero had coaxed him out of his unbuttoned shirt until his back hit a rough brick wall. He started and looked behind him, more curious about why he was standing there than why he was shirtless.

He turned to Heero, looking slightly peeved.

"Your time is running out, Heero."

"I still have…" Heero glanced down at his watch and then turned his grin to Wufei. "…thirty-seven minutes."

"Hmph." Wufei crossed his arms and glanced at the clock, counting thirty-seven minutes to find his moment of freedom, but stopped when he heard Heero's laughter.

"Don't go by that clock. It hasn't worked in years. Keeps its own mysterious time."

Wufei turned to Heero, feeling the need to pout. Who the hell keeps a clock on the wall that doesn't work? Ugh. This sucks. Why did I agree to this? But seeing Heero's smile and knowing how it felt when inspiration struck, Wufei knew the answer. I respect the artist's vision. And…I like to see him happy.

Suddenly Wufei saw Heero's eyes widen and his arms drop to his sides as he stared at Wufei. Did I just see….?

"W-what?"

Heero never took his eyes from Wufei as he placed his camera on a nearby table and slowly approached, his expression slowly changing from wonder to an almost predatory smirk.

Wufei watched, confused, as Heero slowly approached him, camera discarded. Gods, what does he want now? Is he going to do my hair? Jeez, this is more troublesome than I thought.

"You've been holding out on me, Wufei."

"Hmmm?"

Wufei's mind was still not working fast enough to notice the gleam in Heero's eyes or the hand reaching out for the waistband on his jeans. But suddenly warm fingers were tugging on his jeans and he tried to jerk away but Heero had closed in on him, their bodies pressed together as Heero pinned him against the wall.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

"You have a tattoo."

"I….so what. What does that have to-----"

"I want to see it."

"N-no."

"Yes."

"No. Now get your fingers…" Wufei tried to reach down and pull Heero's hand off his pants but the photographer's grip suddenly tightened and he yanked Wufei forward as he stepped back from the wall.

"I want to see it."

"No. Stop it. Let go, damn it!"

Wufei stopped trying to pry Heero's hand from his pants and instead shoved against Heero's chest hard, dislodging the man enough for Wufei to fall back against the wall again. His chest was heaving and his entire body felt like it was on fire.

"This was why I didn't want to do this!"

Wufei stomped off to grab his discarded shirt and looked at it in wonder as if realizing for the first time that he wasn't wearing it. He shook his head and then reached out, grabbing his jacket, opting to only put his jacket on for speed purposes and by the time he was at the door, putting his shoes on, once again just pocketing his socks for time's sake, Heero was behind him, his voice stern and unapologetic.

"Don't leave, Wufei."

Wufei whirled on the photographer, his anger with himself and Heero being turned on Heero full force, the alcohol loosening his tongue.

"Shut up! I'm through with your games, Heero! I thought I could do this. I thought I could handle being friends with you but…. Why did I think I could ever trust a man who sold his soul to make a few bucks?! I should have listened to Dorothy!"

"Dorothy?"

Heero reached out and grabbed Wufei's arm, yanking him back and turning him around, pushing him against the wall.

"What did Dorothy say? Tell me now."

"She only opened my eyes to the truth."

"What truth?"

"It doesn't matter. Let me go, Heero."

"It does matter. If it keeps you away from me it matters more than anything."

Wufei suddenly heard the panic in Heero's voice instead of anger and he stopped a few seconds, confused. It's me he's angry about? Not the rumor itself?

Heero sighed and let his forehead come to rest on Wufei's shoulder, his grip losing its strength.

"Wufei, I……I thought you understood how I felt……"

"What are you talking about?"

Heeero raised his head and kissed Wufei. It was a soft, lingering kiss and when Heero spoke again, Wufei could feel his hot breath on his face.

"I've fallen for you."

Wufei searched the steady steel blue eyes and his heart was beating so hard and fast in his chest it hurt to breathe. This can't be happening. There's no way that Heero would seriously…….but wasn't this what I was afraid of? Of getting involved with him? Of falling for him myself?

"I…..can't."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't work, Heero. I can't handle…..your lifestyle."

"Wha--? You've been handling----"

"As your friend. If we were to……I wouldn't be able to handle….you doing business."

"'Doing business'? You're not making any sense."

Wufei sighed and hung his head, not caring that Heero still had him pinned against the wall.

"Heero…..I can't be with someone who….who…."

Heero was normally a very patient man, but for some reason, all his patience was gone and he was left with only a desperate sense of urgency. What is he so scared of? What the hell could I possibly do that upsets him? He slammed a fist against the wall right next to Wufei's head in anger and Wufei flinched under the outburst.

"What, Wufei?! What the hell do I do that is so horrible?!"

"I know that you could never be all mine! I've seen the touches, the sly smiles, and I've heard the rumors. I've tried not to judge you, Heero, but there's no way I could accept that role in your life."

"You think….?" Heero backed away, his face full of shock and disbelief. His voice quiet and the hurt he felt was left unchecked. "You really believe that's who I am?"

"Heero, I'm sorry, I've been scared this would happen and I should have just stayed away."

"You're scared? What the hell do you think I am? You're the first person other than….god damn it, Wufei you're the only person I've wanted to be with!" Heero turned his back on Wufei and ran his hands through his hair in frustration, seemingly talking out loud to himself. "So you think I'm some art house whore."

Wufei winced at the statement and the breaking voice, but he couldn't bring himself to reach out to Heero. This won't work. I knew it from the start. Damn it, why didn't I just stay away from him?! Wufei looked up and saw Heero was now sitting on his sofa, hands still grasping handfuls of hair as his elbows rested on his knees. Wufei slipped out the door without a sound, the pain in his chest increasing the more distance he put between himself and Heero.

To be continued….