Warnings: This is yaoi, i.e. boy/boy. Do not read if that kind of thing bothers you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, or any of its characters.
Notes: 2+5, of course. Angst in the beginning, but the end gets a little strange. The next part looks like it's going to be about Wufei and Duo's drunken chess game. Well, read on. I'd love some comments; I might end up revising this one.
Counting Stars
Part 3: Tea and Rum
It's so dark here; I can't breath.
Why can't I breathe?
Duo was standing in the doorway, "Do you see the stars, Wufei?"
I can't . . . what is wrong with me?
"Can you count them?" Duo sounded amused. He had his arms crossed, and he was leaning against the doorframe. How long had he been there?
The bastard's taking my air, but I don't need it. All I need is Nataku . . . and the blade of my sword. Wufei glanced at his sword, then back. He saw Duo's eyes follow his, and smiled inwardly, he thinks I want to kill him. Maybe I should. He had an absurd desire to laugh. But his humor quickly turned into anger. How long had that idiot been standing there, watching him?
"Get out, Duo," Wufei was careful to control his temper.
"Why? What did I say?" This all felt so unreal, so fake.
"Get out," His weapon beckoned, and he answered. This was all wrong. He looked back at Duo, who was trying to look innocent, and growled, "Now."
Duo looked indecisive for a second; making Wufei hope that Duo would take his advice. No such luck, "It was just a simple question, Wu-man,"
I can't breathe, can't you see? Get out, Maxwell. Before I really do kill you. Wufei wondered how he could talk without air, "There are no simple questions, Maxwell," and the answer is longer than you want to know, "Now leave," his arm moved without his will, bringing the blade downward in a heavy arc. Duo had to jump backward, out of the way, "And we can pretend this never happened," and pretend that planets are flat and people aren't fools. Wufei slammed the door in Duo's shocked face.
He locked the door.
Am I hyperventilating? I have to stop this . . . but his eyes turned back to the window. Just a little longer, until he could sleep. The peaceful stars reminded him that he was alone, but that it shouldn't upset him. He had his sword, his justice, and his dead wife to keep him company when he was lonely. His Nataku.
He wasn't hyperventilating, he realized. For some reason he was laughing; he had to stop, but he couldn't. That expression on Duo's face when he slammed the door, his own reaction to Duo's lucky choice of words, the sword, it was all too much. It wasn't funny, none of it was. Was he having a nervous breakdown? That would explain some things.
Duo went into the kitchen, still unable to sleep. Images from his dream kept coming back. What had Quatre meant when he said, "You're not real"? That he wasn't honest?
This was getting annoying. Maybe he should go back and apologize to Wufei for walking in on him. That seemed genuine, and Wufei liked hearing that he had been right.
Duo decided to bring a peace offering. He had to figure out this damn dream.
Wufei was waiting for him when Duo finally made his way back to the bedroom.
"You made tea," Wufei commented. He took the cup and saucer from Duo and set them on his bed.
"Yeah, well, I thought I should . . . apologize for . . . being a jerk and all that," Duo said awkwardly, "You know."
Wufei used the natural pause to take a sip of the tea. He grimaced, "How much sugar did you put in this, Maxwell?"
Duo smiled, "Eight."
"And is this rum I taste?"
Duo laughed now, "It's the only way I like tea. I think the alcohol gives the drink something it is severely lacking."
Wufei set the cup down, changing the subject, "There is no reason to apologize."
Duo nodded, "I know, but I felt it needed to be done. It's going to be a while before the others come back. I think Quatre would be upset if one of us were dead when they returned."
Wufei nodded. He stared down into his cup again, trying to get the nerve to drink again, "Is that it?"
"Well," Duo considered, "Uh . . . yeah, I guess."
Wufei waved towards the door. He picked up the cup and took another sip. Yes, it was still as bad as he remembered, almost worse. He looked up and noticed that Duo hadn't moved, "Do I have to throw you out again?" He remembered Duo's expression, and tried not to laugh. He kept his expression as stable as possible, and took another sip. It wasn't so bad this time.
Wufei had a strange expression on his face. Why did he keep drinking it if he hated it so much? Duo watched him choke down another sip, "Well I don't think I'm going to get any sleep tonight. Wanna play a game of chess? I bet I can beat you."
Wufei felt suddenly wide-awake. Why not?
End of Part 3