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. The conclusion.
Counting Stars
Part 7: Night and Falling Starlight
Quatre leaned against his lover; tired from the mission. It was good to be back here, even if they were going to have to leave soon. Trowa looked down at him protectively, and Quatre smiled reassuringly. They didn't even need words. He could tell from that familiar look in Trowa's eyes exactly what he wanted to do with him once they got inside.
Heero cleared his throat, and the distracted couple continued to ignore him. He went to open the door and Quatre and Trowa walked through it, like he'd been holding it open for them. They had only one thing on their minds…but so did he. He needed to get on his laptop; what if they'd received a mission while they'd been standing outside the door?
Quatre whispered in Trowa's ear, "I could use a shower before…"
"Me too."
"Well no use wasting the water if we both need…"
Heero stopped listening. And now they were standing in the door, blocking it from anyone who might've needed to get inside. He cleared his throat again, and this time they heard him.
"Oh, sorry Heero," Quatre said, walking inside, his love following a step behind.
The kitchen was a mess. Papers strewn everywhere, a pile of dishes still unwashed in the sink, the floor…
"Eep," Quatre said. He heard Heero follow them in and stop short.
There was Duo's shirt, Wufei's shirt, and Duo's pants, Wufei's-
There was Duo and Wufei.
Duo heard the slight hiccup sound behind them, but he didn't register it before he heard the sound of someone clearing his throat. Then he remembered exactly where they were.
Wufei was a little faster in his reaction, but not much. They both jumped to their feet as quickly as their situation allowed.
For a full minute, the five pilots stood facing each other. Then, of course, Duo was the first to break the silence.
"What are you doing back already?! I was just about to get some-"
"Shut up, Duo," Wufei said, in a surprisingly warm voice. He was silently thanking every god he could think of that they hadn't removed all their clothes yet. They were never going to hear the end of this. Even if he never touched Duo again, they would not-
Duo saw the disturbingly distant look in Wufei's eyes and glared at the others; "Now look what you did!" he gestured at Wufei.
Quatre shook his head violently, to clear it, "Umm, well… we have to go take a shower… congratulations…" he trailed off, still confused, "You know, I never saw you two together. I thought that-"
Trowa pulled insistently at Quatre's shirt, "Not our business."
Quatre nodded, "It is kinda sweet, though," he said over his shoulder, as he was lead away.
Heero felt kind of left out. Seeing the two of them like that, and now Quatre and Trowa were leaving…hmmm…he looked after the disappearing couple. He wondered how much room there was in that shower. But the missions….
Well, it shouldn't take that long. They probably wouldn't agree.
Duo and Wufei didn't notice him leave.
"What do you think of me, Fei?" Duo asked, softly. He didn't like the return of Wufei's distant attitude.
Wufei felt a sudden rush of emotion in response to the question. He didn't know how he felt; he'd never felt this strongly about someone since…his wife's death. But he had never felt this way about her. Maybe he'd been too young. Or…he couldn't answer now, "Ask me later, Duo," maybe then he would know.
"I will," Duo answered, meeting Wufei's eyes. He would. But for now, this was enough. He saw something in Wufei's gaze, which could satisfy him, for the moment.
Wufei smiled slightly at him; a smile just for him, like the one in the dream. Duo closed the space between and pressed their lips together. He was reminded, again, how little they were wearing. He could feel…
The Chinese pilot pulled them apart, gasping, "Maybe we should leave the kitchen."
Duo laughed, and they did.
Heero was surprised that Quatre and Trowa, when he opened the curtain on the steaming shower, just glanced at each other and yanked him inside, clothes and all.
"After all," Quatre gasped, "Experimentation is the key to a good relationship."
Luckily for Heero, they weren't sent any missions for the next week.
Wufei and Duo were outside, lying on the grass, staring up at the sky. Wufei soon gave up on it, and looked at Duo instead. Duo didn't notice.
"Aren't they beautiful, Fei?" he whispered.
Wufei kept looking at Duo, "Yes. Duo?"
"Yeah?"
"You forgot to ask me again."
Duo sighed, "I didn't forget," he turned his head and saw Wufei looking at him, "I was going to wait a little longer. Why? Do you know?"
Wufei nodded, "I figured it out, just now."
Duo flipped over onto his stomach and rested his head on his hands, "Well?"
Wufei closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was no mistaking the feeling, now. Whatever happened, he would never regret not telling him, "I love you, Duo."
He heard Duo gasp slightly, "You…"
"I love you."
Suddenly, Wufei felt a heavy pressure as Duo rolled on top of him. He opened his eyes and saw Duo grinning down at him.
"Fei?" Duo asked.
"Yes?"
"I love you, too."
THE END
I finished it!!!!!! And it's so sappy; I couldn't help myself. What did you think?