"A Christmas Story" Chapter 5


Wufei sat at the table while across from him sat Duo and Trowa. "So you actually started to get him to open up?

Duo nodded taking a big gulp of his soda. "Yeah, since last week he's been more open toward me. I almost feel like he's actually happy when I'm there."

"I'm amazed by your actions, I really didn't think you had it in you," Wufei replied his voice sincere.

"Just because he doesn't show you doesn't mean it's not there," Trowa said quietly.

"Thanks but I don't think he meant that in a negative way," Duo said before laughing. Suddenly he remembered something, reaching into his pocket. "Oh Wufei that beautiful man told me to give you this."

Wufei blushed deeply as Duo slid the folded napkin across the table in front of the Chinese man. Wufei snorted gaining control of himself. "Why would I want that?"

"Oh come one you can't expect us to believe that... it's easy to see you were taken with him. And look he was taken with you as well," Duo replied. "Screw your father."

"Duo!" Wufei hissed his hand snapping up to cover his friend's mouth to which Duo just licked it causing Wufei to jerk back. "That was gross!"

"He can't control you forever Wufei, live your own life damn it!" Duo snapped. Call him... talk to him, see him again. I hate seeing you alone!"

"Your passion is too strong, we all can't live carefree like you," Wufei replied.

"Fine then don't! I'll just throw this away," Duo said reaching for the napkin.

"Don't touch it!"

Duo's hand stopped while a smirk crossed his features. "All right." He pulled his hand back when he noticed the long haired man in question step into the restaurant where they sat. Waving his hand he gained the man's attention, while the other two looked to see who he was waving at.

Wufei froze in his seat when the bright blue eyes fell on him. What was he doing there? How could he have come to the same restaurant? He noticed the tall ma was walking toward them but didn't stop and continued to a table in the back.

"Oh he must have a meeting," Duo sighed like he was upset by that.

"I think I'm going to leave now," Wufei said standing up slightly.

"Oh no you don't I'm not letting you run away," Duo groaned grabbing Wufei's wrist. "Sit back down."

Wufei slumped back in his seat his eyes drifting over toward where Milliardo sat talking to two men. Blue eyes met black sending a chill down Wufei's spine.

Duo ate much slower then normal, like he was stalling for time. Wufei noticed the two men getting up to leave. Milliardo stood up from his table moving back toward them. He stopped at their table a smile etched on his features.

"Well hello," Duo chirped cheerfully. "Join us? Take a little break, the seat beside Wufei is wide open."

"Are you sure?" the man replied his voice highly professional.

"Defiantly! My name's Duo Maxwell and the silent one is Trowa Barton," Duo answered politely.

"My name is Milliardo Peacecraft," the blonde answered sitting down.

Trowa's head snapped up from his plate at the name.

"What is it Trowa?" Duo asked at his friend's strange behavior.

"You're the Milliardo Peacecraft?" Trowa asked in response.

The blonde nodded slowly causing a few strands of his loose hair to fall into his face. "Afraid so."

"What? I'm confused and uninformed here!" Duo said his eyes searching Trowa's face.

"When are you not?" Wufei snorted.

"Oh shut up like you know what he's talking about!" Duo spat back.

Milliardo laughed lightly at the banter, it really eased his mood. He noticed they were all staring at him. "Uh sorry... you two must be good friends."

"Yeah except when he mocks me," Duo answered with a smirk.

"How can one resist you leave yourself wide open," Wufei observed.

"No I don't!" Duo denied shaking his head so hard it caused his braid to shift.

"Whatever," Wufei replied noticing the napkin Duo had given him earlier still on the table. Casually laying his hand over it he picked it up and placed it in his pocket.

"Well I don't want to argue about it anymore, you idiot," Duo finally said.

"Who's the idiot here?" Wufei snapped back his face heating slightly knowing what Duo was really implying.

"You are... letting your crack---"

"Shut up Duo! I can only defend you so many times," Wufei interrupted with a hiss. "He will kill you eventually. He has ears everywhere and they are always following him."

"I'm not afraid of him... let him try, I'm so sick of the way he runs your life!"

"Not this discussion again," Trowa noted dryly.

"Duo I'm warning you ---"

"No I'm tried of being quiet about this. Why do you defend his actions? You're almost as bad as Heero in some aspects!" Duo said his temper flaring. "Just because he has street power doesn't mean he can rule your life. I totally despise him!"

"Are you finished?" Wufei asked after a few seconds his voice tight.

Duo nodded realizing he had stepped out of line. "I'm sorry..."

"Don't... you've made your point now drop it," Wufei said interrupting him.

"Okay, it's dropped," Duo said before shoving a piece of his sandwich into his mouth.

"That worked well," Trowa observed. "But I wonder why did you say he was almost like Heero?"

Duo munched and shook his head he wasn't going to talk about Heero like that. It would hurt Heero more in the end. "I'm not saying about that, in fact the comparison slipped out unintended."

"I'm finished so I think I'm going to leave," Wufei said pushing his chair back and standing up.

"Don't be mad," Duo said reaching up to grab Wufei's wrist.

"I'm not mad, I'm just leaving," Wufei answered pulling his arm back. "Talk to you guys later."

Duo's mouth silently opened and closed when Milliardo stood up from the table as well. This brought a smile to the braided man's face. He gave Milliardo a wave as the man followed the path Wufei had taken a moment before. "Wow he's still pursuing him."

"Is that why you said all that?" Trowa asked turning to his friend.

"Well actually..." Duo trailed off with a satisfied smile.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*


Wufei turned the corner his eyes glancing back to see the blonde not far behind him. Walking past several lit store windows he noticed Milliardo was still there. Finally he had enough and stopped abruptly. Turning on his heels, Milliardo stopped a few feet away. "Why are you following me?"

Milliardo met his gaze before speaking. "Why do you think I am?"

"That's no way to answer the question, you're just trying to change the subject from your own guilt," Wufei snapped stepping closer to the taller man.

"Are you always defensive?" Milliardo asked putting his hands up as if to ward Wufei off.

"I'm not defensive!"

"Sure couldn't prove that by me," the blonde answered a slow smile creeping across his face.

Wufei huffed crossing his arms over his chest. "I know you want something, now what is it."

Milliardo shrugged his shoulders slightly. "Can't I just admire?"

Wufei's mouth opened and closed a couple times but no sound came out. Snapping his mouth closed his forced his voice out. "Why would want to do that?"

"Why did you sit at my table?" Milliardo replied with his own question.

"I told you that already... Duo had shoved me."

"Why did you sit down?"

"I'm not really sure... maybe it was boredom," Wufei grumbled.

"Oh I see," Milliardo sighed in a hushed whisper.

"Wait... I didn't mean that," Wufei admitted. "You don't understand. I'm just going to this so neither of us get into something. My life is nothing anyone wants to get involved with."

"Are you trying to scare me away?" Milliardo asked cocking his head to the side. "You're not very good at it."

"It seemed to work just fine before," Wufei huffed.

"Guess maybe it's just me," Milliardo observed with a smile.

"Don't be so cocky!"

"Don't get so defensive then."

"I'm not."

"Liar. So can I admire?"

"No," Wufei answered his eyes glowing. "I hate people watching me."

"Why?"

"Because I've had eyes on me my whole life, father wouldn't allow it any other way."

"Oh... well then I'll only admire you when you don't know."

"Good luck but I'm afraid that will never happen."

"Oh...?" Milliardo asked raising his eyebrow.

"Being watched all your life gives you a sixth sense against it," Wufei answered turning his head slightly. "In fact we're being watched right now. Come on, let's find some privacy."

"But..." Milliardo began to protest. "Won't your father be angry?"

"I've ditched his army before to hang out with Duo and Trowa, so this won't seem any different," Wufei replied taking Milliardo's hand and pulling him down the street.

The tall blonde followed his hand firmly within Wufei's grasp. The young man's hand was warm and soft against his own. He found the situation strange and almost unreal. Something about the tight lipped aggressive young man really drew him in. Maybe it was those qualities alone he didn't see them most of the day. His office was so subservient and mellow. It was almost to the point that he found himself hating it.

Wufei stopped at the edge of the park where many parents took their children to play. Sitting down on one of the empty benches he reluctantly let go of the blonde's hand. He hadn't even been sure why he had grabbed the taller man's hand. After he did he found himself enjoying the touch.

Milliardo slid down beside him stretching his long legs out in front of him. "We're safe huh?"

"As safe as one can get," Wufei replied pushing a loose strand of his dark hair back from his face.

Milliardo nodded causing his long hair to fall over his shoulder. He turned his head slightly to face Wufei. "Your dark eyes seem to be smoldering. Are you mad?"

"Not at you..." Wufei replied automatically before a light blush coated his cheeks.

"Your friend?" Milliardo asked smiling at the red glow caused by more then the cold air.

Wufei nodded slowly as if a little unsure. "Sometimes Duo can get carried away, but he means well usually. This time was just something he thought would goad you into curiosity about me."

"Well I am curious but that right after you bumped into my table," Milliardo said leaning back on the bench. "Maybe I need to thank him for pushing you."

"What?" Wufei cried his head snapping around causing that strand to fall back into his face.

Milliardo reached over brushing the dark smooth strand aside before speaking. "I'd like to see you more, and on purpose."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"Well... yeah," Milliardo replied this time his cheeks turning a brighter red.

"Keep blushing like that," Wufei paused almost dramatically. "And I'll just have to say yes."

Milliardo's blush only seems to intensify at the answer as he tried to smile with confidence. "How about this weekend, a nice dinner and a movie?"


"All right," Wufei replied.

"Uh... if you have my number you can call me to let me know which day is best for you."

Wufei reached into his pocket pulling out the folded napkin, "Right here."

"Okay then," Milliardo said standing up. "It's a date and now I must return to that thing I call work."

Wufei nodded before the tall blonde turn to walk away. His black eyes watched the figure disappear from the park as his mind wondered just what the hell he was doing.