"In The Stars" Chapter 23

Treize sat on the couch, his long legs stretched out under the coffee table. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve but he was more worried about the young man upstairs. Wufei had seemed to become more depressed with each day since Duo's call a few days ago. Treize pushed himself up deciding he wasn't going to let this ruin Wufei's holiday or them.

He quietly walked upstairs, his strides quickly leading him to Wufei's closed bedroom door. Without the preamble of knocking he turned the knob and pushed the door open to see Wufei quickly throw his pillow on top of something in his bed.

"Aren't you supposed to knock?" Wufei asked moving whatever it was under the covers.

"Not when you're just going to tell me you want to be alone," Treize replied. "So what are you doing?"

"Nothing," Wufei quickly said.

"Uh huh," Treize replied not believing him for a minute.

"No really, I was just about to come down," Wufei answered giving him his best smile. "So um if you wouldn't mind."

"You were?"

"Yes, so you can go back downstairs, I'll be there in a minute," Wufei replied with a genuine smile.

"All right," Treize agreed with a sigh before turning and leaving, pulling the door partially closed behind him.

Wufei sighed pulling the pillow and blanket away to reveal a small rectangular wooden box. Treize had almost seen it after all the work he'd done to sneaking out to buy it earlier this week. He grabbed the wrapping paper from the floor beside the bed and began to carefully wrap the precious gift that he prayed Treize would like.

After finally completing his perfect wrapping he grabbed a small red bow that he taped to the right of the center and then stuck an unwritten name tag on. He used even flowing strokes to write out Treize's name under the to and his own under the from. Looking it over again he sighed, he hoped this had been a good choice for a gift.

Wufei quietly made his way downstairs realizing he'd left his slippers behind again. He looked into the living room to see it empty, Wufei moved quickly over to the tree adding the package he carried to the other few that were under there.

"Wufei what are you doing? You better not be shaking those gifts," Treize said behind him causing Wufei to jump.

"No, I thought I had seen something fall," Wufei replied thinking fast, "guess I was wrong."

"Uh huh," Treize said helping him up before pulling the younger man into a strong embrace. "Good to see you back to your old self that smile looks nice too."

"Well I do feel better," Wufei whispered starting to move away from Treize.

"Hey I haven't gotten to hold you for three days, I think I deserve some make-up time," Treize pointed out tightening his arms around Wufei's waist.

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," Treize admonished. "I understand that you needed some time to yourself. Guess what tomorrow is..."

"Um Thursday," Wufei answered trying not to smile.

"Other than that!"

"Oh, um the twenty-fourth," Wufei tried again.

Treize looked at him a moment before laughing. "You're being rotten again."

"Am not," Wufei denied sticking his tongue out at Treize, who suddenly caught it between two fingers.

"I'd be careful with that you never know just what I might do," Treize advised causing Wufei's eyes to widen. "Now since you are such a terrible guesser, I guess I'll just have to tell you..."

"Christmas Eve," Wufei said around his tongue that Treize still held captive.

"What?" Treize asked a smile dawning his features.

Wufei pulled his tongue back only to have Treize's fingers follow it. Unsure of what to do he closed his teeth around them, not using too much of his jaw. Treize quickly pulled his fingers away, releasing Wufei's tongue. "I said Christmas Eve," Wufei said with a smirk trying to ignore what it felt like to have Treize's fingers in his mouth.

"Wow, so you're not that lousy of a guesser after all," Treize replied trying not to laugh.

"You are so... going to pay for that," Wufei huffed before lunging forward using his weight to throw Treize off balance. The larger man stumbled back but didn't fall as he caught Wufei in an even tighter embrace.

"I am?"

"Don't mock me," Wufei growled again trying to use his weight and in a backward motion to throw Treize off balance.

The other man was prepared this time easily turning and scooping the already folding legs up. Treize smiled at Wufei's sputter about being picked up. "Hum, it seems like that didn't work either," Treize pointed out before snickering, "of course now you're at my mercy."

"You have to put me down some time," Wufei pointed out even though his cheeks were flushed at the very idea Treize had presented.

"Yes but it doesn't have to be on your feet," Treize pointed out his smirk never fading.

"The moment you let go ---" Wufei started to say before Treize swallowed the rest of his words with an intense kiss that left the young man holding on for dear life.

"I don't plan on letting go," Treize said after breaking the kiss causing Wufei's eyes to become huge.

"I... I don't know what to say..." Wufei babbled the full meaning behind Treize's statement hitting him hard, almost winding him like a punch. "Except maybe that I am glad to hear it."

"I'm glad," Treize whispered before letting the minute pass. "I need something warm to drink."

Treize carried the smaller man into the kitchen, sitting him on the island like before. He turned away to put the water on to boil, Wufei realizing his chance to escape. He moved to jump down only to have that large frame suddenly appear between his legs, stopping him. Treize leaned his forehead against Wufei's before speaking. "You didn't think I'd let it be that easy," he whispered with a smirk.

"Well..." Wufei started to say before realizing just how close they were and where Treize was standing, he couldn't stop his sudden blush. "I was hoping," he finally said after clearing his throat to keep from squeaking.

"Don't move," Treize said as the tea kettle whistled behind him. He turned back to lift it from the burner and set it on one of the cold ones. Wufei lifted his arm to be startled when Treize spoke while pouring the water in a mug with a waiting tea bag. "I thought said not to move."

"How could you possibly know, you're not even looking at me?" Wufei questioned dropping his arm back in his lap.

"Your shadow gives you away," Treize explained turning back, the mug in his hand as he moved the tea bag around.

"My shadow..." Wufei questioned before seeing the shadow he cast over the stove and against the wall from the lights behind him. "Ah, so we just going to hang out here until you're done? You can't possibly carry me and that without making a mess."

"Well I was thinking you could carry it," Treize said handing the mug to Wufei, who looked completely astonished. Treize easily scooped the younger man back into his arms, Wufei's fingers tightening on the mug to keep it from spilling. Treize walked back into the front room, allowing them both to see large white flakes were falling outside the bay window, behind the glowing tree.

Treize sat down on the sofa, sitting Wufei in his lap, giving the younger man something to rest his head on. Treize took the mug as Wufei settled against him, his head pillowed on the older man's shoulder. "It's so beautiful," Wufei whispered staring at the falling snow.

"Yes it is," Treize agreed his free arm wrapping around Wufei's waist to help keep the young man upright.

"Do you do anything special on Christmas Eve?" Wufei asked tilting his head to glance up at Treize, who was taking a sip of his tea.

"I haven't for some time now. Never had anyone to share a special thing with," Treize answered a few moments later.

"Oh I'm sorry."

"Why don't we do something special, create a new tradition?" Treize asked smiling warmly.

"I think I'd like that," Wufei replied. "But what?"

"How about a day outside, and then a nice dinner and the opening of one of our gifts?" Treize suggested.

"Sounds perfect," Wufei agreed with a nod of his head under Treize's chin.

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