In The Stars

by Moon Princess Serena

Sometimes everything is written in the stars, we just don't realize it until we look. -Shonen ai, 13x5, 1x2, 3x4, some language and violence-

25. Chapter 25

"In The Stars" Chapter 25

!*"These Are the Special Times" belongs to Christina Aguilera.*!

Wufei opened his eyes to see it snowing outside the window, his view over a broad chest that rose and fell as the body beside him breathed. His hand was splayed over Treize's abs, having moved there at some point in the night. Treize's arm tightened its hold around his waist, causing Wufei to look up. His dark eyes meeting warm blue, like the sky wished it could be.

"Merry Christmas," Treize said before gently kissing the forehead near his chin.

Wufei smiled enjoying the warmth of Treize's body, and the strong shoulder as his pillow. "Merry Christmas," he finally said his voice sleepy.

"Want to get up?"

"No, not really," Wufei admitted snuggling deeper in Treize's arms.

"What, you're not one of those people who can't wait to get downstairs and open gifts?" Treize asked with a smile.

"Never had any gifts to rush to before," Wufei replied staring at Treize's chest.

"Well I know there are several down there with your name on them," Treize explained choosing not to comment directly on Wufei's statement.

"Really, well we better get moving then," Wufei commented trying to push himself up.

"Oh so now you're ready to get up," Treize observed tightening his arm to keep Wufei close.

"Yes, now come on," Wufei said trying to wiggle free but not having very much luck at it.

"Oh all right," Treize finally agreed releasing him.

Wufei quickly pulled himself out of the bed and moved toward the bedroom door. He turned back to see Treize lying on his side watching him with a smile. "What?"

"You must really like that sweater," Treize noted causing Wufei to look down and see he was still wearing Treize's sweater from yesterday.

"Actually yeah," Wufei answered. "So are you coming or what?"

Treize laughed as he pulled himself from the bed, grabbing his robe to cover his bare chest and silk pajama pants. Wufei bounded down the hall and stairs, his bare feet making a thud sound on the hardwood floor. He came into the living room only to stop dead in his tracks. Treize came up behind him a few minutes later, wrapping his arm around the small waist.

There beside the tree was something that hadn't been there when they'd gone to bed last night. It was a large black stuffed bear, with black eyes and a white thread smile under his nose. Wufei wondered when Treize could have possibly put it there, considering they went to bed to together.

"What's wrong?" Treize asked his voice a whisper beside Wufei's ear.

"How... did you do it?" Wufei replied staring at the bear.

"Do what?" Treize wondered faying innocence.

"The bear, he wasn't there last night when we went to bed," Wufei explained turning to look at Treize.

"Well I don't know how he got there, I was comfortably wrapped around you," Treize answered with a straight face.

"I know you had to of put him there, no one else could have," Wufei accused turning back to look at it. He walked over to allow his fingers to play through the smooth soft fur. Wufei was so engrossed he didn't notice Treize move. He made a rather loud growling sound near Wufei's ear, his hands coming to grip Wufei's hips. This caused the younger man to jump with a squeak, his hand jerking back to cause the stuffed bear to tumble forward. "That was so mean!"

"It was actually pretty funny," Treize disagreed with a chuckle as one of his arms wrapping around Wufei's shoulders and chest to pull the younger man closer.

"No, it wasn't," Wufei said shaking his head and pulling out of Treize's arms. He righted the bear to see something sparkle in the light as the legs were moved. He looked at Treize before combing his fingers through the fur on the small legs, coming across an open black box. "What is this?"

"It looks like a ring," Treize said answering the question practically.

"I know that, but why is it here. It's not..."

"No, it's not," Treize assured him stepping closer. "It is a promise ring."

"Uh what's that?" Wufei asked staring at the simple but elegant gold band.

"It is a symbol of my love and commitment to you for the rest of our lives," Treize explained tilting Wufei's chin up so their eyes would meet. "Someday I might ask, but this ring will always show you how much I love you even if I don't. Will you wear it?"

Wufei looked at the ring then back at Treize. He felt so strange inside, like he was being wrapped in a warm living blanket. "I fell like I'm making a huge decision here."

"Well, most people feel a promise ring is a prelude to an engagement ring, like what Duo is most likely wearing now," Treize explained his fingers gently combing through Wufei's loose hair.

"Oh..." Wufei mumbled his eyes still focused on the important band. "Yes," he finally whispered still looking intently at the box he held in now trembling fingers.

"What?" Treize asked his fingers wrapping around Wufei's to still them.

"I said yes," Wufei finally looked at the older man a hesitant smile forming.

Treize smiled pulling the box from Wufei's still trembling fingers. He pulled out the ring, it glowing in the fireplace light, taking Wufei's right hand in his own and slid it into place on his ring finger. "Thank you, you've made me extremely happy."

"How did you know what size?" Wufei asked looking at his hand that was still in Treize's grip.

"I asked Duo," Treize answered pulling Wufei close and catching the younger man's lips in a soft kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too," Wufei murmured against Treize's lips his arms wrapping around the taller man's neck.

"Why don't we finish opening these waiting gifts and then start our Christmas feast?" Treize suggested his arms still around Wufei's waist.

"All right," Wufei agreed moving to turn back to the tree. He sat on the floor to sort through the packages, handing Treize any with his name on them. He sat back against the large bear as he opened all the gifts from his friends. Wufei found himself liking each one, surprised they would really know what to get him. He looked up to see Treize had a small square package in his hand while all the others sat open on the coffee table, he swallowed realizing that was his gift for the man. Looking at his ring he felt his own present wasn't all that great anymore.

Treize slowly and carefully tore the paper free, knowing Wufei was watching him closely. Finally he unfolded the paper to reveal the small polished cherry wood box. He lifted the lid to hear a soft Christmas melody begin to play. Treize smiled looking over at Wufei. "It's beautiful, thank you."

Wufei hesitantly smiled a blush creeping into his cheeks. "You really like it?"

"Of course, I love it, the first music box I've ever been given. I will always cherish it," Treize replied his grin broadening. "Is he comfortable?"

"Yes and no," Wufei admitted unconsciously snuggling deeper into the stuffed bear, "very soft, but maybe too soft."

"Ah, well how about we leave this mess and go start that feast?" Treize suggested standing up and setting the still open music box on the coffee table to play.

"Oh no, I can clean this up while you start dinner," Wufei disagreed reaching to take the hand Treize had offered to help him up.

"Nonsense, we can clean it up later," Treize said pulling Wufei up into his arms.

"But---" Wufei started to say when Treize silence him with a deep kiss.

"No buts," Treize said after breaking the kiss. "Now come on that ham isn't going to cook itself."

"All right, all right," Wufei finally agreed even as Treize was ushering him into the kitchen.

They worked in a companionable silence while Christmas music filled the air around them. Wufei even found himself humming along as Treize whistled with the tunes. As Wufei shut the oven, their main course inside, he was surprised when Treize picked him up from behind. "Hey!" Wufei squeaked grabbing Treize's arms in surprise.

Treize turned them in slow circles around the kitchen and dining room. "Feel like dancing?"

"If I can do it on my own two feet," Wufei answered.

"Oh all right," Treize agreed setting him down before spinning the younger man around to face him.

~Oh yeah, oh
In these moments, moments of our lives
All the world is ours
And this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together, oh
Sharing the same dream
As time goes by, we will find~

As Treize drew him close, Wufei's arms moved to wrap around the taller man's neck. They circled lazily in the dining room to the beautiful Christmas song playing. The early afternoon sun shone briefly through the large glass doors, glowing off Wufei's ring. The natural light disappeared as grey clouds rolled in bringing more snow to the already covered ground. It was also the falling snow that made it the most beautiful, Wufei realized. He rested his cheek against Treize's chest, the man's breathing a melody all its own.

~These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times, we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you~

Aromas filled the air reminding them they had a meal cooking away. The kitchen and dining room were filled first, and then the smells began to drift through the rest of the house, giving the air not only a smell but taste. Wufei honestly couldn't wait to taste the food for real; he knew it was going to be absolutely delicious.

Wufei was surprised when he heard a soft mewling sound. "What was that?" He asked pulling away from Treize.

"I knew I was forgetting something," Treize answered going back into the living room.

~Mmm, oh yeah
With each moment, moment passing by
We'll make memories that will last our whole lives
As you and I travel through time together, oh yeah
Living this sweet dream
And every day, we can say~

Wufei followed behind made curious by Treize's statement. He stopped as Treize knelt down beside the one chair still available in the room. He stood up turning to face Wufei, his large arm cradling something. Wufei stepped closer when the bundle moved, a small face poking out from the black mass. "Is that a cat?" Wufei questioned as the small head moved toward his slightly raised hand.

"Yes and she was my other gift for you," Treize answered holding the small creature out to him.

The small black mass mewled and wiggled in Treize's hand. Wufei cupped his own hands under her; afraid she might wiggle free and fall. Instead Treize gently dumped her in the cupped hands. A wet nose poked at Wufei's hands smelling the food they had prepared earlier. "Why?"

"Why what?" Treize asked smiling as the cat seemed to be burrowing in Wufei's hands.

"Why are you giving her to me?" Wufei asked staring at the little black cat curled up in his hands.

~These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times, we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you~

"She reminded me of you and looked just as lonely," Treize answered watching Wufei.

"I'm not lonely," Wufei said surprised by the comparison, "and I don't think I'd be a very good owner."

"I've seen it in your eyes," Treize said in way of explanation. "I think you'll make a wonderful friend and caretaker."

"I don't know the first thing about cats," Wufei admitted offering the animal back to Treize who didn't even move to take it.

"I will help out, but I think she'll make a great companion for you," Treize offered seeing Wufei eye the sweet little animal.

"I don't know..."

"Give it a while then decide," Treize surmised hearing a beep in the kitchen.

~These tender moments
When heaven is so close
These are the moments that I know~

He checked on the ham and potatoes, seeing they were a little over half done. Treize reset the timer before turning back to the living room to see Wufei standing in the archway, the kitten held close, like it might fall. He smiled just as Wufei looked up. The younger man quickly set the animal down on the carpet, only to have it curl around his ankles and lay across his bare feet. Treize couldn't help but laugh at the sight, Wufei on the other hand sighed lifting his feet to dislodge the animal.

"She seems rather attached to you already," Treize joked with a smile. "So what's her name?"

"Treize!" Wufei found himself whining.

"What an odd name," Treize commented with a huge smile.

"I was talking to you, I would never name a cat something like that," Wufei growled.

"Why not?" Treize wondered feign hurt.

"Just wouldn't, way too cruel for the animal," Wufei said with a smirk.

"You know your asking for it right?" Treize asked ominously.

"Okay sorry," Wufei quickly apologized, "but I still don't know about this."

Before Treize could answer the still unnamed kitten mewled while rubbing her head against the side of Wufei's ankle. "I think that means don't give me away in cat talk."

"But---"

"I said I'd help," Treize interrupted him.

"Oh, you're all against me so what hope do I have; all right we'll keep her. Now for a name," Wufei said finally giving in to the inevitable. Treize only smiled as Wufei picked the little black kitten back up. "How about Stormy, she seems the type."

~These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times, the tender times
We'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all one thing will always be true
Oh yeah, yeah~

"I like it," Treize agreed with a grin. "I have a basket for her bed in my closet and a fluffy blanket."

"You had this all planned out," Wufei noted seeing Treize set two bowls near the kitchen door leading out to the backyard. He poured some warmed milk in one and a can of wet food in the other.

"Of course, I knew you'd like her eventually," Treize answered walking back over to where Wufei stood holding Stormy.

"Oh you did," Wufei growled setting the kitten back down so she could go and eat something.

"Yep," Treize nodded pulling Wufei close again. "Dinner will be ready in an hour or so. We can start the side dishes in thirty minutes, so that it will all get finished at the same time."

"Okay cool, I'm gonna run upstairs for a minute," Wufei said pulling away only to have Treize grab his right hand stopping him.

"This looks so beautiful on you, I'm so happy you said yes," Treize said fingering the ring before pulling Wufei into a quick kiss and then letting him go.

Wufei smiled before pulling away and moving toward the stairs through the living room. As he stated up he was surprised when he heard a mewling sound behind him. Wufei looked back to see Stormy struggling to climb the large steps after him. He scooped up the kitten, realizing she couldn't have been more than a month old. He stopped in Treize's bedroom to grab the cordless and then made his way into his own room, closing the door behind him.

He set Stormy on his bed before turning to the phone and dialing the number he remembered from looking up before. He sat beside Stormy waiting for the line to connect. The small kitten nudged his right hand that he'd left sitting on the bed. Finally the other end connected allowing him to hear laughter in the background.

"Hello?" Duo's familiar voice said.

"Sorry to interrupt," Wufei said realizing it probably wasn't the best time to call.

"Oh hey Wu, Merry Christmas and it is fine. So why the call?" Duo said almost in one breath.

"Merry Christmas to you too," Wufei answered not sure how to say the rest of what he wanted to say. "Treize gave me something and I'm afraid I might have done the wrong thing."

"Huh, what did he give you?" Duo asked a little confused.

"This ring---"

"A ring? He asked you to marry him, how romantic!" Duo cut in his voice almost shouting.

"No, not that kind of ring!" Wufei tried to explain. "He called it a promise ring."

"Oh, the step before," Duo replied sounding a little deflated by the news. "So what's the problem?"

"I said yes, but I'm not sure if that was the right thing," Wufei replied unconsciously petting Stormy who was trying to burrow into his hip.

"Do you love him?" Duo asked in reply. "Honestly."

"Um, honestly, yes I do."

"Then no you didn't, a promise ring is just that, a promise of love and commitment for that one person. It is usually the first step to marriage. Now if that is what has you worried don't be, they don't always lead to marriage," Duo explained.

"Maybe that is what worries me... he said he might ask someday," Wufei admitted.

"I'm pretty sure he won't until he's sure the relationship is ready for that," Duo advised providing Wufei a little comfort to his jingled nerves. "Just forget about that other stuff and know that the ring means Treize loves you very much."

"Thanks," Wufei replied with a sigh. "I should let you get back to your family now. Treize is probably waiting on Stormy and I to start the side dishes for dinner."

"Stormy?" Duo queued curious.

"His other gift, an all black kitten," Wufei replied picking up said kitten in his free hand.

"Oh how cute," Duo crooned over the phone. "Well see you soon; you'll have to let me see that ring! I'm so happy for you!"

Duo hung up before Wufei could ask him just what 'soon' meant. Shrugging he took both phone and cat into Treize's bedroom. He placed the phone back on the cradle before heading downstairs with Stormy in his arms. "We've returned," Wufei announced before setting Stormy on the floor. "What can I do to help?"

"Well, how about heating up the corn," Treize suggested not looking up from his mashed potatoes.

Wufei stood beside him grabbing the open can of corn and dumping it in the waiting sauce pan. He turned on the heat, snatching up a wooden spoon to stir in a sliver of butter. He was surprised when he heard Treize's voice near his ear.

"Where are your slippers? Do you like going barefoot in the middle of the winter?" Treize asked looking down at Wufei's feet.

Wufei wiggled his toes when a furry mass settled over them. "Who needs slippers when I have a private feet blanket?" Wufei asked with a straight face.

Treize laughed seeing the kitten settle comfortably over the small feet. "Well I guess you have a point there," he agreed with a grin before leaning down to kiss Wufei soundly on the lips.

"Hey I'm trying to cook here!" Wufei said pulling away from Treize while trying not to move his feet.

"Okay, no kissing the cook then, unless it is another cook," Treize compromised quickly kissing away Wufei's protest.

"If it burns it is your fault," Wufei said after Treize pulled away again.

Treize laughed walking over to the fridge to pull out the pre-made rolls. He placed them on the baking sheet and stuck them in the oven beside the main dish that was just about finished. "If you want you can set the table and I'll begin putting everything in bowls." Treize suggested.

"Oh all right," Wufei replied reaching down to gently remove Stormy from his feet. He grabbed a couple of Treize's nicer china plates, two sets of silverware, and two tall stemmed glasses before heading to the dinning room table. He set two place settings across from each other at one end of the long hardwood table.

Treize made a couple of trips back and forth setting out all the food. The last was the hot rolls and a bottle of chilled white wine. Wufei laughed as the older man popped the top off the wine, causing it bubble out of the neck. Treize poured some into each glass, trying to minimize the mess of the spewing bubbly.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" Wufei asked with a smile.

"Never had an alcoholic beverage before?" Treize asked sitting down.

Wufei shook his head, "never been old enough."

"Ah well here is your chance, cause I know your old enough now," Treize replied raising his glass, "Merry Christmas my beloved."

"Merry Christmas," Wufei replied with a blush raising his own glass to touch Treize's.

They enjoyed a delicious filling meal. The conversation was light and filled with laughter and smiles. Stormy curled herself up over Wufei's bare feet that were sitting on the floor under the table. Her purring felt funny against his feet, the vibration of her body vibrating whatever she was laying on.

Upon finishing their meal Treize forbid the cleaning up until later. He pulled Wufei into the living room with Stormy not far behind. Treize sat down on the sofa, facing the tree and bay window as he lay back against the armrest. He pulled Wufei down to sit between his spread legs.

Wufei snuggled against Treize, one of his legs folded over Treize's to hang off the couch. Stormy tried to jump over the big legs, not having much luck. Wufei easily scooped her up and dumper her in his lap. She snuggled down immediately, similar to the way Wufei was snuggled against Treize.

~The special times are the times I share
The special times are the times we share
The special times are the times I share with you~

They sat, kept warm by the fire and each other, as darkness fell outside. The snow hadn't stopped all afternoon making it a very white Christmas.

"Today was perfect I think," Wufei commented before his eyes caught the glow of his ring. Of course Duo was right; all that mattered was that it showed how much Treize loved him. "Prefect indeed."

"Very, but I might have to say the moment that clenched it was when I woke up with you in my arms," Treize agreed.

"Can I give you one more gift?" Wufei asked looking at Stormy who was asleep in his lap.

"I don't need anything else," Treize replied a hint of curiosity in his voice, as he looked at the music box playing on the coffee table.

"I just wanted to give you my pillow," Wufei replied blushing, grateful Treize was behind him.

"I'm not quite following you."

"You can decide where I sleep from now on," Wufei explained his cheeks flaming.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," Wufei assured him with a nod. "Although I do hope it is a big comfy bed."

"Thank you, Wufei, I love you so dearly. I think you can guess what I'm going to say next," Treize replied wrapping his arm carefully around Wufei's waist to pull him closer.

"Honestly I was hoping you'd say that," Wufei said turning his waist to quickly kiss Treize, who pulled him in for a longer deeper one the moment he'd pulled away.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*