"In The Stars" Chapter 35

I am so sorry that this part took me so long to get out. This semester has just been hell, hell I tell you! *runs and hides* Hope you guys like it though.

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"Here," Duo said surprised Wufei by shoving a small wrapped back into his hands.

"What is this?" Wufei asked looking up at the braided man.

"It is the other half of your Christmas present," Duo replied sitting back down on the couch. "I though it kind of fitting to give it to you on New Year's Eve."

"I never realized that it was already New Year's Eve," Wufei admitted.

"Well you've had other stuff on your mind," Duo said while Wufei just sat there. After a few minutes he spoke up, "so are you going to open it?"

"Oh yeah, sorry," Wufei replied looking at the box as he began to gently rip the paper away. He pulled open the plain white box to find something wrapped in tissue paper. He handled it carefully as he removed it and pulled the paper away. It was a statue of a man holding his arms out, he was standing in a grassy field.

"If you put the two bases together just right it looks like they are reaching out to take each other's hands," Duo spoke up.

Wufei couldn't stop his smile, Duo the ever romantic. "Thank you, I will put it with the other one the next time I go upstairs."

"You're welcome, glad you like them," Duo said with a smile. "Oh almost forgot, here's a little feel better gift."

"What, Duo you didn't have to," Wufei replied shocked by the large box Duo set in his lap.

"I wanted to, so open it already!"

Wufei sighed pulling the lid off only to freeze at the contents. "Duo?"

"When we were in town I saw them and I just knew you'd look so cute," Duo replied laughing even as Wufei glared at him. "They are just pajamas, pants and long sleeves to boot."

"Can't believe... no wait I can believe it," Wufei corrected himself. "They look huge."

"That was the smallest size they had, but I know how you like big and baggy things," Duo said with a wink.

Wufei instantly blushed ducking his head out of view. "Thanks," he mumbled.

Duo smirked before looking around. "Wonder where Heero and Treize are?"

"I heard Treize earlier mention something about going to town, maybe Heero went with him," Wufei offered.

"Probably, hey that means we have the place to ourselves," Duo said slouching back on the couch.

"Don't even think of putting your feet on the coffee table."

Duo snickered but kept his feet on the floor, "turning into a regular old housewife there."

"Am not!" Wufei snapped, "It is just that you would probably break it."

"Ha ha, very funny," Duo said dryly.

Wufei laughed before looking at Duo. "Hey you hungry, I could make us some lunch."

"Sounds great!" Duo agreed pulling himself up.

Wufei scooped up Stormy before heading into the kitchen, Duo following behind him. Wufei set the cat on the floor near him while Duo took a seat at the island. The dark haired man began to dig around in the fridge while Duo happily chatted away.

He set out the stuff to make a couple of sandwiches before interrupting the braided man. "Wonder if Treize knows what today is?"

"Probably, since he wished me a happy New Year's eve when I saw him in the hallway this morning," Duo answered.

"Uh Duo, I wanted to thank you for coming, it has been great having you here," Wufei said not looking up from the sandwiches he was making.

"I'm glad I came too, I've had such a blast here hanging with you," Duo replied with a bright smile Wufei caught out of the corner of his eyes.

"When are you guys planning on leaving?" Wufei asked sitting a plate with a sandwich on it in front of Duo.

"Hadn't really decided, Treize will probably have to kick us out to rid of us," Duo answered with a laugh.

Wufei smiled before taking a bite of his own sandwich. They ate with a light conversation about nothing in general. Wufei sat their plates in the sink just as the front door opened.

"Guess they are back," Duo said getting up and moving toward the living room.

Wufei poured a small amount of food in Stormy's dish, checking the water level in the process. He started for the living room when Duo suddenly reappeared stopping him. "Hey don't you have dishes?" Duo asked trying to steer him toward the kitchen.

"Huh, Duo what's going on?" Wufei asked surprised.

"Well wouldn't want them to just sit," Duo replied with a smile.

"Duo..." Wufei started to protest when the braided man turned intense eyes on him.

"Hey leaving dirty dishes is no way for a future housewife to act," Duo said causing Wufei to gape at him.

"I'm not a housewife and I never will be," Wufei replied turning to face the sink.

"Right," Duo agreed his voice full of sarcasm, with a nod Wufei couldn't see.

Wufei turned on the water only to shut out Duo; pouring some soap onto a sponge he quickly cleaned their plates. He dried and put them away just so Duo couldn't say anything. He turned back to look at the braided man, who almost looked like some kind of guard. "There now if you'll excuse me," he said starting to walk beside the other man.

Duo suddenly grabbed his arm as he passed. "Sorry buddy can't let you leave."

"Duo what is going on?!" Wufei demanded a strange fear rising in his chest.

"Can't say," Duo replied with a shake of his head.

"Then I'll go in there and find out for myself," Wufei snapped trying to pull away from Duo's grasp.

"Duo, I told you not to scare him," Treize voice's said floating in from the dinning room.

Wufei quickly yanked his arm from Duo's loosened grip walking toward Treize. "What is going on?"

"I'm sorry sweetheart but that is a secret," Treize replied pulling Wufei close. "Now you can either stay in here or I can take you upstairs blindfolded."

"What the hell and why is it a secret from me!" Wufei demanded.

"That is just the way it is, now your decision is," Treize replied.

Wufei sighed looking at the older man then Duo. "Fine keep your secret, I don't care anyway! But I don't want to stand in this kitchen all damn day."

"All right, Duo can bring Stormy up and keep you company," Treize replied grabbing one of the dishrags hanging from a drawer handle. He wrapped it around Wufei's head, covering his eyes quite effectively. "I'm going to pick you up now," Treize warned before scooping Wufei up into his arms.

Wufei gave a slight squeak of surprise his hands reaching out blindly to grab something for support, fingers latching onto Treize's shoulders. It was an odd sensation being carried blindfolded, especially when Treize started going up the stairs. He could clearly hear each step Treize took on the hardwood. He heard Treize kick their bedroom door open a bit wider before being settled on the lush bed. He pulled the blindfold away from his eyes to see Duo carrying in Stormy. Treize left after delivering a gentle kiss to Wufei's lips.

"Duo, why am I being kept out of this?" Wufei asked as the braided man sat down on the bed, Stormy bounding out of his arms and into Wufei's lap.

"That is a surprise and I won't ruin it," Duo answered with a wink.

Wufei sighed picking up the kitten and lying back so that she could curl up on his chest. "I hate this you know, I can't have any secrets but he can!"

"This isn't a secret, it is a surprise, those are different things," Duo pointed out looking at his friend.

"Doesn't feel much different," Wufei replied almost sounding like a petulant child.

Duo sighed laying back as well on the bed, coming up beside Wufei. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Wu, surprises can be some of the best things that could happen to a person."

"Thanks anyway, you don't have to stay up here you know," Wufei replied placing Stormy on the bed so that he could roll over and lay on his stomach.

"I don't mind, I like hanging out with you," Duo replied with a smile.

Wufei cocked his head so that he could look at the braided man. "Duo, have you and Heero... well been intimate?" he asked unable to control his blush.

"Whoa, where did that come from?" Duo asked surprised.

"Never mind," Wufei replied turning his head to look the other way.

"No, sorry I was just taken by surprise. Why do you ask though? Have you and..."

"No!" Wufei cut him off his head quickly turning back to look at Duo. "I just... oh forget it."

"No, you just what?" Duo replied refusing to just drop it.

"I just wondered... what it was like," Wufei rushed out before burying his face in the blanket beneath him.

"Oh, well actually we haven't gone all the way but we have done some stuff," Duo admitted with a straight face.

"Stuff?"

"Yeah, like touching, hand jobs, blow jobs, you know," Duo answered.

"Actually I don't," Wufei replied without thinking.

"Well this is all making more sense. Wu it is natural to develop a physical attraction to the person you love," Duo explained.

"Who said...?"

"You didn't have to, it is pretty easy to figure out," Duo cut off his denial.

Wufei sighed glancing over at the other man. "You, you are way too observant!"

"What can I say, so what did you really want to know?" Duo replied with a smirk.

"I could strangle you, but well... how did it happen?" Wufei replied trying desperately not to blush.

"You mean the first time anything happened?" Duo asked receiving a nod. "Actually it came out of a total accident while I was cleaning and he was helping me out. Are you asking because you want to initiate something with Treize?"

"No, I was just wondering," Wufei snapped.

"You are a terrible liar, you know that," Duo replied with a laugh. "If you are asking my advice I suggest an 'accident' in the bath. Can't see anything below the water..."

"Am I really that easy to read?" Wufei asked with a sigh.

"Yep," Duo answered with a smile, "and make sure he's fully dressed, makes it all the better."

"How?" Wufei asked confused.

"That way you won't get embarrassed by him being naked," Duo replied with a wink.

"Shut up!" Wufei huffed grabbing on of the pillows and throwing it at the braided man, hitting him square in the face. This brought on a major pillow fight that had both young man laughing and Stormy scurrying for cover.

By the time it was over the bed was in disarray, the blanket laying on the floor, as well as the two pillows. Wufei laid sprawled out in the middle of the bed trying to regain his breath while Duo was laying at the foot, on his side, doing the same thing.

"What is going on in here?" Treize's voice asked startling both men who looked over to see the older man carrying a black mass, which appeared to be very unhappy.

"Um, nothing," Duo offered with a smile.

"Then why did she come downstairs crying, and why is the bed a mess," Treize replied looking at Wufei.

"We were just entertaining ourselves since I am banned from the living room," Wufei replied after taking a deep breath.

"What were you doing?"

"Oh, Wu was asking me about se---"

"Duo!" Wufei shouted stopping the braiding man. "We just got into a pillow fight that is all."

"I see, well would you be kind enough to make the bed, and try not to scare your kitten away," Treize said setting Stormy on the bed beside Wufei.

Wufei thought he must have still been on a high from the pillow fight because he was feeling rather playful. Before the older man could straighten back up Wufei wrapped his arms around Treize's neck, rolling closer to him, before initiating a very intense kiss between them.

Treize's arm instinctively wrapped around Wufei's back supporting the younger man's weight while his other hand was braced against the bed holding them up. Not but a moment later Wufei pulled away breaking the kiss, while trying to escape Treize's embrace. The older man smiled releasing him and leaving the room without saying a single word.

"That is a good start," Duo said after a few minutes.

"I have no idea why I just did that...." Wufei replied laying back and covering his face with his arm.

"Wu?" Duo asked his voice showing his concern.

"I just... I'm embarrassed," the other man admitted. "I've never, he's always the one initiating such kisses."

"Still shy huh?" Duo asked looking at Wufei.

"Yeah," he admitted knowing he could never successfully like to the braided man, so he figured he might as well be honest about it.

"Take my advice, the bath," Duo replied with a wink.

"Uh, thanks for..."

"No need, I'm glad I could help," Duo said as Wufei just left his sentence hanging. "Oh wow I didn't realize how late it was getting, it is already dark outside."

Wufei rolled over to look out the window to see that the sun had set and it had started snowing again. "Does it always snow so much here?" He asked turning to look at Duo.

"Yeah, we always get lots of snow in the winter months, this place is famous for it," Duo replied with a nod. "I'm used to it by now, having to trudge through thigh deep snow to get to class."

"It seriously gets that deep?"

"It can," Duo replied.

"That is a hell of a lot of snow, and we still have classes?" Wufei replied a bit shocked.

"Yeah, since almost everyone lives on campus, except the professors and some of them will cancel individual classes if it gets too bad."

"Oh, I see, guess that makes sense," Wufei answered looking back out the window. He pulled himself up from the bed walking to stand beside it, looking out into the dark front yard.

"What are you thinking about?" Duo asked sitting up to look at Wufei.

"That we got snow on Christmas and now on New Year's Eve it is snowing again. I'm glad it snowed though... it is very beautiful," Wufei replied his eyes focused outside the window.

"I'm glad too, I love when it snows around the holidays," Duo agreed in a cheerful voice.

"Have you ever danced with Heero?" Wufei asked his right arm coming to cross his chest, his hand holding his other arm.

"Dozens of times, why?" Duo replied curious.

"Why do people dance?"

"I guess cause they enjoy it. Wu where is this going?"

"Forget it, it was a stupid question," Wufei said still looking out the window.

"Wu, talk to me, what is going on?" Duo asked standing up from the bed

"I just... thought maybe a dance.... oh forget it."

"No, Wu just say it," Duo prompted refusing to let it drop.

"I thought Treize might like to dance on New Year's Eve," Wufei finally said.

"Why was that so hard to say?"

"I'm not romantic, not like him, I feel foolish saying things like that."

"Well don't, being romantic is not something to look down on or be embarrassed about," Duo said walking over to the window.

Wufei sighed leaning his head against the window frame. "I realize that, it is just hard, just as it was once hard for me to tell him 'I love you' ---"

"You love who?" Treize's voice came from the door surprising them both.

Wufei looked away a light blush to his cheeks. Duo decided to speak up for him, "oh you missed the first part of that sentence, 'tell him' meaning you."

"I see," Treize said leaning against the door frame his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"He's telling the truth," Wufei spoke up.

"I didn't doubt him," Treize replied with a shake of his head. "Come on, I want to show you something."

"Uh, all right," Wufei agreed stepping away from the window. He scooped Stormy up from the bed following after Treize, Duo walking behind him. "So what did you want to show me?"

"It is a surprise," Treize answered taking Wufei's free hand in his own as they neared the stairs.

Treize led the way down the stairs, his hand still firmly holding Wufei's. He led the younger man into the living room he had been banned from earlier. Wufei was surprised by what he came upon when he stepped into the room.

The room was coved in decorations that had not been there earlier. Even the tree looked so different from before. "What is... what's going on?" Wufei asked setting Stormy down allowing the kitten to explore on her own.

"Since this is your first New Year's here, I wanted to make a real celebration out of it," Treize answered looking at Wufei.

"You, you didn't have to do that," he protested.

"No I didn't, but I wanted to," Treize replied with a smile.

Heero appeared in the room, coming from the kitchen. Wufei could actually see a slight smile on the man's lips. "Sweetheart this looks great," Duo purred as Heero wrapped him in a hug.

"His reaction?" Heero asked his voice low near Duo's ear.

"Surprise, but he likes it too," Duo answered with a smile.

"I'm glad," Heero answered his eyes sliding over to look at Wufei.

"Thank you," Wufei whispered leaning against Treize's side as the man put an arm around his shoulders.

"You're welcome, I'm glad you like it," Treize replied before kissing the top of Wufei's head. "There is champagne in the kitchen," he said raising his voice so everyone could hear.

"Awesome," Duo cheered heading toward the kitchen pulling Heero along with him.

"What do you normally do to celebrate?" Wufei asked looking around the room.

"Sit in front of the fire," Treize replied causing Wufei to look up at him.

"You were alone?"

"It was fine then, I honestly like being alone but now, well now I don't think I could stand it if you weren't here."

Wufei looked down when his ring caught the light of the fireplace, glowing softly. Raising his hand he took Treize's free one, finding the contact warm and comforting. "I'm glad to be here too."

"You know you guys took long enough with the decorating, it is already past ten," Duo pointed out as he stepped back into the room.

"You could have helped," Heero said following behind him.

"I was helping, I was entertaining Wufei," Duo replied with a wink that cause the dark haired man to blush.

"Why don't we all just relax and enjoy the rest of the evening," Treize suggested.

Duo plopped down on the couch, "sounds like the perfect idea."

Heero sighed sitting down beside the entergetic man. Duo laid back on the couch but before he could lift his legs a hand smacked him on the back of the head. "Don't even think about putting your feet on the coffee table," Wufei said repeating his statement from earlier

Duo burst out laughing causing both Treize and Heero to look at him, then he finally said, "turning in a housewife are we?"

The statement got even more questioning looks. "No," Wufei replied, "I just don't want to look at your feet they would probably hurt the table."

Duo laughed again turning to look at Wufei, "smooth, very smooth Wu."

Wufei chuckled before heading into the kitchen. "What was that exchange about?" Heero asked looking at Duo.

"You had to be there," Duo replied with a laugh.

Wufei reappeared a moment later a glass of water in his hand. He came to stand beside the arm of the chair Treize had sat in. Wufei looked at Duo and Duo looked right back before they both erupted into giggles and then full out laughter. Treize easily took Wufei's glass his other arm sliding around the small waist. After several minutes they both began to calm.

"All right just what is going on?" Treize asked his arm the only thing keeping Wufei up at the moment.

"Like I said," Duo replied before giggles, "you had to be there."

"I still want to know what is going on," Treize replied both men finally regaining some control.

"Too hard to explain," Wufei answered this time.

"Yeah would take way too long," Duo agreed slouching back but not moving his legs, he smiled at Wufei who chuckled in return.

Treize let out a sigh before pulling Wufei over the arm of the chair, the younger man falling into his lap at the sudden gesture. "Talk," he threatened the fingers of his hand nearing Wufei's most vulnerable spot.

Wufei tried to get up but found himself stuck in his sprawled out position. "Okay, okay," he said just before Treize was about to touch him. "It was similar to something that had happened earlier."

"Which was," Treize prompted for more information.

"Really, it isn't all that important," Wufei replied grabbing Treize's wrist.

"Heero would you care to dance," Duo said to distract them more than anything else. "I love dancing on New Year's Eve!"

"To what?" Heero asked in reply.

"Music of course, silly," Duo said with a laugh reaching over to hit play on the new compact disc player sitting under the coffee table. A song began playing almost immediately as Duo looked at Heero expectantly. Heero sighed but stood up and offered his hand out to Duo.

"Would you like to dance," Heero asked before taking Duo's hand and pulling him up into his arms. They began lazily circling, enjoying each other's embrace.

Wufei watched the couple remembering what Duo had said upstairs not too long ago. He released Treize's wrist, looking at the older man who was watching him carefully. "Um..."

Treize smiled putting his fingers over Wufei's lips and nodded, coming to his rescue. He then helped Wufei up before standing up himself. Wufei easily melted into the older man's arms his cheek coming to rest against Treize's chest as his arms encircled the man's waist. Treize's arms encircled the smaller man, holding him close, their circling motion slow and almost lazy.

The music was intoxicating, it made Wufei glad to be there in Treize's arms. He opened his eyes to see Duo's chin resting on Heero's shoulder, watching him. The braided man smiled brightly before giving a wink. Wufei closed his eyes against resting against Treize as he let out a soft contented sigh. When the song on the player changed Wufei's head snapped up in surprise.

//If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you//

"This" Wufei mumbled still too surprised to be able to form words.

Treize smiled at the younger man, holding him closer. "This is ours."

Wufei rested his cheek against Treize's chest remembering what had happened the last time he'd heard this song. These words, some how matched the way he felt now.

//If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you//

Wufei leaned even closer to the man, feeling Treize's arms tighten ever so slightly. He completely forgot about everything including Duo and Heero. Never once did he think such a thing could happen, especially not to him. He glanced up to see Treize's blue eyes watching him, pulling him in, drowning him in the love they held.

Treize removed one of his hands from Wufei's waist to gently brush the loose strands of hair out of the younger man's face, the back of his hand caressing Wufei's cheek. Wufei leaned into the touch, an almost natural reaction anymore.

//And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need
My love
My valentine//

Wufei couldn't believe he was actually thinking of taking Duo's advice. Yet he felt it, felt he wanted to get closer to this man, closer than maybe anyone else ever has gotten. Looking into those blue eyes seemed to just keep pulling him under their spell, a spell of love and caring warmth.

Treize's hand slipped back down allowing him to wrap his arm around Wufei's waist. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight," Treize whispered his voice almost like a whispered caress against Wufei's ear.

//All of my life
I have been waiting for all you give me
You've opened my eyes
And shown me how to love unselfishly//

"Actually I look pretty plain and boring," Wufei mumbled his cheek coming to rest against Treize's shoulder.

"You're wrong, there is nothing plain and especially not boring about you," Treize disagreed his arms tightening.

"I actually find myself glad to hear you say that," Wufei whispered his words almost lost to the song.

//I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
And in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need
My love
My valentine//

As they made another turn Wufei was able to look out the front window to see the snow had picked up outside. He found himself nestling closer to Treize, imagining the cold winter weather outside. Yet he never wanted to leave this place either. The thought reminded him of his dream, of that voice trying to take him away from these arms.

Treize rested his chin on top of Wufei's head, enjoying the closeness of the younger man. Wufei had pretty much put all his weight against him, the older man's embrace the only thing keeping him standing. He didn't mind baring the smaller man's weight, it even made him happy Wufei trusted him that much.

//And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time
Cause all I need
Is you my valentine//

Treize looked over at the clock surprised by what he saw. How could it have gotten so late so fast? It was almost midnight, yet he felt like they had just started dancing. He knew time was always like that though; the less you noticed it the faster it seemed to pass.

Wufei moved his head slightly when Treize heard the best sound in the world. "You're all I need my love, my valentine," Wufei sang along with the end of the song, startled when Treize tilted his chin up and caught his lips in a deep kiss.

Treize pulled back as the hall clock continued to chime the coming of the hour. "Happy New Year sweetheart," he whispered against Wufei's lips.

"Happy New Year," Wufei replied before wrapping his arms around Treize's neck and pulling him into another deep kiss.

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