Zechs turned on a light in the entrance hall. He removed his jacket, hanging it on a cherry-wood coat hanger. He then shucked his shoes and left them on the marble floor next to the coat rack. Wufei copied his actions.
The taller man cleared his throat. "The living room is to your right. If you want to watch TV or something, go ahead. The kitchen is through the door next to the television. If you want something to eat or drink, help yourself. There are two bathrooms down here and one upstairs. Make yourself at home. I'll get the guest room ready."
"If you don't mind," Wufei began, "could I maybe take a quick shower?" He was reluctant to ask, but he hadn't bathed in two days and felt filthy. Though his house was a mess, Wufei was actually quite obsessive when it came to his own body being clean.
"Of course," he replied, truly surprised that Wufei was comfortable enough to ask. "The shower's upstairs. Towels are on the shelf in there, and go ahead and use any of my things if you need to. I don't mind."
"Okay," he replied shyly.
A heavier blanket was thrown over the bed sheet. Zechs made sure the amount hanging off was even on both sides, then smoothed it out.
"Really, I don't get why you're so concerned about him, Zechs." He mumbled to himself while snatching the striped comforter off a chair. "If anything, you should hate him, not feel sorry for him."
Maybe it's not pity. Maybe it has nothing to do with Treize at all. After all, you did enjoy his company tonight, didn't you? You want to get to know him better.
He repeated the even-and-smooth process with the comforter and sighed. "I can't believe only a few hours ago we knew nothing about each other."
And now you find him fascinating.
Pillows were stuffed into cases. "We've been over this, Zechs. He may be intelligent, and good-looking, and exotic..." He shook his head. "Goddamnit, you will not get attached to him. He's going back tomorrow, and that will be that." He placed the two pillows at the head of the bed. "And stop talking to yourself. He's only two rooms down, for crying out loud!"
Leaving the light on and the door open, he walked downstairs to watch the news.
Warm water ran over caramel-colored skin as Wufei gently scrubbed at his hair.
Looking in the three built-in shelves, he searched for the shampoo. Conditioner, body wash, exfoliating gel, two kinds of face wash, a regular bar of soap, and two types of shampoo: both the same brand, but one was for normal hair and one was for dry hair.
Wufei rolled his eyes. I imagine he has more beauty products than a woman does. He grabbed the shampoo on the left and squeezed a small amount onto his hand.
They're obviously working. He is beautiful.
He banished the thought from his head. "Damnit, he doesn't care about you. He's just being nice." Just like what Treize did when he didn't kill me when I was at the tip of his sword.
A wave of emotions crashed into him, and water from the shower disguised tears.
The news wasn't helping any in clearing Zechs' head. Thoughts of both Treize and Wufei swarmed through his mind as the news anchor droned on with local stories.
Minutes later, he heard Wufei coming down the stairs. He turned his head to look at him. The Chinese youth had put the black pants he was wearing earlier back on. A green towel was around his neck; one hand was holding it and the other was using it to pat loose hair dry.
You just had to come down with no shirt on and your hair down, didn't you?
"Um, where should I put the towel?"
"The hamper in my room. It's the one directly across from the bathroom."
"Okay."
He looks a little troubled. Maybe I should say something.
"I'm turning in for the night then. The room with the light on is mine, right?"
I don't think he's really tired. His eyes are red, like he's been crying. "Wufei, come here for a minute," he said softly but firmly.
The teen walked slowly to the couch. Zechs made room for him. "Sit."
Wufei obeyed, a trifle confused.
Zechs rested his right arm on the back of the couch and turned to face the teenager. "Are you okay, Wufei?"
"I'm fine," he replied, looking down at his folded hands.
With his left hand, Zechs cupped Wufei's cheek, beckoning him to look him in the eyes. "You don't look fine."
Wufei's eyes broke contact once more. "It's been a long day, that's all."
"It's been a long couple of months, hasn't it?"
He didn't respond, just forced himself to hold back tears.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
All he could manage to do at the moment was shrug.
The hand was dropped from his cheek and two arms had been wrapped around him, pulling him into a loose embrace. "I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable right now, but I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything." He added in a whisper, "Even Treize."
"I'd like to believe that," he whispered back. "But-" He stopped himself.
Zechs pulled away, keeping one hand on the boy's shoulder and one under his chin. "But what?"
"Nevermind."
"Wufei-"
"I'll tell you tomorrow." He stood and walked past the couch, facing away from Zechs. He was already shaking, and he didn't want the other man to see his tears. "Good night, Zechs."
"Good night, Wufei. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
He watched him go up the stairs, then turned around. I wonder what that was about. Something pained him. Maybe he just doesn't trust me. Doesn't need me at all.
He turned in a while later, a little before midnight. Eventually he fell asleep, and had, for the second night in a row, a dreamless night.
The two were once again at the cemetary. Wufei walked straight to his motorcycle, not even glancing at Treize's grave.
"Thank you, Zechs," he said eventually. "Even though I know I didn't deserve all that."
"Nonsense. I simply bought you dinner and spared you a cold. You, however, could have possibly saved my life."
"I should get going."
"Before you go, wasn't there something you were going to tell me?"
"There was?" He was hoping he might have forgotten about it.
"I told you yesterday you could talk to me about Treize. Then you started to say something, but stopped."
A lump formed in his throat and he closed his eyes. You're going to hate me for this, Zechs.
"I was going to say," he began slowly, "that I'd like to believe you, but I know that part of you won't forgive me for killing him. You have your own issues to deal with, Zechs. I can tell from the way you've been acting so cool, compared to the way you acted the other day. I've simply been a distraction from your own grieving. So thank you for helping me, but I think you're far from being better."
Zechs couldn't speak.
"I hope I haven't offended you too much. I'll leave now," he whispered.
Hopping on his motorcycle, he looked at Zechs' stunned face. "Take care," he wished before driving off.
End Notes: Thank you SO much to everyone who reviewed! It's the best present I could get. ....Except for maybe that DDR pad for my PS2 I asked for.
To answer your question, fiery-icicles, I guess Wufei just kind of assumed Treize and Zechs were lovers after the whole "I love you Treize!" line Zechs says in Chapter One. That's not the best answer I know, but it's all I have :/
Kari