Disclaimer: see a previous chapter.

Dragon's Desire

Chapter 11

Ran sat there, book poised as if reading. But if anyone had been around to observe him, they would have noticed he hadn't turned a page in over twenty minutes. He was waiting for Wufei to show up for their date. Their third date in three days. He had decided to skip lunch and leave the Koneko early to get ready. He didn't need the extra time to decide what to wear or make special arrangements. He needed the time to mentally prepare. He had agreed to see Wufei every day he was in town, but he was nervous every time he saw the ebony-haired writer. Despite his fear, he wanted to see him. It was like an addiction. An addiction he was too weak to cure himself of.

The first day Wufei was in town they'd only been able to have lunch so things had been normal and easygoing between them, Ran knowing that they would not be able to spend anytime alone together. They'd had lunch and then Ran went back to the Koneko to prepare for a mission that night.

The next day they had seen a movie and Ran had asked if they could end their date afterwards, claiming fatigue from the previous night's mission. But now he had no excuses. He had to face Wufei. He had to see if he was strong enough to see this through or if he was just a coward, fooling himself into thinking he could obtain anything close to happiness.

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Wufei stood there, watching the very still redhead from the shadows of the hallway. Yohji had let him into the personal residence a few minutes ago, indicating Ran was in the kitchen. As he approached the kitchen and saw Ran sitting there, staring blankly at a book, he stopped to observe the man. Since he hadn't been noticed yet, he stayed concealed within the shadows and just let his eyes feast on the man he loved. The man who seemed to be pulling away from him.

"So if you love him, the next time you see him, tell him. It seems to me that he needs someone to push the issue a little."

His best friend's words echoed in his head. I've been trying, Maxwell. But there never seems to be an appropriate moment. We're never alone. But maybe tonight…..

Wufei emerged from the shadows and walked into the kitchen, startling Ran from his thoughts. He smiled at the embarrassed redhead and reached out to caress a slightly pink and warm cheek.

"Hi there."

"Hey. How long have you been there?"

"I just walked in. Why? Were you doing something naughty, Ran?"

Ran matched the smirk on Wufei's face. "I don't read those kinds of books."

"What if I wrote one? Would you read it then?"

Ran felt his cheeks get warmer so he chose to retreat, getting up and brushing past Wufei to retrieve a drink from the refrigerator.

"Drink?"

Wufei frowned, but it went unnoticed by the man whose head was buried within the refrigerator.

"No, thank you."

Ran stood back up and closed the door, opening a bottle of tea and taking a quick drink. He could see Wufei was troubled but he tried to ignore it.

"So what are the plans for this evening?"

Wufei felt a split-second pang of nervousness in his stomach. Here's my chance. He smiled and sat down, trying to sound and look as casual as possible.

"Let's stay in tonight." Ran raised a curious eyebrow and Wufei's smile broadened. "I seem to remember being told that you are a very good cook."

"So?"

"Prove it. Cook dinner tonight."

"What's in it for me?"

Wufei approached Ran, wrapping his arms around the redhead's waist and nuzzling his ear.

"Whatever you want, Ran. I'll give you anything. Just name it."

Ran flushed at the hot breath tickling his ear and the implications of Wufei's words. Staying in was a bad idea. At least if they were in public, Ran didn't have to worry about dissuading Wufei's advances. But if they were going to be alone all night……

"We can't. Yohji and Omi will be home tonight. I don't feel like having them hang around."

Wufei pulled back, his head hanging down to hide his disappointment, although he knew his voice gave him away.

"Alright then. What would you like to do?"

Ran sensed the change in Wufei immediately and he felt guilty. I'm just making him miserable. I should just tell him right now. End it right here. He stepped out of Wufei's loose embrace, but the writer grabbed a hold of one of his hands and started rubbing his thumb along the back of it. The gesture was one of the most tender and soothing things he'd ever experienced. He loved it whenever Wufei did it and silently reveled in it. I…..can't…..Why can't I pull away?

"There's a new place that just opened up and it's been getting rave reviews. Why don't we try it?"

"Sure."

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Wufei unlocked the door and stepped into the familiar apartment. He had managed to convince Ran to stop by the apartment on the way back to the Koneko because it was relatively close to the restaurant. He had the distinct feeling that Ran didn't want to be alone with him but he was determined to find out what was going on with the man.

"Make yourself at home." Wufei hung their coats up and made his way to the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No thank you."

Ran sat down on the sofa and Wufei returned quickly with a bottle of water. He took a drink and placed the bottle on the table and looked over at Ran. He could see how tense Ran was and it hurt him to know he was the cause. "Come here." He reached out and brought Ran onto his lap bridal style and gently kissed him. "I've missed you and we haven't had a moment alone since I got into town."

Before he could respond, a cool hand slipped up Ran's neck and into his hair as Wufei pulled his head back, exposing his neck. Soft lips and a wet tongue traced a path down his neck to the collarbone, ffectively silencing any thoughts he might have considered voicing. Instead, he threw an arm around Wufei's neck and brought the other up to run through the silky ebony hair and slowly trace down Wufei's neck to come to rest on his chest. What am I doing?

Ran felt Wufei's other hand start to slide up his leg and he fought to keep his mind focused. He'd managed to put off being alone with Wufei for three days. He had to face the situation sooner or later. I can't give him what he wants. What he needs. I'm just hurting him. But I don't want to hurt him. -

Wufei tipped Ran's head up and captured his lips, his hand now sliding across the redhead's crotch with some pressure, eliciting a moan which vibrated his own mouth. Encouraged, Wufei continued upwards, his fingers deftly unbuttoning Ran's shirt.

Ran clenched a handful of Wufei's shirt as his own was undone. Cool fingers played across his chest and teased a nipple. Ran gasped and threw his head back. I….I have….to….stop…..this… Wufei turned his attention to Ran's neck once again as his hand traveled back down and unfastened Ran's pants.

"Gods, Ran you taste so good." His hand slipped into Ran's pants and he felt Ran's hand push against his chest. "Don't push me away, Ran. Let me love you."

Ran's head shot up and he looked at Wufei, wide-eyed. "Love me?"

"Yes, Ran. I love you. Why are you so shocked?" Wufei leaned in to kiss Ran but he pulled back. In fact, the assassin began to push away completely, getting off the sofa. "Ran, what's wrong?"

"I have to go." Ran headed for the front door, fastening his pants, desperate to flee the apartment but Wufei's raised voice commanded him to stop.

"Ran! Don't walk out that door!" Wufei stood up and now stood in the middle of the living room, about seven feet from the retreating assassin. "I just told you I loved you and you run away? I don't expect you to say it back, but running away isn't exactly what I had in mind. What the hell is wrong with you!"

"I can't do this. I can't give you what you want."

"You can't love me? You can't have sex with me? What, Ran? What do you think you can't give me?"

"Not everyone gets happy endings like Ken and Duo. This can't work."

"We're not them! What works for them won't work for us!" Wufei tried to calm himself down. He hated yelling and he hated sounding desperate and he was doing both right now. But he had to fight for Ran. He loved him and he wasn't going to lose him to some misguided notion. "Ran, all I want is you. I have no hidden agendas. I want to spend time with you, talk to you, laugh with you and yes, I want to have sex with you. But you seem to be hung up on the sex thing. Why? I've tried to be patient, Ran. But I don't want to hold back anymore. I want to love you. Completely, in every sense of the word."

"Look, it's not going to be enough! We've just been fooling ourselves! So let's just end this now before anyone gets hurt!"

"Too late!" Wufei reached Ran's side and grabbed him by the shoulders. "What are you so scared of?"

"Let me go, Wufei." I'm just going to hurt you.

Wufei kissed Ran. It was a bruising kiss, reeking of his desperation, but Ran shoved Wufei back and reached for the door.

"Ran….If you walk out that door, you'll regret it. I swear to you, you'll regret it."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No. I'm simply telling you the truth."

Amethyst eyes wavered for only a moment before Ran turned and walked out the door. Wufei stood there, praying to every god he could think of to let this be some bad dream. He's not gone. He can't be. He cares about me, I know he does. Why won't he let himself love?

Wufei sat down on the sofa and stared at the floor, unthinking. Suddenly, he stood up and left the apartment and started the long drive home.

To be continued….