Chapter Four

Heero groaned as the light pierced his eyelids. Morning had come far too early for his taste. He rolled over and tried to ignore the birds outside. He moved his arm forward to grab hold of whichever body was closest only to find the pillow. He opened his eyes. The bed was empty. He sat up quickly and looked around. A low chuckle from the door made him turn.

Duo was standing in the door way that led to the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Miss me already huh?" He teased.

Heero smirked and stood. "Of course." He smiled and walked over to Duo. He wrapped his arms around him and gave him a passionate morning kiss. When he pulled away he turned around the room again.

"He's not here."

Heero turned back to Duo. "He left?"

Duo frowned and nodded. "I heard him leave this morning." He walked over to the window and pointed out. Wufei was doing his usual chores on the farm.

Heero sighed. "That's Wufei. Always working." He smiled and turned to Duo and pulled him closer.

Duo giggled and snuggled his nose into Heero's neck.

"Shall we go and meet him?" Heero cooed into his ear.

Duo nodded and smiled up at Heero. "Let's go."They got dressed and wandered outside to find Wufei. When they found the fields and pen's empty, they turned towards the barn. When they walked in, Wufei was just coming down from the hay loft. Duo smiled and pranced up to him.

"Morning Wuffers." He smiled and reached his arms out to hug him when Wufei backed away.

Duo paused and frowned. He slowly lowered his arms and looked at Wufei with hurt in his eyes. "Wufei…what's wrong?"

Wufei had been anticipating this all morning, and now looking at Duo's hurt expression and Heero's confusion was not making this any easier. He had awoke that morning feeling dirty. He felt like he was intruding on what Duo and Heero had. He couldn't do that, no matter how much he wanted to. He had been meditating on exactly how to tell them, but now he found the words had left him.

Heero walked forward and placed his hands on Duo's shoulders to comfort him and looked to Wufei.

"What do you have to tell us?" He asked softly.

Wufei sighed and straightened up. "What happened last night…" He paused and searched their eyes. He could see the hurt and confusion, but he couldn't stop now. "What happened last night can never happen again."

Duo's face fell and Heero lowered his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Wufei felt his voice crack and he cleared his throat. "It's…It's not the way things were meant to be." He stood straighter. "I would ask that you respect my decision." He met their gaze with his own. "Please."

Heero looked up and stared into Wufei's strong eyes for what seemed like an eternity. He could see the emotion in his eyes; he could also see the fear. That was a strange thing to see in the eyes of Chang Wufei. He sighed and nodded. "Of course we will." He bowed low and turned, walking quickly from the barn.

Duo lingered and turned to Wufei. "I…don't understand. Last night was…"

"A mistake." Wufei finished.

Duo frowned and lowered his head.

Wufei wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around Duo and tell him that it wasn't a mistake. That he didn't regret a thing and that all he wanted to do was to spend the rest of his life with them; but he couldn't. It just wasn't right.

Duo turned and Wufei could tell he was on the verge of tears. He ran from the barn, leaving Wufei alone with the animals and the sound of his heart beating loudly in his ear. As the barn door slammed shut, Wufei's knees gave out and he fell to the ground. How could he do that? How could he hurt them? They were the last people in the world he wanted to hurt. He felt tears threatening to fall but he fought them back. They would all get over what happened between them and one day they would move on and all have normal relationships.

Duo and Heero will probably stay together, Wufei thought. They were together first…He felt a pang of jealousy shoot through his heart at that thought. He wasn't sure if he was jealous of what they would have together, or the fact that they would have it without him. He took a few deep breaths and forced himself to stand. He turned back to his work and silently fed the horses.

Duo had run straight to the bedroom and threw himself onto the bed, crying his eyes out. He wasn't sure why the tears wouldn't stop coming, but something told him not to fight it. Heero had a feeling that Duo would take the news much harder then he so he was waiting for Duo in the bedroom. He closed the door softly and sat on the bed, gently rubbing Duo's back. At the touch, Duo sat up and stared into Heero's eyes with his watery ones.

"Why did he do it Heero? What's wrong?" He asked, his voice wavering.

Heero frowned and pulled Duo to his chest, cradling him. "I think he's afraid. In his culture, this kind of thing is very unorthodox. He feels uncomfortable."

"Do you think there's a way we can help him feel comfortable?" Duo sniffed.

Heero sighed and ran his fingers through Duo's hair. "I don't know." He pulled back from Duo so he could brush the tears from his face. "All I know is that we should treat him as a friend; As though nothing has happened between us. I think it will make him feel better around us."

Duo nodded and sniffed. He laid his head in Heero's lap and sighed. "Okay, I can do that."

Heero smiled and leaned over to kiss Duo's cheek. "I know you can."

Heero and Duo kept to their decision. They moved around the house, cleaning and carrying out their usual routines, while Wufei finished his chores outside. Because he was feeling so upset, he ended up working harder and faster than he ever had, hoping to dull the pain. The only thing he managed to do was finish his work much earlier than usual, so he had nothing to do except sit in the living room and listen to Duo sing "Whistle While You Work" throughout the house. Of course, the only lyrics he actually knew were "Whistle While You Work" so the rest of the time he was just whistling the tune.

Wufei found it very annoying but he was too afraid to say anything. It amused him to think that something this small would bring fear to his very soul, but it was there. As he listened to Duo's whistling and Heero's random "clinks" coming from the kitchen, he thought back to his life before the war. Back when he was happy and things were simple. He had Meiran, they were in training together and slowly planning a life together. Yes, he still felt as though he wasn't ready for marriage, being only 14 years old, but it was a tradition in his clan; and he was not about to argue with tradition. To be honest, he enjoyed having her company. She wasn't like most women, always complaining and whining about things that are far too simple to even be dealt with. She was strong and independent. Wufei actually looked up to her, even though she was younger. He admired her courage and positive attitude.

He wondered where he would be if the war hadn't taken her away from him. Yes, she died a year before the war started, but it didn't make OZ any less responsible. Would he have the house he and Meiran had planned on building? What about children? Would they have started a family? Meiran was never very fond of the idea of having children, but they both knew it was expected of them. Besides, Wufei wanted his family name to continue on. He sighed and slumped further into the couch.

"You alright?"

Wufei sat up and turned around. Heero was standing in the door way drying his hands on a dish towel. Wufei worked up his best glare and turned away again. Heero frowned and set the towel on the kitchen table before walking into the room and sitting across from Wufei. He stared at him until Wufei looked up.

"You can talk to me you know." Heero said softly.

Wufei stared into those comforting blue eyes and he felt his resolve weakening.

"I never wanted to hurt either of you."

Wufei blinked. Where did that come from? He wasn't thinking that! He was thinking about Meiran! He paused and thought. No, he was only thinking of Meiran because it made his current situation less complicated. Heero nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I understand. The idea makes you uncomfortable."

Wufei glared, his favorite defense mechanism. "You do not understand."

Heero, no change in his tone or expression, stared. "Then help me understand."

The two men stared at each other in a silent battle, both choosing to ignore the fact that Duo's whistling had stopped. Wufei felt his resolve fading, yet again. It wasn't that he couldn't stand up to Heero's stares, he had done that before. It was that he wanted to badly to explain everything to them. He wanted them to know why he was afraid to commit to anyone. But he wasn't sure he would be able to.

After what seemed like an eternity, Heero quickly stood. "If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine. I understand. But you should talk to someone."

Wufei watched Heero walk around the couch and head towards the door before he stood.

"Wait."

Heero paused and turned to look over his shoulder.

"I want to talk…to you." He glanced at the open doorway and smirked. "You as well, Maxwell."

Duo poked his head out from around the corner. "Aww, you saw me?"

"Who needs sight when you make so much noise?" Heero teased and moved back over to the chair he was sitting in.

Duo fought his urge to sit in Heero's lap and sat next to Wufei on the couch, a seat cushion between them. Wufei let out his supporting breath and turned to his two friends.

"You deserve to know why I hold certain inhibitions about…relationships." He started.

Duo and Heero exchanged looks but remained silent so Wufei continued.

"In my clan, it is customary to marry at the age of 14. I was no exception." Wufei noted the shocked expression on Duo's face but didn't pause. "My wife…her name was Meiran. She was the best fighter in all of the Dragon Clan. Master O. had even chosen her to be the pilot of Gundam Shenlong."

"You weren't the intended pilot of Shenlong?" Heero asked.

Wufei shook his head. "No. Meiran was to pilot. I had never had any training in any form of mobile suits. In fact, it was my intention to enter the temple after my studies were complete."

"Well…what happened?" Duo asked.

Wufei sighed. "One day, three OZ mobile suits attacked my colony. The elders in my clan were debating who would be sent out to protect us. Meiran offered but Shenlong was not yet complete. Against orders, she took out an experimental mobile suit that had not yet been tested. I was concerned for her safety so I stole Shenlong to look after her."

"I thought it wasn't finished." Duo interrupted.

Wufei sighed and looked down. "It wasn't. The armor and certain control systems had not yet been installed; but I had little choice. I couldn't let her be destroyed because of her own arrogance…" He trailed off.

Heero grunted and frowned. "Go on."

Wufei nodded. "The attack was full force and we were loosing quickly. Then one of the mobile suits pulled out some form of beam weapon unlike I had ever seen before. He fired it at me…" Wufei felt tears coming back and he fought them down.

"She protected you." Heero finished.

Wufei looked up. It always amazed him that Heero was able to deduct things so easily. Wufei nodded. "Yes. She moved her mobile suit in front of me and took the full force of the weapon." He sighed, containing himself, and continued. "I managed to get her back to the colony and…and she died in my arms a few moments later."

Duo looked down. "I…I'm sorry Wufei…I didn't know."

Wufei nodded. "I know. It's alright." He looked up. "I know it was a long time ago, but I still carry her memory with me. It…I do not wish to betray her."

Heero nodded. "I understand. We're sorry if we pushed you."

Duo nodded his agreement.

Wufei smirked and shook his head. "No…you didn't." He looked up at them and smiled. "I won't lie…I enjoyed it."

Duo perked up slightly and smiled. Wufei chuckled. "Yes, Duo. I did enjoy it." He repeated and Duo blushed.

Heero chuckled and moved over to the couch. "Wufei…may I ask you something?"

Wufei turned to the stoic ex-pilot and nodded.

"What about our situation makes you feel uncomfortable? Because I have a feeling it's more than just Meiran's memory."

Wufei smirked and chuckled. Leave it to Heero to hit the nail on the head every time. Wufei leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Nothing."

Duo and Heero turned to him, confused. Wufei smiled and looked at them.

"Nothing makes me uncomfortable. I enjoyed our time last night and…" He paused before deciding to continue. "And I would love nothing more than to join you again…"

"…but?" Duo asked.

Wufei smiled sadly and shook his head. "I do not wish to intrude upon you're relationship." He looked up and met Duo's eyes. "What you and Heero have is something very special. I should know, I've seen the looks you give each other."

Duo blushed but Heero moved forward. "They're the same looks we give you."

Wufei was taken aback. He hadn't been expecting that as a retort. "Excuse me?" He asked.

Heero nodded. "We look at you the same way we look at each other. And last night…we…I…felt complete. I felt like the three of us made one."

Duo nodded and smiled. "You complete us, Wuffers. We're not a whole without you."

Wufei felt his heart beat quicken again and a new wave of tears was threatening to pour. He wasn't sure how to react. He knew they were right, because he could feel it too, but is it right?

"Does it matter?" Heero asked, answering Wufei's thoughts. "If there's feeling…love…does it matter if it's right? Doesn't love make it right?"

Hearing Heero Yuy speak of love was the most compelling thing Wufei had ever experienced and it was making a warm feeling develop in his stomach. He looked into Heero's eyes and then into Duo's. They were sincere. He turned back to Heero and locked eyes with him.

"How do you know love is present?" He asked.

Heero smirked and gently placed his hand on the back of Wufei's head. "The same way you do." He replied before closing the distance with an earth shattering kiss.

Duo squealed in the background and wrapped his arms around Heero. Wufei pulled back, out of breath, and smiled.

"You're right…" He looked into Heero's eyes. "I love you." He turned to Duo. "Both of you."

Duo giggled his response and Heero chuckled. "We love you too, Wufei." Heero muttered before touching their lips again, and this time pulling Duo up with them and the three lovers shared a kiss that expressed exactly how much love was emanating through all of them.

Okay, there's chapter four. I hope everyone is enjoying this story. And I know that this seems like the end….BUT IT'S NOT! There's still more to come and I'll try to get it out as soon as I can. I just want to thank my reviewers: WCInsane, yaeko, HeeroDuo4eva, Shivirani. You guys are great and I appreciate the support! Happy Reading!