Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

Blind

Chapter 7

"Would you mind….reading to me?"

Wufei just stared at Heero who was sitting on the sofa looking pathetic while he sat in his chair. The TV was on because that was pretty much all they'd come up with as entertainment for a blind person.

"I…..sure. Anything in particular?"

"I was reading a book that should still be on my nightstand."

"I'll be right back."

It didn't take long for Wufei to return and he sat back down in his chair and began to read. At first he felt awkward reading aloud and didn't like the sound of his own voice.

"Why don't you sit over here? You won't have to speak so loud."

Wufei thought the idea logical and so he moved over to the sofa and sat beside Heero and continued. Even at a lower volume, Wufei quickly got tired of hearing his own voice but he noticed that Heero seemed content, even going so far as to recline into the corner of the sofa, so he resolved himself to read until Heero asked him to stop.

Wufei blinked a few times after turning the page and the words suddenly went blurry. Ugh. My eyes are---

"Your eyes are burning, aren't they?"

"Hmmm." Wufei placed the book in his lap and began to rub his eyes.

"Say something next time."

"I'm fine. Just give me a minute."

"Idiot." Heero stood up and looked down in Wufei's general direction. "There's no sense in having both of us go blind. Let's call it a night."

"This is the thanks I get for entertaining you? I'm insulted?"

Heero scoffed and reached out for Wufei's hand. He didn't think anything of the gesture but Wufei's eyes went wide at the open sign of asking for help. Wufei stood up and gently took Heero's hand within his own and guided him towards the stairs. Wow, he must be really tired. That, or he thinks I need the guidance to the stairs.

"Were you even wearing your glasses?"

"N-no."

That little detail had somehow escaped his attention. Wufei looked back and saw his glasses sitting on the table next to the chair he normally occupied. He didn't necessarily need them. His vision was fine. But for the amount of reading he did, the doctor had recommended he wear glasses while reading. They were essentially magnifying glasses which cut down on the amount of eye strain.

"Next time, wear your glasses."

Wufei let go of Heero's hand as they approached the stairs and gave his back a little shove, which was enough to make Heero lean forward a few inches.

"Shut up and go to bed."

Heero chuckled and started up the stairs. This was the best he'd felt since the explosion and for the first time he didn't feel the heaviness in his chest. This is what I wanted: Wufei with me, helping, but still treating me like me. I don't know what I would have done if he wasn't here.

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Wufei lay in bed, eyes closed and body relaxed, just waiting for sleep to overtake him. He thought back on the night and reading to Heero. It was weird reading to someone else. I wonder how Heero felt? Although he did look really relaxed.

Just as Wufei's mind started to shut down one last thought occurred to him and he made a mental note to look into it the next day.

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"What the hell is this?"

"A book."

"I can tell that for myself. Why the hell did you get me a book in Braille?"

"I thought you might like to read something on your own."

Silence hung in the room and Wufei stared at Heero who was sitting at the kitchen table, body rigid, clutching the book he'd just given him. After breakfast he'd told Heero he had to run a few errands and would be back in an hour or so. Last night it occurred to him that Heero could spend some of his time learning Braille. He saw no downside to the plan and truly thought Heero would appreciate the gesture. However, it appeared he'd been dead wrong.

Heero shoved the book away from him like a petulant child and stood up, leaving Wufei behind. Not wanting to drop the subject before it had even been picked up, Wufei followed Heero into the living room and stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, frowning at Heero as he threw himself on the sofa with a grunt.

"What's your problem? I thought you were looking for something to occupy your time."

"Not that."

"Why not? You enjoy reading."

Heero sat up and turned to Wufei, his anger evident.

"I like to read with my eyes, Chang. My eyes. Not my gods damned fingers!"

"But, Heero----"

"I will get my sight back! I don't need to learn Braille!"

And suddenly Wufei realized his grave miscalculation. He sighed and hung his head as he sat down in the chair opposite Heero.

"Heero….I'm sorry. That's not how I meant the book to be perceived. I just thought….you like to read and you're always up for a challenge and….I'm sorry."

Heero heard the regret in the quiet voice and he slumped back into the sofa with a sigh.

"So you haven't given up on me."

"I would never give up on you, Heero. You are one of the few constants in my life."

Heero was shocked not only to get a response to a thought he didn't realize he spoke aloud, but at the response itself. The voice may have been quiet, but it held a strong sense of conviction.

"Thank you."

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"As soon as I'm done the dishes we're going out for awhile."

"What?"

"I called the doctor yesterday and he said your skin should be healed enough for you to go outdoors for a little bit as long as the weather was decent. It's no big deal but I figured it would get you out of the house for awhile."

Heero couldn't recall the last time he felt so excited. He immediately stood up and started for the front door when Wufei called after him.

"Heero, stop!"

Wufei managed to grab Heero before he collided with the small table in the foyer by wrapping his arms around the man from behind. They stood there, Wufei's arms pinning Heero's to his side as his cheeks brushed against Heero's. Heero could feel his heart pounding in his chest and his cheeks burning from the closeness.

"Wu….fei?"

"You almost knocked over the foyer table. What were you thinking?"

"I….."

Heero took a deep, calming breath before answering. What the hell was I thinking? And why does Wufei being so close…..bother me?

"I guess I wasn't."

Wufei smiled and let go of Heero, placing his hand on his own bicep and guiding him back to the kitchen.

"I don't blame you for being excited about getting out of the house, but just give me a minute, ok?"

Heero yanked himself free of Wufei's guiding arm and stood rigid, hands clenched at his sides.

"Don't speak to me like I'm some child."

"Then stop acting like one."

Wufei wasn't about to back down from any of Heero's mood swings. He decided that the best way to deal with Heero's attitude was to give it right back. He wants to be treated like normal, then that's what he'll get.

The friends fell into a staring contest and Wufei couldn't help but think how he was at an extreme disadvantage.

"I refuse to participate in a staring match with a blind man. When you get your eyesight back, we'll have a fair contest. Agreed?"

Wufei's matter-of-act statement stunned Heero for a few seconds until finally he couldn't help but let a smirk break free. He scoffed and reached out a hand for assistance which was quickly enveloped within a warm hand.

"Deal."

To be continued…..