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

Blind

Chapter 8

"Duo will be returning in a few days."

Wufei waited to see if he would receive an answer but Heero just sat there, staring straight out. Currently they were sitting on a bench overlooking a pond with ducks milling about, begging for food.

"He's going to be very mad."

"He knows I'm injured."

Thinking of how he was going to explain himself to Duo who he did in fact lie to, reminded Heero of something that he was curious about.

"Duo said you told him I was injured. How did you come by that information?"

Wufei flinched as he tossed a few more breadcrumbs to some passing ducks. I shouldn't lie to him, but….how foolish will I seem to say I had a nightmare?

"Well? It's not like you to spy on other people's missions."

"I wasn't spying! I was worried!"

Both men turned to face each other, each in shock. Heero was shocked to hear Wufei's reasoning and Wufei was shocked he'd admitted to such a thing. Knowing he was stuck now and had to tell the truth Wufei sighed and turned back to feeding the ducks.

"I had…..a nightmare. And I just couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong so I checked your mission status."

"You had a dream about me?"

"I guess. I don't really remember anything about it other than screaming your name and having this intense feeling of dread."

"It wasn't a dream then."

"Excuse me?"

"It was a vision. I was in danger."

Wufei turned to stare at Heero who was now facing downward as if staring at his hands which were currently busy pulling at a stray piece of string on his shirt hem. I suppose he's right. Although I don't recall seeing anything. It was just that awful feeling. Wufei brought his hand up to his chest and clutched at his shirt as the feeling of dread ghosted through him. That feeling……it was horrible. I felt helpless and I was so scared.

"So next time…..do you think you could get the message a little quicker?"

Wufei blinked a few times, processing Heero's request and before he could say anything, Heero turned to face him, a smile on his face. Wufei scoffed and smiled back, fighting the urge to hit Heero for his sarcasm. But his smile faded as he continued to face his grinning friend when he thought about how much he'd like to see sparkling cerulean eyes with the warm smile. He has such a wonderful smile. I'll do everything I can to make sure he keeps it.

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Wufei smiled as he turned his attention to the book laying in his lap. They'd been walking all morning and even stopped off at the grocery store on their way back. I can't believe how much he acts like a little kid at the grocery store. He's such an impulse buyer. And it's hardly ever anything good. How does he manage to stay in such good shape when he eats such unhealthy foods?

Wufei heard a small growl and he looked up to see Heero's lips pressed together in agitation. Currently he was sitting on the floor with a book and tape recorder sitting before him. He was wearing headphones and his fingers slowly made their way across the page.

Wufei had offered to help him learn Braille but he insisted on using the instructional tape that was included with the workbook, stating he believed the people on the tape knew more about teaching Braille than Wufei did. Since he had said it with a smirk on his face, Wufei knew Heero was just teasing and so just scoffed and let him do as he pleased. But he felt a little left out. I'm supposed to help him, not some stupid tape.

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The sound of the tape recorder clicking off caught Wufei's attention and he looked up from his book.

"So…are you an expert yet?"

"Hmph."

Wufei chuckled and stood up to retrieve the other tapes sitting on the side table. He leaned over and switched up the tapes and just as he was about to sit down, Heero spoke up.

"Hey, do you have a minute to help me with something?"

"Of course. What do you need?"

"I need you to sit with me for a moment. I want to try an experiment."

Happy to be of some help to Heero, Wufei took his place on the sofa and just as he was about to inquire what Heero's experiment was, he suddenly found Heero's hands on his face. Wufei jerked back with a startled noise.

"Hey. Stay still."

"Huh? What are you---?"

"I said stay still; otherwise I might poke you in the eye."

Wufei stayed perfectly still as Heero's fingertips slowly and cautiously explored his face. He closed his eyes as they lightly brushed over them.

"One of the exercises they suggest is tactile exploration. So I thought you would be a good subject."

Wufei felt his heart pounding in his chest and he tried to calm it with reason, but it didn't seem to have any effect. He's just learning. This is an experiment to help him better function without-----

You have very long and thick eyelashes."

Wufei opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. He wasn't even sure what to say to the comment. Besides, he didn't have time to think on it, because Heero's hands were now cupping his cheeks.

"You're blushing, aren't you? I can feel the heat on your cheeks."

Wufei figured the best plan of action was none at all, and that included speaking. What Heero didn't know was that it wasn't just his cheeks that were warm. His entire body was overheating from the small, inquisitive touches and observations.

Suddenly, fingertips brushed his lips and he jerked back again and gasped.

"What's wrong?"

"No…It's not….I just forgot…" Wufei stood up and headed up the stairs, calling down to Heero. "I owe Lady Une a progress report. I'm just going to grab my laptop."

Heero sat there and waited until he heard Wufei's door open, then he brought his fingertips to his own lips. Wufei…..you felt it too, didn't you?

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Wufei opened his bedroom door and quickly closed it, leaning his back against it and staring forward, his hand on his chest, trying to calm his thundering heart.

What was that? I wonder if he was completely oblivious to what he was actually doing. Knowing Heero, probably.

Thinking of his analytical friend Wufei scoffed and shook his head as he pushed off the door to retrieve his laptop.

I can't believe I let it get to me. Of course this was just another mission for Heero Yuy. Besides, he's already in love with his laptop.

Having a mental picture of a possessive Heero hugging his laptop to him as he slept peacefully brought a smile to his face and Wufei bounded down the stairs, properly armed to stand his ground against Heero's experiments.

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Heero listened to the familiar click clacking of fingers dancing across computer keys and Heero felt an itchy sensation in his fingers. He hadn't used his laptop in what seemed like ages and just hearing Wufei typing away was driving him mad with jealousy and withdraw.

Finally he stood up and made his way into the kitchen to get a drink. I have to get out of here. The sound is becoming cruel. As he made his way out of the grouping of living room furniture and covered the short distance to the kitchen, he detected a change in the typing tempo. It had slowed and there were little breaks in the rhythm.

Heero just smirked and shook his head. He's watching me, making sure I'm ok.

"You need anything while I'm up?"

The clacking stopped and there was a moment of silence until finally Wufei spoke up, casual and unassuming.

"I could go for a sandwich and soda, thanks."

The clacking immediately picked back up to its original tempo and Heero chuckled as he continued into the kitchen. Smartass.

To be continued….