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

Duo returns!!

Blind

Chapter 9

It was a bright sunny day with a blue sky and white puffy clouds with just the slightest breeze. Or so Wufei had informed him. And that's why he found himself walking through the park with Wufei, his hand holding onto a well-toned bicep to guide him. But despite the peaceful setting Heero found there was still a problem.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be outside. On the contrary, it was refreshing. And it wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with Wufei. He did want to spend time with his friend. As a matter of fact, he often requested to go on walks just so he could be close to the other man. And that was the problem.

Heero wasn't one to rely on others but this injury that had robbed him of his sight forced his hand. So logically he thought Wufei would be the best choice. They were of like temperaments. And things eventually worked themselves out to prove Heero's reasoning correct. However, having Wufei living with him created an unexpected dilemma.

When Heero would look ahead and think about the day he would regain his sight and no longer rely on Wufei, he felt…..disappointed. He'll leave and I'll be alone again. Heero never really had a problem with living by himself before and was thankful to have his own space away from everyone and everything. But living with Wufei had given him a new perspective on things. He found he liked having someone around. No, not someone. Wufei. I would never be able to tolerate anyone else. I learned that lesson with Duo.

Wufei felt Heero's grip on his arm tighten and he looked over at his friend.

"Is everything alright, Heero?"

"Of course."

As they continued their leisurely stroll, Heero started to think about the man at his side. The man whose presence he'd taken for granted for so long. He was never foolish enough to think that Wufei, or any of them, would be around forever. He was a realist after all. But since losing his sight and being with Wufei day in and day out, he'd come to appreciate many things about his friend that he never bothered to notice before.

The first thing he became aware of was the sound of Wufei's voice. He could have easily identified Wufei's voice amongst a thousand if necessary. But only recently could he describe it. It was deep, but usually soft on the ears, reflecting the man's physical strength tempered with grace. It was a voice that could quietly command even though Wufei preferred to work with a partner and not lead a team. And Heero also noticed that if he let himself just concentrate on the sound of Wufei's voice instead of his actual words, he felt as if it was covering him, like a warm blanket.

Another thing Heero had come to notice about Wufei was his smell. Never in his entire life had he ever noticed how someone smelled before, unless they were covered in filth or drenched in perfume, in which case he quickly walked away. But Wufei smelled of sandalwood and flowers. It wasn't overpowering and Heero couldn't really smell it unless Wufei was close. He remembered when he discovered a bar of soap that smelled of sandalwood and what he assumed was shampoo that gave him that vague floral scent in a shower caddy on the floor of his bathroom. He remembered being startled and feeling like some pervert when Wufei knocked on the bathroom door, asking if he was ok for taking so long. Being outdoors he really couldn't smell Wufei right now, even with their close proximity. But when the breeze died down, even for a few seconds, he was able to inhale the soothing scent and inwardly he smiled.

The most disturbing thing Heero had come to realize about his longtime friend was his soft skin and how much he enjoyed feeling it. Whether he was guiding Heero with an arm when they walked or placing his hands on objects to give him some perspective, Heero took full advantage of Wufei's touch. His hands, which he thought would be calloused like his own after years of handling guns and working on machinery, were soft. Could it be that sandalwood soap?

As they continued on their leisurely walk Heero's thoughts remained on the man walking next to him and he felt a tightness growing in his chest that worried him.

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Duo was surprised when Wufei answered the phone at Heero's house, but accepted the excuse of Heero being detained in the bathroom. However, when he showed up the next day and Wufei answered the door, his suspicious nature kicked in.

"Hey, 'Fei. What're you doing here?"

"Come on in, Duo."

Duo frowned at the brusque greeting and only entered the apartment enough for Wufei to close the door. Wufei walked so he was in front of Duo, partially blocking the walkway into the living room, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Uh, 'Fei? Is…..something going on I should know about?"

"Yes. But before I tell you, I want you to promise me that you will not go ballistic."

Duo's face darkened and he strode towards Wufei but his friend stiff-armed him in the chest, halting his progress.

"What's going on, 'Fei? Just tell me----"

"Promise me, first."

Duo saw the warning in Wufei's eyes and he took a deep breath, knowing arguing wasn't going to get him anywhere.

"Fine. I promise. Now please---"

"Heero was injured on his last mission."

"O-Okay. So he's injured. Why the big production?"

Wufei could hear the panic in Duo more than the young man was letting on. He's going to go crazy no matter what promise he made. Oh well, might as well get this over with.

"He's blind, Duo."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I….I can't believe you didn't tell me."

Heero wasn't surprised at the hurt and anger coming from his friend. Duo had returned from his mission two days ago and when he stopped by today to see how Heero was enjoying his vacation, he'd been shocked to find out the truth.

Wufei had stopped him in the foyer and told him what happened. There had been lots of yelling but Wufei managed to calm Duo down enough before leaving him in the living room to talk with Heero. They sat there in silence for quite awhile and Heero would have questioned whether or not Duo was still there if he hadn't smelled his cologne and heard him sigh every couple of minutes.

"Duo, I didn't tell anybody."

"You told Wufei!"

"I needed his help."

"Why didn't you need my help? Why didn't you ask me to stay with you? Oh wait! You did ask for my help. You asked me to clean your apartment and buy groceries like a god damn maid!"

"Enough!"

Duo was sitting on the edge of the sofa, his anger not dissipating in the face of Heero's own anger. He sat there, scowling at his best friend, waiting for his excuses.

"You had a mission and I didn't want you worrying about me to interfere." Heero thought about sparing Duo's feelings and just leaving it at that, but he realized that Duo had always been honest with him and there was no reason for him not to do the same. "And even if you didn't have a mission, I would have still asked for Wufei. He and I are very alike and he understands my need to be independent."

"But you're blind!"

"And you're too kindhearted." Heero's voice lost its edge and volume. "You would have insisted on doing everything for me and as well-intentioned as you would have been, I would have hated you for it."

Duo sighed and slumped back into the sofa, defeated. Heero was right. Duo would have doted on him and not let him do a thing for himself. Whether it was eating, dressing, going to the toilet or just walking around his house, Duo would have been there to assist him in everything.

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yeah. You needed a hard ass like yourself and that's definitely Wufei." Both men chuckled, while upstairs Wufei sneezed. "We're ok, Heero. I just wish I could help, ya know?"

"You can."

"Really? How?"

Heero heard the enthusiasm in Duo's voice and he hoped his friend kept it after he made his request.

"I need you to get Wufei out of the apartment."

"Huh? Why?"

"He's been stuck here with me since I got back and he needs to get out for a bit."

"Um….ok."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Duo stood up and faced the loft and yelled. "Hey, Wufei!" It didn't take long for a door to open and for Wufei to appear at the railing. "Heero says you're smothering him and that I should take you away for a few hours. Tomorrow good for you?"

Heero just shook his head while Duo grinned up at him. Wufei couldn't help the smile as he kept his gaze on Heero.

"Tomorrow sounds fine. Be here at 9am." Wufei saw Heero stiffen and he looked up in apparent surprise. Wufei's smile grew a fraction. "Did you need anything else?"

"Nope."

"Alright. Well, call me when you're both hungry and we'll order out."

Duo saw the glint in the onyx eyes and the almost malicious smile from their friend and knew that he'd gotten Heero in trouble. Which was what he'd intended to do. He sat back down with a satisfied grin on his face and looked over to his best friend. By body language alone Duo could see how mad Heero was. Man, if he could see right now, I bet that glare would kill me where I sit.

"Will that be the extent of your childish revenge or should I expect more?"

Duo chuckled at the positively acidic tone being directed his way.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and find out."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wufei closed the door behind Duo and returned to the living room. The threesome had eaten a leisurely dinner and had enjoyed Duo's extensive knowledge of the local gossip before Wufei finally kicked him out around 10p.m.

"Are you ready for bed?"

"Wufei…"

"Yes?"

"I didn't tell Duo you were smothering me."

"I know."

"Good."

Heero felt a presence in front of him and he reached out, his hand quickly enveloped within Wufei's. He allowed himself to be guided to the stairs and then Wufei let go to allow Heero to navigate them alone as he stayed a few paces behind. As they ascended the staircase Heero decided to voice his curiosity.

"Why did you agree to go out with Duo so easily?"

"Why not? Duo's my friend. We've gone out before."

Heero stopped and turned back towards the sound of Wufei's voice, unable to keep the surprise from his own.

"You have?"

"Sure."

"What did you do?"

Wufei shrugged. "Just normal stuff. Why?"

"Like what?"

"Heero….Why all the questions? Do you see me as some sort of hermit? Or perhaps I'm not fun enough for Duo?"

"No, it's not that at all. I'm just…..surprised."

"Well then sound surprised and not like an interrogation officer. C'mon."

Once they reached the top of the stairs, Heero felt his way along the bare wall to the second door and entered his bedroom. Wufei automatically went to retrieve a t-shirt and tossed it on the bed next to Heero who had already removed his shirt and socks and was standing up to take his pants off.

Wufei collected the discarded clothes and deposited them in the hamper while trying not to look at the half naked man in the room. Once dressed, Heero made his way into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Wufei winced when he heard the cup hit the floor and he waited to hear if Heero would ask for assistance, but no request came and eventually Heero emerged and climbed into his bed.

"Goodnight, Heero."

"Wait." Wufei turned around in the doorway and regarded the man sitting in his bed. "You never answered my question."

"Which one. There were so many."

Wufei smirked as he watched Heero's lips press together in a thin line of annoyance.

"What did you and Duo do when you went out?"

Wufei frowned. Why is he so stuck on this? Is he so bored he has nothing better to do than grill me with questions? Or is Duo finally becoming a bad influence on him?

"Lots of things. Dinner, drinking, sex, basketball, wor---"

"What?!"

"I'm trying to answer your question, Heero, don't yell."

Wufei stared at Heero, not having to hide his smile, but keeping his voice casual. He didn't know why Heero was so curious about him and Duo, but he was going to make him pay for it. Beings friends with Duo Maxwell all these years, something was bound to rub off and apparently it was Duo's tendency to tease his friends.

Wufei waited for Heero to say something, but for several moments he just sat there, looking blindly towards Wufei. Then the Chinese man noticed the clenched fists and the flushed cheeks. Oh shit. Does he have a thing for Duo? Oh no…the room. Does he keep the room for Duo? Is it his way of keeping him around longer?

"Heero. You know I was kidding, right? You may be blind right now but you're not gullible."

Heero felt his heart start to beat again as his mind came out of its shock. Of course he was joking. I knew that, right? But….why did I feel like my heart was just ripped out? Could I really be jealous of Wufei and Duo spending time together?

"Heero?" Heero started slightly and shook his head as he began to lie down in his bed. "Hey, are you alright?" Wufei walked up to the bed and reached out for Heero but the cold voice stopped him and he backed away.

"I just have a headache. Goodnight."

"A-alright." Wufei looked back at the figure in the bed, fearful he had upset Heero with his little joke. I didn't know. I'm sorry, Heero. "Goodnight."

Wufei wandered into his bedroom and threw himself on the bed with a sigh, his arm coming to rest over his eyes. How was I supposed to know Heero had a thing for Duo? I didn't even know he was gay.

After a few minutes of feeling guilty for joking with Heero about an unknown sensitive subject, Wufei stood up and threw his clothes in the hamper and crawled into bed. Normally he would wear pajamas but Heero kept his place too warm for his liking when it came to sleeping so he opted for nothing other than boxers. Besides, who's going to see me?

As Wufei lay there he thought of Heero and Duo as a couple and his brow furrowed. He'd known them for years and had seen enough of their friendship to doubt that they'd ever work as a couple. They had lived together at one point but it didn't last long and Wufei got the impression that it was Heero who ended it for whatever reason.

And being Duo's best friend earned Heero the distinct pleasure of strong arms wrapping around his shoulders and leading him wherever or pulling him down into an impromptu wrestling match. In other words, Duo and Heero had already gotten as physically close as two people could get without having sex.

But their personalities……they say opposites attract but I don't think Heero prescribes to that theory. So then…..who is Heero's type?

Realizing he wouldn't be getting to sleep any time soon, Wufei contemplated his own question.

The person would have to be athletic but not bulging with muscles. They couldn't be too flashy with either their personality or their image. He has simple but refined tastes in most things. Outdoorsy. A dry and dark sense of humor. They'd have to be strong mentally. He comes with a lot of baggage and needs someone who will accept him, no questions asked.

Wufei scoffed as he rolled over and kicked his feet out from under the covers to cool his body down. Good luck finding somebody like that, Heero.

To be continued….