Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.
Hugs and kisses to everyone who has been kind enough to send me messages! I love them so! I wish I had the discipline to respond to each and everyone individually but, alas, you see how long it takes me to update, so image how long it would take to respond.
Anyway, the boys are taking a little trip today…enjoy!
Blind
Chapter 10
Wufei was grateful that Heero seemed to be himself the next morning, if a little tired. Apparently neither one of us got too much sleep last night. They continued along in their normal morning routine and by the time Duo arrived Wufei was cleaning up the breakfast dishes.
"Hey, 'Fei, you ready?"
"Right on time, Duo. How unusual for you."
"Well, since you didn't tell me where or what we'd be doing today, I figured I should be on time."
Wufei smiled and turned to Heero who was still sitting at the kitchen table.
"Ready to go?"
"I can make it to the living room myself. You two go on ahead."
"You misunderstand, Heero. You're going with us."
"What?!"
Wufei's malicious side was grinning from ear to ear as his two friends chimed in with the same question in unison.
"I've prepared lunches and I have drinks and snacks and all the necessary supplies for our day. Shall we, gentleman?"
Duo shrugged and started to leave the kitchen when Wufei called out to him.
"Duo. Would you mind helping Heero to the car? I'm going to get our stuff."
Wufei left the kitchen and Heero stood up, reaching out for Duo who offered an arm. The pair made their way to the car where they found Wufei already closing the trunk and getting in the backseat.
"Duo?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you…..mind that I'm coming with you two?"
"No. I was just a little surprised."
Duo's brow creased slightly at Heero's inquiry. Does he know how I feel about Wufei? How the hell could he know that?! Did being blind give him some sort of ESP? As Duo's mind continued to race with questions, he helped Heero into the car and walked around to the driver's side. He started the car and before he pulled away he looked in his rearview mirror and was pleased to see onyx eyes meet his gaze. Duo smiled as he put the car in drive and drove off.
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Wufei had tried to stay in the background as much as possible that day, allowing Heero and Duo to spend some time together. However, their enthusiastic friend was having no part of it and he kept bringing Wufei into the conversations or throwing an arm around his shoulders as the threesome awkwardly walked along the quiet streets of the seaside town before heading to the beach: Wufei trying to offer a steady arm to guide Heero while being crushed against Duo's side.
When they finally made their way to the beach they were surprised to find it so empty until Heero pointed out that it was the middle of the week and not quite summer yet. But that didn't stop Duo.
"Come on, 'Fei, let's go for a swim!"
"You go ahead, I'll wait here with Heero."
"Oh, come on!"
"Go."
Wufei looked from Duo to Heero, frowning. He didn't want to go off and leave Heero by himself, especially since Wufei and Duo being together seemed to bother Heero.
"No, I'll wait here. The water's too cold anyway."
Duo reached out and grabbed Wufei's upper arm, dragging him towards the water.
"You big sissy! I'm going to drag you in if it takes me all day!"
"Maxwell! Let go of me!"
"C'mon, 'Fei!"
Wufei and Duo grappled all the way to the ocean's edge, each gaining and losing advantages as they used all their hand-to-hand combat skills. But it was Duo who finally won, finding an opening and using it to lift Wufei up and toss him into the ocean.
"Ha!"
When Wufei emerged and found his footing he glowered at his triumphant friend.
"You will pay for this, Maxwell."
"Bring it on, Chang."
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Heero had tried to relax and enjoy his surroundings by pulling out a book and practicing his Braille. Oddly enough, concentrating on learning the form of communication had settled his anxiety about his injury. But he couldn't concentrate on his book due to the nearby sounds of Wufei's and Duo's friendly struggle. There was Duo's taunting voice and Wufei's irritated voice that was becoming progressively more like a growl with each new snide comment by Duo. Heero couldn't help but smile.
Then the sounds changed. The friends were no longer exchanging insults but blows instead. The sounds of grunts and the occasional sound of flesh being smacked filled the air and Heero lost his smile. They're wrestling. I should have known it would deteriorate into something like that with Duo around.
As Heero sat there and tried to read his book, the sounds of his friends' bout kept intruding and for the first time he realized how much fighting, wrestling specifically, sounded an awful lot like something else two half naked people would do. Heero felt his cheeks getting warm and he quickly tried to banish the images of a flush and sweaty Wufei from his mind.
Suddenly the sound of a splash and triumphant cry from Duo broke Heero from his tortured thoughts. Wufei lost. Great. It'll be his grumpiness and Duo's crowing for the rest of the day. Heero heard Wufei's retort and his ears perked up. He didn't sound pissed like usual. He sounded…...excited. Was he really joking last night, or trying to spare my feelings? And if he was trying to spare my feelings….how much does he know?
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Wufei landed on his back with Duo quickly pinning his hands above his head.
"Maxwell!"
"Admit it, 'Fei."
"Get off of me."
Duo leaned down, his amethyst eyes glinting with mischief. "Just say it."
Wufei looked up and watched, entranced as a droplet of water made its way slowly down a tendril of hair and hung there, teasing Wufei, making him wonder if it was going to drop on his face. Finally the small droplet of water splashed on his cheek and now Wufei focused on the amethyst eyes staring down at him and he couldn't help but feel the same way about the look in those eyes. He's teasing me, I know this. But that look….there's something there…
Duo started to close the small distance between them, the deep onyx eyes drawing him in. And just as they began sharing the same exhaled huffs of breath, Heero's voice sounded and Duo froze.
"Are you guys done fooling around? I'm getting hungry."
Onyx and amethyst stared at each other, blinking themselves back to reality. Suddenly, Wufei shoved Duo off and scrambled over to Heero who was still sitting where they left him. He sat down and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his shoulders before starting to unpack their lunch.
"I apologize, Heero. I hadn't meant to leave you alone for all this time."
"Don't apologize. You sounded like you were having fun."
Wufei didn't answer as he continued to unpack the lunch. When Duo sat down to join them, he noticed how tense Wufei was and saw his flushed face. He kept his eyes lowered and Duo knew better than to push his friend right now. But what was that? Was it just a moment, or was there something behind it?
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The car ride back to Heero's apartment was quiet for the most part. It had been a long day and everyone was tired. Wufei had receded into the background from lunchtime on feigning a headache, and left Duo and Heero to make their own entertainment. Duo checked the rearview mirror and saw glinting onyx eyes dart away quickly.
Duo had become aware of his crush on his longtime friend a few months back and had been debating ever since if risking their friendship was worth it. But now, after coming so close to kissing Wufei, he'd come to the conclusion that it was indeed worth it. Just wait until we get home, 'Fei. I'm not going to let this opportunity pass me by. I've been waiting and now's my chance.
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Wufei was thankful that Duo hadn't tried to push him into pretending to be a frolicking threesome after lunch. What had almost transpired between them had Wufei very upset and Duo was perceptive enough to see that and knew to back off. Thank goodness Heero doesn't suspect anything. If he knew….he'd think I was lying earlier about the joke and that we'd seriously slept together.
He'd claimed to have a headache and both men accepted the excuse without argument and the day continued. Wufei was happy to see Heero enjoying himself, but there was this little tickle of anxiety that wouldn't go away whenever he caught sight of the pair. I just want to get home and forget this whole day. But knowing Duo…..
Wufei let his eyes wander to the rearview mirror and he caught the partial reflection of Duo's face as he drove them all home, amethyst eyes watching him intently. Wufei looked away quickly, suddenly finding the passing lights fascinating. Damn you, Duo.
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Duo looked up as a door from the second landing slammed and saw Wufei standing there, looking frustrated. What were those two arguing about? I thought Heero said everything was working out well between them.
After having Heero kick him out of his bedroom saying in no uncertain terms, with a few expletives thrown in for color, that he was perfectly capable of putting himself to bed, Wufei reluctantly made his way down the staircase to see Duo waiting for him. His plan to avoid Duo thwarted, Wufei looked away and headed for the kitchen speaking to his friend who was following him.
"Today was fun, Duo, thank you for driving us to the beach."
"My pleasure."
Wufei began to unpack the picnic basket that he set on the kitchen table while trying to ignore the amethysts he knew were staring at him.
"Here, let me help you."
Duo reached in the basket but Wufei snatched the basket away and placed it on the counter opposite him, turning his back to his friend.
"You don't need to do that. You should just go home. It's been a long day."
"'Fei…."
Wufei hung his head and balled his hands into fists.
"Go home, Duo."
"Since when are you so eager to get rid of me?"
Duo took a step towards Wufei as the other man swung around and the pair almost collided. Wufei fell back against the counter, his hands bracing him and he glared at Duo.
"I am not eager to get rid of you. I'm just tired and---"
"Avoiding me." Wufei hung his head to avoid Duo's gaze and hide his warm cheeks. "Ever since we almost kissed you've been avoiding me."
Duo stepped into Wufei and rested his forehead against Wufei's. I have to take this chance. I have to know.
"I think we should kiss."
Wufei looked up, onyx eyes wide as he gazed at his close friend. Why does he want to kiss me?
"Are you insane?!"
"No. I just figured we should because whatever was happening back there was interrupted by Heero."
Wufei pushed Duo away and glared at him. He's just mocking me now. I should have known better!
"Stop playing around and get out, Maxwell!"
"I'm serious!"
Wufei saw the sincerity in the amethyst eyes and heard the indignant tone and his anger vanished.
"You're…..serious? But why…..would you want to kiss me?"
Duo's face morphed into his devilish smile that Wufei knew meant nothing but trouble. My god, what is he thinking now?
"I understand. You're afraid I'm a better kisser than you are."
Onyx eyes narrowed and Wufei's voice became dangerously low.
"Do you honestly think that childish psychology will work on me? Get out, Maxwell. Goodnight."
"Ok, ok, but I'm telling you….you're missing out."
Wufei grunted and turned back to unpacking the basket. I highly doubt kissing Duo would be the highlight of my day.
Suddenly Wufei was roughly whirled around from behind by a strong hand on his bicep and before he could react or say anything, he found himself being pressed against the counter, Duo's lips making a veritable feast of his own. Soft lips and a talented tongue coaxed Wufei's lips open and that's when Wufei lost all train of thought. When he finally regained his senses, he was leaning against the counter, panting and overheated, looking at an equally panting but very smug looking Duo.
"You're looking kinda flushed there, 'Fei so I better let you get some rest. We'll, uh, continue this later. Goodnight."
Wufei stood there until he heard the front door close, but then he immediately sank to his knees, covering his mouth as if preventing himself from screaming. His eyes gazed wide and unseeing at the floor and he was completely unaware of the man standing in the doorway.
To be continued…