Married For A Week

Yaoi, Lime/Lemon, Romance, Humor, Angst, OC’s, and some *oddities*

All legal disclaimers apply

Married For A Week

“I HAVE TO GET MARRIED!”

Wufei looked up and blinked at the frantic Duo who was currently in engaged in trying to choke himself with his braid. “Maxwell!” Wufei jumped to his feet and ran across the room.

“Dammit, Wu, let me end it all!” Duo howled as Wufei’s hands closed over his and began to pry them away from his braid. “I WANNA DIE!”

“No!” Wufei yelped as he flew backwards as Duo’s fingers let go of his braid and reached out to swipe at Wufei instead.

“Damn!” Wufei cursed angrily under his breath and sat up, scowling at Duo from beneath fine black strands.

Duo almost burst out laughing. Wufei was just *too* impossibly cute lying back, supporting his weight on his arms and scowling like a wounded puppy under all that hair. He half expected Wufei to bristle or something to that effect. Duo blinked. < Am I comparing prickly, cranky, irritable *Wufei* too a cute, affectionate lil’ puppy dog? Damn, how much oxygen did my braid cut off? >

By this time Wufei had all his hair secured in his customary ponytail and was on his feet. “Pray tell why you *have* to get married.”

Duo’s gaze flickered down to his feet and kicked at imaginary dust as he muttered, “I’ve kinda been writing to my family-,”

“Family? What! You said you were an orphan! As in having *NO* family!”

“Um…did I mention I had a sis-,”

“Dear God in Heaven above,” Wufei rattled off as his jaw dropped.

“You’re a Buddhist.”

“Oh yeah,” Wufei didn’t seem to really care about his religion at the moment as he groped for a chair. “So you’ve had a *sister* all these years and let us all keep thinking you didn’t have a family!” Duo wasn’t expecting what happened next.

Wufei’s hand shot out and administered a swift blow to Duo’s jaw. “What the *FUCK* were you thinking!”

“SHIT!” Duo yelled as the force of Wufei’s fist sent his head reeling. “Dammit, I don’t *know* why! All these years I thought she was *dead*! I thought she was dead! My baby sister dead! That’s why I was in gang! Do you really think I would’ve been a street kid like that if my baby sister were alive? Hell no!”

“But she’s not…” Wufei was finding this concept hard to grasp. “How did you find her?”

“I didn’t. She found me.” Duo turned and stuffed his hand in his mouth, gnawing away at an already bitten thumbnail. “Yuck,” he made a face as he removed his hand and wiped it down the front of his shirt. Wufei rolled his eyes. Even during these-confidential talks, Wufei was wont to call them-Duo still acted like the slob he was.

“And?” Wufei prompted.

“She grew up thinking she was a war orphan. She’s married. She has a little boy named Jeffy. Isn’t that cute?” Duo flashed Wufei a smile-not a cocky grin, but a real smile. “I’m an uncle, how bout that? Anyways,” Duo picked up his tale, realizing Wufei was about to explode, “Her husband works with the Preventors-small world eh?-and he was transferring into my department. So Une, she tells me I’ve got to show him the ropes and all. And I make my usual smart ass remarks and all, but do my duty and show him around. And then one day, we’re talking about the war, you know it’s inevitable these days-and he mentions his wife is a war orphan. And I’m all sympathetic and stuff because I’m one too. And then he shows me a picture of his family and I swear my jaw hit the ground. Because I’m looking at my baby sister, only she’s not a baby anymore, she’s twenty years old. And…” Duo turned and flashed Wufei a reminiscent of his old cocky grin. “The rest is history.”

“But how…” Wufei was at a lost. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“I don’t know.” Duo sighed and gazed out the window. “I guess at first I couldn’t believe it. And then…I don’t know. But I’ve wanted to tell you guys so bad. You mostly.”

“Me?” Wufei was surprised to say the least. < Oh shit, he’s going to get all touchy-feely! >

“Yes you. You lost someone you cared about too-you lost your whole colony. And you-you’ve never rolled your eyes at my stories. You’ve always listened even if you don’t believe me. That means a lot,” Duo turned away and gazed out the window, a little embarrassed at revealing some of his thoughts.

“But what does a sister have to do with you getting married?”

Duo smiled a bit wanly at him. “A little while after we found each other, I got transferred-to your department, remember how *happy* you were when you found out we were partners?” Duo’s voice was blatantly sarcastic and Wufei reddened a little as he remembered how he’d stirred hell, trying to get Duo transferred out of his department. Funny, now he’d raise hell to get Duo to *stay* in his department.

“Anyways, we kept writing and she started asking about any romantic relationships-kinda like a mother would I guess.” Duo swallowed harshly, “So I kinda told her that I was dating a girl…that we were getting pretty serious and that I was thinking about marriage-,”

“Hilde?” Wufei’s eyebrow shot up. Funny, he was suddenly starting to really *hate* the innocent girl.

“No!” Duo was turning a vivid red, “I made her up! And then I did something *really* stupid and told her I eloped!”

“WHAT?” Wufei just about jumped out of his skin. “You told your sister you eloped with an *imaginary* girl? Maxwell, what the fuck is going on in that mind of yours?”

“I don’t KNOW! She was just so happy about me getting over the war and leading a normal life…and I didn’t want to hurt her…”

“So you made up an imaginary girlfriend?”

“No…” Duo was feeling truly sick now. < Oh shit, here it comes, the big confession thing! Maybe I shouldn’t have skipped Confession so many times back at the church, then I’d know what to do… > “She wasn’t all fake,” Duo swallowed audibly, and closed his eyes, before saying in a low rush. “IkindabasedthegirlonYOU!”

“On *me*?” Wufei repeated dumbly. He was starting to feel like a real idiot, something that didn’t happen often. < Now I know how it feels to be a ‘dumb blond’ >

“I’m sorry, but you were the only person I could think of the at the first letter and it kinda grew from there-God, I’ve been so stupid-,”

“Yes you have,” Wufei agreed. “But don’t you see, you have to tell your sister the truth! She’ll hate you if you don’t!”

“But she’ll hate me even more if I do.”

“What? Why?” There had to be some catch he was missing, Wufei was *sure* of it!

Duo lifted torture-filled eyes to Wufei. “Wu…I’m gay. Do you know what that would *do* to my sister if she knew?”

#@#@#@

Duo’s eyes suddenly filled with tears and without warning he clamped his hands over his mouth and ran.

Wufei was too dumbstruck to move. He knew he should go after the braided baka, but he couldn’t move. It was too much of a shock for him.

< So…Duo’s got a sister. And Duo needs to get married. And Duo’s gay. > This was too much for the average human male to comprehend. Especially if the average human male had just had a very *explicit* dream concerning a fellow average human male the night before. Wufei blushed. He hadn’t remembered that dream until that moment.

< Oh fuck. What am I supposed to do? Prance into Duo’s room and say I’m gay too, let’s go party? Oooh *man*! > Wufei groaned and buried his head in his hands. He’d never been good with this sympathy stuff.

Wufei very reluctantly got to his feet and started up the stairs.

#@#@#@

“Maxwell?” Wufei rapped at the bathroom door hesitantly. < If he has to have a hissy fit and lock himself in a room, why can’t it ever be at *HIS* house? Why is it always at *MINE*? >

The door opened and a hyperactive Duo bounced out. “WUFEI! I figured out what I’m going to do!” Duo shouted joyfully, latching on to Wufei. Wufei was reminded of a leech as Duo refused to get off of him.

“Gerroff.”

“Oops…” Duo let go Wufei rather sheepishly and folded his hands behind his back. “So, do you wanna hear my plan?”

“No.”

“But it concerns you.”

*That* caught Wufei’s attention. “Spill. Now.”

“See, all’s you hafta do is dress up like a girl and pretend to be married to me the week my sister and her family comes to visit!” Duo smiled cheerfully, praying to God Wufei wouldn’t kill him.

“**WHAT**?!?!?!?” Wufei literally, almost hit the roof.

“Jeez, its not that horrible.”

“NO! Why can’t you just tell her the truth?”

“We’ve only known each other again for the past eight months. I don’t want her to hate me.”

“You don’t *have* to tell her your gay; its none of her business anyhow!”

“Wu…please.” Duo turned big, amethyst eyes upon Wufei.

< Damn. He spends too much time with Winner… > Only Quatre’s eyes were ever *this* pathetically hopeful and pleading.

“Why me?” Wufei compromised finally. There. He hadn’t said he do it, but he wasn’t saying he wouldn’t either.

Duo’s eyes lit up. “Because the girl I described…she looked like a female version of you. And since she acts like you, you wouldn’t have to learn anything! Only to call me by my first name and not to yell ‘onna’ and ‘weak woman’! That’s it!”

Wufei gazed at Duo. He *really* didn’t want to do this. But Duo was so hopeful and really, it was his baby *sister*…Wufei couldn’t be responsible for breaking up a family, could he?

“As the wife, I’d be expected to cook. What do you like to eat?”

#@#@#@

“So…how do I look?” Wufei asked stiffly, entering the family room.

Duo took one look at him and fell on the floor, convulsing in laughter. Wufei sniffed and stepped over him in a haughty manner, over to Sally and Noin, who after careful consultation (meaning they drew names out of a hat) had been employed into teaching Wufei how to be a girl. Both girls had their hands cupped over their mouths, but their hands weren’t large enough to cover the exceptionally large grins, which adorned both faces.

“Shut up,” Wufei snarled as Noin opened her mouth. Noin closed it, most likely to keep from snickering, rather than obey Wufei.

After hours of arguing, Wufei had been wrestled into more feminine clothing-a blue jean skirt and a white blouse-and after more arguing, he had been dragged out into the open.

“Shall we begin?” Sally asked, not entirely able to stop from smiling.

“Please,” Wufei mumbled, training his eyes on Duo’s shaking form. “Is something funny Maxwell?”

“Two things,” Noin spoke up. “Duo, as your husband, is known as *Duo* not *Maxwell*. Secondly, your voice is too deep.”

“What?” Wufei looked at her blankly. “My voice is just fine!”

“No! Too deep for a girl! Raise your voice a bit,” Noin instructed. Wufei glared. “C’mon, say hello.”

“Hello,” Wufei obeyed, his voice a high falsetto. Duo fell on his back in silent laughter, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Chill,” Sally gave Duo a concerned look as she stepped up to Wufei. “We’ll work on the voice later. I’m more concerned about his figure than his voice.”

“What!” Wufei gazed down at his figure, his nose wrinkling at the clothing. “I’m not fat!”

“No, you’re *muscular*! No woman has biceps like that!” Sally explained, rolling her eyes. “Stick to long, loose sleeves and ankle-length skirts.”

“*Skirts*?” Wufei squeaked out.

“Or loose jeans. Nothing tight,” Sally compromised. Wufei looked highly relieved. Skirts…he shuddered at the thought. Never mind he was wearing one at the moment.

“Um…” Noin gave a weak grin and said. “His chest.”

“Oh yeah,” Sally’s eyes fastened on Wufei’s chest. Wufei flushed and crossed his arms in front of him.

“Stop staring at me like that!”

Duo sat up and leaned against the couch, apparently through laughing for a time.

“Why are you all staring at my chest?” Wufei cried in confusion.

“You’re *flat*!” Noin blurted out. Sally smiled quietly behind her hand and Duo rolled under the couch, shaking it with his laughter.

“No.” Wufei said flatly. “I am not wearing a-erm, *binder*!”

“A *binder*?” Sally and Noin dissolved into giggles.

“WUFEI! YOU’RE A HORRIBLE GIRL!” Duo shrieked from under the couch. “YOU’RE GOING TO SCREW US ALL!”

“Well if you weren’t so scared of your own *sister*!” Wufei barked, kicking the couch, “Then I wouldn’t have to BE a stupid WOMAN!”

The irony of the situation was too much and much to Wufei’s displeasure, the other three could not keep from giggling.

#@#@#@

“Say hello,” Sally instructed.

“Hello.”

“Good.”

“Walk,” Noin ordered. Wufei did so.

“No! You don’t swing your *butt*, you *swing* your *hips*!” Noin shrieked, dropping her clipboard and scrambling over to Wufei.

“There’s a difference?” Wufei asked blankly.

“Yes!” Duo squeaked hoarsely from the sofa. After a few days of constant laughter, his voice had given out and he was restrained to giving only hoarsely whispered comments and drinking herbal tea.

“Look,” Noin instructed, walking across the room. “See that?”

“Yeah.”

“Do it.”

Wufei began to walk across the room, swinging his hips in an exaggerated motion. “DAMN!” Noin yelled. “YOU’RE HOPELESS!”

“I dunno,” Duo croaked, a smirk spreading across his face. “I kinda *liked* watching Wu swing his ass all over the place!”

Wufei shot him a *very* nasty look and stalked over to Sally’s side. “*YOU* don’t *swing* when you walk, why should *I* swing?”

“Because otherwise you take *strides* not *steps*!” Sally yelped. She put her hands on Wufei’s hips. “Now, I’m going to *guide* you, so do it right!”

“Or?” Wufei prompted.

“Or I’ll kick your ass. Now *walk*!”

Wufei did so, turning around at the end and smirking. “There. I *stepped* instead of *striding*. Now what?”

“The clothes. You need to change into your-,” Sally paused, snickered, and said, “skirt.” Noin snickered as Wufei passed her and he administered a sharp rap on the head as he passed.

“GIRLS *KICK* AND *POKE*! THEY DON’T HIT!” Noin shrieked after him.

“Oh, fuck you.”

There was a long moment of silence, broken by the wheezy laughter of Duo.

#@#@#@

“NO!” Wufei looked horrified as he stumbled backwards. “I will *not* wear it!”

“C’mon, you *have* too!”

“Why?” Wufei questioned, wide eyed with disbelief.

“One, they’ll look fake if they’re sewn into the shirt, two you can’t wear the same shirt all the time, and three, any girl will think its odd you can’t see or feel the outline of a bra!” Noin snapped.

“Why would they be looking or feeling!” Wufei was horrified.

“She’ll look because she’ll be overprotective of Duo and be looking for *some* oddity about you and she’ll probably hug you, therefore she will be feeling your back *and* the outline! Now put it on!” Sally explained, holding out the undergarment to Wufei.

Wufei groaned and yanked it out of Sally’s hand. “This is *so* dishonoring,” he moaned, removing his blue tank top.

“Oh, and put this on to while you’re at it,” Sally tossed him a long-sleeved tee shirt that read ‘Damn I’m Good’ in hot pink letters.

“No. I refuse to.”

“Would you rather wear a skirt and blouse?” Noin threw in pointedly. Wufei gnashed his teeth and grabbed the shirt, ducking behind a door to change.

A few moments later, he cried in a strangled tone, “How do you snap this thing up?”

“Men,” Sally sighed, walking around and untangling the bra. “You’re hopeless.”

#@#@#@

“Make-up?” Wufei repeated, staring at himself in the mirror. He was wearing the tee shirt, a pair of jeans and a stuffed bra which looked *extremely* strange on him.

Duo was in the background, biting his tongue to keep from laughing. After Wufei had used martial arts in some *very* vulnerable places and after the girls had pointed out he couldn’t be laughing at his ‘wife’ all the time, he’d been working on not laughing at Wufei.

“Yes, make-up. Even *we* use some and we’re not exactly the spokeswomen for CoverGirl,” Sally smiled wryly, reaching over and yanking out Wufei’s ponytail.

“*HEY*!”

“You look too masculine with the tail,” Sally explained.

Noin looked at him critically. “At least he has a round face, he looks more like a girl with his hair down.”

“I’M NEVER LETTING MY HAIR DOWN AGAIN AFTER THIS WEEK!” Wufei screamed.

“Shhh,” Noin hissed, pressing her hands over his mouth. “Your mouth needs to be still while I put your lip gloss on.”

Duo forgot his resolution not to laugh as Wufei’s horror-struck eyes met his in the mirror.

#@#@#@

“Is he-erm-she-no, he-IS WUFEI READY?” Duo bellowed, rushing through the front door and skidding to a stop as a *very* different looking Wufei entered the corridor. Duo’s jaw dropped.

“What?” Wufei muttered, suddenly self-conscious as Duo’s eyes raked his form.

“I’d say we did a good job,” Sally announced, draping an arm around Wufei’s neck.

“Get off you stupid baka onna.”

“Tsk tsk, is that how you’re going to treat your sister-in-law?” Noin chastised, coming up behind Wufei. Wufei turned green, a color that clashed *horribly* with his purple eye shadow.

“Wu…” Duo grinned at him. “You make one helluva woman!”

“Shut up!”

“I’m the husband, you have to obey me,” Duo stuck his tongue out at Wufei.

“I’m going to *yank* that tongue *out* of your mouth and *bolt* it above the doorway unless you put it back *in* your mouth!” Wufei snarled.

Duo crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out again before resuming his normal facial expression. “Gee, I hope your not *always* this cranky, I don’t wanna have to wake up to *that* every morning!”

“Must I remind you that *you* are the one in need here, not *me*? I could leave at *any* moment,” Wufei said icily.

“No you *can’t*!” Sally growled fiercely. “You let all of our hard work go to waste and I will personally find you, kick your ass, kill you and then dig you up again to do it all again!”

“As much as I *hate* to break into this woman-to-woman chat,” Duo interrupted-Wufei shot Duo a surprisingly decent imitation of Heero’s death glare-, “But my wife and I simply *must* be going! Toodles!”

“Wait!” Noin called. “If anyone ever asks why your being so irritable or something, just tell ‘em-,”

“To fuck off, c’mon let’s go,” Duo filled in, grasping Wufei by the arm.

“-that it’s PMS!”

“What’s that?” Duo stopped and turned around, his eyebrow rising quizzically.

Sally and Noin giggled and Wufei blushed heavily beneath the make-up Noin had applied. “Never mind,” Noin giggled out. “Wufei was married. He should know.”

“Wu? What’s-,”

“Let’s go!” Wufei interrupted loudly, whisking Duo down the hall.

Sally and Noin were forced to hold on to each other to keep from collapsing with laughter as Duo yelled impatiently, “WHAT’S PMS?”

#@#@#@

“Ma-Duo…you never told me your sister’s name.”

“Voice,” Duo reminded Wufei, his eyes fastening on the road ahead of them.

Wufei rolled his eyes and repeated himself, his voice an octave or two higher, “What’s your sister’s name?”

“Her name’s Erin. Her husband’s name is Tim and I’ve told you about their kid, Jeffy.”

Wufei smirked. “Duo and Erin? Weird names…”

“My parents didn’t name me Duo. I don’t remember my real name. I was only about five when they died-Erin was three. Some social worker lady found us and separated us…I was told Erin was dead. She was dead. Mommy and Daddy were dead. I had nothing left to lose so I ran for it. I found Solo and his gang…and you know the rest.”

Wufei trained his dark eyes on Duo’s form. He’d never heard anyone so emotionless when talking about their pasts…especially if their pasts were this painful. < Mommy and Daddy…why would he call them that? Most kids outgrow that… > Wufei’s eyes widened with painful realization. Duo had never grown out of calling his parents Mommy and Daddy because they had *died* while he still did. Just like Quatre always referred to his mom as Mother without knowing her, it was habit for Duo too. Wufei thought fretfully as his throat constricted painfully at the thought of a motherless Duo.

“It’s cool Wu. I’ve gotten over their deaths. I did years ago-after the war, I did go to that shrink like Quatre suggested. According to him, I’ve got some mental blocks or somethin’ so I don’t remember my real name and stuff. But that’s cool. That just makes me special like Trowa ‘cause I ain’t got a memory!”

Wufei’s heart ached at the careless, sarcastic tone of Duo. Unknowingly, he reached out placed his hand gently on Duo’s knee.

“Wufei?” Duo’s tone was surprised, but not altogether disapproving as Wufei’s hand remained on his knee.

“Shhh,” Wufei murmured, unsure of what he was doing as he rubbed Duo’s knee gently. < Oh shit! I *am* becoming like a woman, I’m getting all touchy-feely! > Wufei thought in horrification. “It’s okay.”

“Wu-*please*,” Duo’s voice was dry as Wufei’s gentle massage continued. “I’m trying to drive!” Duo squeaked out as Wufei’s hand traveled up his leg…and across the seat to fold primly in Wufei’s lap. < What was *that* all about? >

As if answering Duo’s unspoken thought, Wufei asked lightly, “So, did I act like a proper wife?”

#@#@#@

“And so I said-,”

Wufei was beginning to tune Duo out as the young American babbled endlessly about nothing, jiggling his leg up and down, and hopping up occasionally to look out the window at the planes flying overhead.

< Does he *ever* shut up? > Wufei thought painfully, as Duo tried to stuff a dollar bill into the coin slot of a vending machine. He answered himself suddenly:

< Actually, he only babbles like this when he’s really nervous….why do we always yell at him for talking too much? He usually has a point to what he says; he just says it in more words because it’s his personality. Duo never *really* babbles mindlessly like we say he does… >

Great. Life was peachy-keen. Not only was he wearing a skirt, he was wearing makeup and a *bra* with the instructions to plead feminine weakness whenever someone asked him why he was so cranky. And now, he was beginning to actually *understand* and possibly have *affectionate* tendencies towards Duo! Life was just grand!

Wufei was not very pleased at the moment.

“Attention! Attention! Flight 3411 arriving from-,” the announcer’s voice was cut off at Duo’s enthusiastic shout.

“FLIGHT 3411! THAT’S HER! THAT’S MY SISTER!”

Wufei glared at the lenient people who threw compassionate smiles at him. < They don’t know anything about him! How dare they think they’re so understanding! *I* am the one who understands him! Not them! *Me*! > Wufei blinked. Where had that thought come from? Since when was it *his* special privilege to understand Duo?

Duo was standing right beside the ropes that formed a narrow runway to allow the plane’s passengers to exit, a ridiculously jubilant grin pasted on his face. Wufei felt a sudden pang of…regret, maybe? What would it be like to have Duo waiting for *him* like that?

< Oh great. Now I’m starting to get sappy. What’s *in* this lip-gloss? >

#@#@#@

Duo shifted his weight impatiently. < Why is it taking so long? I want to see Erin! I need to see her! I need too know it’s not all a dream, that I’m not all alone! >

Duo suddenly bit down on his lower lip. He didn’t want to remember being alone. He’d been alone for as long as he could remember. < No one else understands it. This terrible loneliness that won’t go away. Quatre has his stupid Maguanac people thingies and Trowa has his circus and Heero…well Heero at least has Relena. > In Duo’s mind Relena was a well-meaning, annoying little girl that had gotten in *way* over her head and ultimately made a mess of things. < And Wufei-no, Wufei doesn’t have anyone. His wife is dead. His whole colony is dead. And despite the rumors, he hasn’t got a thing going on with Sally-good otherwise I’d have to kick Sally’s ass. > Duo blinked. < Why do I even care? All’s I want is to see my sister and feel, for a little while that I have someone to belong too. >

“Duo?”

“AAA!” Duo screamed and jumped, his hand flying out.

Wufei caught his fist in mid-air. “What the hell d’you think you’re doing?” he yelled, his voice changing from its normal tone to a higher one in mid-shout.

The sight of Wufei in a skirt, in make-up, and a high voice and the fact that his chest was moving up and down *very* obviously with each breath was really too much for Duo and he burst into laughter. “Something amusing?” Wufei growled, his voice still ridiculously high.

“You,” Duo chortled out, grabbing onto Wufei for support. “Ahaha! You look so *funny*!”

“Glad I amuse you,” Wufei squeaked out. “But could you let go of me? I can’t breathe!”

Duo managed to control his laughter long enough to realize he *was* holding Wufei rather tightly… “Oops,” he mumbled, releasing Wufei just the *tiniest* bit. “Sorry.”

“You’re still holding onto me,” Wufei pointed out, tipping his head upwards to look Duo in the eye. Bad idea. Now he was in the perfect position to be kissed and Wufei was distinctly aware of the fact. < SHIT! I don’t *want* him to kiss me! > There seemed to be a faintly mocking silence in his mind. < I’m serious! > Wufei snapped at himself.

“Wu,” Duo’s voice was slightly strangled. < Oh God, I *REEEAAALLLY* wanna kiss him! > Whoa. Duo’s eyes widened. < Dammit! I’m not supposed to be feeling like this! >

< Fine! Maybe I’m just a *smidgen* curious as to what it would be like to kiss Duo! > Wufei relented angrily. His eyes softened though and his lips parted expectantly. “Duo?”

“UNCLE DUUUOOO!” A childish voice was heard over the noise of the thousands at the airport.

“They’re here!” Duo cried, letting go of Wufei. “Erin?”

“There you are! Duo!”

And Wufei was very swiftly and neatly shunted aside as Duo swept his sister up into a tight hug.

And maybe only Wufei heard him whisper, “Thank God. I was so afraid of being lonely.”

#@#@#@

“You have a dog?” Jeffy’s voice was excited as a very large dog came bounding out of Duo’s house and nearly knocked the small boy over with its weight.

Duo grinned at his nephew, “Yup!”

Wufei closed his eyes, as he was suddenly aware of his stomach tumbling about in his abdomen. Wufei *terrified* of dogs! “D-Duo?”

Duo looked at his ‘wife’ concernedly, “Wu? You okay?”

“Yeah,” Wufei squeaked out, reaching and grasping Duo on the arm. “Just-just a little queasy.”

“You sure your okay?” Erin asked, coming up behind her brother and touching Wufei lightly on the arm. “You don’t look so hot.”

“I’m fine,” Wufei managed to say between clenched teeth. “Just-just keep the dog away from me.”

“Sure. Hey, Jeffy! Take the dog in the house for me!” Duo called to the boy, wrapping his arm around Wufei’s waist. His eyes widened suddenly. < Oh. My. God. Wufei’s afraid of dogs! > His eyes lit up as he watched the Chinese boy break out in a cold sweat. < How unbelievably cute. > Duo didn’t even bother to chastise himself with the revelation as he guided Wufei into the house. “Why don’t you sit down *dear* and I’ll go get us something to drink. You guys want something?”

“I want pop!” Violet eyes that were inherited from the maternal side peeked over the massive side of the dog.

“No!” Erin and Tim said as Duo called, “What kind?”

“Sprite!” Jeffy yelled, clearly pleased that his uncle was willing to spoil him beyond his deepest imaginings.

“No!” Erin turned to Duo with wide eyes. “He gets *extremely* worked up and he won’t go to bed if you give him soda!”

As Duo opened his mouth to plead on the boy’s behalf, Wufei was once again struck by how similar the siblings were. Erin’s hair was darker and shorter than Duo’s and she had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose, but other than that, she and Duo were almost exactly alike. Well, except for some important body features. Wufei’s face burned slightly. < Jesus Christ. Why am I always blushing and getting nosebleeds? Its so *weak* and *woman*like! And now I sound like Maxwell with his God and everything. And I’m terrified of that stupid mutt. I need a drink. > Wufei was still ogling where the last thought about needing a drink had come from when Duo’s dog decided it wanted to make friends with Wufei.

“HOLY SHIT! DUO GET THIS DUMB ANIMAL OFF MY LAP AND OUT OF THE HOUSE!” Wufei screamed as the dog jumped onto his lap and began bathing him with doggie kisses.

“Aw, Wu, chill baby,” Duo said, turning his pleading eyes from his sister to Wufei. “Lassie’s not gonna hurt you!”

“Get. Her. *OUT*!” Wufei exploded.

Jeffy’s eyes widened. “Aunt Wufei said a BAD, BAD, *BAD* word!”

Great. Now a little kid was lecturing him on the sins of swearing. < What do I do? > Wufei swallowed harshly. “Um, I’m sorry J-Jeffy.” The name and apology was unfamiliar on his tongue, but he managed to say it, feeling extremely pleased with himself. < Ha! See *I* can apologize! >

Tim grinned, picking up his son and ruffling his hair, “Don’t worry, with the hotheads he’s got for a mother and uncle, he’s always hearing ‘bad, bad, bad’ words!”

Erin glared at her husband, “I do *not* swear in front of the child!”

“Yes you do,” Duo smirked, pulling her hair playfully as he re-entered the house. Apparently he’d listened and put the dog out. A pitiful whine was heard followed by scratching.

< Shut up you stupid animal, > Wufei thought sourly.

“So, how about that drink?” Erin said brightly. “Then maybe you could show us around your home and everything!”

Duo grinned, “Gladly.”

“I WANT POP!” Three guesses on who yelled that and the first two don’t count.

“If you drink juice instead I’ll let you watch Aunt Wufei give Lassie a bath,” Duo bribed, smirking at Wufei evilly.

“Yeah!” Jeffy appeared to be bought quite easily.

Wufei swallowed with sickening apprehension.

#@#@#@

“Day one-successfully completed!” Duo crowed in tired triumph up in his-and temporarily-Wufei’s room that night. He yawned and kicked off his shoes before throwing himself on the bed.

“Only six more,” Wufei replied, looking relieved as he discarded the last article of ‘weak, woman’s clothing’ and tying his hair up.

“Why’re you tying your hair up now?” Duo questioned, sitting up and flipping his braid over his shoulder. His eyes focused on the end as he picked at the rubber band fastening it.

“Because,” Wufei answered, watching with slight amusement as Duo managed to remove the elastic and his hair streamed across his body and bed in all its glory. “Then it’s not in my face.”

Duo blew several strands of hair out of his face. ‘That’s half the fun.”

“If my hair was half as beautiful as yours, maybe I’d consider it,” Wufei replied, his voice dim as he entered the adjoining bathroom.

< He thinks my hair’s beautiful? > Duo was quick to catch the compliment. < Then maybe… no, I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I’ve been disappointed too many times already… > Duo shrugged off the slight disappointment and yanked off his shirt. He threw it in the general direction of the hamper, missed and shrugged that off too. It was no big deal. He had his whole life to work on perfecting his throw…and his whole life to work on Wufei…a smile stretched across his lips as he rolled over and turned off the light.

A few moments later he was distinctly aware of Wufei’s presence beside him on the bed. “Wu?”

“Yeah?” a slight yawn punctuated Wufei’s answer.

Duo smirked into the darkness. “How come you didn’t tell me you were afraid of dogs?”

“Um…” Wufei’s blush was radiating towards him in the darkness. Duo laughed and rolled over, preparing to go to sleep.

As he was on the edge of dropping off, Wufei’s voice pierced his thoughts. “Why would you name that monstrosity *Lassie*?”

This time the quiet chuckle of Wufei joined Duo’s sleepy laughter. And then there was only silence as the temporary couple fell asleep.

And some how in the night, Wufei’s arms worked their way around Duo and no one really seemed to mind when they awoke in the morning.

#@#@#@

“No!”

“Why not?” Duo whined.

“I don’t want the others to see me like this!” Wufei hissed, pointing at his skirt. Duo bit his lip. “Stop laughing! It’s not funny!”

“Yes it is!” Duo couldn’t help saying as a snicker or two escaped him. “But seriously,” he added, returning to the previous topic, “I want them to meet Erin.”

“They don’t even know you have a sister!”

“But I want them to know!” Duo cried. “Please, Wufei, Wufei *dear*, Wufei *darling*, Wufei *love*-,”

“Oh shut up,” Wufei mumbled, uncomfortably aware of the fact that his ears were pinking. “If you think we can pull it off, go for it.”

Duo’s eyes brightened. “Thanks, Wu!” he cried happily, and without thinking, hugged Wufei enthusiastically.

“I’m gonna go call the others,” Duo added, hastily rushing from the room.

< Stop it! > Wufei told himself sternly. < After this week everything will go back to normal! So *stop* getting all mushy around Maxwell! Just stop it! >

#@#@#@

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Stop being so annoyingly cheerful or else I’ll-,”

“Kill me I know,” Duo blew a raspberry at the phone. “You need to loosen up H-man!”

“Is that why you called me? You’re wasting valuable time!”

“When you could be in the sack with Relena, I know.”

“!!!”

“Anyways,” Duo smirked at the phone. “Barbecue at my place, four o’clock. Bring the wifey along if you can’t stand to be without her.”

“I hate you.”

“Then we’re back on the old footing again! See ya at four!” Duo beamed and hung up the phone. He *did* love getting Heero riled up! Now, to annoy-er, invite Trowa!

“Hello?”

“Hiya Trowa!”

“…”

“Have you fed the lions yet?”

“…”

“*GOD* but you’re quiet! What do you *do* all day? Stare into space like a cat?” Duo rolled his eyes at the phone.

“I think. Unlike some people.”

“Yeah I know; Quatre needs to start doing that too.”

“…!!!”

“That’s right, defend your little fuck-bunny.” Duo smirked into the phone. Trowa *hated* it when he made little snide references like that! < Oh man, I love calling him! He’s so much fun to tick off! >

“I hate you.”

“Great. You and Heero can start a club. Anyways, I’m having a barbecue at four!”

“…”

“Put Quatre on.” Duo drummed his fingers restlessly on the counter top. If he knew his rich kids, Quatre was probably lounging around in the background, sun bathing or something equally snobbishly rich.

“Hello?”

“Quatre, my main man!”

“Duo?”

“In the flesh! Anyways, I’m having a barbecue at four o’clock this afternoon!”

“So?”

Duo rolled his eyes. < This kid needs help! > “You and Trowa are invited. Do try and drag him along with you.”

“Oh, okay!”

“Oh and don’t do anything lovey-dovey.”

“What?”

“No holding hands, no kissing, no hugging, no significant looks-nothing!”

“Why? You’ve never had a problem with it!”

“Look, I have company-,”

“Oh. I understand.”

“Please, Quatre, you’ll understand later…” Duo pleaded. < Damn! Now he’s going to be all hurt and Trowa will kill me! Great! >

“It’s okay. I *said* I understood! We’ll be there!”

And then, perhaps for the first time in his life, Quatre hung up on someone.

#@#@#@

Wufei had watched Duo make the phone calls and was now overcome with the urge to do *something*. < But do what? > Wufei scanned his brain. < Should I give him some milk and cookies? > Wufei had a vague memory of his mother giving him milk and cookies the first time he’d tried-unsuccessfully-to ride his bike. < It’s worth a shot. > Wufei decided, feeling rather stupid as he made his way over to the refrigerator.

Duo was busily banging his head on the table and moaning, “Stupid! Stupid!” and never even noticed Wufei was in the kitchen until he felt someone tap him hesitantly on the shoulder and set something down on the table. “What?” he muttered, raising his head and blinking through the fogs of pain that engulfed him.

“Eat,” Wufei said, pointing at a plate of chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of milk.

“What’s this for?” Duo asked, eyeing Wufei suspiciously.

Wufei looked flustered, “Uh-you looked upset-and I remembered my mother giving me cookies when I was little-you don’t have to eat them if you don’t want to-,”

< Wufei is stumbling over words. This is priceless! > Duo grinned and drew the plate of cookies closer to him. “Hey, thanks. How’d you know I was upset?”

“You were banging your head on the table and yelling ‘stupid’,” Wufei answered wryly.

“Yeah, that must’ve been a dead giveaway,” Duo grinned and bit into a cookie. “Hey, these are good!”

Wufei smiled, “Jeffy made them.”

“…he knows how to cook?” The color drained from Duo’s face and he delicately removed the cookie from his mouth.

“When his mother’s helping him.”

“Oh.” That issue resolved; Duo shoved the cookie back in his mouth. “Yum.”

“Drink your milk,” Wufei chastised without thinking.

“Wait, you have to try this,” Duo broke off a piece of cookie. Wufei reached for it and Duo jerked out of reach. “Open wide!”

“C’mon,” Wufei reached for the cookie.

“Un-uh! Open your mouth like a good little kid!”

Wufei rolled his eyes and obediently opened his mouth. Duo’s eyes zeroed in on his lips. < Oh man, why am I doing this to myself? > he asked himself desperately as he leaned over the table and popped the cookie in Wufei’s mouth, drifting his fingers across Wufei’s lips lightly. A slight shiver descended down Wufei’s spine as he swallowed the cookie and smiled faintly at Duo.

“Yum.”

The word was so uncharacteristic coming from Wufei, that Duo started to smile, and then stopped. Something about those dark eyes that were trained on his so solemnly, something about those lips that were still parted…< Oooh > Duo whimpered to himself. There was still a few cookie crumbs clinging to Wufei’s lips, Duo reached over and brushed them away without thinking.

“Duo?” Wufei breathed out, Duo’s hands still resting on his face.

“Wufei,” Duo answered, leaning across the table, closer to Wufei. < Screw it. I’m going to kiss him. >

< Please, let him… > Wufei sat up, closer to Duo, perhaps trying to tempt him into a kiss.

Duo’s lips were hovering a hair’s breadth above his…

“Duo?” Erin popped her head into the kitchen. She grinned at the scene, “Oops! Sorry! I’ll be leaving!” She darted out of the kitchen as quickly as she had come in, but the moment was over.

Wufei was already on his feet, clearing the table of their snack, blushing slightly. < Doesn’t matter. It’s not like I *really* wanted him to kiss me, it was just curiosity. That’s all! > he told himself, trying to atone for his pounding heart.

Duo looked vaguely disappointed but said cheerfully, “What say we grab Erin and Jeffy and head out to the grocery? We need some stuff for the barbecue tonight!”

#@#@#@

“I am *never* taking that menace shopping again,” Duo groaned as Jeffy bounded ahead of them into the house.

“Yeah, I say that every time,” Erin smirked at her brother as she carried in an armful of groceries. “Wait til *you* have kids!”

“My kids will be perfect angels and they’ll never stick their arms in the lobster tank because they want to *swim* with the lobsters,” Duo stuck his tongue out at his sister who swatted him playfully on the behind. “Hey! Don’t treat your elders like that!”

Wufei smiled quietly to himself, watching the friendly bickering between the two. It was hard to imagine they’d ever been apart… < What I would give to know someone like that! > Wufei remembered the very few times he’d ever been so comfortable with his own family and choked. < There’s something to be said for these American customs… >

“Wu? You okay?” Duo asked concernedly as he noticed the wistful look on the Chinese youth’s face. Wufei didn’t answer, instead busied himself with putting away the groceries. “Wufei? Honey?” the endearment slipped so easily off his tongue, Duo never noticed it.

“I’m *fine*,’ Wufei said brusquely, whirling around and giving Duo the evil eye. “Really! I’m terrific!” he insisted.

“Okay,” Duo responded in a very non-believing tone. “If you say so. *Love*.” Wufei glared and Erin hid a smile at what she assumed to be a lover’s quarrel.

“Shut up,” Wufei hissed, shoving a gallon of milk into the refrigerator. “Just shut up!” he said more loudly, slamming a loaf of bread into the breadbasket.

“Hey, Wufei, don’t get-,”

“Leave me alone. I’m going to-,” Wufei searched for something. “Take a nap!”

“A nap? Since when do you take naps?”

“Since recently!” Wufei snapped and stormed up the stairs.

Duo turned back to his sister in bewilderment. “Did any of that make sense to you?”

“Yup.” She grinned. “Sure did.”

#@#@#@

< What’s wrong with me? Why did I go all off on Duo like that? He wasn’t even being annoying this time! Why? > Wufei was currently on Duo’s bed, lying with his face buried in a pillow trying to stop the tears that seemed determined to fall.

< Oh shit! I’m going to cry! I’m going to cry just like a woman!! > This was the final injustice and Wufei let out a scream into the pillow.

There was a sudden knock at the door. “Um, can I come in?” < Erin. What does she want? > “Yeah, sure.” < Why not? I’ve already made a mess of myself, might as well scrape away any remaining pride I have left. >

“Thanks,” the door eased open and Wufei sat up, catching his eye in the mirror as he scanned himself anxiously. < Okay. I still look like a girl. Is that good or bad? >

“What is it? Did Duo send you up?” Wufei asked suspiciously, scooting over as Erin sat down beside him with a soft sigh.

“No. He’s playing catch in the back with Jeffy and Tim.”

“Oh. Then what is it?”

“I just thought you might want to talk or something,” Erin replied, picking at several loose threads absently. “I mean, you’re new to this whole marriage thing-only three months right?”

“Right,” Wufei felt like screaming at her to get lost. < New to this whole marriage thing my ass! I was wedded and bedded by the time I was fourteen! I lost my wife the same year! I’ve been through a war! I’m pretending to be a girl! What the hell does she think she knows! > He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his cool. < Women don’t use bodily force to get rid of unwanted people, remember that. >

“You don’t have any, like…important secrets do you?” Erin continued, breaking a thread in several places.

< What is this? The Spanish Inquisition? > “Um…no.” Only that he was pretending to be a girl married to her brother who was gay by the way. No secrets at all.

“I mean, I’m another woman. I’ve been through marriage and children already.”

“Actually, I do have something to tell you.” “I’m pre-,”

“You’re pregnant?” Erin jumped in. “I knew it! I’m so happy for you guys! Oh, I just *knew* it!”

Wufei gaped at her and she blushed mildly. “Sorry. That was your news, not mine. But I’m so thrilled!”

Wufei stuttered out, “Where-how-what!”

“Oh, it was so easy to guess! You might not see it, but you keep throwing Duo these knowing little looks and exchanging these meaningful glances and the way he’s being so protective and the way you-oh, its just obvious!”

< Great! Not only do I make a successful woman, I make a successful *pregnant* one! > Wufei just stared at her.

“And that barbecue you’re having tonight-oh, it was to tell us, wasn’t it?” Erin went on, her voice and face full of happiness. “Well, I’m glad I know now, because now I won’t embarrass you and make a scene-oh, I’m just thrilled for you guys! I was real glad when I heard you two got married; Duo was starting to worry me. He’s so cheerful sometimes; it scares me. Like he’s hiding something from us all. Maybe he’ll have a better life with you and the baby.”

Erin suddenly threw her arms around Wufei. “I’m sorry-but now it really seems like we’re a family!” she explained.

Wufei’s confused mind went back to her earlier declaration. < What is this woman *on*? > “Um-er-,” How do you tell someone this ecstatic you’re not pregnant?

Just then, the door opened and Duo peeked in. ‘Wufei? I-,”

Erin bounded up and hugged her brother joyfully. “I just heard! I’m so happy!”

“Heard what?” Duo asked in confusion, hugging her back anyway.

“About the baby, silly!”

“The-the *baby*?” Duo gasped.

“Yes, Duo. Our baby.”

#@#@#@

“Um…can I talk to Wufei for a sec?” Duo whimpered, grasping the edge of a chair painfully.

“Sure,” Erin gave another happy little grin and bounded out of the room, ruffling her brother’s hair on the way.

As soon as she was gone, Duo slammed the door and locked it. “What the *hell* were you thinking?” he hissed, turning around slowly. “Why would you even *think* to tell her something that crazy?”

Wufei shrugged, “I didn’t tell her. I was going to tell her the truth that I was pretending to be a girl, but she jumped to conclusions. Started babbling how wonderful it was I was-,” Wufei paused and smirked, “*pregnant*.”

“Well why in Heaven’s name didn’t you set her straight?” Duo yelped.

“I didn’t have a chance! I was so shocked she’d thought that-and then *you* came slinking in-,”

“So its all my fault, now?”

“IT IS YOUR FAULT! You’re the one who’s too afraid to tell his sister he’s-,”

“SHUT UP!” Duo jumped in. “Just shut up!”

“Don’t you *ever* tell me to shut up!” Wufei yelled back, his face flushing in anger. “Don’t you *ever*!”

“Why? You’re not so hot!” Duo yelled, his hand clenching into fists, “You think you’re so fucking *great* because you’re a *scholar*. Because you can do some *martial arts*. But you’re not! You’re just like the rest of us!”

“What the hell are you talking about? I never said I was better than any of you! Never!”

“But you act like it!”

“What are you trying to say to me? I don’t understand what you want from me!” Wufei yelled back angrily. “What do you want?”

Duo couldn’t speak anymore, he was too choked with angry emotions and he acted without thinking. “Fuck you.” he hissed, reaching out. He was going to hit Wufei, he really going pound him, oh he was so mad, he could just kill Wufei!

“You would hit me?”

Duo jolted suddenly and stared at Wufei as he slowly lowered his hand. Wufei was just *standing* there, looking…not mad, but almost…sad. Yes, Wufei was looking very hurt and *sad* of all things!

“I-,” Duo stopped suddenly, and looked away, not wanting to meet that hurt look in Wufei’s eyes. < Why would I want to hit him? He’s never hit me-or anyone else…and he’s always listened to me…why’d I get so mad at him? He’s pretending to be a *girl* for me and I want to *hit* him? > “Listen, Wu, I’m-,”

“No, its okay,” Wufei interrupted abruptly.

“No, Wu-,”

“I need to go start dinner.” Wufei brushed passed Duo quickly and quietly, his eyes downcast and arms crossed across his chest.

Duo stood in the doorway for a while, his lower lip caught in his teeth and angry tears in his eyes.

#@#@#@

“Hey Heero, Relena! Glad you could come!” Duo called cheerily and swiftly grasped Heero by one arm and propelled him into a corner while Wufei proceeded to do the same to Relena.

“Hey! What the-?” Heero protested loudly, trying to loosen Duo’s death grip.

Relena, in the meanwhile was squinting at Wufei suspiciously. “Do I know you? You look familiar…”

Duo grinned and said a bit sheepishly, “This is my wife.”

Heero and Relena blinked and cried out in perfectly synchronized movements, “Your *what*?”

“My wife. Wufei.”

Relena blinked again. Slowly, she said, “You mean all these years…Wufei’s been *hiding* his-her real sex?”

“No!” Wufei looked horrified. “I’m simply pretending to be a-,”

It suddenly came together and understanding shone in cobalt eyes. “A GIRL?” And then, what normally would have sent everyone into a dead faint, happened. Heero laughed.

#@#@#@

“Wufei?” Duo asked uneasily, entering the kitchen. The barbecue had gone over well for the most part, the most disastrous happening when Jeffy tried to ‘help’ Duo with dinner and ended up emptying the grill and its contents onto the ground. Aside from smirks and snickers, the whole concept of Wufei playing girl had gone over well and now, everyone-except Wufei and Duo-was outside.

“Hmm?” Wufei responded, closing the dishwasher with his foot as he folded a towel neatly and set it on the counter.

“About earlier, this afternoon-,”

“I *said* it was okay.” Wufei turned and gazed at Duo, holding a carton of ice cream in his hands. “Ready for dessert?”

Duo sighed heavily. < Why won’t he let me apologize? Why does he keep pushing me away? > “Wufei, *please*!”

“It’s chocolate.”

“Wufei!” Duo’s eyes narrowed.

“All right!” Wufei slammed the ice cream down on the counter and folded his arms across his chest. “What is it?”

“I-um, I-.” Great. He finally had Wufei’s attention and now he couldn’t even say what he wanted to say. “Look, I’m sorry.” Duo finally managed to say.

“Is that all?”

Duo was crestfallen. Wufei just didn’t *get* it! He tried so hard to try to put all this emotion into that one little phrase and Wufei *STILL* didn’t get it! “You’re so dense!”

“What?” Wufei looked stunned. “What’d I do?”

“You just don’t get it!” Duo exclaimed. “I’m trying so hard and you don’t understand anything!”

“Huh?” Wufei blinked intelligently at Duo.

Duo made some sort of strangled growling noise deep in his throat before he pounced.

Literally.

“What the hell?” Wufei squawked out as Duo backed him against the counter.

“Your voice,” Duo reminded.

“I don’t think this is the-uhm.” Wufei’s words were suddenly lost in Duo’s kiss.

#@#@#@

Wufei had been kissed before. But he had never been kissed like *this*. He didn’t know what was making this kiss so different, but he knew something was there. < No, dammit, no! I don’t want this! No! I don’t feel like this! No! >

< Liar. > Great. Now he was contradicting himself. Wonderful.

< Yum. > Duo wasn’t sure where the thought was coming from but-! How true!

Suddenly, it was over. “Nooo,” Duo whimpered slightly.

Wufei blushed a flaming red, “Er, I’ll just take this ice cream, um, outside for the um others to uh eat some, yeah, they want dessert, yeah.”

“Fei,” Duo called. If Wufei left, nothing would *ever* be settled and he’d be resorted to cold showers in the middle of the night if this kept up.

“What?” Wufei was halfway out the door and Jeffy was already running across the lawn, clamoring for ice cream.

“Nothing. I’ll tell you later,” Duo said finally. He didn’t want some stupid sentimental confrontation in front of *everyone*.

Wufei looked rather pale and nodded slightly.

#@#@#@

“What’d you want to tell me?” Wufei asked suddenly, turning towards Duo.

“Huh?” Duo raised an eyebrow questioningly as he worked his fingers through the thick waves of his hair. He smirked slightly as Wufei’s eyes followed his hands and a blush spread across his cheeks as Duo’s fingers loosened the heavy strands across his shoulders. “Oh, yeah! That!”

“Well?” Wufei prompted, turning away and folding his ‘women’s clothing’ primly.

< My God, he’s such a neat freak. But such a cute one. > Duo thought idly, watching as Wufei put away the clothing. “I just wanted to say-,” Suddenly the words seemed clumsy and stupid.

“What?” Wufei asked, looking irritated as he ran his hands through loosened strands of hair. The gesture caught Duo’s attention. Despite the fact he’d seen Wufei with his hair down, it didn’t look *quite* the same when the Chinese was dressed as girl as to when he was topless.

“In the kitchen…”

“Yeah?” Red tinged Wufei’s cheeks and he adverted his eyes from Duo’s.

“Well…it um, meant a lot to me.” < Oh that was good. What are you doing, thanking some old great-aunt for coming to your party? NO! You’re trying to tell someone that-, > Duo stopped that line of thinking right then. < Too much too soon, oh dammit why’d I ever start this up? >

“Same here,” Wufei said finally. Duo’s eyes leapt upward quickly, but not quick enough. By the time his eyes found Wufei’s, the only warmth he found was a slightly sleepy look. “Scoot over,” Wufei ordered, standing by the bed. “I’m tired!”

“Okay, okay, jeez you’re pushy,” Duo snapped. Wufei glared as he slipped into the bed beside him.

Duo stuffed his hand into his mouth and bit down harshly on his fist to keep from letting out slight sobs. It seemed that their relationship was stuck in reverse and there was nothing Duo could do to forward it.

#@#@#@

“Why so glum chum?” Duo quipped, dropping into a chair besides his downcast nephew.

Jeffy looked up at him despairingly. “It’s *raining*,” he said mournfully.

“I know. Depressing, isn’t it?” Duo slumped down in his chair and his lower lips protruded slightly, very much like the sullen boy seated beside him.

“Here,” Duo’s gaze flickered upwards as Wufei pushed a plate across the table towards Jeffy. “Enjoy.”

Jeffy forced a smile and picked up his fork. “You made him *pancakes*?” Duo asked in disbelief.

“With chocolate chips,” Jeffy added, unable to keep from brightening a *little* at the prospect of chocolate.

“And shaped as animals,” Wufei concluded, turning back to the stove.

“I want some,” Duo said immediately.

“I know you do.” Wufei smirked and set another plate down in front of Duo. “Shaped like dogs.”

“Speaking of dogs, where’s Lassie?” Duo asked, drowning his plate in maple syrup.

“In the pound.”

“Fei!”

“She’s in the backyard. Probably digging up the flowers and making a general nuisance of herself,” Wufei sniffed, sitting down with his own plate of pancakes.

“You like pancakes?”

“Of course,” Wufei stated, looking a bit surprised at Duo’s incredulous tone. “Now, hand me that syrup, please.”

“We were supposed to go to the zoo,” Jeffy said suddenly.

“We were?” Duo asked in surprise.

“Aunt Wufei said she’d take me if the weather was nice.” Jeffy sighed and bit unhappily into a pancake. “But its *not* nice and now I’ll *never* see the elephants!”

“Aw,” Duo rubbed the boy’s back sympathetically while shooting Wufei an astonished look. “You promised to take him the *zoo*?”

“Yes. Don’t look so shocked,” Wufei shrugged and leaned across the table. “Here. Cut your pancake up a bit and you won’t get so messy.”

< What! > Duo was highly offended. < Oh…he’s talking to Jeffy…duh. > A bit of a blush flamed across his cheeks momentarily. < Stupid me… >

“Well, since we can’t go to the zoo today,” Wufei was saying, “How about we have a picnic?”

“It’s *raining*,” Jeffy reminded Wufei in a flat tone.

“I know.” Duo and Jeffy stared at the Chinese youth. Wufei rolled his eyes, “Ever hear of an *indoors* picnic?”

“No.”

“Figures. It’s simple, I did it all the time when I was kid, we always made tents out of blankets and stuff and had a picnic lunch in it when it was raining. It’s fun!”

Duo was struck with the image of a five-year old Wufei camped out under a blanket with his teddy bear and burst into laughter. “May I ask what’s so *funny* Maxwell?” Wufei asked icily.

“You camped out with your teddy bear-*Mrs.* Maxwell.”

Wufei opened his mouth a few times and discovered the effort was futile. “So, Jeffy, do you want a picnic or not?”

“I want one! I want one!” Jeffy jumped up excitedly, waving his fork around and splattering the two others with maple syrup and bits of pancakes. “Oops.” Jeffy threw out a sheepish grin in an *exact* imitation of his uncle.

“Sit down and finish your breakfast,” Wufei ordered solemnly. “Then we can start getting ready for the picnic.”

Jeffy sat down obediently and began to shovel food into his mouth; Duo started to rise but was stopped by Wufei. “Un-uh. You haven’t finished either.”

“Wu!”

Wufei bestowed a quiet smile on Duo as he said, “Starving children in China would kill for that food.”

And Duo was struck speechless as Wufei brushed his lips over his forehead before carrying his dishes to the sink.

#@#@#@

“No! Put the blanket *there*!” Wufei instructed, tapping his foot impatiently.

“Well it’s *dark* and I can’t *see*!” Jeffy whimpered, flopping on his back and cuddling up on a particularly large blanket.

“I said the basement wasn’t a good idea,” Wufei sniffed pointedly at Duo.

Duo hurriedly adjusted the blanket.

“Thank you,” Wufei smiled at Duo. Duo ducked his head and muttered something about being welcome as he moved beneath the makeshift tent in an effort to hide his flaming face.

“I wanna eat!” Jeffy cried, sitting up and knotting the blanket he was holding around his hands. “I’m hungry!”

“And the tent is finished and I’m starving too,” Duo announced, rolling out from underneath it to land at Wufei’s feet. He smirked. “I can see up your dress.”

“Pervert,” Wufei glared down at the still smirking Duo and haughtily stepped over him. “Who wants to eat?”

“Gee, I dunno, take a wild guess.” Duo rolled his eyes from the floor.

< Ask a stupid question… > Wufei sighed and administered a lazy kick at Duo’s behind. The American jumped as Wufei’s foot made contact and he gaped open-mouthed at Wufei. “FEI!” To his displeasure, Wufei was now smirking and Jeffy was bursting into peals of laughter.

“You were *asking* for it and you were just *positioned*,” Wufei attempted to explain.

“Oh, shut UP!” Duo exploded, sitting up crankily.

Wufei looked mildly surprised but refrained from saying anything, choosing instead to usher the other two under the tent before he handed out lunch.

#@#@#@

“Zzz…”

“Aw, isn’t that cute?” Duo whispered; his voice imitating his sister’s as he watched his nephew cuddle up with a throw pillow on the ground, snoring softly.

Wufei grinned, “For one of *your* family members, it is cute.”

Duo’s eyes narrowed and he said playfully, “Oh and what is *that* supposed to mean Chang?”

“That someone of the Maxwell descent is actually cute,” Wufei retorted, his own eyes narrowing.

“You wanna start somethin’?” Duo asked, putting his fists up in front of him and punching the air. “C’mon, ya wanna start somethin’ with me?”

“Sure. Why not?” And with that, Wufei lunged forward, neatly pinning Duo down on the ground, trapping him beneath him.

“Hey, no fair! No fair!” Duo squirmed beneath Wufei, beating on his chest lightly, pausing to laugh as he pounded into the ample, *fake* chest. “My God, Wufei, if you were a girl I’d be so-,” Duo stopped in mid-sentence. Wufei was looking at him *very* strangely, those black eyes were almost, no they were, glittering with desire. For *him*. “‘Fei?” Duo croaked out, his breathing suddenly uneven and his heartbeat racing.

“Shhh,” Wufei nodded his head towards the sleeping boy. Duo nodded and shut his mouth, the slightest tremor of disappointment running through him, < Idiot. As if Wufei would ever feel that way about you. >

< Then why is he kissing you? > Duo’s surprised mind registered nano-seconds later.

#@#@#@

Wufei wasn’t quite sure what he was doing. Part of him was screaming for him to stop, that the boy might wake up any second, but another, much bigger part of him was screaming to shut up and kiss Duo. Wufei contemplated this for a small instant, weighing the pros and cons of the situation. It didn’t take long for want to override caution as he slowly lifted his lips from Duo’s and pressed gently against his neck.

Duo jolted, a small whimper escaping his lips as his hands worked themselves around Wufei’s neck. < Duo’s sensitive to his neck area. Keep that in mind, > Wufei thought briefly, his mouth working down the area, causing Duo to squirm beneath him.

“Wu…please,” Duo whimpered out, still writhing beneath Wufei.

“Please what?” Wufei prompted, taking a brief moment to notice Duo’s ribs were ticklish as his hands made their way beneath Duo’s shirt.

“Please can we move away from the kid?” Duo grinned and before Wufei knew it, he was tumbling over Duo and rolling into another room.

#@#@#@

“Dammit, Maxwell! What in the hell were you thinking?” Wufei growled, drawing himself up onto his knees and looking ridiculous as he scowled with pink-glossed lips.

Duo laughed. “I was thinking that we’d scare Jeffy. You look absolutely ridiculous with scowling with lip gloss on so how about you smile for me?”

Wufei blinked at Duo’s sudden change of topic. Then smiled. “Thank you, doll,” Duo drawled, leaning closer so his forehead bumped Wufei’s gently.

Suddenly, Wufei was trembling all over, half-excited and half-afraid of what might come next. < Does he really care like *that* or is he just desperate? > Wufei wondered, studying Duo’s face through lowered lashes.

< Does he really want me? Or are all his emotions screwed because I’ve forced him to marry me for week? > Duo thought desperately trying to decide whether he should further the situation or not. Wufei sighed softly and without even realizing it, brought his hand up to his mouth and began to bite at his fingernail. Duo barely repressed a giggle. < He’s nervous! He’s biting his nails! That’s so…I don’t know…so, cute maybe? > Duo couldn’t hide his smile as he reached forward and gently removed Wufei’s hand. Wufei stared at him with wide eyes, conflicting emotions darting through them. “Duo?”

“Shhh,” Duo whispered, leaning forward and brushing Wufei’s lips gently with his own. Immediately, Wufei’s arms raised and crushed themselves around him, drawing Duo closer to his body and deepening the kiss. Duo’s eyes flew open with surprise, but slowly flickered them shut again. He hadn’t wanted to go so quickly but he wasn’t going to object if Wufei was changing the pace.

“Hey,” Wufei protested mildly as Duo lifted his lips from his own.

“Just a sec,” Duo promised, standing up and walking to the door of the room. “Aren’t you glad I had my basement finished?” he remarked, glancing around the room. The room was a fully furnished rec room, complete with furniture, television, refrigerator and stereo.

“Yes,” Wufei answered, moving himself off the floor and onto the large couch that took up the greater half of the back wall.

A slow, mischievous smile touched the corners of Duo’s mouth as he closed the door and locked it, the audible click echoing in the quiet basement. “Turn off the lights,” Wufei ordered suddenly.

“Why?”

“Just do it.” Duo raised an eyebrow but complied with Wufei’s order.

“They’re off.”

“I realize that.”

There was a long moment of silence, broken only by the rustling of Wufei’s dress as he adjusted and re-adjusted the fabric. Duo smiled faintly at the sound, but was really trying to decide whether he should cross the room or not. More rustling. < Jeez, those clothes must be more uncomfortable then they look. > “Can’t wait to get out of those clothes?” Duo asked, breaking the silence.

Suddenly he was very aware of a pair of lips tracing teasing patterns on his neck.

“I already am.”

#@#@#@

“Oh, oh, oh!” Duo couldn’t really say much more as Wufei’s hands teased his body, drawing him almost to the edge and then stopping, giving him a chance to cool down before picking up the pattern again. < This isn’t fair! He hasn’t done anything more than touch and I’m dying! This *so* is not fair! > Duo thought, biting down on his lower lip angrily to keep from crying out. < And I’ve barely touched him-*he’s* supposed to be the submissive, inexperienced one! > It appeared all the crap Wufei had been given about being a perpetual virgin was untrue because no virgin could be driving him crazy the way Wufei was.

“Tell me,” Wufei ordered, his voice a low rumble in his throat. “Exactly what you want.”

“I want you,” Duo breathed out, his hands reaching up and drawing Wufei’s face down for a soft kiss. “I want you to take me.”

Wufei paused the kiss, asking quietly. “Why?”

“Why?” Duo repeated, an eyebrow arching delicately in question even as he nibbled gently on Wufei’s collarbone.

“Why do you want me? Because you think I’m hot?”

“Yes.”

“That’s all?”

Jesus, what else was he supposed to say? That he was in love with Wufei? Oh God, if he said that, Wufei would run screaming from the room. “I love your body,” Duo accommodated, running his hands over the muscular build.

“That’s all?” Wufei repeated.

“What more do you want me to say?” Duo asked, pausing his administrations to Wufei entirely.

“That I mean more to you than a good lay.” There was a wet glimmer of black above him in the darkness.

Duo thought, holding Wufei close and reveling in the feel for a few short seconds. And then he made his decision.

“There’s nothing more.”

#@#@#@

Wufei could feel all color draining from his face. Then he’d been right in his fears. There was nothing more between him and Duo other than sexual attraction…at least on Duo’s part. Tears burned in the Chinese youth’s eyes as he jumped to his feet and began yanking on his hastily discarded clothing.

“Wu-,”

Wufei turned and said, his eyes still glowing with tears and his tone icy. “My name is Wu*fei*. Maxwell.” And with that, he left the room, slamming the door behind him.

Duo moaned and dropped his head back onto a couch pillow that had been yanked to the ground in their harried descent. Outside the room he could hear Jeffy wake up and go barreling up the stairs, screaming his mother’s name.

A slight moan escaped his lips as he rubbed a hand over his face. This was terrific. Wufei hated him and he had a raging hard-on that wasn’t going away any time soon. < Thank God there’s a shower down here > Duo thought wryly as he got to his feet and headed into the adjoining bathroom. < It looks like I’ll be taking cold showers *a lot* from now on. >

#@#@#@

Wufei was undeniably upset. He didn’t know why Duo’s words had hurt him so much, but they’d struck something deep inside of him he’d thought he’d buried long ago.

Wufei sighed softly and threw himself face-first onto the bed, curling up into a small ball as he clenched a pillow in his arms. “So he wants me for my body,” he spoke aloud, wrenching the pillow in his hands. “Why am I not okay with that? I’ve been okay with it before.”

There had been one other purely physical relationship. During the war, he and Trowa had been together for a few months. But there was never anything meaningful in the relationship, Wufei was just a cheap replacement for Quatre when Trowa was away from him and Wufei needed that feeling of being needed for a few hours if he couldn’t have anything else. And Wufei had been fine with it, not minding when Trowa cried Quatre’s name instead of his and not minding the lonely nights afterwards when Trowa had left. But with Duo…it was so different…

It hurt. It hurt *a lot* to hear Duo tell him he was only an instrument of pleasure to him. But why?

Wufei tumbled this thought around and around in his mind, beating it mercilessly against the tired walls of his mind until, just before he fell asleep.

“Dammit, I’m in *love* with the braided idiot!”

#@#@#@

“Wufei?” Duo called softly, nudging the door open with his foot. No response. < Isn’t he in there? > “Wu?” Still nothing.

Duo entered the room all the way, his eyes searching out Wufei, certain an angry Chinese youth would be jumping up any second to chew his head off. But there wasn’t. Only a quietly sleeping boy with a tear-streaked face curled up on his bed. “Oh my God, I made you *cry*?” Duo cried, moving quickly to the side of bed. “Aw, Wu, I’m sorry.”

Wufei rolled over in his sleep, curling into an even smaller ball. “Great. You ignore me in sleep too. Wonderful.” Duo sighed and glanced back down at the sleeping youth. Loose strands of hair were clinging to his tear-stained face, making Wufei look much more vulnerable than he ever wanted anyone to know.

Duo smiled softly and brushed the strands away from Wufei’s face, meaning to leave the room after that. But something made him stop and brush his lips against Wufei’s forehead, whispering, “I really do care about you, Wu.”

Black eyes fluttered open and locked onto violet for a long moment. And then, in a small broken voice:

“Get out of here Maxwell. I hate you.”

#@#@#@

For once in his life, Duo was stunned into silence. There was a long, tense pause until Duo could finally gather his thoughts and croak out, “Whaaat?”

“You heard me. I hate you. Now go away! I want to be alone!” Wufei sat up and scowled at Duo.

“But-but-but-but why?” Duo stuttered out. He’d never expected, never *dreamed* Wufei could…or even would say…he hated him. Tears rushed alarmingly to violet eyes and it took a moment or two of feigned coughing before he could control the tears. < How can you hate me, Wu? How can you hate someone who…someone who loves you? > It was true. After years of avoiding intimate relationships and anyone that had attracted him in the slightest, Duo had blinked and missed the catch. He hadn’t sidestepped this relationship and now was paying for it. Oh, was he *paying*!

“You think everything’s a joke. Nothing’s serious to you. Sex means nothing, people mean nothing, emotions mean nothing! Their just there to entertain you for the moment! You live for the moment, Duo Maxwell and it’s catching up to you! Look at the situation you’re in. Your own sister doesn’t even know who you are, you run from confrontation, and-,” Wufei paused and took a shaky breath before staring straight into Duo’s eyes. “And you jeopardize what could possibly be the best thing of your life!”

“Wu?” Duo was totally and completely lost. Did Wufei hate him? Or did he love him? Or was he totally missing the point and Wufei was trying to tell him that he was leaving him. < Leaving me? One would almost think we’re a couple…why am I doing this? I learned a long time ago wishful thinking gets you nowhere. You gotta fight for everything and leave the wishing to the daydreamers. >

“Wu*fei*, thanks very much. Now, I’d appreciate it if you’d *leave*.” And with that, Wufei lay back down and turned away from Duo, very deliberately.

“I-,”

“GO!”

White-faced and silent, Duo left the room.

As soon as he heard the resounding click of the door, Wufei buried his face into a pillow and vowed through gritted teeth, “I *won’t* cry no matter how much I care about him! I *won’t*!”

#@#@#@

“Hello?”

Duo crossed his fingers and forced himself to sound cheerful as he spoke into the phone, “Hey Trowa. Is Quatre there?”

“Um…” He could hear Trowa fidgeting on the other end. “Er…yeah, he is. I’ll get him.”

“Hello Duo.” Quatre’s voice was coolly indifferent as he came to the phone. < Crap. He’s still mad about the barbecue thing. >

“Hey, Quatre, I *know* you’re mad at me right now, but I *really* need some help-,”

“You always need help.”

There was a pause on Duo’s part. Suddenly he smiled. “I deserved that. Anyways, I *really* need someone to talk to…could I meet you somewhere and talk to you in private?”

“Why not with Wufei? Aren’t you two all buddy-buddy and stuff now?”

“No. He hates me…that’s what I need to talk to you about.” Duo crossed his fingers, his eyes and feet and toes and sent up a silent prayer to God. < Please let him say yes! > If Duo ever needed advice from the sympathetic little Arab, it was now!

A pause. “Um…yeah, I could meet you at the uh-park in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay. See you in fifteen-oh and, thanks so much!”

“Welcome.”

Duo hung up, the beginnings of a hopeful smile touching his lips. < With Quatre’s help, I can get Wufei to at least like me again! Unless…Wufei was serious… > A look of despair darkened the hopeful glimmer.

#@#@#@

Quatre weaved his way in and out of the throes of people, looking for a very distinctive chestnut braid. Instead, he found a pink strawberry ice cream cone being shoved in his face. “I remember you said you liked strawberry,” Duo mumbled, using his own chocolate cone as an excuse to divert his eyes from Quatre’s.

Quatre’s eyes softened somewhat as he took the slightly melted cone and began licking the drips off the cone. “Thanks.”

Duo looked flustered suddenly as he looked point-blankly at Quatre and said, “Q-man, I’m real sorry about the barbecue and telling you not to be who you are, to not hang around with Trowa, but she’s my sister and she doesn’t approve of people like us and I wanted her to like you and-,”

Quatre rolled his eyes but smiled as he closed his hand over Duo’s mouth, ignoring the sticky feel of the chocolate ice cream on Duo’s lips. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“You don’t hate me and you’ll help me with my problem?’ Duo asked, his voice muffled by Quatre’s hand.

“You know I will.” Quatre removed his hand and wiped the residue of the chocolate ice cream on Duo’s sleeve and pointed them over to a bench. “Now,” he continued, biting into his ice cream cone, “Tell me exactly *why* Wufei hates you.”

#@#@#@

“So when he asked you if there was more you said *no*?” Quatre repeated, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“Well, yeah.” Duo blushed slightly and kicked at an empty Coke can absently.

“Were you *planning* on destroying all hopes of getting laid?” Quatre asked dryly, stealing the can away from Duo and kicking it himself.

“No…”

“Then why would you say something as stupid as that?”

Duo quickly returned his gaze to Quatre. “Because…I was afraid if I told him the truth, he’d run away.”

“What’s the truth?” Quatre asked dutifully, preparing to launch into a lecture on how Duo shouldn’t hide his feelings.

Duo looked utterly and completely miserable as he admitted, “I love him.”

Quatre was quite unprepared for *that*. “Well…” Quatre had never really pictured someone like Duo falling for someone like Wufei, the two were so different, but...now that he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He *had* noticed some chemistry between them… “It’s simple Duo. Do you think Wufei truly hates you?”

“No.”

“Then tell him. Tell him that you love him.”

#@#@#@

Wufei groaned slightly as there was a rapid knock at the door of the bedroom. Afraid to leave the room because Duo might be hanging around, Wufei had confined himself to the bedroom under the pretense of wanting to nap because of a cold. “Who is it?” No answer. < It’s probably Duo. >

Jaw set and eyes narrowed, Wufei marched over to the door, prepared to tell Duo off. But there was no one in the hall. Only a rectangular envelope with Wufei’s name written on the front in the familiar, chicken-scrawl writing that Duo called his own.

Against his better judgment, Wufei picked up the envelope and carried it into the bedroom, kicking the door closed with his foot as he passed it and opening the envelope by the time he sat down on the foot of the bed.

On the front of the card enclosed there was a picture of a sheepish looking cat with the word, ‘Oops!’ printed above it. Wufei’s brow knotted as he flipped the card open and read the message inside. ‘I messed up again! Sorry!’. And at the bottom, there was a personal message written in the dark red ink Duo favored. Wufei chewed on his lower lip as he read aloud:

“Guess the cat should’ve been a panda, huh Wu? Anyways, since I know you’ll probably end up seeking me out to ‘serve justice’ or something, I want to say, say corny as it sounds:

“I’m really sorry and I hope that you don’t hate me. That sounds so stupid on paper and spoken. But it’s true. I’ll let you be now…”

“Love, Duo.”

Wufei jolted. *He* hadn’t spoken the words, who had? He had a sneaking suspicion it was *him* but how could Duo have gotten in the room?

“You’ve forgotten my voice already? *That* hurts the old ego.”

Wufei jumped up and turned around, his jaw dropping the slightest bit as Duo stood in front of him. “Maxwell!”

“My name is Duo. And you don’t hate me.”

“Go away.”

“Not until you say,” Duo crossed the room and said in a low voice, “that you hate me. That you never want to see me again. Without your voice breaking.”

“I hate you,” Wufei whispered fiercely. “I-I never want to see you again!” His voice caught and broke slightly on the ‘I’. < Damn! > Wufei’s eyes took on a slightly panicked look as Duo closed the distance between them.

“Don’t look so frightened. I’d never hurt you,” Duo whispered comfortingly, brushing Wufei’s cheek with his fingertips slightly. “I-I just want you to know…” Wufei closed his eyes.

“That I love you.”

Wufei’s eyes flew open and Duo stepped away, looking mortified. “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said that! Wu, don’t look like that! Wu!”

Wufei grabbed Duo’s wrist quickly and said in a low, hoarse whisper. “Say that again.”

“Wu?”

“No, before that.” A hungry look passed through Wufei’s eyes momentarily. “Say that you love me.”

“I love you.”

“Do you really?” Wufei’s eyes were searching, probing and prodding for *something* in Duo’s face, his tone wistful.

“I really do,” Duo confirmed, leaning in closer. “I really and truly love you, Chang Wufei.” And with that, Duo brushed a gentle, but firm kiss across Wufei’s lips.

Wufei’s eyes flooded with tears abruptly. “Wu? Oh, Wu, don’t cry!” Duo cried in alarm.

“I’m not crying,” Wufei shook his head defiantly.

“Oh. Okay. If you say you aren’t, then you aren’t.”

Wufei smiled suddenly and said gently, “Duo…did you know I love you?”

From the look on Duo’s face, he hadn’t

#@#@#@

Erin paused suddenly outside the hall of her brother’s room. It sounded very faintly like he was crashing into furniture…but why? The sudden realization brought a blush to her face. < Well, it’s about time they made up! I don’t know what Duo did, but it was something bad! >

A particularly loud thump and Erin shook her head. < They’d better not break any furniture; as much as the Preventors get paid, it won’t be enough for an antique set as nice as that. >

And with another sideways glance at the locked door, Erin went about her business.

#@#@#@

Inside Duo’s room, he and Wufei were much more concerned with ridding each other of their constrictive clothing than about the furniture they were crashing into on their hurried path towards the bed. They fell, tumbling over one another and amid Duo’s low laughter to it, finally, leaving a trail of clothing behind them.

Duo snickered softly as he sat up and gazed down on the mass of black that covered Wufei’s face. “What’s so funny?” Wufei demanded, shaking his head to clear his face of his hair.

“You,” Duo replied, leaning down to nuzzle at Wufei’s neck softly.

“Why?” Wufei answered, his voice a low growl as he pushed Duo off of him.

Duo looked vaguely disappointed with the loss of his new ‘toy’ but answered cheerfully, “You look cute with your hair all over your face like that!”

“You don’t look half-bad yourself,” Wufei drawled out, his eyes taking in admiringly the sight of Duo being hit directly with the sunlight that filtered through the blinds and into the room.

“Only half-bad?” Duo asked, pinning Wufei fiercely into the pillows and nipping at his collarbone ferociously.

“Mmmhmm,” Wufei’s eyes lit up suddenly and he rolled away and under Duo until he could reach something on the nightstand. “Sit up,” Wufei ordered.

Duo did as he was told, shifting his gaze backwards as Wufei sat up behind him. < What’s he going to do? > Whatever Wufei had in mind, Duo was *quite* sure it would enjoyable. A slight shiver crept through his spine as he felt the first long strand of hair spring loose from his braid and drop across his shoulders. “Wu?”

“I’m going to brush you hair,” Wufei announced.

“Why?”

“Because it’s beautiful. I want to.”

Duo nodded his approval, his eyes widening as the first slow, gentle brush strokes came. “That’s nice,” Duo all but purred out, settling more comfortably on the bed.

“It feels nice,” Wufei answered absently, his eyes focused on the task in front of him. “You’re hair’s so soft…with these gold and red highlights, it’s almost alive. So bright and shining…it’s beautiful Duo. You know that?”

“Now I do,” Duo whispered back, feeling frozen in time as Wufei continued the slow, sensuous strokes. He loved having people brush his hair, but it had never felt *quite* like this when another person had done it… “Oh!” Duo jumped out of his half-sleeping reverie as a soft pair of lips found their way to his neck.

“Don’t fall asleep on me,” Wufei ordered, as his lips continued their trek down Duo’s neck and across his collarbone.

“I won’t,” Duo whimpered out helplessly as he was pressed forcefully into the bed and Wufei’s lips promptly went about discovering each and every sensitive spot of his chest and abdomen.

#@#@#@

Tears of passion were literally welling up in Duo’s eyes as Wufei continued his assault on his body, mouth and hands sending shudders throughout his body. “C’mon Wu, you’re being a *tease*!” Duo moaned as Wufei nibbled on his stomach.

Wufei smirked at him. “I haven’t heard too much protest in that area!”

Duo let out a frustrated groan as Wufei’s breath caressed his aching need…and Wufei ignored his silent pleas for release. “Dammit Wufei, you are being a fucking TEASE!” Duo yelled in outrage.

Wufei gazed down him, blinked and said. “Very well then. You do it.” And with that, he dropped Duo’s hands and fell flat on his back beside the American boy.

Duo sat up and glared at Wufei. “You…you...you’re evil ‘Fei! Plain evil!”

“And *you* either need to go take a cold shower or finish what we’ve started,” Wufei answered, his eyes narrowing into black slits as he smiled at his new-found lover.

Duo gazed at him, lost for words apparently. Wufei smirked at him. That was the final straw. He was going to HAVE Wufei if it was the last thing he did! “You know what I’m going to do Wufei?”

“Tell me.”

“I am going to *fuck* you. I am going to *fuck* you until you *scream* and until this bed *breaks*.”

“Try me,” Wufei responded, his eyes glowing with a dangerous sort of mischief. Duo threw him a look that was a mixture between sly and impish as he rolled over and off the bed. Wufei’s dark eyes suddenly became overcast with worry. < Did he change his mind? Is he actually just going to walk off? >

Apparently he was wrong because a moment later, Duo was bouncing beside him on the bed, wearing a *very* large grin. “Lookit what Trowa and Quatre left behind the last time they spent the night!” Duo chirruped, holding his outstretched hand towards Wufei.

Wufei arched an eyebrow, “In *your* bathroom?”

“Yeah. They took a shower in here because the guest one wasn’t working and I didn’t have the basement finished yet,” Duo answered, cheerily.

“Oh.” Wufei gazed at Duo and a smile quirked at his lips. “What happened to fucking me until I screamed and the bed broke?”

“I was getting there,” Duo responded haughtily, leaning down to kiss Wufei warmly on the lips. Wufei’s arms raised and crushed around Duo, drawing him closer and deepening the kiss, his mind so fixated on this one task, he didn’t even realize what Duo was doing until…

#@#@#@

“God, you’re tight,” Duo whimpered out, clutching onto the sides of the bed, trying to support himself above Wufei.

Wufei nodded slightly, his eyes almost completely closed. “Am I hurting you?” Duo whispered, pausing his awkward rhythm.

“N-no…it’s just-,” Wufei paused and sighed softly. “It’s been so long.”

“Oh…should I stop?” Duo asked, clenching his fingers into fists, dragging the sheet along with them.

“No!” Wufei’s eyes widened in alarm. “Don’t stop!”

Duo grinned; his eyes flashing as he quickly perfected his rhythm with Wufei, drawing a low moan from his lover’s lips. “Duo,” Wufei whimpered out, his hands raking across the bed as he searched frantically for something to hold on to, he couldn’t stay still! “Oh, Duo, Duo, Duo, Duo!” Duo’s name was a chant on Wufei’s lips; egging Duo on and the only way Wufei could vent his pleasure.

A low groan escaped Duo’s lips as Wufei writhed beneath him, trying to increase the friction between them. Wufei cried out, becoming so vocal Duo clamped a hand over his mouth. “Do you want Erin to hear? Because you *don’t* sound like a girl!” Duo chided. Wufei shook his head, his eyes unusually bright.

Now denied of his only outlet, Wufei was forced to try and express his pleasure through other methods. Duo let out a shocked little gasp of pleasure as Wufei’s lips found his chest again and his hands ran themselves over Duo’s muscular build.

Duo was almost on the edge, and he was doing his hardest not to lose control first. “W-W-Wufei,” he stuttered out, trying to clear his mind of the fogs that surrounded it.

And suddenly, he was very aware of the fact that Wufei was biting down on a pillow to suppress a scream as he climaxed, and he was aware of the muscles contracting around him, pushing over the edge until he was falling, falling…

#@#@#@

Wufei blinked. And blinked again before sitting up and yawning widely. “Ugh.” He turned towards the source of the sound; Duo was lying flat on his back, still covered in sweat with his hands clamped over his eyes. “I *hate* the sun!”

Wufei grinned at the complaining American. “You didn’t have any problems with the sun a few minutes ago.”

“I was caught up in…other things,” Duo allotted. He smirked up at Wufei from beneath his hands. “Wanna go take a show and…clean up?”

“Let’s,” Wufei agreed, to Duo’s surprise, jumping out of the bed and dragging the American with him.

Duo stood in a stupor for a second, before catching up with his lover and wrapping his arms around Wufei’s waist, whispering gleefully, “I love you, Wufei.”

“Love you too, you braided idiot,” Wufei answered affectionately, leaning back into Duo’s embrace momentarily. There was a long moment of comfortable silence until:

“You know, you’ll have to tell her.”

#@#@#@

It was almost an hour later when the two finally made it out of the shower and back into the bedroom, exhausted, sated and extremely happy. “Does it *always* take you this long *just* to wash your hair?” Wufei asked, pulling a strand of Duo’s hair as the American literally bounced past him.

“Only when there’s a sexy guy in the shower with me,” Duo grinned and winked unabashedly at the reddening Wufei.

“Shut up Maxwell,” Wufei muttered, not knowing what else to say.

“You know you love me,” Duo continued, collapsing on the bed and yawning. “Man, I’m tired!”

“And?”

“Hungry. What’s for dinner, lovely wife of mine?”

Wufei paused and turned, holding a hairbrush in his hand and twirling it methodically. “I’m not your wife, Duo.”

“Until Sunday afternoon you are.”

“No Duo. I’m not your wife. Not now, not ever. Duo, you need to tell Erin the truth.”

Duo sucked in his cheeks with a sharp breath of air and exhaled loudly, sitting up as he did so. His eyes met Wufei’s in the mirror as he asked, “Why, Wu? Only a day and a half left, not counting tonight. She’ll never know.”

“But what about Thanksgiving? And Christmas? What if she and her family move here?” Wufei chewed furiously on his lower lip as he yanked the brush roughly through his wet hair. “I’m not going to dress up as a girl every time she comes over!”
“Okay…” Duo thought for a long moment. “I’ll say we got a divorce!”

Wufei turned towards him and tossed the hairbrush onto the dresser. “Duo…” his tone was both soft and disbelieving as he joined the American on the bed. “I love you.”

Duo looked pleased. “And I love you, but what does that have to do with Erin?”

“Everything. If we love each other, then wouldn’t I be with you? Wouldn’t a lot of your conversation have to do with me? Wouldn’t it seem *strange* to Erin that a *man* named Wufei is hanging around…a man that looks *a lot* like her brother’s ex-wife?”

Duo squirmed uncomfortably even as he nodded his agreement. “You’re right…um…how about we make you my wife?”

“What?” Wufei stared at Duo blankly.

“Legally! Wufei, will you marry me?”

Wufei stared at the excited youth incredulously. “You’ve gone crazy, Duo!”

“I’m serious! Wufei-,”

“Duo! Stop!” Wufei jumped up and clamped his hands over Duo’s mouth, pushing the American none-to-gently back onto the bed. “Just stop it! I can’t *marry* you just so everything’s made easy and simple for you! I can’t!”

“But-,” Duo broke in and was immediately cut off by Wufei.

“No! I refuse to even further any of this! Duo, if you won’t tell her, I will!” Wufei took a deep breath, evidently done with his impassioned speech.

Amethyst eyes flashed a cold fire at him. “And you! Did you ever tell your wife?”

“Tell her what?” Wufei asked in confusion, his brows meeting puzzlement.

“That you were attracted to *guys*! That you were *gay*! Did you ever tell her that, ‘Fei? Did you ever tell your wife that she repulsed you sexually? Did you?” Duo spat out the last question, his face contorting in anger.

Wufei glared back, his own temper flaring up, “No! Of course not! I would never disgrace the honor of the Dragon Clan like that! Never!”

“Than why should I tell Erin? Why! It’s the same for me as it was for you!”

“No it’s not! You and your sister-you’re different! You two love each other simply because you belong to each other! You love each other because you have the same blood running through your veins! It’s a pure, unconditional love that is there only because of the blood between you!” Wufei paused, his face contorted into a mixture of expressions, none of which were definite.

Duo’s heart ached as he asked quietly, “Is it really like that?”

“Yes,” Wufei all but breathed the word out. “Yes it is. It was never like that for Meiran and me. What lied between us was only a bitter resentment and hatred of each other. There was no affection or tenderness. Even in our most intimate moments, it was only a hard, dry thing, a doing so because of duty. And even as I made love to her, I hated her. And I hated myself even more so.

“And then…she died. It wasn’t expected and I never would have dreamed she would have died so young. It’s a crime, it is. And she…now, she’s gone I see who she was…she was full of vibrant life and passion. Anyone who holds that kind of passionate fight in them should not die. She didn’t deserve to die. I should have been in that Mobile Suit. It should have been me!” Wufei’s voice was choked, his hands cupped over his face and his whole upper body shaking, but with no sound coming out.

“Wu…I never knew,” Duo offered helplessly, coming up beside Wufei and rubbing his shoulder gently.

“Duo.”

“Yes?” Duo’s voice was steady; a misleading thing for his hands were shaking as he gently rubbed his love’s shoulders. “What is it?”

“Is this right?”

“Is what right?”

“Us. Are we right? Your God-it’s a sin in his eyes for two men to love one another. And the society we live in…it’s a freakish, disgusting thing. And your sister…it would drive her away if she knew,” his voice was empty, a voice of one who had nothing left to live for.

Duo’s brow knotted and unknotted as he cried out fiercely, clutching Wufei close to him in a tight embrace. “We are right! We are! Whenever someone falls in love, it’s right! Love is like that! Beautiful no matter how it comes!”
“I shouldn’t be happy with you,” Wufei whispered, conflicting emotions darting across his solemn face.

“Why not?” Duo demanded, his fingers digging into Wufei’s upper arms.

“I should be punished…I killed Meiran, same as if it were me in the battlefield with her! I killed her!” Wufei cried, his hands clenching into the sides of the bed tightly. “Because I was living a lie! Because I hated her! Every time I touched her, I was repulsed, I wished her or I were dead so I would not have to do this! I killed my wife, Duo!”

“No, no, ‘Fei, don’t,” Duo murmured, dropping to his knees and embracing the shaking youth around his waist. “It’s not your fault, you couldn’t have stopped it.”

“She was so strong…” Wufei whispered numbly, tears trickling down his face without his notice. “You and she…you’re both so strong.”

“Please, Wufei, stop doing this to yourself!” Duo begged, grabbing Wufei hands and kissing them swiftly.

Wufei sighed deeply and stared down at the desperate American who was wringing his hands in his own. “Tell Erin, Duo.”

“I can’t! I’m not-,”

“If you won’t do it for me, do it for yourself.”

“No!”

Wufei sighed again and gazed at Duo with wet ebony eyes. “Then…do it for her. Show her that you love her and trust her. Tell her who I am and what you are.”

Duo’s voice cracked, a note of fear ringing high in his voice. “She’ll hate me…”

“Tell Erin the truth!” Wufei cried out in frustration just as a puzzled, yet angry voice called out from the doorframe:

“Tell me what?”

#@#@#@

Slowly, all color drained from Duo’s face. His jaw tightened and he looked at Wufei helplessly, hoping for some sort of guidance. It was there he found his salvation.

Glowing like embers in the middle of those ebony eyes was a flame of pure love and devotion. Nothing but fierce, passionate love-for *him-shone out of those eyes. Wufei’s face was calm, but in his eyes, in the slight quirk of his mouth as Duo’s frightened eyes found his, a fierce passion enveloped him. No matter what Duo said, no matter how Erin reacted, *Wufei would always love him*. Duo stared at his lover in slight awe, wondering briefly, how these strong feelings had sprung up so suddenly. There wasn’t an answer…only Wufei’s silent plea.

Tell her.

Duo nodded shakily at Wufei and slowly, clumsily got to his feet, turning to face his sister who was standing in the doorway impatiently. “Duo?” she asked, her tone slightly hurt; still puzzled.

“Erin,” Duo whispered her name and took a deep intake of breath. Almost immediately, he felt a warm hand press his fingers gently. Duo started and turned to see Wufei clutching his hand and offering the only support he could give.

A massive sigh left Duo and he wilted noticeably as he said quietly, “Erin…I’ve been lying to you.”

“What? How?”

“About…” Duo grimaced slightly and was once again revived by a slight touch from Wufei’s hand. “Wufei.”

“What about her?” Erin’s gaze flickered from Duo to Wufei and then back to her brother. “What about her?!”

“Wufei…isn’t a…she,” Duo said slowly. Suddenly, he squeezed his eyes closed tight and said in a rush, “Wufei works with me at the Preventors and he only did this as a favor to me because I’ve been lying to you about having a wife and stuff, so don’t hate him because it was all my fault and if you ever had a reason to walk away, this would be it!”
Erin stared at him, her mouth a perfect ‘O’. “Duo…”

Duo shut his eyes tighter and prepared for the angry rush that was sure to come. But...it didn’t. No, instead, Duo got the shock of his life.

“Duo, I already knew.”

#@#@#@

Duo’s jaw dropped and he stumbled backwards, into Wufei, knocking them both on their backs, on the bed. “For once, that wasn’t planned,” Duo, whispered wryly to the Chinese youth as the two struggled to get out of the clutches of the tangled sheets and away from the bed.

Wufei’s eyes widened and he smiled at the other boy, whispering, “You’re going to be alright Duo.” And with that, he rolled out from under the American and darted out into the hallway.

“Wufei! Don’t leave me!” Duo cried at the closing door. His brow furrowed and he glared at the door. < Dammit! Why’d he leave me to face this all by myself? >

“Are you quite through?” Duo turned to find his sister still standing in the window, gazing at him.

“How’d you know?” Duo whispered, frozen in place.

Erin grinned gently, “It wasn’t hard. I knew there was something different about Wufei from the way she-he acted so I suspected maybe something was wrong. And your relationship…from the way it kept going up and down, I knew you two couldn’t have had that whirlwind romance you described in your letters. No one can have the kind of relationship you two have without having known each other for years.”

“Wha?” Duo looked slightly dazed and more than a little confused.

“The tolerance you have for each other. You both love pushing the other to see him fight back-and that makes you happy. It’s a constant challenge between you two-and you guys are obviously having a lot of fun with it.” Erin shrugged, “You obviously knew each other very well, much more than several months like you led me to believe in your letters.” Another gentle grin, “Anyway, your friend Quatre called me and ‘mentioned’ that Wufei might be a fraud. That only confirmed my suspicions.” Her grin disappeared. “So, why’d you do it Duo? Why’d you lie to me?”

Duo swallowed harshly. This was the question he’d been dreading. He opened his mouth, planning to babble some long drawn-out excuse until she shut him up; but something made him stop. Amethyst eyes locked on amethyst ones until he came to a conclusion.

“I was afraid you would hate me if I wrote about what I really did, who I really was. So I made up a life you’d approve of, one you’d find as normal. I wanted you to love me, to need-*so bad*.” Duo closed his eyes again and automatically groped for Wufei’s hand, wanting the support it lended to him. Of course, he didn’t find it, so he slowly opened his eyes and resigned himself to his fate.

Erin’s eyes were wide. “I’d never hate you. You’re my big brother, Duo. I may get mad at you, but hate you? Never!”

“Even…” Duo paused and sighed. “Even if I told you I was gay?”

“*Especially* not if you told me that,” Erin answered.

“All right then. Erin, I’m gay and I’m in love with Wufei who also happens to be a man. What do you think of that?”

#@#@#@

Erin stared at her older brother. She was unsure of how to answer; any answer could be the wrong one in a delicate situation like this. Duo was obviously very unhappy, but she had to say something. Erin glanced up to meet her brother’s eyes. Yes, he was unhappy, but also he was fiercely protective of Wufei and anything she said that might be degrading to his love would grant her a passionate declaration. “Do you really love him?” she asked quietly.

“Yes!” Duo answered immediately, eyes flashing violet fire. “I do love him!”

Erin paused and took a sharp breath of air. She didn’t know what to do. She’d never been confronted with a declaration like this…

< But does it really matter what sex he prefers as long as he’s a good person? As long as he’s your brother? > The answer was no. It didn’t matter whether he wanted a man by his side or a woman. The only thing that should matter between them was that they were siblings. That they shared common blood. Nothing else.

Erin sighed heavily and answered, “I don’t know how anyone else will deal with it. I don’t even know if I’ll ever be truly comfortable with it, Duo. But…it doesn’t make me hated you. It’s just something that we have to work on. Just like we have work on you telling the truth.”

Duo’s eyes gleamed wetly, “Really? You can accept it?”

“Of course. After all…I accepted the fact that a cross-dresser was in my brother’s house for the past week.”

Duo grinned, “Oh, he only did that as a favor for me, Wufei *hates* woman!” Erin raised an eyebrow. ‘Well…he doesn’t hate you,” Duo amended hastily.

“Well?”

“What?” Duo blinked at her stupidly.

“Aren’t you going to go get him and tell him it’s all settled-for now?”

Duo’s eyes brightened, “Right. I’ll go get him.” The braided youth got to his feet and charged out of the room and down the hall. “Wufei! Hey, Wu! Where are you?”

Erin followed her brother and was shocked to see her supposed sister-in-law come out of the kitchen dressed like a man. She gazed at Wufei and smiled absently as Duo barreled into him. < I’ll give him this. Duo has good taste. > And with that, she descended the staircase, intent on finding her family and seeing how they reacted to ‘Aunt’ Wufei’s secret.

#@#@#@

“She doesn’t mind,” Duo repeated joyfully over and over again as he was wrapped up in Wufei’s arms. “She doesn’t mind!”

“I told you she wouldn’t,” Wufei reminded him, kissing Duo’s forehead softly. “Why should she mind?”

“I don’t know,” Duo whispered. “Now, I don’t know why it would be so terrible to tell her…”

Wufei grinned, “See? I’m always right.”

“Shuddup,” Duo ordered, tilting his head up to glare at Wufei. Wufei only laughed at him and Duo jutted his lips out in hurt. The pout disappeared suddenly and was replaced by an impish smile. <Oh no. I know that look… > Wufei thought nervously.

“A week’s too short, Wufei.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah. We shouldn’t be married for a week.”

“Shouldn’t we?”

“No. Why not….” Duo grinned, “Now and forever?”

“Isn’t that a line from a song or something?”

“Yeah.”

“So original you are,” Wufei rolled his eyes at Duo.

Duo grinned, “Make me all the more loveable, doesn’t it? So…what is it Wufei?”

“You can’t expect me to make a decision-,”

“’Fei!”

“Yes.”

::End::