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"Breathless"Written By: Waterliliylf Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. All rights
remain with Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. No profit being
made here. Rating: R Warnings: sap, angst, fluff Pairings: 3x4, 13x2 Summary: Quatre finds himself introduced to an
annoying young man, one he can't seem to get out of his head. "Breathless" Chapter 23: In which Trowa receives an unexpected, unwelcome visitor, who refuses to leave….. It was only a cold, Trowa told himself, dragging his aching carcase back to the house after feeding the animals. It was stupid; he'd suffered pretty much every injury known to man, but nothing ever ached quite so much as the onset of a bad cold or the 'flu. His head was pounding, his body temperature had soared, and his nose was dripping. Ugh. He'd have a coffee, take a couple of painkillers and then take the dogs for their morning run before cleaning out the kennels. Cleo nudged his hand with her nose, sensing something was wrong and wanting to give comfort, and the greyhound, Caroline, pressed closer to his leg. Who needed people when you had animals? If only Cleo had opposable thumbs, she'd be perfect. 'It's OK, girls. Just a bit of a sniffle. We'll go out in a few minutes, OK?' The dogs exploded into barking just before someone rang the doorbell. Odd; he hadn't heard a car and it wasn't like anyone would walk all the way up to the house. He certainly wasn't expecting to see Chang Wufei standing on his doorstep. 'You look like hell,' the Chinese man said bluntly. It was the truth, Trowa supposed, mopping his streaming nose. 'What do you want?' 'We need to talk about yesterday.' 'We have nothing to talk about.' 'Quatre,' Wufei specified. 'Us.' 'Nothing,' Trowa repeated, a bit more forcefully. Shit. He seriously didn't need this guy turning up in his life. He made a move like he was planning to slam the door in Wufei's face, then gave up and slumped against the frame instead. If the guy had made his way up here, he probably wouldn't just go away. 'There's no us.' 'We kissed.' Trowa grimaced. 'You kissed me.' 'I seem to remember you taking a more active part in the proceedings than that. I don't remember you complaining at the time.' Those onyx-dark eyes narrowed, studying him. 'What's the matter with you?' 'Nothing. I have a bit of a cold.' Wufei leaned over, resting a hand on the other man's forehead. 'Don't touch me.' Wufei sniffed. 'I'm not that desperate that I'm going to hit on someone who's leaking from practically every facial orifice. I think you should probably sit down before you fall down. Aren't you going to invite me in?' Trowa shrugged, heading back inside. 'What, you're a vampire who can't come in unless I invite you?' 'Of course not.' God, the man was totally impervious to hints. Or insults. Trowa slumped on the couch and Wufei sat on the opposite end. Probably worried about catching whatever infection Trowa had. Good. Serve him right. 'You've probably caught whatever I've got already. It's been coming on for a couple of days. I felt a bit woozy on Sunday, actually. That's probably why you had that effect on me.' Fuck. That wasn't remotely true, unfortunately. But it was as good a lie as any. Wufei smirked at him. 'Oh no. I think that was all me.' 'You know, that smug attitude of yours isn't a very attractive quality.' 'It's self confidence. I've been told it's very attractive, actually.' 'Is that what Quatre thinks?' 'Oh, Quatre thinks I have all sorts of attractive qualities. Now, why isn't he here wiping your fevered brow and sprinkling lavender water on your pillow before tucking you into bed?' Trowa made a face. 'God, he'd just love that. I think you just answered your own question. Anyway, he had meetings lined up all day.' 'You don't think he'd have cancelled for you?' 'No reason why he should have his day messed up because I've got a cold.' 'Hmm. A bad case of 'flu, I'd say.' Wufei sat back, apparently at perfect, graceful ease and held out one hand for Cleo to sniff. 'You just need to rest for a day or so, and take plenty of liquids.' 'I know that,' Trowa snapped, not appreciating the other man's lecturing tone. 'Do you really?' One dark eyebrow quirked. God, it irritated the hell out of him when Treize did that; it was sort of sexy on Wufei. 'It doesn't look like it. Why don't you put your feet up and I'll get you something to drink?' 'No.' Trowa glared at him, flicking his hair back so Wufei could get blasted by both eyes at once. That usually worked. 'You can't just barge into my house and start bossing me around like that.' 'I know I shouldn't, probably, but I have.' God, he was annoying. Every bit as persistent as Duo when he was set on something. At least Quatre knew when to back off. Sometimes, anyway. Oh, fuck, no. He was not going to start comparing those two. Quatre was his boyfriend. Irritating as hell sometimes, but still. Wufei was just…..the guy who'd kissed him senseless. And who was currently clattering about in his kitchen. Asshole. Although it was sort of nice to be able just to sit back and rest for a minute. Trowa let his eyes close, just for a second, and when he opened them Chang was standing in front of him, tray in hand. It smelt disgusting; the guy could at least have made coffee instead of that boiling water with bits of twig floating in it. 'I don't drink that stuff. It's Quatre's.' Wufei put down the tray, moving the little jug of bluebells Trowa had picked for Quatre. They were already starting to wilt. 'I'm sure he won't object. You need to increase your fluid intake. Judging by the empty cups in the sink, you've already had more than enough caffeine. Just drink it, Trowa.' 'I don't like being bossed around.' 'Then you're with the wrong man.' Trowa glared at him, taking a grudging sip. It wasn't all that bad, surprisingly. There was plenty of honey stirred in, and grated ginger. 'It should soothe your throat a little,' Wufei said quietly. 'How did you know I had a sore throat?' 'Your voice. I couldn't find any cough syrup but this will do. And camomile can be good for headaches.' 'You a doctor on the side or something?' Trowa took another swallow, resenting the fact that it was actually helping. 'I get migraines, sometimes, if I've been reading for too long without my glasses. I get that little frown there too.' He placed one finger, very gently, between Trowa's eyebrows. 'Plus you don't have anything so common as cough medicine but you have prescription medication for migraines. I usually find those pills are more effective if you actually break the seal on the bottle and take them.' 'You went through my fucking kitchen cabinets?' Trowa glared up at him. 'You actually make a practice out of forcing your way into people's houses and snooping around?' 'I'm a historian. It's practically in my job description.' 'Well you can get out of my house.' It might have been a stronger declaration if he hadn't had a coughing fit midway through the sentence. 'I mean it, Chang. Get the hell out.' There was the tiniest flicker of hesitation in Wufei's eyes. 'I'm sorry. I'd rather not leave you here alone. Do you have a friend you can call?' 'I already did. He'll be here this afternoon.' Whenever Treize decided he'd spent enough time hanging around his family. Wufei gave him another of those aggravating smirks. 'I can't leave you here like this. You can put up with me or I'll call Quatre. Your choice.' 'Asshole.' 'Now now. You're hardly well enough to start something.' Trowa shifted on his pillows. 'You talk like that to Quatre?' 'Hardly.' Trowa found the corners of his mouth quirking upwards. Oh, shit. He didn't like this guy, he didn't like anything about him, and he'd invaded Trowa's house and Trowa wasn't feeling strong enough to throw him out. He'd probably fall flat on his face if he tried, and Wufei would love that. Probably try to kiss him again or something. 'This is so fucked up,' he grumbled. 'Unusual, certainly.' Wufei refilled his mug. 'Trowa, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snoop around your kitchen; I was looking for your medicine cabinet.' 'Whatever. I've drunk your damn tea; I've been sitting here for a good ten minutes, so you can go now. I have a pack of dogs to take care of.' 'You have yourself to take of first.' Wufei looked down at him with an oddly unreadable expression. 'I'll look after the dogs, all right? What do I need to do; just feed them?' 'You? Seriously? It's a nice offer, but I don't think so. I've got a couple of Pit Bulls and a Rottweiler. They're not so good with strangers.' 'My grandmother breeds Chows. All other breeds are easy in comparison.' Trowa perked up suddenly. 'Chang Chows? That's your grandmother's kennel? Shit! One of her dogs took Best in Show at Crufts last year.' 'That's right. Nataku. She had her first litter last month. Would you like a puppy?' 'Is that your new trick? Seduction by puppies? That's kind of low.' 'Would it work?' 'No, it damn well wouldn't. I only take in rescue dogs; I don't believe in paying a fortune for pedigrees.' 'Well, it wouldn't be much of a seduction if I expected you to pay for it. Anyway. Do you just have dogs or are there other animals?' 'A couple of horses and a llama. I've already turned them out in the big field behind the house. You just need to check that the water trough is full and throw over a few fork-loads of hay. I've actually fed the dogs; you can let them into the fenced paddock while you clean out the kennels. And the horse stalls.' The dark eyes widened; hah, he hadn't expected that he'd have to shovel a load of shit. 'All right.' He tapped the sides of the Trowa's mug. 'Drink that while it's hot. I'll make more when I come back in.' If he came back in. If the dogs didn't eat him, or if the horses didn't kick him to death, or he if he didn't get llama spit all over his face. Yeah, if Alonzo spat at him, he'd probably just go home and that would be for the best. Once he got the chores finished before he went. Still, even if he stormed out, Duo would be here in the afternoon. He could help out. Help with burying the body, if necessary. Cleo snuggled up against him and Trowa gave in. It wouldn't hurt to close his eyes for a couple of minutes. Just a short nap. Then he'd go out and make it very clear to Chang that he didn't need help and Chang could just get out of his life. When he woke up, his head was resting in Chang's lap. The caramel-coloured fingers of one hand were stroking his forehead and the other was holding a paperback novel. It felt oddly comfortable. And Wufei was wearing a pair of glasses perched on the end of his nose. Very sexy. Bad thought. 'What are you reading?' 'A gay pirate story. I can lend it to you if you like.' 'Not really my thing.' 'No. You're not into swashbuckling and lots of sex?' 'I don't read fiction.' 'So I gathered.' Trowa supposed that meant the guy had perused his bookshelves as well. Figured. Snoop. 'Have a good nose around while I was out for the count, did you?' 'Yes, thank you.' Wufei grinned. 'Come on, Trowa. You were fast asleep. I had to entertain myself somehow.' 'Going home didn't occur to you?' 'Not for a single second,' the Chinese man assured him, that irritating little smile hovering over his mouth. 'For the record, I didn't nose around. And you don't exactly have a lot of personal items on show. One photograph to be exact. Is Duo Maxwell a friend of yours?' 'No, I just collect framed photos of total strangers and keep them in my living room. How come you know him?' 'He's done some restoration work on pictures at the National Gallery. We've met a couple of times.' 'Oh, right.' 'How are you feeling?' 'Not great,' Trowa admitted, which was a considerable understatement. 'Your temperature's up,' Wufei said softly. 'Do you think you'd be more comfortable in bed?' 'Is that a come-on? No, I'm comfortable enough right here.' Oh, fuck. He had not meant to say that out loud, even if it was true. Even past his multifarious aches and pains, and the fact that his very bones felt brittle and the Charge of the Light Brigade was being recreated in his head, it felt pleasant lying like this. 'No kissing though.' Ack, as Quatre would say. He apparently had a new symptom; diarrhoea of the mouth. 'Of course not,' Wufei said equably. 'I wouldn't want to kiss you in this state anyway.' 'Thanks.' The other man laughed. 'I don't mean that.' And then he actually did kiss him; just the faintest brush of his mouth against Trowa's forehead. 'Now, I'm going to get you some lunch.' 'I'm not hungry.' 'Just soup and toast.' He stood up carefully, gently moving Trowa's head on to a cushion. 'I hope you don't mind, but I used the roast chicken leftovers in your fridge to make the soup. You should eat something.' 'If it'll stop you nagging me, OK.' Trowa was not used to people being in his house. He could count on the fingers of one hand the people he was comfortable having around. Duo, Cathy, Howard, Zechs, Middie. Quatre. OK, maybe he was on to two hands now. He'd thought Kurt had deserved to be part of the count, maybe, once, before Kurt had actually moved in, which had been a massive mistake. And now this arrogant, domineering guy's name had suddenly sprawled itself all over his list. The guy who was making lunch in his kitchen and acting like the house belonged to him. Quatre had behaved like that, a little bit, but Quatre was his boyfriend and had certain privileges. Like kissing him, for example. 'Your llama spat at me, by the way,' Wufei announced carrying in a tray. The soup smelled pretty good, actually. 'Oh yeah, he spits at strangers. Sorry. Forgot to warn you.' He wondered if Wufei would pick up on the shining insincerity of that. 'How did you get up here anyway? I never heard a car.' 'My bike.' Wufei crunched a piece of toast. 'I can't imagine you get a lot of visitors. I've seen bike trails that were less challenging.' Trowa grinned. 'I've built a couple of trails around the property; if you think the driveway is tough, you should try them.' 'I'd like that. How much of this land do you actually own?' 'A hundred acres, more or less. I let my neighbours use some of the arable land to graze their cattle and in return I get free fodder for the horses and they help out when I need it. The rest is mostly wooded, and it runs along the national park. I get lots of wildlife.' 'I saw a peregrine falcon while I was driving up.' 'Yeah, there's a pair nesting a couple of miles away. You're into bird-watching? Seems a weird kind of hobby for an art historian.' 'And art collecting seems a rather odd hobby for a professional dog-trainer. You still have some lovely pieces. The Merquise watercolour of the heron is beautiful.' He sat back, looking around with every appearance of pleasure. 'This whole house is amazing, actually. I love how you've used all natural materials.' 'How did you know I built it?' 'Quatre mentioned it. He sounded very impressed.' 'Did he? I get the feeling it's not really his sort of place. He's such a city guy; likes to be around people a lot. I'm not into that. I don't even like having visitors much.' 'Why don't you like me?' Wufei looked up at him, soup spoon in hand. 'You actually need to ask? I kissed you. I've got a boyfriend; I shouldn't be cheating on him.' 'I kissed you. Blame me.' 'I do.' Trowa crumbled a toast crust into his soup. 'Are you going to tell him?' 'I haven't, yet. No. I'm not going to tell him. You didn't exactly seem to like me from the start. Even before the kiss.' 'Really?' Trowa drawled with biting sarcasm. 'How bizarre. Fancy me not liking the guy who's out to steal my boyfriend. And keeps hitting on me as a sideline.' 'Do you love him?' 'I don't think that's any of your business.' 'No?' He did that maddening eyebrow twitch again. 'I think it is actually.' 'Screw you.' Wufei positively beamed. 'We've already established that you're not well enough for that sort of thing. 'Oh, God. Here we go again.' Trowa closed his eyes; maybe this whole insane episode was some sort of fever-borne delusion. It wasn't really happening. It couldn't be. When he cracked one eyelid open, Chang was still there. 'I think you should go now. I mean it. Just go.' 'Will you let me call Quatre? Or somebody else?' 'Duo'll be here in a few hours. I'll survive 'til then.' 'Quatre won't like the idea of me leaving you here alone like this.' 'Yeah? He'd probably like it even less if he knew the stuff you've been doing.' 'Is he the possessive sort, then?' Wufei wondered. 'Not that I blame him; I'd be possessive, if you were mine.' 'I'm not anybody's.' 'I'm not sure if Quatre would agree with that. Trowa, I can call him.' 'He's busy. He was meeting up with a couple of new clients.' 'Well, I'm sure they can wait twenty four hours for him to take them shopping, or whatever it is he does.' 'Ouch,' Trowa pulled a face. 'Does he know you have that low an opinion of his job?' 'Job, right.' Wufei snorted. 'He knows I have a low opinion of him frittering away his life and his talents as a glorified personal shopper, just because he didn't get to do the one thing he wanted.' Trowa almost – almost – asked what the hell that meant, and then it was suddenly clear. The painting; the way he'd been holding the violin. The way he'd immediately changed the subject when Trowa had mentioned it. And he'd just let it go, the way Quatre had wanted. 'He's happy doing what he does. Isn't that the important thing?' 'Perhaps. If he truly is happy. You're his boyfriend; you should know.' 'Yeah. I am.' Trowa suddenly realised he was holding one of Wufei's hands in his. When the hell had that happened? 'Look. You're hot. If it wasn't for Quatre, I'd probably jump you in a shot. Especially if you had a personality transplant. But I've got someone. And I'm not into two – timing, even if you are. Are always this fickle?' 'No.' Wufei looked stung by the accusation.'No, I'm not. I'm the opposite if anything,' he added ruefully. 'Trowa, I don't think you're really in any state to have this conversation. Perhaps, when you're feeling better, we could meet up, just for a drink and talk a little?' 'No point,' Trowa said tiredly. 'Like I said, I think
it's time you left now.'
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