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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 28: In which Wufei goes on a date with a blond who isn't Quatre… Wufei had always loved living alone; loved unlocking his door at the end of the day and knowing he would have as much as he chose for himself. He'd stopped feeling that way recently. At some point, returning home to a cold, empty apartment had become depressing and lonely, rather than peaceful and undemanding. Turning his key in the door, he could imagine walking into a warm, bright room, filled with the ripple of Quatre's bright laughter, or the rare, sudden smile he'd seen flash across Trowa's face. Damn. He'd vowed to stop thinking about them, both of them. After spending that last evening with Quatre, he'd gone home full of hope that something might be possible. He'd meant what he said, about trying to win the blond back. Trowa rather obviously didn't deserve him. Then Quatre had called the next day, and that hope had shrivelled. He'd been sweetly and sincerely apologetic for how he'd behaved. He'd been depressed over Trowa apparently dumping him, but that had all been sorted out somehow, and he wanted to let Wufei know that friendship was all he was capable of giving. Anything else wouldn't be fair to Trowa. Trowa. Always Trowa. Wufei switched on the kettle, and found his favourite blend of tea. He'd left messages on Trowa's phone, none of which had been returned. The message was all too clear; leave me alone. Well, of course. He had Quatre. What else did he need? 'Not me, that's for sure,' Wufei informed his cup gloomily. It was no use. He'd found the perfect person – actually, two perfect people, a niggling little voice in his brain suggested – and they'd found each other first. An honourable man would do the right thing and just leave the two of them alone. He'd always prided himself on being an honourable man, even if his actions of late hadn't actually supported the fact. Of course Trowa wanted nothing to do with him, after how he'd behaved. And he'd been nothing more than a convenient shoulder for Quatre to cry on, until he got back with Trowa. No more. He was going to move on. He had a date with an incredibly attractive man; a man whose paintings he admired tremendously and who'd seemed very taken with him. Time to cut his losses and leave those two to work out their own relationship. Trowa apparently never wanted to see him again, and it probably wasn't in anyone's best interests for him to spend so much time with Quatre. Onwards. 'Talking to yourself?' a voice enquired behind him. Wufei jumped approximately three feet in the air and came down prepared to pulverise whoever had invaded his home, his sanctuary. 'I did knock,' Heero said mildly. 'Sorry.' 'The door was locked.' Wufei wasn't even sure why he'd said that; Heero wouldn't have cared about such a minor impediment. 'You didn't answer and I could hear you inside. I wanted to ask you something and I only have a few minutes. I'm supposed to be going to dinner with Relena's parents. Some tea would be nice if you've got it ready.' 'Tea, fine.' Wufei measured out two spoonfuls. 'What did you want?' 'I'm looking for an estate agent. I thought you might be able to recommend someone.' 'Really? I didn't think you and Relena were planning to set up your little love nest so soon.' 'There's no need to be facetious, Chang. It's just for me. I'm spending more time here than I'd planned, and I'm sick of living in a hotel. I might as well buy a small apartment and have my own base.' Wufei nodded, pouring two cups of steaming, scented tea. 'I actually found this place on line. I can give you the website if you like.' Heero took a first cautious sip of his tea. 'I don't have time for all of that. I know exactly what I want; I just need some efficient company to find me a short list of potential places that I can look at in the next day or so, and then move straight in.' 'I can ask Meiran tomorrow if you like. She and her boyfriend bought a house a couple of months ago. Or actually, I could ask Quatre for you; it sounds like something he'd be able to do.' 'Any excuse to talk to him, eh?' Heero teased. 'I didn't know he was into property management.' 'Oh, he's not. But he seems to know everyone in Sanque and he'd probably love snooping around apartments for you. And from what I can gather, he does anything and everything that his clients want.' 'Anything, really?' Heero gave him a quizzical grin. 'Maybe you should employ him. Although I suppose if things are going well, you don't need to.' Wufei groaned into his cup. 'Things aren't going well at all. He and Trowa are fine; apparently a friend of Trowa's had had an accident and he rushed off to the hospital without telling Quatre what was going on. Understandable, I suppose, in the circumstances.' 'You told me you were planning to get him back.' Wufei shrugged. 'What's the point in even trying? He's happy enough with Trowa. I was stupid, to think because they'd had a row, that they were finished, and that I had a chance with him.' Heero raised a dark eyebrow. 'With which of them? The beautiful blond, who was virtually made for you, or the sinfully sexy Mr. Barton?' 'Oh, Gods, don't you start fancying them. My life is more than complicated enough. Anyway, I don't have a chance with either of them. Quatre's made it very clear that he wants us to be nothing more than friends, and Trowa is pretending I don't exist. Not that I blame him, after how I've behaved.' Heero grinned. 'Would you like me to fetch your katana so you can slice off a few fingers as an extra punishment? From what you've said, Quatre changes his mind about what he wants every time the wind changes direction, and I'm sure Trowa is every bit as freaked out by all this as you are. And you're not going to get either of them by brooding about what a terrible person you are. Quatre's been flirting with you since you first met, regardless of how many boyfriends he's supposed to have, and from what you've said, Trowa didn't exactly object to your attentions.' 'It doesn't make any difference. They're together.' Wufei got up to make more tea. 'The last time I saw Quatre I was so sure I could win him back.' 'So what's changed?' 'Quatre. Apparently, he and Trowa have had some long talks about their relationship, and he seems happy, and I suppose I have to respect what he wants.' 'Why don't you pour some of that boiling water on your hand for a little extra suffering?' Heero suggested cheerfully. 'Faint heart never won fair lady. Or gentleman. If you want him, tell him how you feel and let him make his choice based on that.' He hadn't bothered to elaborate which him. Wufei glared at him. 'Thanks for the advice, Yuy. Might be more effective if you followed it yourself.' Heero, who was being absurdly cheerful these days, just grinned. 'Well, my situation is rather different. I'd better go; give Quatre a call for me, will you? I have a couple of hours free tomorrow evening.' 'Right. Enjoy dinner with your future in-laws.' Like Heero had said, it was an excuse to call. He hadn't spoken to Quatre that day although they'd been playing 'phone tag since that morning. He waited to call until he'd showered, changed and cleaned up the kitchen. He wasn't putting it off, he told himself sternly; just getting everything out of the way first. 'Wufei!' Quatre sounded as if no other voice on the 'phone could possibly have given him more pleasure. 'How lovely to hear from you! I'm sorry I kept missing you today. I've been insanely busy.' 'Me too,' Wufei said hurriedly. 'I'm actually calling about a possible job for you, if you'd be interested. My friend Heero is planning to buy a small apartment here and I thought you might be able to help. Or to recommend a reliable estate agent?' 'Oh, I'd love to help. What fun! Can you give me his number?' 'Of course.' Wufei reeled it off, and Heero's email address as well. 'He's in rather a hurry since he's flying back to Japan next week, and he'd like to have a place before he goes. I'd better let you go; I'm going out for dinner.' 'Wufei,' Quatre said quietly. 'I'm sorry. Truly. The other night, I said things I shouldn't have. I let you say things to me…anyway, I'm sorry.' 'That's all right.' Wufei tried to sound understanding; it didn't really work. 'You'd just had a row with your boyfriend. You were upset. I shouldn't have got involved.' There was a soft sigh on the other end of the phone. 'You don't have to apologise. Do you think we could maybe meet up lunch or something soon? I'd like to think we're still friends. Are we?' 'Quatre.' Wufei hesitated over what to say next, and then said it anyway. 'I don't know. You're with somebody and we both know I want to be more than your friend. I don't want to be the one you run to whenever something goes wrong with Trowa. That isn't fair.' 'No. Of course it's not. I'm sorry. Is this it, then, for us?' 'Stop being such a drama queen,' Wufei scolded. A sensible man, undoubtedly, would call a halt to all of this now. but he didn't really like to envisage his life without Quatre's voice calling him out of the blue to say he'd found the most darling little teashop, or to tell some long, dramatic story of why he'd missed that morning's train but he'd love to meet up at lunchtime, or Quatre's utter enthusiasm for life. 'Yes, we're still friends.' 'Oh, goody! I'm so pleased! And tonight's your date with Zechs, isn't it? What are you going to wear?' Wufei had to laugh at that; if he'd called to say Quatre he'd been sentenced to life imprisonment, the blond would no doubt start looking up different styles and colours for jumpsuits. 'My dark suit and that blue shirt you got me to buy on Monday.' 'Not the blue shirt,' Quatre said instantly. 'You should wear that lovely dark red silk one.. Much better with your colouring. And I wouldn't bother wearing the suit jacket; it's a bit too formal. Your new black jeans would be perfect, unless it's somewhere with a strict dress code. Where is he taking you?' 'The Refinery.' 'Lovely choice for a first date,' Quatre approved. 'Intimate and quiet, but not too overpoweringly romantic. I hope you have a wonderful time.' 'Thanks. I'd better go if I have to get changed, again. Some of us actually like to be punctual.' He could peals of laughter as he hung up. As Quatre had said, the Refinery was the perfect choice for a first date. Zechs was already seated at a table on the terrace; they both obviously believed in being on time. He looked wonderful in one of those flowing Italian suits you could only wear if you were very tall. His eyes, in the candlelight, were very blue and warmly appraising. The red had been a good choice, apparently. 'Amazing. You actually look better in silk than you did in leather.' 'Thank you.' Wufei sat down, trying to sound unruffled. After all, he wasn't a gauche fifteen-year-old to be flustered by extravagant compliments. 'I hope you drink champagne?' Zechs gestured to the bottle on the table, and a waiter rushed forward to pour a second glass. 'I do, yes. Are you celebrating something?' 'Most certainly. I sold two paintings today for ridiculously extortionate sums, and I have you sitting across the table from me. Oh, and my absolutely favourite dessert is on the menu tonight.' Wufei laughed, suddenly finding he was enjoying himself. 'What's that?' 'Rhubarb and strawberry crumble with whipped cream.' Zechs licked his lips at the thought of it, and Wufei suddenly had to cross his legs. Oh dear. 'To dessert,' Zechs clinked his glass against Wufei's, smiling. 'Now, I can think of three reasons why you accepted my invitation. Either Quat talked you into it, or you're trying to make him jealous, or you've decided to given up on him and move on. Which is it?' 'Which do you think?' He hadn't expected that sort of directness. He hadn't really known what they'd end up talking about. Zechs laughed, tilting his head to one side so a white-gold waterfall of hair rippled down his back. 'Well, speaking out of pure self interest, the second would suit me perfectly. If you really want him to be jealous, you'd probably end up in bed with me and obviously I wouldn't object to that.' He pursed his lips, considering. 'On the other hand, I hope you're not so enthralled by Quatre that you're indulging him quite that much, and I'd rather not be your rebound guy, since that implies you've decided to grab the first male who doesn't totally repulse you. Now, how did I do?' Wufei took a long swallow of wine. 'Since we're being honest, apparently, I should tell you that I'm probably not over him, but he's made it very clear that he's with Trowa. As for trying to make him jealous?' He grinned, seeing the humour mirrored in the other man's face. 'I don't think that would work. He was delighted when I told you him we were going out together, but that wasn't why I accepted. Actually, I'm not sure if I even remember accepting so much as being told I was going out with you.' Zechs' mouth quirked. 'At the bike rally, yes. I must have been having one of my masterful days. The atmosphere of all that leather and testosterone, you know. Do you always do what you're told?' 'Hardly ever,' Wufei grinned back. 'Honestly, I'm here because I wanted to see you again. I wouldn't have come otherwise.' It was true, he realised suddenly. 'Regardless of what Quatre may have wanted.' He sat back in his chair, studying the other man. 'You know, the first time I saw Quatre, you were dancing with him. I assumed you were together.' Zechs didn't immediately deny it, taking a sip of his drink. 'Oh, you don't have to worry about that.' 'You kissed him.' 'Well, I defy any red blooded male in the universe to have the lovely Quatre in his arms and not kiss him. It's utterly impossible. But anything else between us is ancient history. What is it they say; you can't step in the same river twice?' Wufei sniffed. It wasn't really that much of a surprise; he'd known there had to have been something more than friendship there. 'Don't worry. I have had a grand passion in my life but it wasn't Quatre. I wouldn't worry about Trowa too much either. Quat's enjoying the novelty of having a boyfriend who isn't fawning at his feet, but it won't last. Let him have his little adventure. He's very fond of you, you know.' Wufei shook his head, trying to process this. 'You're trying to fix me up with Quatre on what's supposed to be a date?' 'Oh, it's very much a date, I assure you. Wufei, shall we both honest with each other. We may both have other romantic goals in the long term, but there's no reason why we can't enjoy each other's company along the way, is there?' 'No reason at all.' Wufei raised his own glass in a toast. 'To friendship?' 'Possibly a little more than mere friendship?' One blond brow arched; the fair skin beneath was slightly flushed. 'Possibly.' There'd been a man in Paris; a German sculptor who was teaching at the Sorbonne University for a year, and they'd had a very….French love affair. Two foreigners in the world's most romantic city, they'd taken long walks in the city and evening cruises on the Seine and explored churches and cafes and quirky little shops. Neither of them had ever planned for it to last; but it had been a perfect four months. There hadn't been anyone at all since returning to Sanque, apart from a few kisses stolen from Quatre and Trowa. Zechs was single and extremely attractive and interested in him. What else was he supposed to do? Stay celibate until Quatre had another argument with Trowa and the pendulum swung back in his direction? 'I think I'd like that.' He nudged Zechs' foot under the table, smiling when Zechs pressed back. 'Good. Are you ready to order now?' 'Bruschetta to start,' Wufei decided, glancing at the menu. 'And then I'll have the salmon fettuccine.' 'No dessert?' 'Perhaps later.' Wufei dropped his eyes to the table, long lashes fanning his cheeks. 'You did suggest at the bike rally that you could paint me for dessert?' Zechs reached across the table to squeeze his hand. 'Did I really? How presumptuous of me. If you're interested, I'm sure the kitchen here would pack up a dessert for us to take home?' Black eyes met blue, and Wufei nodded. 'I'd like that.' The rest of the meal passed by in a heady whirl of excellent food and drink, and laughter and the undivided attention of Zechs Merquise. There was a little discreet groping in the taxi, and then Zechs left him in his studio while he went to fetch drinks. There were a couple of half-finished paintings stacked against the wall; a large grey dog sprawled on a rug, and an abstract in oils that could have been Armageddon or a the heart of a firework. There were smaller sketches, in pen or charcoal, on a table in one corner. A delicate line drawing of the city's new opera house; seagulls in flight over the harbour; an old lady, smiling; and a young man whom Wufei knew. 'That's Duo Maxwell.' Zechs nodded, handing Wufei a glass of wine. 'Do you know him?' 'Not very well. I've met him through work a few times. He sold my friend Heero a painting a couple of weeks ago. I think Heero took rather a shine to him.' 'Oh, everyone falls in love with Duo,' Zechs said lightly, not bothering to comment on a supposedly straight man finding another man attractive. He took the sketch from Wufei, one finger tracing the line of Duo's braid. 'Heero's wasting his time. I doubt if Duo's ever looked at another man since he met Treize.' 'Was Duo the one?' Wufei blushed faintly but pressed doggedly on. 'The love of your life?' 'Good lord, no. That would have been Treize.' He shrugged. 'We're a ridiculously incestuous little group, really, all in love with one another. Absurd.' 'Still?' 'Well, no. Not now. I had to get over him, somehow, once Duo turned up. Before that, I'd hoped that we'd get back together, you see. I'd been hoping that for rather a long time.' 'How did you finally manage to get over him?' Wufei asked, genuinely curious. 'Let me see. Rather a lot of one night stands, most of whom I tried to pretend were Treize. My painting. Lots of horribly self-pitying, drunken nights moaning to my friends about how I'd lost my life's love. I'm fortunate enough to have some very good friends, one of whom is Quatre. Then I suppose I started to realise how happy Duo made Treize, and then I started to like Duo himself, and I assure I fought against that damned hard. I'd tried to convince Treize that he was some opportunistic little gold-digger, which nearly cost me my friendship with him.' He shook his head. 'Duo's an impossible person to dislike, however much one fights against it. Somehow, we all ended up friends.' He blinked. 'Sorry, what did you ask me again?' 'I was just curious as to how you'd got over Treize.' Wufei put his empty wine glass down. He wasn't drunk; just nicely merry. It made it easy for him to take the few steps separating them, and put his arms around the other man's waist. Zechs smiled down at him. 'It takes time. I wouldn't recommend most of what I did. Far better just to find someone new and fall in love.' 'I'm already in love with Quatre.' 'I know.' Zechs' lips, on his, were very soft and very warm. 'It's never easy, is it? To meet that one person who touches your soul and then to find out they have someone else? All we can do is hope, really.' 'Is this what we're doing?' He was so tall that Wufei had to reach up on his toes to kiss him. Taller than Trowa. 'Hoping?' 'Perhaps. Everyone needs a dream, don't you think? A hope to glow in the darkness.' 'Mmm.' Quatre did glow, Wufei thought a little hazily. But Zechs was here, and holding him, and his long, shining hair was drifting against Wufei's skin, and his kisses were fire and lightning and desire.
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