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"The House Sitter "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: Yaoi, sap, fluff, angst, AU Pairings: I take only partial responsibility for
these. *coughs* Mention of 13x1, 2+3 (developing) 4xOFC, past 13x6,
3x4. Ahem…. Summary: Wufei considers house sitting duties
for Treize Khushrenada'sresidence to be a gem of a job, but then the
owner's ex arrives, makes himselfat home, and the obligation takes
on an oblique, new facet. "The House Sitter " Escalating Hostilities: They both vanished into their separate bedrooms after the kitchen had been cleaned. Wufei made a quick call to Treize, explaining that everything had been sorted out, and there was no need to contact him. Then he called Duo. 'Hey! I was waiting for you to ring back. What's the deal with the hottie?' 'Oh, don't ask,' Wufei groaned, flinging himself full length on the bed. The bed that didn't contain Zechs. 'I don't really know; he just flew in from Africa last night, and he needed a place to stay. I'm not sure what his plans are.' 'Why's he staying with you?' 'It's complicated. He and Treize are co-owners of the house so he's entitled to be here if he wants. He thinks I'm Treize's boyfriend.' 'Ah, why?' Duo asked, reasonably enough. 'I told him I was. I don't know, Duo, it's complicated. I didn't want him calling Treize and disturbing things, not on Heero's holiday. He's been looking forward to it for so long, and you know how hard he works.' 'Why would he disturb anything?' 'Because he told me last night that he wants Treize back.' He'd said as much, and then proceeded to maul Wufei in bed. Asshole, as Duo would say. 'I still don't get it. Yeah, I can see why anyone'd want Treize, but he's happy with Heero. Some ex turning up won't change that.' 'I know! But he was irritating, and he annoyed me, and he just took one look at me and assumed I was a bimbo, and I just want Heero to have a few prefect days with Treize. Anyway, we had a talk this morning, and apparently he doesn't want Treize after all.' 'Right.' Duo didn't sound like he had a clue what was going on. 'So, what? He thinks you're Heero?' 'No, I'm me. He doesn't know about Heero. But he seemed to think I was a total gold-digging toy-boy so I'm pretending to be.' The rest of his explanation was drowned in a gale of laugher. 'Oh, man, you're killing me! You're pretending to be a toy-boy! No way could you carry that off! 'I'm carrying it off very well actually!' Wufei started laughing himself. 'It's rather fun. But I keep saying the wrong thing, and then having to cover.' 'But…can't you just tell him the truth? I mean, he's going to find out as soon as Treize and Heero get home, right? Or sooner, if he calls Treize?' 'Well, he can't call him for the next two days anyway. I just called Treize and they're going on an overnight dogsled trip, and then they're flying home the next day.' 'So then blond guy can't mess things up for them, so what's the point in this little masquerade of yours?' Duo wondered. 'It's not like he won't find out as soon as they get home.' 'What am I supposed to say?' Wufei demanded. 'There's no point. It's not like I'm ever likely to meet him again after this; I don't even know if he's planning to stay here another night or look for somewhere else. And honestly, I wouldn't know where to start with explaining. He'd probably think I was an escaped lunatic or a compulsive liar or something. It would be mortifying? ' 'Oho,' Duo crowed down the 'phone. 'You like this guy!' 'No! Well, yes. Maybe a little.' 'Now, who's being a compulsive liar? It's about time you finally met someone you liked! Now, go tell him you are and then jump those sexy blond bones of his. Or let him jump you. Go!' 'Duo, I can't do that.' Wufei wound the telephone cord around his fingers. 'It's …complicated. He tried to, well, jump me last night when I'd gone to bed, and…' 'Whoa!' His friend's voice was suddenly ice-cold. 'He what?' 'It wasn't like that. It was, I don't know, he'd been flirting a bit downstairs and then he propositioned me, and then when I wasn't actually sleeping in Trieze's room, he thought I'd taken him up on the offer. Nothing happened, really. He just kissed me.' 'Was it good?' 'Amazing.' 'Well, at least one of us got a bit of proper action last night,' Duo observed. ''Fei, I don't get your problem. You like this guy; he's attracted. What's the problem here?' 'He's the sort of person who hits on other people's boyfriends,' Wufei said flatly. 'He knew I was Treize's boyfriend, well, supposedly, and he still wanted me to sleep with him. I'd never want to be with someone like that.' 'No, you wouldn't,' Duo said quietly. 'Sorry.' 'It's OK. Like I said, I doubt I'll ever even see him again. He's a journalist; he seems to be abroad all the time. He's only back in Sanque to see a doctor.' 'A journalist I've ever heard of? What's his other name?' 'You'll have heard of him. Milliardo Peacecraft.' 'You're seriously shitting me!' Duo gasped. 'The guy's famous. And you've got him in your house! 'Fei, how did you not recognise him? You've got his book for God's sake, and there's a picture of him on the back.' 'Maybe because I didn't expect a world-famous journalist to walk into the house I'm care-taking,' Wufei retorted. Or into his bedroom, come to that. 'And that photo is black and white, and he must have his hair tied back because you can't see how long it is.' 'Well, get his autograph for me. I'd better go; I've got an essay to finish up for next week.' 'Do you need any help?' Duo was a brilliant engineer and a gifted mathematician but he'd have been the first to admit his writing skills weren't all that they could be. 'Might get you to look it over when I finish, if you don't mind?' 'Not at all. Oh, I actually rang to say that Zechs is driving me into town, so I'll just meet you at the café.' 'Chauffeuring you around now, is he?' Duo whistled. 'Nice. Right, I'll see you.' At precisely ten, they pulled out of Treize's gateway. It had been a wasted morning. He'd tried to immerse himself in completing an assignment and, for the first time ever, found the convoluted politics of the Byzantine Empire less enthralling than real life. That couldn't be a good sign. Wufei wasn't terribly interested in cars, but he'd spent enough time around Duo and Trowa to know that Zechs' vintage sports car had to be something special. People kept turning to look at it as they drove past. Or maybe they were admiring the driver. Probably. 'I need to make a couple of stops first, if that's all right. Would you be terribly bored going into a bookshop? I know what hospitals are like; I could be waiting hours for my appointment and I need to get something to read.' Wufei shrugged. 'That's OK. I think there's a bookstall at the hospital though.' Zechs made a face. 'Trashy best-sellers. No, thank you.' He pulled up outside Eason's Book Shop, one of Wufei's favourite places in the universe. 'If you want to stay in the car, I won't be long.' Oh, no. He couldn't do that. It would be heretical. Especially when they might have that book he'd ordered the previous week. Admittedly, no one had called him to say it had arrived, but maybe they'd forgotten, and the poor volume on the Avignon Papacy had been thrown into a corner, unloved and unwanted… 'No, I actually have a book on order for Treize's birthday.' They both got out of the car, and Zechs took Wufei's arm, guiding him inside. 'You don't mind, do you? My leg can be rather painful; sometimes I need a little support.' 'It seemed fine this morning,' Wufei said tartly and got a glimmering smile in return. 'Yes, but that was before I was flung on to a very hard kitchen floor. Just help me up these steps?' They entered the shop in silence, Wufei struggling with guilt over the fact that maybe he had hurt the other man, and more guilt that he was enjoying the little intimacy. It was a relief when Zechs let him go to browse through the fiction section. They didn't have his book, actually, but promised faithfully to call when it did turn up. Without even realising it, Wufei's feet led him upstairs, finding the wonderful history section, and a fat book to browse through. 'Looking at the pictures?' a voice asked over his shoulder. 'I am actually, yes,' Wufei said, eyes intent on the book. Such a lovely thing; reproductions of early illuminated Christian manuscripts, mostly from Ireland. He'd never be able to afford the thing; it wasn't remotely his period so he could never justify the expense, but it was so lovely to look at. 'It's beautiful,' Zechs agreed softly, one finger reaching out to touch the page. 'It's miraculous, isn't it, to think of those monks, centuries ago, in their little huts, producing these sorts of things?' 'I know.' Wufei turned a page to show his favourite picture; a dragon surrounded by Celtic knotwork. 'I love this; it's from the Book of Kells in Ireland.' Zechs nodded. 'I've seen the original a couple of times. Have you ever been to Dublin?' 'Not yet. I'd like to, though.' He put the book carefully back on the shelf, noting Zechs was carrying an armful of books. A couple of thrillers by an author Duo liked, and the rest were non-fiction. History and current affairs. That must be marvellous; to be able to sweep through a bookshop and gather up anything you liked without having to think about cost. Still, material possessions weren't important and one day, when he was curator of a library somewhere, he'd be able to afford to that too. 'Aren't you buying it?' When Wufei shook his head, Zechs reached out and added it to his pile. 'A small present, for putting up with me.' 'Thank you, but I can't let you do that.' 'Of course you can. Why shouldn't I buy a gift for an old friend's partner?' Oh, that was even worse. He certainly couldn't accept it under false pretences. 'It's too expensive.' He put the book firmly back on its shelf. 'And I don't think Treize would like other men buying me things.' Zechs shrugged. 'I'm he'd survive. I'm sure you don't put up a struggle when he tries to give you things.' 'Of course not!' Wufei was all wide-eyed innocence. 'That's different. He's my boyfriend.' 'Of course he is,' Zechs said dryly. 'Come on.' Their next stop was a large gourmet delicatessen; Wufei had been there with Quatre but never since he'd left. The first thing he saw on entering was a large display of Quatre's favourite Belgian truffles. 'You like these?' Zechs threw a large box into his basket. 'I told you, you can't buy me things.' Zechs frowned at him. 'The universe doesn't actually revolve around you, 'Fei. I happen to love these chocolates and it's been over a year since I've had them.' Then he winked. 'I may actually allow you to have one or two, if you stop arguing about every little thing.' 'I'm not arguing. Just stating my opinion. And don't call me that.' 'But it suits you so perfectly! What does Treize call you?' Wufei met his eyes defiantly, gritting his teeth and trying so desperately not to laugh. 'His rosebud.' The blond did laugh, and it was totally infectious. 'Oh, dear.' Zechs wiped his eyes. 'You, my lovely 'Fei, are utterly priceless.' 'What's that supposed to mean? Stop calling me …things like that.' 'It means whatever you want it to. And you are very lovely, and I see no reason whatsoever not to say so. Now, come on. I need to get some things upstairs.' 'I suppose that means you'll want to lean on me again?' 'Actually, no. I think the muscles have loosened up a little. I'll do this instead.' The hand not holding the basket reached out and took Wufei's in a light grasp. 'What would you like for dinner tonight?' 'You can't hold my hand! Not here!' Wufei hissed. 'Oho, does that mean I can hold it somewhere else?' Zechs took no notice whatsoever of that objection, pulling Wufei towards the stairs. 'Don't be silly now. Treize won't mind. He'll be glad I'm taking such good care of you.' 'But…' Wufei gave up, for the moment. He didn't want to make a scene and it was rather pleasant, that clasp of warm fingers around his own. 'You don't need to buy any food; there's plenty in the house.' 'Mmm. Treize's taste in food isn't quite mine. All those rich sauces with red meat. Do you like fish? Salmon?' 'Yes, of course, but you can't buy food for me.' 'You,' Zechs swung them both into a quiet corner, 'are going to stop objecting to every single thing I say or I am going to kiss you until you have no breath to argue with anything. I am imposing on your privacy so it's only right that I give you some small thing in return.' 'But you…' ''Fei, my lovely 'Fei, weren't you paying attention?' His voice was a low, husky growl. 'Or is that you want a kiss?' 'No!' A total lie. 'Fine, buy whatever you want. I'll eat it.' 'Not good enough. I want you to tell me what you want.' 'Excuse me?' 'To eat. Naturally.' Zechs eyes danced gleefully. 'Listen, I've been surviving on aeroplane food for the past three days, and before that I was living on the plainest food you can imagine, among people who had almost nothing. I've been dreaming of going shopping for weeks, and it's much more fun to have company.' Wufei nodded, and the next half hour did indeed turn out to be fun. They bought long loaves of Italian rustic bread, and cheeses and a whole salmon, and fresh pasta, and exotic fruits and a sinfully decadent dark chocolate torte for dessert. They were laughing and talking about food and favourite recipes when they finally loaded the car with packages. 'I thought you didn't know how to cook?' Zechs commented, turning the key. Wufei went slowly red. Damn! 'I like watching Treize, and I love watching cookery programmes on TV.' 'Ah, yes. I've seen some of those celebrity chefs. Cooking is the new sex, I believe.' 'That's ridiculous.' 'Not at all. They're both such sensual pursuits, don't you think? All about taste and smell and sensation and seeking perfection? And cooking with a lover is wonderful; so many opportunities to touch and lick melted chocolate off one finger or share a kiss after tasting a perfect sauce.' He gave Wufei a very deliberate, saucy wink. 'And using a pestle and mortar offers all kinds of delicious opportunities for two. Hands on top of one another; bodies moving together… oh, yes. I can give you cookery lessons if you like?' 'No, thank you.' Oh, Gods. He'd never be able to grind his own herbs now without imagining…that. Idiot. 'Why are we stopping?' Wufei looked up in surprise as Zechs swung the car to a halt outside a small office block. 'We're going house hunting. Well, I am.' He grinned, getting out of the car, and opening Wufei's door. 'I can't live with Treize forever. I thought you'd be pleased at the prospect of getting rid of me.' Wufei shrugged, letting Zechs take his hand and lead him into the small estate agent's. It was easier than arguing. 'Are you planning to settle back in Sanque then?' 'I'm not sure. I'll have to be here for the next ten or twelve months, for my leg. After that, well, I like the idea of having my own home; somewhere to come back to.' The woman behind the desk perked up at the sight of two prospective customers, offering coffee and a sheaf of brochures and discreetly asking about price range. Zechs's answer was more than Wufei could ever imagine owning, but considerably less than Treize's opulent home must be worth. The houses he seemed to like were fairly modest; expensive only because of their location on the seafront, or bordering the Botanic Gardens. 'I really like this one,' Wufei suggested. He'd never been house-hunting before and it was rather enjoyable. The property he'd selected was a two-bedroom townhouse with a converted attic. The master bedroom had a skylight and a small balcony overlooking the bay, and there was a small, secluded back garden. 'Mmm. It is nice. I like the kitchen. All those granite surfaces. We'd need to redo the garden though. I don't like all those fussy flowerbeds, do you?' 'No. I like simple designs.' He suddenly realised just what Zechs had said. 'What did you mean; we?' 'Did I say that?' Zechs's expression was all innocence. 'A slip of the tongue. Will you come and look at it with me this afternoon?' 'Yes, please.' Wufei looked at his watch. 'I'm sorry. Would you mind if we left now? It's twenty to twelve.' 'Of course.' Zechs made a quick appointment and off they went. 'Here you are,' Zechs pulled up outside the small café where Wufei had arranged to meet the others, and slid out of his seat. 'You can't come in!' Wufei glared at him. 'You've got your hospital appointment.' 'Not for another hour,' Zechs said airily. 'I should probably eat something first, just to keep my blood sugars up. And I'd like to meet your friends. Now, come on.' Duo's eyes, when he saw them holding hands, were out on stalks; Trowa lifted one eyebrow briefly and then went back to gazing into his coffee. 'This is Zechs; he's a friend of Treize's. Duo, Trowa.' 'A pleasure,' Zechs beamed around. 'I do hope you don't mind me intruding on you for a few minutes. I have an appointment at St. Gabriel's at one, and I'd really rather not spend more time there than necessary.' 'No, that's fine,' Duo told him, giving Wufei a puzzled I thought you said he was a jerk glance. Zechs then proceeded to charm the socks of both of them, discussing music and motorbikes and wildlife as if he'd known them all his life. 'What's the deal?' Duo whispered when to Wufei, when the other two were deep in a discussion of African wind instruments. 'He's great. I'd totally go for him if it wasn't for Trowa. And the fact that he's totally into you!' 'What?' Wufei demanded; then caught Zechs looking up at him. 'Is everything all right?' 'Fine, fine. Duo and I are just going, um, out for a sec.' Zechs smiled at him, giving his hand a brief squeeze. 'Don't be too long, sweetheart. Should I be worried about my ears burning?' Wufei's own ears; every facial feature he possessed, were scarlet as he and Duo walked out onto the small terrace. He wasn't used to people touching him in public, or using endearments, and Duo had a colossal smirk on his face. 'What do you mean; he's into me?' Duo rolled his eyes eloquently. 'Duh! He keeps looking over at you, making sure you're OK, and that whole hand holding thing when you came in and calling you 'Fei and sweetheart.…You guys look great together, by the way. He's gorgeous! And perfect for you; a writer who's really into politics and history and all the stuff you like.' 'He thinks I'm with Treize!' 'But you're not! You only said that; tell him the truth, that is was just a sort of joke. I bet he'll be thrilled. I swear, the only reason he's not making serious moves on you right now is 'cause he thinks you're already taken!' Duo's attention was suddenly caught by something else. 'Whoa! Look at that sweet, sweet car. Isn't she a beauty?' 'It belongs to Zechs. Or, well, I don't know if it's actually his. Maybe he just hired it at the airport.' 'You don't just hire a 1966 E-type Jag, Chang.' Duo was virtually drooling. 'Even you should know that.' He was still crooning about the car's many perfections as they walked back into the café. Zechs obliged him with a brief history; he'd restored the thing himself, apparently, and Treize had offered to keep it in his garage. 'I'll have to take you out for a drive sometime, if you like classic cars.' It was said idly enough, but Trowa's hand clenched around his coffee mug. Interesting. 'Perhaps tomorrow, if you're not doing anything?' 'He is,' Trowa said promptly. 'No, I'm not,' Duo interrupted. 'I don't have any plans; I'd love to go for a drive, Zechs.' 'How lovely. We can make a day of it, don't you think? I hear there are some lovely places along the coast, a few hours of the city. We could stop for dinner, and if you don't have anywhere to be on Sunday, we could find somewhere to stay the night. If you're agreeable?' Like that, the relaxed atmosphere in the little coffee shop took a dive into glacial and dangerous. Zechs was leaning back, the faintest shadow of a smile on his lips; Trowa looked furious. Duo just looked confused; he'd been wrong about Zechs liking Wufei. It was Duo he was interested in then. Anyone would be. He was outgoing and sexy and fun and all things Wufei wasn't. People like Zechs weren't interested in shy, scholarly types. That was just how it was. 'You do have plans,' Trowa said suddenly, getting to his feet and dragging Duo up with him. 'With me.' When Duo finally was released he was rumpled and glassy-eyed and had just enough presence of mind to give Wufei a feeble wave as he was hauled out of the restaurant. 'There now.' Zechs' tone positively reeked of smugness. 'That went well, didn't it?' 'What went well?' Wufei, with difficulty, suppressed an urge to fling the crockery at that sleek blond head. He worked in a restaurant; the staff would only have to clean up his mess and that wouldn't be fair. 'You thinking you can interfere like that in other people's lives? I told you Duo was interested in Trowa, and you still went ahead and – and propositioned him, you bastard. I can't believe I let you talk me into bringing you here. I hope you're happy now with all the trouble you've caused.' Furiously, he shook off Zechs hand on his arm. 'Don't touch me! God, I don't want you anywhere near me.' Zechs didn't follow when he stalked out of the restaurant.
Well, of course not. Why would he? Wufei hadn't been anything but
a little diversion on a bad day.
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