Kracken
Disclaimer:I don't own then and I don't make any money off of this.
Warning:Male/male sex, graphic, language, NCS,violence
Shinigami's Lover
Rebuilding
Duo had just had a shower. He was stretched out full length on the couch with just a pair of shorts on, one arm tucked around a cushion and wet braid trailing down onto the floor. Soda was curled up on the floor next to him, watching the braid as if it might do something interesting. Kong was younger and more restless. The white German Shepherd paced about the small apartment, impatient with Wu Fei's reading and not interested in watching Heero Yuy lift weights in the spare bedroom. The place was definitely not designed for three adults and two very large dogs.
Wu Fei knew that he couldn't be caught staring at his fellow Preventer agent, but it was difficult. Duo was long and lean, scarred at every point, and worn to the bone from his difficult life, but beautiful all the same. His hair gleamed hot cinnamon in the firelight of the fire place and his skin, despite its marks, was still young, pale, and supple. At one time Wu Fei had entertained thoughts about Duo that went beyond friendship. He knew that was long past, but there was a part of Wu Fei that couldn't help admiring him, despite his resolve not to betray the trust Duo was displaying by sleeping in his presence, completely vulnerable, and so close to where he sat in a comfortable chair.
Wu Fei's mind wandered, thinking about his two friends, his partners. Their house was almost rebuilt. Soon they would be moving out and his life would be back in order, or as much in order as Kong allowed it to be. Wu Fei wouldn't fight Maxwell in the morning to get into the bathroom, or wait an intolerable amount of time for Heero to finish his workout. He wouldn't have to watch his every word or movement around Maxwell, or listen to Duo cry out in his sleep from a nightmare, or moan in Heero's arms as they tried to quietly make love in their room. He would have his space, and his peace and quiet, and he would have his loneliness back again.
Duo was watching him, large eyes narrowing only briefly, considering Wu Fei's regard, thinking something unpleasant about it, before his mind corrected him and reminded him who Wu Fei was; his trusted friend. The frown smoothed out and Duo smiled.
"Was I doing tricks in my sleep?"
Wu Fei smiled and looked down at his book again, not really sure where he had left off. "I was feeling honored at your trust."
Duo sat up. "You more than deserve it after everything you've done for me and Heero."
The weights stopped their clanking repetition and then Heero came into the living room, wiping sweat from his forehead with a small towel. He settled by Duo. Soda leaned against both their legs and Heero absently rubbed behind his ears.
They didn't hug, or show any signs of affection through touch, but Wu Fei could feel the powerful force that ran between them. Soul speaking to soul. When Wu Fei thought of everything their love had gone through, during the war and afterward, he knew that only the strongest bond could have kept them together. It was another kind of honor, to know that he was friends with two such men, but a deeper, uglier feeling inside of Wu Fei, was the sting of jealousy. Not that he wished Duo for himself, but that he couldn't imagine finding someone like that for himself.
Wu Fei excused himself, closing his book and standing in a fluid, controlled
motion that showed none of his inner pain. He needed to work out, to purge himself
of thoughts that were unworthy of himself and his friends.
Duo looked after Wu Fei and then sighed. Heero gently took his hand. "What's wrong?" he asked Duo.
"Him," Duo told him. "A guy can't live with just a dog for as long as he has. He seriously needs someone."
Heero frowned. "Why do you think that? He enjoys being alone. He's told me that many times."
Duo rolled his eyes at Heero. "Of course he would say that. Who wants to be alone and have people feel sorry for you?"
Heero thought about that and then shook his head. "You're wrong. Wu Fei is not like most men, Duo. His culture-"
Duo snorted. "Guys are guys, Heero. Culture doesn't have anything to do with it."
Heero grumbled, "If you're going to suggest that he move in with us..."
Duo went tense. "No. I... I don't think he would want to deal with me on a regular basis. It's been hard keeping quiet, watching myself, staying in control. He doesn't know what I can really be like."
"He does," Heero replied. He took hold of the end of Duo's braid, brought it to his lips, and kissed it lightly. Duo smiled sadly at him.
"You know the dance steps," Duo told Heero. "Wu Fei would step on my toes and get hurt sooner or later."
Heero nodded. He stroked Duo's braid and then let it go. "So, Wu Fei doesn't move in, but what then? Blind date?"
"Who do we know," Duo asked thoughtfully, "who enjoys a man who does endless martial arts, meditation, sword practice, who brings his work home, who volunteers for every assignment, has crazy, ex Gundam pilots for friends, and who is in love with a one hundred and twenty pound dog? There must be.... lots."
"Yes," Heero replied sarcastically. "Lots. I think we should stay out of Chang's love life and concentrate on being better friends. He should spend more time with us. Before you came home from the institute, he enjoyed the garden and helping Mr. Hulitt. He's been tactful, honorable, and sacrificing.... which is the problem. He's been so busy staying out of our way, giving us our space, that he has closed himself off from us."
"And we let him," Duo said guiltily.
Heero gently squeezed his hand. "We've had many things to deal with, Duo. Don't blame yourself."
"I have to," Duo replied sourly, "because it sure isn't your fault."
Heero stood up and held a hand down to help Duo up as well. "I'm not going to let you do this, indulge in self recrimination. Let's go check on the house. If they've finally finished the kitchen, then I think we can move in while they finish the rest."
Duo brightened, but he was skeptical. "There was a lot of damage in that area. The contractor said it might be a month before he can free a workman to put the cabinets and appliances in."
Heero gave Duo a look. "Duo, we were both trained to be the best. I think we can handle finishing a kitchen."
Duo laughed. "Sorry, Heero, carpentry wasn't part of my Gundam training."
Heero snorted. "Little Baka, I meant that we should be able to figure it out."
"I know, I know. " Duo snagged their coats and tossed Heero his as
he called out, "We're going to check on the house, Chang. See you in a
few!"
The door opened and closed and Wu Fei came from where he had been standing just around the corner, holding a sports drink for Yuy. He opened it and took a drink himself. He felt bad for overhearing their conversation, but at least he knew how much Heero and Duo truly cared for him. His face felt hot with embarrassment, though, that they worried about his loneliness. Their suggestion of 'finding' him someone was something that he was going to severely discourage.
The apartment was quiet. It settled over Wu Fei and felt heavy, almost suffocating. He reached for his stereo and turned on some light Chinese flute music. That helped, but it didn't take away the heaviness in his heart.
The doorbell rang. Wu Fei frowned at the interruption. It was a secure building, though, so his visitor had to be one of the other tenants or the landlady herself. He winced at the thought of facing her. Some of Duo's nightmares had disturbed the neighbors.
Wu Fei ordered Kong back and opened the front door tensely. He was surprised to see his neighbor standing there with a very large box in her hands and a furious look on her face. She shoved the box into his hands. She was small and looked Chinese. Her pale, round face was dominated by dark eyes snapping fire and she was lovely. Wu Fei had seen her several times at the small park nearby, but had never had the courage to approach and speak with her.
"The vet told me that these are German Shepard mix!" the woman spat in fury. "White German Shepherd mix. I hope they make you happy. My akita will not be burdened with raising your... your defiler's off spring!"
Wu Fei was shocked. When had Kong had the opportunity... but then he remembered a momentary lapse, Kong streaking away into the trees, and a rather long search. It seemed the dog had spent his free time finding romance.
Wu Fei gave a small bow, despite the awkwardness of the box. "Please, forgive me. I will pay any bills associated with this incident. Of course I will take the puppies and find homes for them. Please don't concern yourself any longer with the matter."
The fire in the woman's eyes banked, slightly. She crossed her arms over her small chest and seemed larger than she was. "You are honorable, but not responsible to allow your animal to-" She paused, gritted her teeth, and then looked embarrassed. "I suppose the fault is mine as well. Ginji slipped her collar and ran away."
Wu Fei bowed again, feeling uncertain. He felt hot and tongue tied. "I am Chang Wu Fei, a Preventer agent."
"Mi Lee, a computer analyst for Hollings Enterprise," she responded.
Wu Fei put the box down. Inside, were six small white and tan puppies. Akita and German Shepherd. They were going to be huge. Right now, they were bare handfuls. Kong came to investigate. Wu Fei fended him away and then looked at Mi Lee again.
"Please, come in. Would you like tea?" Wu Fei offered nervously.
"Your... roommate won't mind?" Mi Lee wondered with an inflection that made Wu Fei even more embarrassed. He knew what she was assuming.
"I have two friends staying with me while their house is being rebuilt,"he
told her. "It was damaged in the storm."
Mi Lee raised eyebrows and her demeanor changed. "You are a good friend, if not a responsible pet owner."
A well placed barb. Wu Fei found himself smiling. She had fire, beauty, intelligence...
"I would like tea," she told him and came into the apartment as if she already lived there, sitting down, and making herself comfortable.
Wu Fei watcher her fold her legs neatly, one over the other, and then he brought himself back to order. "It was only be a moment."
By the time Heero and Duo arrived back at the apartment, Mi Lee was gone, the puppies were curled up on a Kong's cushion by the fire, and Kong was watching them with ears cocked. He was almost protective when Soda came to look them over.
"Careful," Wu Fei warned.
Duo crouched by the puppies, one hand on Soda's head. "Don't worry, Fei," he assured him. "Soda is Mr. Mom. He loves puppies."
Heero was frowning, perplexed. "Where..."
"Mi Lee, " Wu Fei replied stiffly. "She is a neighbor. It seems that Kong was not... honorable at the park one day. Her akita..."
Duo laughed. "I told you to fix him. They make better pets, Fei."
"She gave his puppies to you, then?" Heero concluded as he sat down on the couch. "What are you going to do with them?"
Duo was already picking them up and nuzzling them with his nose. He was smiling from ear to ear. Heero knew that look.
"Duo?" Heero groaned, knowing that all arguments were now useless and that they were now the owner of all the puppies. He sighed. "How big?"
Duo eyed the puppies. "Big," he replied. "Trained right though, it's a damned intelligent combination. I don't think we'll have any trouble making them agents."
"Mi Lee will be pleased to hear that," Wu Fei said, feeling relieved himself.
"Mi Lee," Duo repeated and cocked his head to one side and winked at Heero. Heero didn't understand.
"She sounds like a hothead," Duo said. "These pups are hardly weaned."
"She was in her rights to give them to me as well as the bills they incurred," Wu Fei shot back. "She was very reasonable and willing to forgive Kong's... straying."
"Reasonable?" Duo looked skeptical. "Sounds like a complete b-"
"Duo!" Wu Fei was on his feet instantly as he shouted, "You will not breathe that word! You will not think it! You will not insult-"
Duo smiled, pleased with himself. "You like this Mi Lee, don't you Fei?"
Wu Fei went hot and then cold and then hot again as he stammered, "She... She is a -a..."
"I think I've seen her," Duo said thoughtfully. "I was doing the laundry. She seemed particularly interested in the fact that I was throwing some of your things into the wash with mine. Of course she didn't say anything..."
"She thought we were..." Wu Fei was having too much trouble making sentences.
"I bet she did," Duo agreed, "but you set her straight, right?"
Wu Fei nodded. Heero looked at a loss.
"What is going on?" Heero wanted to know.
"I don't think we have to worry about Fei any more, baby," Duo told him with a chuckle. "You were right. He can take care of himself."
"Of course I can!" Wu Fei retorted.
"That's good," Heero said, still looking confused, "because we are going to move back into our home next week and finish the work ourselves."
Wu Fei felt time stop. The moment had come. He looked at it from every angle, waited for the anticipation of approaching loneliness to set in claws, but... it didn't happen. He didn't feel the loss or the trepidation and he knew why. A diminutive oriental girl down the hall was about to fill those nights, he knew. Something had spoken to him, even in the short time that they had been together. Soul speaking to soul? Maybe. He was eager to find out.
"Ralph," Duo named as he held up one puppy. "Ranger," as he held up another. "Spot."
"How can you even tell the difference?" Heero asked in a long suffering voice.
Duo only smiled lovingly at him and continued, "Jenny. Go-"
"Go?" Heero wondered, startled.
Duo smirked. "He just went, so... Go."
"Maxwell!" Wu Fei interrupted in disbelief,. "You cannot name them like that! You have to find out who they are, what they are going to be, what their spirit becomes..."
"Timmy," Duo finished. "See? All done. If they want something different, they can tell me about it later."
"Maxwell!" Wu Fei protested.
Duo kept grinning. "Unless you want to keep them and name them yourself, Fei? Do you think Mi Lee will like being reminded of Kong's 'lapse of judgement' every time she comes over here on a date?"
Wu Fei's jaw worked and then he replied, "Timmy.... fine."
"I think it's love, Heero!" Duo told him with glee. "We better start packing."
Wu Fei dared to put a very gentle hand on Duo's arm. He calmed himself and said, "No, not so quickly. There's... time."
Duo's smile turned warm. "Thank you, Fei."
Wu Fei nodded and settled back into his chair. He watched the two dogs, the puppies, and his two friends fill his apartment with laughter and life. Yes, he would miss it, and never admit it to Heero or Duo, but, he thought, it was time that he filled his apartment with his life instead of the lives of his friends.
Back to chapter five
on to Chapter seven