Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Change of Seasons ❯ Chapter 1

Title: A Change of Seasons
Author: Caroline
Pairing: 5+2
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Fluff, sap... not much else
Notes: Ficlet request for n1k1ta. Her request was, "After their shared imprisonment in OZ, Wufei becomes aware of Duo's hotness. Duo notices the looks and decides to pounce Wufei." Sadly, this came out nothing like the request. I'm so sorry! Forgive me?

 

 

 

The air had a crispness to it that belied the changing of the seasons. He drew a deep breath, tasting the freshness of the first chill that signified the official end of summer. He'd always loved this time of year; it was the end of the sweltering heat and too little rain. Winter would soon be upon them, and being a space-baby, he didn't mind the cold.

 

Unfortunately, his companion didn't seem to feel the same way. Duo shivered as another gust of cool autumn air blew past them. "Ah, man. I miss summer already," he said, bringing his arms up across his chest.

 

"It's not that cold," Wufei replied, turning his face to the breeze. "And I, for one, am glad the temperature has finally dropped to a more manageable level."

 

Duo snorted. "I spent too many cold nights sleeping wherever I could find an empty, secure spot. Give me a heat wave any day."

 

Wufei shifted, uncomfortable at the mention of Duo's past. Duo had told them all of how he grew up, and while there was no dishonor in surviving, Wufei didn't like hearing about his friend's childhood. It only reminded him of how he could do nothing to go back and make it better for Duo. And if he could, he would have done so in a heartbeat.

 

"Why didn't you bring a jacket?" he asked, trying to turn the subject.

 

Duo shrugged. "I didn't check the weather this morning. It was nice yesterday. I guess I just assumed it would be nice today."

 

Wufei shook his head, smiling ruefully. "To quote you, you know what happens when you assume..."

 

"Yeah, yeah. Rub it in." He hissed and shivered. "I don't even have my cold-weather clothes out of storage yet."

 

"This weather does not bother me," Wufei said, rolling his eyes. "Take my jacket..."

 

"Nah. I have a better idea." Before Wufei could say anything, Duo moved in close and slipped one arm around him, under his jacket, forcing Wufei's arm over his shoulders. Wufei stopped breathing for a moment, the unmistakable scent of Duo's hair filling his nostrils as Duo leaned his head against Wufei's shoulder. "Is this okay?"

 

"Ah... yes. It is." His cheeks burned, and he was sure Duo would feel his body tremble. He was glad Duo was acting as a kind of support as they continued their walk down the city streets to Duo's apartment. He wasn't sure his legs could have carried him on their own.

 

"Good. Been wanting to do this for a while," Duo murmured. "Been waiting for you to make a move. But I got tired of waiting."

 

Wufei took another deep breath. "Well, ah... I didn't want to seem too presumptuous. We've only been... dating..."

 

"Dating? Is that what we've been doing?" When Wufei stiffened and started to draw his arm away, Duo just laughed and squeezed him around his middle. "Sorry. We've been 'dating' for six months, 'Fei. I'm not some shy girl who needs to take things slow." They came to an intersection and stopped to wait for the lights to change. They stood in silence for a moment before Duo spoke again. "I've been waiting six months for you to kiss me, you know." Wufei looked at him, startled. Duo simply gave him a smile. "Or is it me who's now being presumptuous?"

 

"No, I..." He swallowed hard. Why was this so difficult? He cared for Duo. Deeply. So much it scared him sometimes. He respected him, first as a fellow pilot, then as a fellow agent in Preventers. He did not know when he had first developed... feelings... for the loud-mouth, long-haired, skinny kid from L2. But when he had realized that what he felt for Duo was more than just friendship, he had not known how to proceed. Fortunately, Duo had taken care of that for him, had noticed Wufei staring at him more than once, and had asked him out.

 

At first, Wufei wasn't sure if Duo was spending time with him because he thought of him as a friend. But then, about a month after their first "date," Duo had introduced him to an acquaintance as his boyfriend. And that had settled any question of Duo's intentions. But still, he had been afraid of taking that last step, crossing the line from friendship to ... more. Because, he had to admit to himself, he was afraid of messing it up, of their friendship, of losing Duo completely. He couldn't imagine his life without Duo in it. And so, he was now stuck in some kind of limbo. Afraid of making the first move. Afraid of never taking that final step.

 

Dammit, it really shouldn't be this difficult!

 

"Earth to 'Fei."

 

Wufei looked at Duo, startled. "Huh?"

 

"The light's changed."

 

Wufei looked up. So it had. "Come on, let's go."

 

They crossed the street quickly, just barely making it to the other side before the light changed again. He kept his arm around Duo, feeling oddly comfortable with it there, and with Duo's arm around his waist. This is what he wanted. This closeness, this easy intimacy he'd only dreamed about. And he realized what a fool he'd been, to wait so long. Being this close to Duo... he didn't want to give that up. Didn't think he could give it up.

 

He stopped.

 

Duo turned inquisitive eyes on him. "Something wrong?"

 

"Yes." He let his arm drop from Duo's shoulder and pulled him around until they were face to face. Duo wore a confused expression, and Wufei smiled. He lifted his hand to cup Duo's face. He smoothed a thumb across Duo's cheek. "I can't do this anymore."

 

Duo's eyes grew wide, his expression of confusion turning to one of fearful concern. "What do you mean?"

 

"I can't... I can't keep..." He was having trouble finding the right words. How to tell Duo that he was afraid, that he was ready, that he wanted more... How to explain the feeling of misery he felt in the pit of his stomach at the thought of making the wrong move or saying the wrong thing for fear of losing his best friend for good? How to say he was sure he loved Duo more than anything else in this world?

 

And in the end, he let his lips speak without words.

 

Duo tasted of the peach ice cream they'd shared earlier, only more, because beneath the layer of peaches was Duo himself. And Wufei thought he'd never tasted anything as sweet. It was only with reluctance that he pulled away, his heart hammering in his chest, fretting over Duo's reaction.

 

Duo stood with his eyes closed for a moment after Wufei withdrew, a small smile upon his face. His eyes opened and a hand reached up to take one of Wufei's. "Finally."

 

Wufei let out a breath he'd been holding. "Was that... acceptable?"

 

"No."

 

Wufei's heart plummeted.

 

"You should have done that after our first date. You have six months to make up for," Duo said with a grin, poking him in the chest with a finger.

 

Wufei blinked at him, a warm sensation blooming in his chest. "Then, ah... when we get to your place, perhaps you could invite me in?"

 

"Will you actually accept the invitation this time?"

 

"Yes." Always. No more holding back.

 

Duo hooked his arm through Wufei's. "Then let's hurry. I'm cold and I don't want to waste any more time."

 

Neither did Wufei. And he had a lot of wasted time to make up for.