Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Heart-Shaped Balloon ❯ Heart-Shaped Balloon ( Chapter 1 )

PG13: 13+5, 1+2, fluff ^^

"I don't see what all the fuss is about."

Frowning, Wufei watched as Duo handed Heero a gaudy, heart-shaped balloon and the normally stoic youth flushed shyly.

"Pathetic."

Duo shot him a sharp look. "Come on, Wu, don't be such a spoilsport. It's Valentine's Day for Christ's sake….Spirit of celebration, happiness *love*?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Hmph!" If one only remembers to celebrate his love when he is told to, what is the point?"

Duo shrugged. "I guess I just don't see it that way. I *like* Valentine's Day and it has nothing to do with 'doing what I'm told'. It's fun having another excuse to show they guy I love why I always want to be with him."

Heero nodded slowly. "I used to think as you did, Chang," he said understandingly. The brunette struggled to find an explanation and failed. His eyes were warm and bright as he looked searchingly to Duo. "Perhaps it is only something you can understand, when … when you know … love?" He smiled tremulously at his lover and Duo squeezed his hand, eyes burning with understanding.

"Exactly."

Wufei snorted, pricked a little by the reminder of his loneliness. "Whatever. I'll leave you two to '*love*. I'm heading back to my apartment."

The night was around him, dark and welcoming and Wufei wanted nothing more than to lose himself in it. The large, pale moon, slid behind a scudding mass of cloud and a chill seemed to find its way through his clothes. He shivered. There was an ache in his chest and Wufei did not know why. He only knew that he felt tired, like he had not laid his head against a soft place in a very long time. When he blinked, there was a strange stinging behind his eyes.

A gust of wind whipped flirtatiously under his collar, and bending his head against the breeze, Wufei pulled his coat tighter about him. Ahead, a lonely balloon, rather like Heero's bobbed across the street. Separated from whomever it had been gifted to, it wandered searchingly through the night. Directionless, partner-less….

Wufei hunched his shoulders and lengthened his stride. It was past time he got home….

"Whoa …easy there...," A hand on his shoulder steadied him and for a moment Wufei found himself pressed against a broad chest and his ear pressed against a strong, sure, heartbeat. The scent of aftershave tickled his nose - fresh and clean and faintly spiced with the warmth of man. He flushed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to run you over like that."

"Not at all," The man smiled and the corners of his eyes crinkled becomingly. His mouth was wide and full, and his short hair was luminous in the moonlight. "Where are you in such a hurry to on a beautiful night like this?"

Wufei smiled ruefully. "Nowhere … home…."

"Where a lover awaits?"

"No," He laughed almost bitterly. "I've never been one much for Valentine's Day."

"A shame…." A long-fingered palm was extended to him. "I'm Treize."

There was something soft and inexplicable in the stranger's blue eyes that made Wufei's heart race. He trembled. "Wufei…."

"Are you cold?" Treize's arm was suddenly about him, pulling him closer, huddling them together beneath the older man's short jacket. Wufei would have objected to his boldness, but the movement was too tender -- the look in Treize's eyes too bright.

He pressed a little closer. "No," Wufei murmured, "not anymore."

"Good." Treize smiled down at him and the arm about his waist tightened comfortably. "You said you were heading home?"

"Yes," Wufei watched as their strides fell in step. "It's just nearby…."