The Greatest of These

All previous disclaimers apply.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update!


The sun was shining. Again. Duo moaned and rolled over away from it. Why the Hell did the sun have to be so annoying and just continue shining? Every morning there it was, even if he wanted sleep almost more than anything. He wrapped an arm around the warm body next to him in the bed and cuddled up against the strong back, feeling content and lazy when a hand linked with his and brought them closer together. He moved Wu Fei’s hair out of the way and placed a chaste kiss to the back of his neck before sighing and settling back comfortably in the bed once again.

Wait a minute. Bed? Wu Fei? What?

Duo almost yelped as he opened his eyes to see that he was indeed in his bed and Wu Fei was indeed laying next to him and they were indeed holding hands. Wu Fei’s eyes were still closed and his breathing was deep and even. Still sleeping. Duo carefully slipped his hand from Wu Fei’s and wracked his brain for what had happened the night before. Of course, he didn't object at all to waking up warm and comfortable next to Wu Fei, but it would be nice if he could just remember how it had happened. He hadn’t gotten drunk last night, of that much he was certain. And he was still fully clothed, he noted, almost sourly, as he looked under the covers. He could remember coming home from work to find Wu Fei playing with Sheira on the floor and saying that dinner would be ready in about ten minutes if he wanted to wash up. He’d felt incredibly domestic, then incredibly foolish for feeling that way. They’d had dinner, then they’d done the dishes side by side, watching Sheira play on her blanket in the middle of the floor. She looked up every once is a while and smiled at them, as if telling them she was glad they were both still there. Then, he’d given Sheira a bath while Wu Fei had made some calls and sent some e-mails concerning jobs he might be able to find in the area. Neither of them had discussed him moving out, even now that he was well. Then, they’d played with the baby until she was sleepy and put her to bed. Some T.V., some ice cream, and they’d both gone to bed. In separate rooms. So, what the hell had happened between then and now to get him in his bed again?

“Good morning,” Wu Fei said quietly and Duo was jerked from his thoughts. He looked down to see the gorgeous Chinese man looking at him with intent black eyes.

“Good morning,” he said pleasantly, smiling. Then he rubbed the back of his neck a little uncomfortably, “How did I . . .”

“Get in the bed?”

“Yeah.”

“I led you here last night after one of your nightmares. It’s really ridiculous for you to continue sleeping on the couch, Duo, when the bed is big enough for both of us.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right. Thanks. It’s much more comfortable. Hope I didn't wake up Sheira last night. Cammi says I can scream pretty good sometimes when I get lost in my nightmares.” Duo chose to ignore the shiver of pleasure that went up his spine at Wu Fei calling him by his first name and chose instead to worry over the baby.

“No,” Wu Fei assured him, “You didn’t wake her.”

“Well,” Duo moved to get out of the bed, “I’d better get ready for work.” He hated how very awkward this all was.

“Duo,” Wu Fei called when he was almost at the door.

“Hmm?”

“It’s Saturday.” Wu Fei was amazed at how much he wanted to add on to the statement that Duo should just come back to bed. And do what, Chang? His mind questioned his motives. Want to snuggle or want to fuck? Though either is equally appetizing when he’s just standing there, looking all warm and still a little fuzzy from sleep in his flannel pajamas and tee shirt. Wu Fei growled silently at his betraying mind.

“Oh. Yeah. Okay. I’ll just go see if Sheira’s up yet, then.” His breath escaped in relieved whoosh as he slipped out of the room and across the hall into the baby’s room. Sheira was indeed up. She was sitting in the middle of her cradle, playing with her stuffed dog, and babbling away to herself in baby talk. Duo froze in the door and blinked, shaking his head and looking back at her again. She was still in the middle of her cradle, playing with her stuffed dog and . . . babbling away to herself in baby talk. As soon as she realized he was in the doorway, she looked up, smiled, and held out her arms to be picked up, giggling the whole time.

Duo felt his breathing get heavier and his throat slick with thick emotion as he stumbled across the room toward her, his eyes just a little misty. He picked her up and held her close to his chest, fighting back the overwhelmingly unmanly urge to sob. She was making noise. She was babbling and giggling. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

“Oh, sweetheart. Oh, baby,” he could think of nothing more articulate to say as he rocked gently back and forth and she continued to babble, “Let’s go show Papa, huh? He’ll be so happy.”

He didn’t even bother to knock on the partially closed door, just pushed it open, couldn’t even notice that Wu Fei was just buttoning a pair of jeans closed as he came in. Wu Fei looked annoyed for just a brief moment until he noticed that Duo was carrying Sheira, and she was cooing as she looked over at him from Duo’s arms.

“She . . .” It was the only word he could get out of his mouth before he crossed the room in three quick strides and Duo handed him his baby girl. He threw her up in the air, beginning to laugh when she shrieked with joy and giggled uncontrollably as he caught her again. Duo began to laugh, too as Wu Fei did it again, and then spun her around. Neither of them realized it in their laughter and their desire to be close to Sheira, but it was completely natural for Wu Fei to wrap his arm around Duo’s waist and pull them close together so that they could both look at the baby and laugh with her. Duo put an arm around Wu Fei’s shoulder and touched Sheira’s downy hair and tickled her under her chin with the other.

Wu Fei didn’t know what over took him, but he was completely aware as suddenly, he was kissing Duo happily. And not the type of chaste kiss they had shared a couple of times since he’d been there. No, it was a deep, joy from the heart-filled kiss that went straight to his head. And other portions of his anatomy when Duo responded with the same scale of passion, the same hunger and need. They were both panting when they finally broke apart. But neither of them blushed or looked away. They had acknowledged the need and attraction again for the first time in years and there was no way they were going to back away from it now. But, as if on unspoken agreement, they pulled away. Not now. Right now it was time to celebrate Sheira. Later. Later could be for them.

“How about a trip to the zoo?” Duo asked happily.

“Yes,” Wu Fei nodded, smiling, “I think she’d like that. Then maybe the park with the fountain in the ground that children play in?”

“Sounds great. I’ll go get lunch together. We can leave in a hour if you can get her ready.”

“Yes,” Wu Fei grabbed Duo’s hand as he was about to leave the room and pulled him back for one more deep kiss, “Tonight, Maxwell,” he grinned, liking the idea of hot sex with the American again more and more.

“Yes, tonight, Chang,” Duo grinned back, “Tonight.”