Risk the Pain

My last chapter was a little darker then I intended for the entire fic, but this one should be nice and sugary-sweet. It was originally a completely different and separate fic, but I thought that it would work so much better here as the next part of the fluffiness. I hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I know nothing, not even the computer that I am typing on. If you would like to sue me all you will get is manga and a few work clothes.

By the way, this part of the fic changes back and forth between Wufei�fs and Duo�fs point of views.

On with the Fic!

Duo sighed and rolling over looked at his sleeping roommate. �@He told himself as he sat up in bed and turned to face the other young boy asleep in the room. Sitting there he was able to take in the smooth features he knew by heart.

Absently pulling his braid over his shoulder he ran the end of it through his fingers. He decided.

Sighing again the braided boy flopped backwards onto the bed and into the pile of what had once been his blankets. Finally giving up trying to figure out anything.

As much as he might verbalize complaints, he really didn't mean them; it was like most of what he said, ramblings to fill the silence. And as much as the boy could drive him crazy with his silence and oft times superior attitude, Duo had also seen beneath that.

He had seen the rare glimpses of the shyer boy he knew lay beneath the surface, hidden where few ever saw and only if he let you. That was why he was here, sharing a very small apartment instead of propping his feet up at one of Quatre's bases.

"The things we do for love." Duo sat bolt up right, "Oh Boy!"

Had he just admitted to being in love? Scrunching up his nose and sticking out his tongue in concentration he reviewed his thoughts and feelings, and came to the not so startling conclusion that, Yes He Was In Love! With the straightest boy he ever had the misfortune of meeting, who just so happened to be his friend too.

Laying back down he cocooned himself in his blankets and stared at his friend.

*************

Wufei let the cold-water cascade down his back, washing the last of the soap from his body, not really feeling it as he argued with himself.

He continued repeating hoping to convince himself.

Answered another part of himself, one he thought he had buried deep, hidden from the others and even himself. But no, there it sat in the back of his mind, reading glasses and all, drinking tea.

Groaning Wufei shut off the water and reached for his towel. Standing in front of the mirror he continued to argue with himself as he pulled his hair ruthlessly back. Challenged the voice, smirking because it knew there was no way for him to deny it

Wufei paused and stared at himself in the face of his reflection.

Sighing Wufei opened the bathroom door and came face to face with a sleepy-eyed Duo, hair escaping from his braid, clothes looking rumpled, looking for all the world as though he just climbed from a lover�fs bed.

He thought, mind blanking out as Duo rubbed the last of the sleep from his large eyes and stared up at him. He wasn't even sure which part of him said it.

Duo stared at Wufei from inches away, close enough to see the water droplets that clung to his skin. Shifting his gaze he noticed the towel that clung precariously to narrow hips, almost falling off.

He cheered it on.

From this close he was able to see the emotions that flowed behind Wufei's soft velvet eyes; shock, embarrassment, some confusion, desire�cDesire!

He looked again.

Yup there it was, hiding out behind the indignation. "Will you move already Maxwell?"

Duo paused for half a second,

Duo snaked both arms out and trapped Wufei's face between his hands. Quick as possible he placed a soft kiss against the Chinese boy�fs lips. Mused Duo as he stared at the look of complete and utter shock on his �eFei's face.

Wufei could only stare at the satisfied look on Duo's face, still too shocked to even think straight; the little voice strangely quite.

He was strangely calm, with a weird desire to giggle.

Without thinking he licked his lips, tasting Duo on them. So caught up in his thoughts he missed the look in Duo's eyes before he was being kissed again, soft lips pressed to his own. Was all he could focus on.

When Wufei had licked his lips Duo hadn�ft been able to resist, combined with the fact that Wufei hadn�ft started screaming at him. In fact he was still staring at him, velvet eyes wide.

Duo watched patiently as Wufei tried to form words; unaware or uncaring that Duo�fs hands still rested on his bare shoulders.

Duo decided loving the way his �eFei looked without his �eJustice Boy�f rant mask.

�gBut I thought that you and Hilde were�c?�h Wufei looked so uncertain, almost scared, Duo stepped closer and slid his hands down Wufei�fs arms in order to link fingers.

Duo knew it in his soul. The shy and sensitive young man in front of him was the real Chang Wufei, and his heart cried out for him to hold on to him and never let him go. Looking him square in the eyes he answered the assumption.

�gHilde and I are just friends, that�fs all we�fve ever been.�h Duo said.

Wufei looked at Duo, fingers tightening involuntarily on his. Even if he and Hilde had never been anything other then friends, then�c?

�gWhy me?�h

Even as he dreaded the answer part of him hoped it was more then the perceived availability. If it wasn�ft Hilde, and there was no way he�fd come between Heero, Trowa and Quatre. He watched as Duo�fs eyes softened, turning from violet to a deep blue.

Pulling one hand away Duo ran it along his jawline.

�gBecause one day I looked at you and saw this gentle boy staring back, and knew it could be no one else.�h

Wufei felt as though the ground and everything else had fallen away and he and Duo were floating, drifting along.

�gOh.�h

His internal voice cringed.

He opened his mouth to try again but a slim finger laid across his lips silenced him. Looking into Duo�fs eyes all he saw was warmth radiating from them before Duo once again laid his lips against his.

Still a little shocked Wufei leaned into Duo pressing them together. Without thinking he raised his free arm and slid it around Duo�fs waist, resting his hand lightly on Duo�fs hip.

Duo almost jumped when he felt �eFei touch him, so absorbed he had been in the taste and feel of �eFei�fs lips.

Followed by; Were the only two thoughts running through Duo�fs mind. A pair of soft lips and warm skin was all that existed in his new and improved �eHappy Place�f. Everything about his �eFei was so perfect that it left his heart pounding and his ears ringing. Ringing? No, not ringing BEEPING!

Pulling away Duo stared into Wufei�fs unfocused eyes. Confusion was mirrored on both boys before realization had them jumping apart and racing into their small living room to answer the incoming message.

Duo slid in front of the computer and accepted the coded e-mail. It was from Trowa; he and Heero had almost been captured during their last mission. To be safe all pilots were changing safehouses and meeting up with Quatre outside of Tokyo. Standing by for reply.

Duo glanced at Wufei who nodded and watched as Duo sent the return communication. Standing up Duo turned to face Wufei.

Wufei stared back, dark eyes still looking shocky.

�gWhy don�ft you pack while I take a shower?�h He suggested, giving Wufei something to do. He nodded, understanding and went to change into his clothes.

*************

Standing outside of the apartment building Duo whistled under his breath.

�gI bet you anything that it was Quatre who picked the place to stay.�h He said throwing his braid back over his shoulder and picking up his bag.

Wufei watched entranced as Duo�fs braid swung back and forth as he walked, gently flicking against his hips.

In the week that it had taken them to slip around Oz�fs soldiers and make their way to Japan the two pilots had made every attempt to get to really know each other, asking questions and telling historical and hysterical antidotes.

Becoming friends.

At first Wufei had still been wary of Duo and his intentions despite everything that the others had told him. Duo had sworn up and down, and on a Bible that said intentions towards Wufei were completely honorable, as long as at some point in time he could get him into bed. Wufei had ignored those types of comments as much as possible, and once Duo found out why he always blushed so easily he had surprisingly understood.

Not that he still didn�ft tease him, but the comments were no longer as numerous or as blatant as before. And slowly Wufei began to believe what Duo had said to him that first day. �eBecause one day I looked at you and saw this gentle boy staring back, and knew it could be no one else.�f

Shaking his head Wufei followed Duo through the revolving doors and into the building.

The two pilots stood in front of an apartment door, each glancing to the other to see who would knock. Each had reasons for not wanting to be the one.

Wufei didn�ft want to in case it was Heero who opened the door, ready to day �eI told you so.�f

Duo didn�ft want to in case it was Quatre.

Giving in Wufei finally knocked, and less then thirty seconds later it was flung open and a small blond bundle of energy was wrapped firmly around his chest, trying to squeeze the life from him.

Trowa had followed behind Quatre and watched as Wufei began to turn colors.

�gI think that he needs to breath, love.�h He commented when Wufei shot him a look that plainly read �eHelp Me!�f

�gOh, sorry about that Wufei,�h Quatre began, pulling away from the Chinese pilot to look at him, �gI was just so glad to see you I couldn�ft help myself.�h Remembering his manners he stepped back and gestured for him and Duo to come in.

Walking past Trowa, Duo couldn�ft help but smile at him. The two were well aware of Quatre�fs tendency to hug, and very tightly. He had almost made Heero twitch in pain.

Walking into the living area, Duo was impressed by the sheer size of the apartment, but then again everything that Quatre had and did tended to be big. He thought checking out the view from the windows.

Looking at the reflection in the window he watched as Quatre sat back down next to Heero, while Trowa leaned across the back of the sofa they sat on. Duo sat on the smaller love seat to the side.

As if he knew he was being watched he looked up and met his gaze in the glass. Wufei could see the love, the care and affection that shown from soft purple eyes. Glancing around he saw Quatre�fs wide smile, a twitch of a lip and a nod of a head from Heero, and the warm friendship in Trowa�fs open expression, and he understood.