PART THREE

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Trowa caught him before he hit the ground.

He scooped Wufei up in his arms, his heart missing a beat when he felt how cold Wufei was, even through the clothes they were wearing.

He headed straight for the house - he could just make out the faint outline from here - he shoved open the door with his foot and carried Wufei into the dark house.

Damn again! He'd left the lights on, so that meant the electricity was out. No chance of warming Wufei up with a bath, then. It was the best way, putting someone in tepid water and gradually increasing the temperature, but with no hot water there wasn't a chance of doing that. It would take too long boil enough water in that tiny kettle over the fire.

Thank the gods he'd started the fire before he went out; put up the heavy screen to make sure no hot coals would burn the house down. The living room was fairly warm, and very nice right in front of the fireplace. He lay Wufei on the couch for a moment while he spread a thick quilt in front of the fire.

Wufei didn't stir.

He finished the task and then lifted the boy again, laying him on the blanket and staring. Wufei's normally bronze face was pale and pinched, his lips blue and his eyes closed. Trowa was fairly certain he wasn't conscious.

He started stripping the layers of clothes off the smaller boy, tossing the heavy, wet garments into a corner. He'd clean up the mess later, right now he had to get Wufei warmed up. He stripped off his own hat and gloves and scarf, too, and the bulky coat. It hampered his movements.

He sighed in relief when he saw the many layers Wufei was wearing. That was good, that was very good. He'd been worried that the other boy had dressed in a single layer of heavy clothes but Wufei seemed to know more about winter dressing than he'd expected. He stripped the gloves off of icy fingers and blew on them for a moment, trying to get a bit of warmth into them before he moved on.

*

*

*

Where was he?

Wherever it was, it was warm, even though he felt cold and numb. There was a soft stirring of warm air over his hands and the ice-encrusted scarf that had interfered with his breathing was gone.

So he didn't care that much about where he was. Not enough to bother opening his eyes.

*

*

*

Trowa lay Wufei's hands down and moved on to his feet, tugging off the heavy boots and then the wet socks. The bottom pair were still mostly dry, and Wufei's feet weren't as cold as his hands had been. That was a relief, he'd worried about frostbite and...

...and Wufei had really pretty feet. Small, finely-boned and delicate.

Now was not the time to think about this! He shook his head, hard, and moved on to the sweater Wufei was wearing, pulling it over his head. Wufei's eyes stayed closed. He took off the long-sleeved shirt and the turtleneck and hesitated at the tank top. Wufei wasn't going to like this - but it was the second-best way to warm someone up.

And Wufei's eyes were still closed.

He stripped the tank top off, too.

*

*

*

Why was someone undressing him?

He forced his eyes to open, wondering why it felt like there were sandbags on his eyelids, and looked down his body to where someone was tugging off his jeans.

Oh.

Barton.

Well, that was all right. Maybe this was just one of those rather embarrassing dreams. Not like Barton would do this in real life; he belonged to Winner, didn't he?

Wufei just let himself relax and enjoy it. His eyes slid shut again.

*

*

*

Trowa hesitated again when he was down to Wufei's boxers. This was strongly reminding him of some of his better fantasies and he had to fight the stirrings of arousal. Wufei wasn't participating in this; he was unconscious; this was not a sexual encounter.

Trowa repeated that to himself, over and over and over again. He reached for the waistband of the boxers and had to stop, grinning suddenly.

It didn't matter that this wasn't a fantasy-come-true; he was still almost overcome with laughter at the thought that any of the other Pilots would give their right arm to be where he was right now. Even Heero and Duo, forget that they were a couple. He'd heard them whispering about Wufei on more than one occasion. And Quatre, who couldn't seem to make up his mind if he was gay or straight or bi... even he had stared at Wufei for hours at a time.

Trowa sighed at the thought of Quatre, his hands stilling for a moment on the elastic. He'd liked the other boy very much, but one could only put up with the uncertainty for so long. His feelings had gradually changed to become a deep friendship, like he was watching over an exasperating younger brother. A beloved younger brother, but a pain in the ass with all the wishy-washy 'maybe I am... no, maybe I'm not...'

Trowa grinned again. Quatre was stuck with Heero and Duo for at least the next two weeks; they were obviously interested in a threesome and weren't likely to pass up this opportunity just because they had a pretty blond Arabian instead of a pretty brunette Chinese. Duo was openly horny and Heero was silently just as horny. Quatre didn't stand a chance.

He eased the boxers down, trying his best not to stare at Wufei's groin. Lost cause, of course; he kept stealing peeks at the soft black curls and lax genitals. Wufei was so pretty, even there... he found his mouth watering with the desire to taste him and forced his eyes away.

*

*

*

Wufei stirred restlessly, wondering why he felt so heavy and tired and why Trowa wasn't touching him? This wasn't the way the dreams went... he slit open his eyes again and saw the boy was blushing, face turned deliberately away from him as he started taking off his own clothes.

Hmm... very nice. He'd never imagined Trowa so clearly before.

Beautiful.

His fingers itched to touch.

No, they itched because they were waking up, nerves tingling harshly. And his toes felt the same way, and his knee throbbed madly.

Oh, shit, this wasn't a dream, was it? He wasn't going to get to see Trowa hovering over him with his face flushed with passion...

...or was he? They were both naked, and his usual shyness about his body seemed to have vanished. They were alone here, he remembered that, so no one was going to walk in. The others were on a mission.

And he'd nearly died out in that storm, because he didn't even remember Trowa finding him or bringing him inside. He'd nearly died untouched and unloved. He set his jaw in sudden determination. That wasn't going to happen to him again.

Trowa's head came up sharply as Wufei moaned and stirred. "Are you awake?" he asked softly, moving to sit beside the other boy.

"...no..."

He grinned. "Wufei, please don't get upset, but I have to warm you up and the electricity is off."

"...what ...doing?"

"We have to share body heat, Wufei, I have to hold you." He reached for the folded quilt on the couch and flung it over them, then pulled the small, cold body close to his. Wufei moaned aloud and curled into his warmth, arms wrapping around him and legs tangling with his.

Trowa's eyes went huge.

Oh, gods, don't get excited, don't get excited, he's just cold, don't get excited!

Heat pooled in his groin, anyway, and he felt his cock stirring to life. He nearly groaned - Wufei was going to kill him.

Wufei was trying to fight off a smile. So Trowa did like him a little? Or was it just holding someone close? But he held Quatre, didn't he?

Thinking of the little blond was like having cold water poured over his head. He couldn't do this, couldn't betray a comrade like that.

"Wufei..."

Shut up, Trowa, just shut up. I don't want you to tell me nothing can happen because you're taken.

He shifted his hips away carefully, so the other boy couldn't feel his own arousal.

"Wufei, I'm sorry." Trowa gazed down at the tightly closed eyes and the hint of red slipping into pale, cold cheeks. "It's just... I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I like you, and you're so close..."

Black eyes snapped open. "You... you like me?"

Trowa nodded miserably, waiting for the other boy to blast him.

"What about Winner?"

Huh? He looked down and was shocked to see no anger in those dark orbs, just uncertainty. "What about Quatre?"

"Aren't you... isn't he... aren't you two...?"

A sudden hope blossomed in Trowa's heart, and he carefully eased closer to the smaller boy. "Quatre's just my friend, Wufei. My best friend, but not my lover." He slid a hand into rumpled black hair, searching for the hair tie and easing it free. Black silk spilled over his fingers and he sighed.

Wufei nearly arched in ecstasy as long fingers rubbed at the base of his skull, where the tight ponytail left a constant ache. "Barton..."

"Wufei... say 'Trowa.'"

"Trowa..."

And that soft, breathless tone was all the permission Trowa needed.

Wufei's eyes snapped open as lips descended onto his, arms tightening around him and pulling him close. There was no way the other boy couldn't tell he was 'interested' now, but Trowa only moaned into the kiss and then a warm, wet tongue was licking at his lips, trying to find a way inside. Wufei opened his mouth obediently and Trowa was suddenly trying to devour him.

That was nice.

Wufei sighed and relaxed into the kiss, too tired to even consider fighting for dominance. He had no idea what he was doing, anyway, and Trowa seemed very sure of himself. The warm mouth moved away, showering small, nipping kisses along his jawline to his ear, where Trowa suckled on his earlobe until he started writhing.

He missed the gleeful grin on the other boy's face. He probably wouldn't have believed it if he had seen it.

Trowa finally let go of the delicious little ear and moved on to lick his way down the slender throat. He found a sensitive spot and set in with determination, suckling the soft skin with a vengeance.

By the time Wufei's muddled brain figured out what he was doing, it was too late; he had a love bite of epic proportions.

Trowa backed away and licked the angry purple spot, his eyes satisfied. Let Heero and Duo just see that - they'd know who Wufei belonged to! He felt a surge of possessiveness that he'd never felt when they flirted with Quatre.

Wufei was shifting beneath him - when had he rolled on top of the smaller Pilot? Oh, well, didn't matter, that was where he wanted him and he was thoroughly pleased that Wufei wasn't protesting. Not that he would mind having the Chinese boy on top, but right now he was consumed with the need to take him, claim him.

"...Trowa ...please," Wufei murmured, sliding icy cold hands up his back.

Trowa shivered - he needed to get his little soon-to-be-lover warmed up. He caught the cold hands as they reached his shoulders and held them in his own larger hands. He'd never realized just how small Wufei really was; the force of his personality made him seem so much bigger. Both of the delicate hands fit easily inside his.

"Trowa, what...?"

"Shh, you're cold. We have to get you warm."

"There are better ways..." Wufei said softly, arching beneath him and pressing their groins together.

"Wufei...!" Trowa nearly shrieked his name. "Oh... just let me... just let me warm up your hands... are your feet still cold?"

For answer, Wufei slid his right foot up Trowa's calf and the other boy yelped. It was like a block of ice. He clamped both calves around it and ignored the shivers of cold it sent up his own legs. "Wufei, put your other foot there, too."

"Can't."

Trowa blinked down at him. "What do you mean, you can't?"

"Fell, banged my knee... Trowa! It's cold!"

Trowa had thrown the quilt back at his words, letting the much less-warmed air of the living room flood over their exposed skin. He ignored Wufei's yelps for now, carefully checking the bruised, swollen knee. How had he missed that? And Wufei's torso and arms were scattered with other, smaller bruises. They probably shouldn't do this; he didn't want to hurt him.

"Wufei..."

"Don't you dare even suggest stopping!" Wufei growled, reading his thoughts in his eyes.

"But I don't want to hurt you..."

"You weren't hurting me. I just won't move that leg much, that's all." He saw doubt still lingering in Trowa's eyes and pressed his lips tightly together. His hands were almost warmed up now, and he knew somewhere warmer than Trowa's own hands to finish the job. He had them loose and wrapped around Trowa's erection before the taller boy could blink.

"Wufei!" It was a strangled scream of pleasure and he smirked. Then he settled down to business, admiring what he held in his hands. Trowa was a little longer than him, and thicker. He was quite hard and already dripping - Wufei smoothed the pre-come into the hot skin with a gentle fingertip and Trowa groaned loudly.

He reached down and caught those mischievous hands and Wufei found himself devoured in a kiss again, as Trowa thrust almost wildly against him, their arousals grinding together in a way that left him breathless with pleasure.

Trowa's mouth wandered along the sweeping line of a collarbone, further down to find a little caramel nipple, already hardened from the cold. He nuzzled it for a moment, making Wufei gasp, then made him howl as he sucked it into the hot wetness of his mouth. He nearly groaned aloud, Wufei even tasted sweet, like he bathed in sugar and vanilla...

Wufei buried both his almost-warm hands into Trowa's hair, surprised to find it soft when he had always assumed the boy had to use bottles of styling gel every day. It did that naturally, who knew?

Who cared?

Not him, not as long as the hot warmth of Trowa's mouth stayed where it was, as long as the clever fingers were rolling and squeezing the neglected nub on the other side of his chest - oh, when did he start that?!

Again, who cared?

"Trowa..."

"Mmm..." was Trowa's only reply, as he began moving down Wufei's chest, over a firmly muscled stomach to the tiny dimple of his bellybutton.

Wufei gasped as he settled down to enjoy that spot, his own cool hands wandering down Trowa's back, lingering over the broad planes of his shoulder blades and the ripples his ribs made in his sides. Trowa was a bit thin; Wufei vaguely wondered if he could convince him to eat more. The taller boy shook when he stroked his sides and his hips, as he sent his hands wandering around to where they'd been earlier, gently stroking Trowa until he groaned.

"Wufei... Wufei, stop... stop, or it's all going to be over..." Trowa looked down into passion-clouded eyes and realized Wufei wasn't listening to him. He reached down and grabbed the searching hands, lifted them above Wufei's dark head and held them there with one hand while the other hand copied Wufei's actions.

The Chinese boy gasped and arched up - hmm, so he liked being held down? He'd have to remember that... but for now...

He moved down Wufei's body, dragging the boy's hands with him but not letting go, and replaced his own hand with his mouth.

Wufei nearly screamed when he felt hot wetness surround him, arching helplessly again and moaning his lover's name. He felt Trowa smirk against him, felt him lift his good right leg and put it over his shoulder.

Then he set to work in earnest, suckling and licking and taking Wufei all the way in, only to pull back and dip his tongue into the weeping slit, tasting him.

Still sweet.

Wufei bit his lip until he tasted blood, trying to hold onto his climax, trying not to end the blissful torture. He couldn't - oh, he couldn't stop... "Trowa!" he gasped, trying to warn him, but the other boy only increased his ministrations, adding nibbling to the mix and pushing Wufei over the edge.

A moment later and Trowa raised his head, licking his lips and smiling. Wufei stared up at him, limp and boneless, eyes dazed. Trowa kissed his lips briefly and then spoke.

"Wufei... can I... will you let me?"

"Huh?" Wufei asked, his brain still not functioning properly.

"Can I make love to you?" Trowa's voice was warm against his hear and he shuddered, amazed to feel himself stir again. He hadn't thought he'd be able to move for a week.

"Didn't you just...?"

"Inside you, Wufei. I want to be inside you. May I?"

Wufei flushed bright red - good thing, Trowa thought absently, his blood was definitely flowing properly - and nodded.

Trowa beamed at him, then moved away, yanking at the couch cushions. Wufei sat up, leaning on an elbow, and stared at him.

"Trowa... what are you doing?"

"There has to be some here, somewhere..."

"Some what?!"

Trowa's reply was rather muffled, as his face was pressed against the couch skirt, one long arm fishing under it. "Heero and Duo... veritable rabbits... everywhere..."

Wufei blinked, completely confused.

"Ah ha!" Trowa finally sat back, flushed with pride, and held up a brand-new tube of lubricant.

"Oh, gods... you mean they stash that stuff around the house?!" Wufei stared.

"Yes - be careful where you go, when they think they're here alone. They do it everywhere, and they're not shy about asking you to join in."

Wufei turned even darker red - an amazing feat, really, considering his complexion.

Trowa wasn't worried about it. He hadn't lost a bit of his interest during his search, and now he literally pounced on the smaller youth, driving him back down on the quilt and kissing him thoroughly, hands flying all over the lithe bronze body until they settled on his thighs. He parted them gently, arranging the left leg with its wounded knee carefully and lifting the other until Wufei's right foot was flat on the floor. He looked down and licked his lips.

Wufei was half-aroused again, his pretty cock turning pink and stiffening in a nest of damp curls. Trowa could see just a glimpse of a dark-rose pucker between the rounded globes of his backside. He slid his hands down Wufei's waist and beyond, exploring while his eyes continued to devour the beautiful sight. He had dropped the cold tube on Wufei's stomach, making him yelp, and now he nodded at it.

"You want to do the honors?"

"Opening a tube is an honor?" Wufei asked sarcastically. He felt shy and nervous, so open to Trowa's scrutiny, and he was trying desperately not to let the other boy know. He didn't want Trowa to think he was weak.

The taller boy saw right through him, but he thought it was kind of cute. The strong, proud warrior was shy. A shy Dragon... who knew? Of course, it did explain a few things...

Wufei finished opening the tube and Trowa held out his hand. The Chinese boy squirted what was probably way too much lube onto his palm, but Trowa just smiled. Nervous, too. Sweet. He rubbed his hands together to warm the thick gel, knowing Wufei wasn't going to appreciate it much if it was icy cold.

When he reached between Wufei's legs again, the smaller boy tensed. He'd heard that this part hurt. Of course, he wasn't afraid of pain, but that didn't mean he liked it. Trowa didn't start pressing in at once though - a warm, slick finger just made gentle circles around his entrance, while Trowa's other slippery hand stroked his own arousal.

Wufei was mesmerized by the sight, watching with dark eyes rapidly filling with lust. He forgot to stay tense, and Trowa felt him relax beneath the exploring finger. He pushed inside carefully, watching Wufei's widening eyes for any sign of discomfort.

Well... that feels really odd. Doesn't hurt, though...

Trowa didn't try to add another finger right away - he leaned forward and kissed his lover instead, slow and sweet and firm, waiting for him to totally relax. Only when Wufei moaned beneath him and his tongue started playing along, did he slide in the second finger, scissoring them gently.

Wufei barely noticed - he never knew how much fun kissing could be.

He felt the third finger, though.

Trowa stilled the motion of his hand as Wufei went tense again, his mind reminding him he had to go slow even while his libido ran in circles, screeching with glee over the feeling of the warm tightness around his fingers and how much better it was going to feel wrapped around his cock. He soothed the smaller boy gently, kissing and licking at his neck until Wufei relaxed a little; then he started wriggling his fingers carefully, searching for that one spot that would make everything change.

Wufei shouted suddenly, eyes going impossibly wide with surprise and his pretty mouth falling open.

Trowa smirked.

Found it.

He massaged the little spot relentlessly while he made sure his partner was fully prepared, even though he himself was so hard he actually hurt. He needed release badly, but he would never hurt his Dragon.

"Trowa... Trowa..." Wufei gasped, his lungs straining for air. He could barely see the other boy for the lights bursting in his vision, could barely make his tongue form words around the passion that was trying to scream out of his throat. "Trowa... stop..."

Trowa did stop, for just a moment, removing his fingers and making Wufei surprise himself with a whine of discontent. One moment he thought he was going to explode into a million fragments if Trowa didn't quit; now he was whimpering like a damn baby?

He forgot his confusion when something large and hot nudged at him, pressing hard against him. He gasped and forced himself to spread his legs wider instead of slamming them closed like instinct demanded. Forced himself to relax despite the burning pressure as Trowa slid inside. He focused on the look of pure ecstasy on the taller boy's face - his dreams had never even come close.

Trowa was just beautiful...

...and big.

Wufei felt like he was about to split in half - how had Trowa ever managed to fit inside of him? He felt ten times bigger than he looked. He appreciated the fact that the other boy was holding still, his eyes squeezed tightly closed.

"Trowa?"

"...tight... gods... Wufei, relax..."

"Am I ...hurting you?" Wufei asked, worried, trying to force his muscles to loosen.

"No... gods, no... so tight and... hot... Wufei..."

Oh, so Trowa felt good.

That was a relief.

His own discomfort was settling into a rather pleasant sense of fullness - then on into a slightly unpleasant desire for something - he didn't know what...

He shifted, and was surprised at the sharp gasp Trowa gave.

"Wufei - gods, don't move - so good... Don't want to hurt you..."

Oh... hmm... but moving had felt good. Had felt like a dim echo of what his body really wanted. And it didn't hurt.

Trowa still had his eyes closed, so he missed the wicked smile that slowly dawned across Wufei's face.

They flew open, however, when Wufei lifted his hips and rocked against him. "AAAAhhhh! Don't do that!"

"Move, Trowa!" Wufei demanded.

"You're... ready?"

"Yes, dammit! Move!" And he rocked again.

Trowa howled, and started moving, unable to stop his hips from thrusting forward into that warm, welcoming tightness. Wufei felt so good, miles better than he'd ever imagined.

"Have to go slow..." he whispered, thinking aloud.

"Like hell," Wufei replied. "More, Trowa, I won't break."

"Wufei..."

"Please, Trowa! I won't break! Harder!"

Trowa gave in and began thrusting firmly, hard enough to slowly edge Wufei back on the quilt. The smaller boy growled out his pleasure and those small hands grasped his hips, urging him to move faster still.

Trowa was more than happy to oblige.

Wufei was teetering on the brink, trying yet again to hold onto an orgasm. He didn't want to come, didn't want this to stop, but Trowa was slamming against that spot that made him feel like electricity was coursing through his veins. He couldn't hold on, couldn't...

Trowa's warm hand closed around his erection and he arched almost completely off the floor, covering that hand and his own stomach with warm white strands of pearls.

Trowa howled in bliss as Wufei's muscles convulsed around him, making the tight passage impossibly tighter. He froze, his own climax coating the other boy's inner walls, then gave a few short, helpless thrusts as the rippling muscles milked him further.

Then he collapsed over his lover, sweat and semen gluing them together.

Neither cared. They fell instantly into a warm black void of sleep.

*

*

*

Wufei woke up clean and warm and lying someplace soft. His knee was throbbing slightly, but there was the reassuring pressure of an elastic bandage wrapped around it. The fire was crackling softly, a comforting sound. He raised his head and peered around, wondering where he was.

Hmm... mattress on the floor in front of the fire, the couch, chairs, and coffee tables shoved out of the way. Trowa must have been busy.

And he must have been sleeping like a rock.

"Awake, huh? Warm enough?" A soft voice asked, and he looked up to see Trowa sitting in the shadows beside the fire, holding a mug in his hands. Another mug sat on the hearth, keeping warm.

"Yes," he said, his voice rasping slightly. His throat was dry, and he looked at the other mug longingly. "Is that for me?"

Trowa nodded, and handed it to him. Wufei wrapped his fingers around it and sipped.

Then sputtered, and stared at the other boy.

Trowa smirked. "I found it in your duffel, while I was getting you some dry clothes. Odd secret to keep."

Wufei nearly cringed. "I... just like chocolate..."

Trowa nodded. "I have a weakness for peanut butter, myself. We'll get along great - we can share peanut butter cups perfectly."

Wufei raised an elegant eyebrow, wondering why Trowa wasn't teasing him but glad of it. "What are peanut butter cups?"

Trowa smiled again. "Ah, I have to get you some. There's no explaining them, really." He moved to sit on the mattress and tug Wufei close. "You don't feel like you're going to come down with a cold, do you? After being half-frozen like that?"

Wufei shook his head. "I feel all right. Just tired, still. And sore. How long did I sleep?"

Trowa wiped the grin off his face at the reference to being sore. "About ten hours. It's still snowing, there are drifts piled up to the windows."

Wufei shuddered. "Hate that stuff."

"Guess you'll never go outside in it again, huh?" Trowa asked, a little disappointed. It would be a lot of fun to play in the snow with Wufei - he'd bet Heero wouldn't win every snowball fight if his little warrior participated.

"Oh, yes, I will." Wufei's reply startled him and he stared.

"You will?! Why?"

Wufei gave him a look from heavy-lidded eyes. "It's worth getting cold... when someone warms you up like you did..."

Trowa stared.

Then smiled.

And pounced again.

A mug of tea and another of chocolate went flying, to leave puddles on the carpet that were certain to stain.

Neither boy noticed.

Or cared.

Outside the warm little room, the snow kept falling, falling...

~owari~