Through the Artist's Eyes
By: DragonMage

Notes: Okay, this was inspired by a short story called 'Another Flavor' by Melaine Marks.

Pairings: 1+2, 3+4, 2+5, 1+R

Warnings: Shounen-ai, sappy(I think...)

Disclaimer: I do not own the GW boys

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"What's this?" Ms. Kendrick's sharp voice lashed out in the air as all the students in her history class looked up from working on their chapter outline. Their attention was focused on Ms. Kendricks who stood in front of Chang Wufei's desk.

Chang Wufei was the school's top student but also the most silent and isolated loner. All of the teachers loved him except for Ms. Kendricks. She hated him because they both knew that he was smarter than her.

Duo Maxwell turned in his seat and decided to watch teh show. Kendricks was always trying to find a way to ruin Wufei's perfect student image. He wondered what it would be this time.

Kendricks ripped a college rule leaf sheet out of Wufei's hands and stared at it.

Wufei just looked up at her with his trademark expression of indifference and coolness. His expression never changed, his obsidian eyes never shifted. He looked almost too still to be human. The only thing that made him human-like was the way small tendrils of silky black hair moved in the wind coming through the open window that he say by.

"It's nice, Mr. Chang but this isn't an art class," Kendricks snapped.

"May I have my paper back?" Wufei asked in his soft tenor that every girl swooned at when they heard it. That was exactly what was going on around Duo. He just smirked. Heero wouldn't like it if he swooned for Wufei. Hell, Heero would totally get jealous. Sure Wufei was a hotty in that exotic-Chinese-solitaire kind of way by Heero was the only one for him. Or at least that's what he told himself sometimes. 'Cause at times he wouldn't mind swooning for Wufei himself. The exotic boy was sure worth the time for it.

"No. I think it belongs to someone else," Kendricks said snidely.

Wufei merely stared at her, his expression betraying nothing. Then, he shrugged and turned his attention back to the nearly finished outline.

Kendricks glared at the indifferent boy before walking down the seat aisle. As she walked by Duo's desk she slapped the paper down and continued walking back to her desk with a dark look in her eyes.

Duo blinked. He stared at the paper on his desk, wondering whether or not he should turn it over and look at it.

"Well?" Quatre Raberba Winner asked as he leaned up behind Duo. "Aren't you going to see what it is?"

Duo turned his head up and looked at his blonde friend. Then he looked at the paper again before looking up at Ms. Kendricks who as busying herself with stamping red F's on her second period test papers.

He reached out and picked up the paper like it was going to bite him. He turned it around, and had to smother a gasp of shock.

"Wow," Quatre breathed behind him. "That's beautiful."

And it was. The subject was just in the right light, emphasizing his features. The eyes were sparkling, the lips were perfect, the nose and cheeks was just right. The hair was perfect and the neck was perfectly graceful.

The only problem with the sketch was that it was--Him!

Duo Maxwell in every way only through the artist's eyes he was incredibly beautiful and angelic.

Suddenly the bell rang, startling Duo. He quickly slid the sketch into his folder and stuffed it into his backpack. He turned around just in time to spot Wufei slipping out of the room.

`*`*`*`
"What are you going to do?" Quatre asked excitedly during lunch.

"I have no idea," Duo sighed as he bit into his ice cream bar. "What do people do when they find out that someone is secretly drawing pictures of them?"

"I think it's romantic," Quatre said, grinning. "I wish someone would draw me."

"Doesn't Trowa serenade you or something?' Duo asked, his eyebrow raised archly.

Quatre laughed, a slight pink blush on his smooth pale cheek.

"Well, speak of the devil," Duo said, grinning as the blonde's green-eyed boyfriend walked over to them with a tray full of food. He sat down beside Quatre and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before turning his attention to Duo.

"I heard about the sketch," he said in his usual quiet voice.

Duo blinked. "If you heard about it then--"

"Hello Duo," a quiet voice said behind him.

Duo grinned and turned around. "Heero!"

Heero Yuy sat down beside his American boyfriend and looked at him.

Duo was beginning to get nervous when Heero spoke.

"Where's the sketch?"

Duo sighed and brought it out of his folder. He showed it to Heero who took it and looked at it before looking at Duo.

Then he stated simply, "He likes you."

"No he doesn't," Duo protested.

"He does." Heero paused, looking at Duo carefully. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," Duo said nonchalantly as he took the sketch back.

"Well it doesn't look like you're going to throw it away any time soon," Heero pointed out.

Duo sighed and looked at Heero straight in the eye. "You know that I'm with you, Heero." he placed a comforting hand on Heero's. "You have nothing to worry about."

Heero looked Duo in the eye. "Are you sure?"

Duo rolled his eyes. "I'm sure!"

"All right, I'll see you later." Heero nodded at Quatre and Trowa before he stood up and left.

"Are you sure, Duo?" Trowa repeated Heero's question.

"Positive," Duo said with a sharp nod.

`*`*`*`
Duo found Wufei after school at his locker putting away some thick text books and folders. He felt a little nervous as he stood there and watched for a moment. Then he remembered why he was there in the first place.

"Wufei?"

The Chinese boy looked up and stared at him with intense, fathomless obsidian eyes. Duo had to remind himself to breathe. Sure he thought the drawing was sweet and romantic but he was still with Heero. He just couldn't betray him after promsing him that nothing was up. He was only like this because he got swept up in the romance of it, it was time to get his heart, head and other body parts back into control.

"Yes?"

Wufei's smooth, sweet tenor washed over him. Duo cursed himself. Stop it! I'm with Heero!

"Uh, do you want this back?" Duo pulled out the paper and shwoed it to the Chinese boy.

Wufei glanced at it and then looked at Duo. "No. You keep it."

Duo blinked. "But--It's beautiful. I think you better keep it."

Wufei smiled wryly at him. "Don't worry. I've got plenty of other ones." He zipped his backpack, closed his locker and walked away before Duo could utter another word. He only had one single thought in his mind:

He has plenty others??

`*`*`*`
The next day Duo found Wufei at the park. He was sitting on a bench, facing a playground full of kids. He had a sketch pad and a charcoal pencil in his hand. He was pretty intent on his work so Duo kept silent as he sat down beside the Chinese boy and watched.

He's pretty good, Duo thought admiringly as Wufei drew the children plany and the parents watching. He knew how to draw out all the emotions and reveal it all, even to the most dense observer.

"It's not hard," Wufei finally said, not taking his eyes off his work or the children. "It only takes practice, a little skill and determination."

"What's what they all say," Duo said, grinning. What am I doing here? I'm suppose to meet Heeor for ice cream. But he just couldn't make himself leave just yet, not even for Heero and ice cream. There was something about Wufei that--drew him.

Wufei smiled and looked at him. "That's why I told my martial arts teacher when I first started out."

"You know martial arts?" Duo was impressed.

Wufei nodded. "I started when I was only 3 years old."

"Wow. Did you always want to learn martial arts?"

"No. Not really. It was more of a family thing. You see, all the males in my family know how to fight. It has to do with our ancestors." Wufei turned his attention back to his sketch.

"What about them?" Duo knew he was prying but he didn't want to leave but asking questions meant meant answers and that meant he could stick around longer.

"They were all warriors for the Emperors going back as far as the Zhou dynasty."

Duo whistled. "Damn! You can trace your pas that far?"

"The books help," Wufei said with a slight quirk of his lips. "Do you want this sketch?"

Duo looked at the sketch. It was fantastic. "No, it's all right. It's beautiful and I think it would be nicer if you kept it."

Wufei signed his Chinese name down on the bottom corner and ripped it out. He handed it to Duo. "Take it. I have no uses for it."

Duo wanted to protest but Wufei just shoved it into his hands.

"Take it. I want you to have it," Wufei said. "I can always draw others."

"Thanks," Duo said as he looked down at the drawing before carefully folding it an slipping it into his pocket.

"Duo!"

Wufei's head snapped up and he raised an eyebrow at the direction Heero was coming from. He looked at Duo. "I think you better go."

Duo nodded and stood up. He looked down at Wufei, trying to think of something to say. Finally, he only managed a lame, "I'll see ya at school," before trotting off to meet Heero.

"Where have you been? I was looking for you," Heero said when Duo appeared.

"I, uh, saw a friend and we started talking. Sorry babe," Duo said as he kissed Heero on the cheek.

"It doesn't matter. Let's go get ice cream." Heero folded his hand with Duo's and they walked to the ice cream parlor.

`*`*`*`
The next couple of days was pretty strange and confusing for Duo. He had framed the sketch of himself that Wufei drew and hung it inside his closet. It was far too private to have out in the open where everyone else could see. He especially didn't want Heero to see when he came over sometimes.

Whenever he got a change to he would have a short chat with Wufei. Each time he learned a little more about the silent boy the more Duo...fell in love with him. Yes, he was finally admitting it. He loved Chang Wufei. It was horrible. He had tried fighting it bu in the end he lost. Badly.

"Duo? Duo!?"

Duo blinked. He looked up at Quatre who was standing over him with a stern expression.

"Hey Q-man. My mom let you in?" Duo sat up in bed and smiled at his blond friend.

"Yes," Quatre said, nodding. "Duo, we need to talk."

"About--?"

"About you, Wufei and Heero."

Duo gave Quatre a funny look. "What about them and me?"

"I know you like Wufei. A lot. You've mooned ove him more than before you got Heero. So, break up with Heero and get with Wufei," Quatre stated frankly.

"Are you nuts?" Duo demanded.

"No. You are. You don't love Heero anymore--if you ever did in the beginning. With Wufei...it's different." Quatre smiled and grabbed the cordless. "Call Heero."

"I don't know, Q. I mean, yeah, I love Wufei but I don't want to hurt Heero," Duo said doubtfully as he thought about his first boyfriend ever.

"You two aren't married. Think about yourself, Duo." Quatre shoved the cordless into Duo's hand and waited.

Duo looked down at the cordless. Should he call Heero and break it off with him? Or should he say no and stay with Heero?

"You're still young, Duo. It's time you learned to change every once in a while when the time calls for it. Heero just might not be the one for you. He was a great boyfriend for those few months but I think your entitled to a change," Quatre said seriously.

Duo took a deep breath and nodded. Quatre was right. They were both young. He wasn't married to Heero. He quickly dialed Heero's number, half hoping he was there, half hoping he wasn't. Then it picked up.

"Hello?" Heero's voice came through the line.

Duo swallowed hard. Then he began to talk.

`*`*`*`
Wufei was walking to class the next day when he bumped into Heero. He stepped back a step and brushed a strand of hair out of his face as he tried to manuver around the taller boy but he was suddenly caught by the arm.

Wufei was jerked back and he stood in front of Heero again. He didn't even blink.

"I don't know who you think you are moving in on Duo but it looks like you win," Heero said angrily.

"What are you talking about?" Wufei said quietly. "I don't understand."

"You win. Duo's yours," Heero grounded out.

"He's not property, Yuy. He's a human being," Wufei said softly. "And it's his choice whether or not he wants to stay with you."

Heero stared hard at Wufei. "Why Duo?"

Wufei looked at the boy for a moment. Then he smiled a wistful smile. "He's beautiful."

"There's more to beauty. That's one thing I learned."

Wufei nodded. "Yes, there is more to beauty. Why did you fall for him? Or did you ever fall in love with him?"

Heero looked thoughtful. Then he sighed and shook his head slightly. "I care for him."

"I know. Who can't help but care for him? Heero, Duo's a beautiful human being, inside and out. He's also intelligent and full of life and that certain wonderful light that seems to shine only in his violet eyes," Wufei told the Japanese boy. "I guess that's why I fell for him."

Heero smiled. "Artists are so exaggerated with their out look in the world."

"Through the artist's eyes everything is just a little more different," Wufei agreed.

Heero took a deep breath. "Take care of him, Wufei. I do care for him, deeply. He's more like a brother, sometimes, than a boyfriend. Don't hurt him." He paused dangerously. "Because if you do, I'll pound you to the ground."

Wufei laughed. "Somehow I think that it's very possible. Don't worry, I'm going to love Duo and cherish him forever. But that's only if he chooses me. What if he only broke up because he needed some space or breathing room?"

Heero snorted and shook his head. "He's dead set for you." He looked past Wufei and smirked. "Here he comes." He patted Wufei, almost painfully, on the shoulder and strolled off.

"Wufei?" Duo said tentatively as he stepped up to the boy.

"Yes?" Wufei said, smiling slightly.

"Did, uh, Heero say anything to you? You know, threaten you?" Duo asked nervously as he stared after his ex-boyfriend.

"No. He didn't," Wufei said, shaking his head.

"Oh. Okay, that's good." Duo looked at Wufei and took a deep breath. "I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Wufei asked patiently.

Duo looked flustered for a moment as he tried to sort out all the chaos in his mind. He was searching for the right words when suddenly Wufei kissed him softly on the lips. He frozed and all the breath inside of him whooshed out.

Wufei pulled back, smiling. "Is that what you had to say?"

Duo blinked at Wufei. Then he glared and punched him on the shoulder. "You were just trying to make me sweat!"

"Not long though," Wufei mused. He cocked his head and smiled at Duo. "Come on, let's go to lunch and talk."

Duo nodded and smiled. "Yeah, talk is good." He reached out and tentatively twined his fingers with Wufei, asking permission. Wufei immediately squeezed his hand and they walked down the quiet hall hand in hand.

`*`*`*`
"Why?" Duo asked a few days later while he and Wufei was stretched out on the grass in the back of Wufei's house. Duo was dressed in a black shirt with the first few buttons undone and cargo pants with black boots. He looked good and he knew it but sometimes he felt just a little bit self consious around Wufei. He didn't know why in the beginning. Now he knew. Wufei seemed to look at him more differently than everyone else. He guessed it was because he was an artist in the beginning but in the end he concluded that even Wufei looked at the world more differently than the local artists. It was something else about him that set Duo off.

Wufei looked up from his sketch of Duo basking in the sun and gave him a long look. "Why what?"

"Why me, Wufei? You can have anyone. Why did you pick me?" Duo asked earnestly.

Wufei cocked his head. "You have the same advantage, Duo. Everyone in the school would love to be your boyfriend. Why didn't you pick one of them?"

Duo bit his lower lip. "But--Wufei, come on, am I really as beautiful as that drawing of me that day in Kendricks' class?"

Wufei chuckled and sat up. He crawled over to Duo and wrapped his arms around him. "You're more beautiful than that sketch. Much more. Even I can't capture that beauty that you hold inside of you on paper. I don't think anyone can. It's just something that can only be seen in person." He kissed Duo on the neck. "Duo, you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Are you serious that you don't know your own worth and radiance?"

"You're strange, Wufei. The way you look at things..." Duo sighed and melted into Wufei's embrace.

"I'm only looking at things with an artist's eyes." Wufei paused as he breathed close to Duo's ear. "But when I look at you, I see you through a lover's eyes."

Duo smiled as something inside of him finally settled. Wufei didn't see him as something wonderfully beautiful to draw, he really did love him. I guess that's what I've been worrying about. The way Wufei really sees me and not just as a beautiful creation on his sketching pad. Now, I have nothing to worry about, he thought as relief spread through him and he felt totally at peace and full of the love he felt for Wufei. It was so strong it overwhelmed him sometimes. He had never experienced such an intense love before and it was very exciting.

"Hey, you two!"

Duo and Wufei looked up to see Quatre walking towards them with Trowa in tow. They were smiling happily as they walked over to them.

"Where's the BBQ that you promised us, Chang?" Trowa asked, smiling slightly.

"It's all in the house. We were just waiting for you guys to appear before we begin," Wufei said as he stood up, pulling Duo with him.

"Hello!" A sweet soprano rang through the air as Relena Dorlian and Heero walked towards them, hand in hand and smiling brightly.

Duo and Heero were still the best of friends, as close as brothers, after the break up to Duo's immense relief. They both knew that they cared for each other but didn't love each other enough to last. Duo was pretty relieved and happy when Heero found someone for himself. Relena was a little annoying sometimes but overall she was a sweet girl so no one minded. Besides, no one has ever seen Heero so happy before so they all dealt with it.

"Come on! I'm hungry," Heero said, his lips quirking a little as he nodded at them.

Relena rolled her eyes. "It's because he's a growing teen, right? I can never seem to feed him enough." She sighed and shook her head.

"Hey!" Heero said, pretending to be offend as he brought Relena closer and kissed her on the cheek.

They all laughed and moved into the house to get the BBQ started.
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Ah ha! Done! What do you think?

DragonMage

--Honorary Goddess of Justice
--Proud Member of S.H.A.D.O.W
--Dragon Child of the Zhou Clan
--Nu Huang Zhou Hui E'
AIM: Aznearth
E-mail(so you can rant to me personally): Aznearth@aol.com