by Kedriaa
Disclaimer: GW characters do not belong to me. No monetary profit gained through this venture - just an ample amount of self- satisfaction and self-indulgence.
<"..."> spoken in Cantonese
Hours had passed since Noin left Wu Fei to look for Duo. The curtain rail had been fixed, the mess that Duo made had been cleaned up and Wu Fei had had his lunch. Yet there was still no sight or sound of the boisterous, gregarious Irish. Wu Fei began to feel that he had reached the point of no return.
However, if that were true, Duo would not have been quietly decorating his room for Chinese New Year. It was a real touching gesture that made Wu Fei's heart soar - even if he refused to acknowledge it.
He was correct in telling Noin that Chinese New Year was a time traditionally celebrated with family. Despite his loss, he felt that that new year held a great significance to him, for it was exactly a year ago he met the young Irish who had changed the course of his life. He wanted to celebrate it for that reason if nothing else, he wanted to forget all this woes for a moment and usher in the New Year with a new outlook on the horizon and hope in his heart. To do that, he needed the person responsible for his celebratory mood to be with him.
Just as he was about to give up hope of Duo turning up, he heard a tentative and barely audible knock. It must have been Duo, hardly anyone knocked when entering his room; the doctors and other nurses certainly didn't. Noin would on occasion but she would still enter with or without acknowledgment.
"Please come in, Duo," Wu Fei called out when he realised Duo wasn't coming in until he consented.
The door clicked and swung open silently. Duo stood at the threshold, sheepish look on his face and a large back over his shoulder. He stepped in without a word and shut the door behind him.
Both boys remained silent, peering, searching each other's eyes.
"Thank you for coming," Wu Fei finally said, feeling a little uncomfortable with the absence of voices.
"No, thanks fer wanting to see me again," Duo replied in a hushed voice.
"Duo... I'm sorry," Wu Fei stuttered, "I .. I shouldn't have said what I said. I was angry, I was hurt and I just didn't know who I could turn to or trust. I didn't mean - "
"S'okay," Duo interrupted, then half shrugged, half waved his free hand and dropped his gaze, "You've been through a lot, people say silly things when they are hurt and angry."
"Won't you sit?"
"Hmm? Oh, sure," Duo replied, dropping his bag onto the floor.
"You haven't got more red decorations in there have you?" Wu Fei asked, feeling the need for a quick change of subject.
"Not entirely." Duo grinned, glad with the hurried change as well. "I dinnae want to risk facing an angry Noin again. 'Sides, they've fixed the rail; I think they'd ban me from visit if I break it again! Sorry it's only half finished."
"Thank you for the effort." Wu Fei swept his gaze around the room. The windows nearest his bed were dressed, there was a red silk ball tied to the headboard, the top of the door frame was also dressed in red and a small lantern hung from the curtain rail around his bed. "I never liked red much anyway, I'm glad it's only half finished."
"Why don't you like red? It's an auspicious colour, isn't it?"
"Because Mother Su Yin always went overboard with it making the house look too gaudy and .... red! And because it IS an auspicious colour, no one could convince her that too much of a good thing can be bad. She even made us dress up in red."
"All red?"
"If she could, I am certain she would've." Wu Fei rolled his eyes. "Thankfully, it was Mother Hoi Yee who was the better seamstress and charged with getting us new clothes for the celebrations. She had the sense and taste to get us clothes that weren't all betel nut red."
"Hmmm." Duo frowned.
"What?"
"I, erm, got you something but you probably ain't gonna like it."
"What is it?" Wu Fei asked, curious, "If you don't give it to me, you'll never find out if I do like it or not."
The Irish hesitated a moment, "Okay, but don't laugh."
"Is it meant to be funny?"
"No, of course not."
"Then, why would I laugh?"
"You and your unwavering sense of logic," Duo grumbled as he searched his bag to retrieve Wu Fei's gift. Lifting up a neatly wrapped package, he smoothed the lightly crumpled paper before handing it to Wu Fei, "Kong Hei Fatt Choi," [1]
"Thank you." Wu Fei accepted the gift and felt himself blushing, yet again, "I am sorry, I didn't get you anything."
"Hey, it's your new year, not mine." Duo seated himself again. "Mine was weeks ago. Besides lying in a hospital kinda makes it hard t'go shopping. You can make it up to me on my birthday."
"Which is when?"
"To be very honest I don't know, but I usually celebrate it on April the first."
"What is the significance of April the first?"
"It's April Fools Day [2] - the one day in the year where it was customary for us to play jokes on each other. With the life I've led, I figured that God was playing one big joke on me so I thought it was kinda fitting."
"Duo." Wu Fei was at a loss as to how he could respond.
"Fei, don't feel bad about it!" Duo reassured his friend with a big, bright smile, "I've learned how to get a laugh out of it all, that's why I chose that date. It's the day where we can get away with practically anything without having someone beat the life outta you!"
"Do you even know how old you are?"
"Nope, but when Father Maxwell took me in, he guessed I was about five so I just accepted that age. Tis been nine years, so I turn fifteen this April."
"Father Maxwell? Who is he? Your father?"
"On no, I don't remember my parents. Father Maxwell is a priest who found me on the streets and took me in. He and Sister Helen raised me in his orphanage. I took the name Maxwell 'cause of him."
"It is amazing how after one year of knowing you I am only beginning to learn about your past, yet you know everything there is to know about me."
"Ain't feeling vulnerable, are you?" Duo said with an evil grin.
"Did you not know that it is dishonourable to kick a man when he's down?"
"Alright, just this once I'll let you off."
"Some things will never change, you're impossible!"
"Hey, open it!" Duo suddenly said, both having forgotten about the gift.
Wu Fei untied the silk ribbon and ripped the paper from the package. Upon his lap, a pile of red silk lay. A small, golden and silver dragon was embroidered on it. Wu Fei lifted it up and found that it was a pyjama top. A pair of trousers lay beneath it. Even though the top was red, it was not the garish hue of betel nut. Instead, it was a deeper, mellower shade more akin to magenta. The hem of the sleeves and the buttons were cream coloured. The trousers were of an ivory shade with subtle rose red trimmings. The dragon was emblazoned on the front at the bottom left of the pyjama top.
Wu Fei sat admiring the lovely, thoughtful gift in silence, making Duo feel even more uncomfortable.
"If you don't like it, I can get you something else, you don't have to wear it," the Irish added hastily, misinterpreting the silence as disapproval, "I just thought that it was customary to wear something new to sleep in, in order to wake in something new to a new year. I heard that new pyjamas are usually worn for that reason."
"Duo, thank you." Wu Fei held his eyes steadily. "I like it, don't worry. You are correct in saying that we always have new pyjamas for the New Year. Would you help me get changed?"
"You wanna wear it now?" Duo eyes widened in astonishment.
"Of course! Noin told me that today was the eve, was she mistaken?"
"No, unless the whole village is mistaken, but I doubt it."
"Well, then, what better time to wear this than New Year's Eve? That IS why you gave me this, right? I've worn nothing but pyjamas since being here, I don't see why I shouldn't change into this one even if it's in the middle of the afternoon!"
"Um, sure, just let me at least draw the curtains."
"Thank you." Wu Fei sat up and began the slow process of unbuttoning his top. Gingerly, he eased the top off his shoulders. Duo took the top, folded it neatly before placing it on the bedside table.
Wu Fei chuckled.
"What?" Duo asked as he helped Wu Fei into his new pyjama top.
"You, picking up after me. Not so long ago I remember the roles were reversed."
"Ahh, you know what they say - one good turn deserves another. Need a hand standing?"
"No, I can manage." Wu Fei eased himself onto his feet. "Although I don't think I can get my trousers down."
Duo bit his tongue to stop himself making a naughty joke; he was tactful enough to know that Wu Fei wouldn't appreciate such a joke at a time like this. He still wasn't entirely sure if Wu Fei was all that comfortable with his ... diverse sexuality. So, instead, he ignored it and focused on helping his friend into his new clothes, "Don't worry about that. Just concentrate on keeping yourself upright and I'll get you dressed."
Wu Fei was rather surprised at his own boldness. He wondered why he no longer felt shy about being somewhat naked in front of Duo. Perhaps after all they have been through together, Wu Fei knew deep in his heart that the one person who would never hurt him was the Irish currently stripping his lower half. He shrugged the notion of wariness off and concentrated on keeping upright.
Duo did most of the talking after they had Wu Fei back in bed and comfortable. Wu Fei was happy enough to listen to the Irish babble. In truth, he had missed Duo and his presence brought some semblance of normality back to the Chinese lad's life. Normality was something that Wu Fei needed in this time of healing.
Wu Fei understood that nothing would ever be the same again. The loss of his family and the desperate actions he took protecting them will forever change the once bright and optimistic youth. It hurt him even more knowing that he did not make a difference despite surrendering his morality to vengeance.
A faint smile tilted the corner of Wu Fei lips as he watched his companion intently, no longer listening to what was being said.
The gods have blessed him with companionship just as they had cursed him with loss. Wu Fei could find no understanding to the reason behind Duo's steadfastness. Even after accusing him of being a drug smuggler, implying that it was his fault that Kim Fei, General Chang and Mei-Ran were dead, verbally and physically abusing him, Wu Fei was surprised, to say the least, that Duo had not turned away from him. He had not had a friendship of such strength and dedication. He did not believe two people of such different pasts and lifestyles could forge such a close rapport.
Wu Fei sat examining the boy seated before him, from the way violet eyes twinkled to the brightness of his smile to the lively hand gestures that accompany every other spoken word.
Duo was ALIVE. He may have had a hard life, but he was living it. Wu Fei did not doubt that Duo had demons to contend with and skeletons that haunt his past. Nevertheless, it would seem those would not deter the vivacious boy from enjoying the miracle of life.
If Duo could see through the darkness that shrouded them, then perhaps he could lead Wu Fei into the light of day again. He was the calm in the tempest that Wu Fei was caught in; he would be the pillar against which Wu Fei could lean on.
"Fei? You still with us?"
"Huh?" Wu Fei snapped out of his reverie when he realised Duo was actually talking to him and not just babbling.
"You were staring at me with a strange far-off look." Duo smiled. "I ain't boring you, am I?"
"On the contrary, you presence here is a very welcome breath of fresh air." Wu Fei chuckled. "Speaking of fresh air, do you think you could sneak me out into the garden without Miss Noin being too mad?"
"It's still drizzling, Fei," Duo said as he craned his neck to look out the window, "I think Noin would KILL me if I took you out now. The last thing we need is for you to get sick again. How about I open the window to get some air in?"
"Better than nothing, I guess" Wu Fei shrugged. He HAD wanted to go out in the rain, to feel the cool breeze whistle in his hair and the fresh raindrops tingling on his bare skin. Notwithstanding, Duo was right, if anyone caught them out in the rain, there would be hell to pay.
"Oh, I'd almost forgotten!" Duo exclaimed as he secured the window to stop the wind from blowing it shut, "I have something else for you."
"More gifts?"
"Well, sorta, more like treats" rummaging through his bag, Duo emerged with another neatly wrapped package, slightly smaller than the first surprise, and thrust it into Wu Fei's hands, "I hope they're nice."
Wu Fei said nothing while unwrapping the package, just as he unfolded paper, something pink and round slipped out of the package and tumbled down his lap. Duo's quick reaction enabled him to catch it in mid flight.
Wu Fei laughed out loud at the contents of the second gift. "Oh, Duo! Where in the world did you get these?" There upon his lap was an assortment of cakes and sweetmeats in vivid colours of red, pink, green and yellow, traditionally made for the Chinese New Year.
"From some Chinese bloke in town."
"'Some Chinese bloke'? Well, I trust you, thank you." a genuine, heartfelt smile brightened Wu Fei's face, banishing his sickly pallor for a brief moment, "Will you share this bounty with me?"
"I wouldn't call it 'bounty' but if yer offering ... " Duo took a bite out of the pink, round, spongy cake in his hand, "What is this made of?"
"Your guess is a good as mine, Duo," Wu Fei replied after swallowing his mouthful of something green, "I am no baker, but I believe they are mostly made of a mix of wheat, oats, tapioca and a variety of beans with sugar cane or honey as sweeteners. As for the colouring, I wouldn't dare to ask."
Duo shrugged, "Ahh, well... it tastes nice, what do I care if it'll kill me later?"
"Live for the moment, huh?" Wu Fei said, somewhat wistfully.
"That's the only way, Fei." Duo looked earnestly at him, "And it's a hell o'lot of fun."
"I wouldn't know." Wu Fei shifted gaze to the veil of rain outside.
"Perhaps not, but it's never too late to start."
The Chinese lad made no reply and a laden silence descended onto the room. If he ever wanted to get out of the rut he was in, Wu Fei knew he had to be brave and to take the first step towards the light. He knew that he could find the strength and the reason if he could have Duo by his side.
Wu Fei was certain that Duo could read his mind when he suddenly found himself being pulled into the Irish's embrace. Wu Fei hugged Duo back, and the pair sat in the lightened silence, both needing the understanding and comfort of a friend.
"It'll be alright, Fei," Duo whispered into silken hair as he ran his fingers through the tangled strands, "Hey, want me to braid your hair?"
Wu Fei sat up and smiled, "I thought you'd never offer."
And so the long and arduous task of untangling hair at the length of three feet began. Sleeping with hair unbound would undoubtedly lead to it being a nasty mesh of tangles. Duo was patient, as he himself understood the woes, and joys, of having ridiculously long hair. He kept his by choice and sentiment; he wondered why Wu Fei and his fellow Chinese kept theirs long.
"Only the Manchu wear it long [3], to distinct them from the Han. Today wearing your hair in a braid is also the way to show your allegiance and loyalty to the Emperor."
"You've lost me now. Manchu? Han?"
"The Manchu were originally invaders from the north. They conquered China some two hundred years. The Han are ... natives, for a lack of a better word. They are traditionally nomadic and many still prefer the vast expenses of The Steppes to the crowded metropolitan streets of Manchu cities."
"You were invaders?" Duo asked in disbelief.
"Yes, such is our legacy."
"I dunno if that explains the hostility towards foreigners or just makes it hypocritical."
"Ow!" Wu Fei winced when Duo pulled too hard on a knot.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
"So where were the Manchu originally from?"
"North east of China."
"Tell me more." Duo asked, eagerly absorbing every morsel of knowledge Wu Fei was spewing. He picked up the comb he 'happened to have with him' and started combing out the cascade of ebony locks.
"Tell you more? Oh, where do I start? Well, the Manchurian rule began in 1644 when they took Peking and conquered the Ming Dynasty. The Han founded the Ming Dynasty after Genghis Khan's empire fell due to civil war, internal disputes and natural disasters in the late 14th century. After nearly one hundred years of foreign rule, China came back into the hands of the Chinese.
"Ming China was everything that Khan's empire was not. They believed China to be completely self-sufficient and they had an inherent dislike to foreigners. Agriculture, not trade, was the foundation of their society. Trade with other nations ceased abruptly in the early 15th century and China slowly closed her shores to the western merchants. By 1760, all foreign trade was confined to Canton.
"Notwithstanding, there was another city that have willingly opened its ports to the merchants. The Portuguese began using Macao as a staging port in 1516, making it the first Western settlement in the East. As you know, it is now more Portuguese than it is Chinese. The Empire pretty much considered the peninsular to be Portuguese.
"The Ming Dynasty also feared the conquest of China by the 'barbaric' Mongolians and began constructing a mammoth wall along its northern border [4]. Ironically, it was this great wall that led to the downfall of the Ming Dynasty. With their resources drained, their treasury emptied and their governing elite in constant internal conflict, the Manchu found little resistance when they swept across China from the grassy plains of Mongolia to the rocky hills of the Himalayas.
"Instead of imposing their own beliefs and way of life upon the Han, the Manchu adopted most of Ming China's social, cultural and political philosophies - which unfortunately included their irrational xenophobia. In essence, the Manchu were sinonised.
"Nevertheless, the Manchu were still keen on class distinction - they were the ruling elite, the Han were the conquered. They did all they could to keep that divide apparent. Intercultural marriages were forbidden. The Han were barred from the highest government positions. The Manchu did not engage in labour or trade as both were considered to be lowly. And of course the wearing of the braid became more than a mere fashion statement.
"Even after two centuries, the Manchurian society still holds true to that way of thinking. How's that for a quick history lesson?"
"Pretty good, not that I've ever had any lessons before."
"You aren't missing out much. Formal lessons, as far as I am concerned, are boring and deliberately censored to exclude the realities of life. Just look at me! What do I know about the world that is beyond my books?"
"Well, we always want the things we don't have huh?" Duo shrugged, dividing Wu Fei's hair in to three segments and proceeded to braid it.
"Indeed." Wu Fei agreed, "It seems like someone else's life always seem more exciting than yours. People tend fall into the trap of a routine lifestyle, growing bored or complacent. Hence, someone else's routine would seem like an adventure."
"Not me."
Wu Fei's eyebrows raised, "Really? Given some strange twist of fate or a gift from the gods, you wouldn't want to trade your life?"
"Well, if you put it that way, sure, I'd wanna change it. I've been through some nasty things and I'd rather not have but I wouldn't exactly trade it for someone else's. Maybe just ask for some of the bad memories to go away. I like the way things are now. Well, not exactly now, seeing we're stuck in the middle of a stupid war, but y'know what I mean."
Nodding his head, Wu Fei said nothing in reply.
"Would you change yours?" Duo asked after a moment of silence.
"Up till about two months ago, I wouldn't trade it for a throne in the celestial palace with the gods themselves. Now, I'm not so sure."
"I know things are bad, Fei." Duo hugged him gingerly from behind, the end of Wu Fei's braid still in his hand, "I can't promise you sunshine and roses but I can tell you that if you need me, I'll be here for you."
Wu Fei leaned into his friend, his heart singing at Duo's offer. He needed all the help he could get and he couldn't think of anyone better to have by him.
"Thank you, Duo," Wu Fei whispered.
"Any time, mate." Duo squeezed gently then brushed the end of Wu Fei's braid against his nose. "Now, find me something to tie this."
"Hmm, how about this?" Wu Fei picked up the silk ribbon that was previously used to tie the packaging of his pyjamas and handed it to Duo.
"Perfect! And it matches your pyjamas too! There! How does it feel?"
"Much better, thank you. All that hair was driving me crazy."
"You don't like your hair?" Duo asked, almost incredulously.
"I have no opinion of it. It's just hair, but from your expression, I can tell your braid means a lot to you. Why is it you have such long hair? I didn't realise that that was commonplace among your people."
A shoulder rose briefly as Duo reached for his precious braid and began playing with it, "I dunno, for as far back as I can remember I've never cut my hair, unless of course absolutely necessary. Like the time when some plonker played an awful joke on me and managed to get glue stuck in my hair, Sister Helen HAD to cut some of it off because it wouldn't wash off. I almost died that day and I certainly sulked for a better part of two weeks!"
Duo chuckled, "I guess I just got used to it and it's something that is mine. Not something someone else gave me, not something I earned from somebody, it's just .... MINE."
Wu Fei began his reply when a sharp knock interrupted him. Before he could say come in, it swung open and Noin marched in followed by another nurse he didn't recognise. Both of them had dinner trays in their hands.
The other nurse set the tray down and left without word.
"Oh, my." she smiled cheekily at him, "Aren't we looking handsome?"
Wu Fei felt himself turn as red as his top. Rendered speechless for a moment, all he could do was smiled coyly and drop his gaze.
"Stop flirting with the patients!" Duo reprimanded playfully, "What would Zechs say if he saw you doing that?"
"I do not answer to the Lieutenant, Duo." Noin tossed her head indignantly.
"I'm sure you'd like to, though."
"DUO!" this time it was Noin's turn to blush, "Keep misbehaving and I will change my mind about feeding you as well."
"You're feeding me too?" Duo eye's brightened, "Oh, nice not to have to eat the gruel that Zechs keep giving me!"
"Awww... Has Zechs been depriving you of roast beef and potatoes? Should I ask him to feed you properly when he gets back?"
"Stop teasing, Miss Noin." Duo scowled at her, "What's for dinner?"
"Honestly?" she grinned, "I don't know."
"What?"
"All I asked for was a typical Chinese New Year dinner for two to be made. Eat it while it's hot. I'll come collect the trays in a couple of hours."
"You're not staying?" Wu Fei finally found his voice.
"Sorry, Wu Fei, I'm on duty tonight. Happy New Year, I hope this one will bring you fortune and happiness."
"Thank you, Miss Noin."
"Enjoy your dinner!"
"You bet I will!" Duo piped in as Noin left the boys, "Shall we begin our feast?"
Wu Fei was overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness that Noin and Duo had shown him. He would have not expected or anticipated any of them helping him celebrate the New Year. Even if he had little to celebrate about he had made up his mind that he will toast to the New Year and new relationships.
Wu Fei lifted the lid to the tray next to him. There lay a large platter of meticulously arranged food - pieces of braised duck and roasted suckling pig, a mix of abalone, sea cucumber, asparagus, mushrooms and other vegetables cooked in various types of sauces. Indeed it was quite a feast.
On the other tray was 2 bowls of fluffy white rice, 2 pairs of chopsticks, a fork and a spoon - presumably for Duo. There were also two mandarin oranges and a little red card that said 'Happy New Year, Wu Fei' in Chinese.
"Whoa!" Duo inhaled the scrumptious scent emanating from the tray, "I wonder who Noin bribed to get all this!"
"It was certainly very thoughtful of her, I sincerely hope she did not go through too much trouble to get this."
"Don't worry about her, she has her ways and means even I don't question. Besides, she is so closely connected to Zechs, no one would dare cross her! Shall we begin?" Duo asked picking up the chopsticks - if this was going to be a Chinese celebration he was going to do it the proper way.
"Fei! Help!" he cried fumbling with the two slender sticks of bamboo.
Wu Fei giggled as he watched Duo struggle to clamp a piece of duck.
"It helps if you hold it the right way." Wu Fei grasped the Irish's hand and positioned the chopsticks the way it should be held. "Hold the lower stick steady with your thumb and ring finger. Now rest the other one on the tip of your thumb and between your index and middle finger. All you have to move is the top one and you'll get the clamping effect you need to pick up food. See?"
Duo frowned as he watched Wu Fei tackled the duck with contemptible ease and went in for a second attempt, "Ok, I got it, I'll get you, you fowl!"
The rest of the meal consisted of Duo cursing at the food and his chopsticks. Wu Fei felt that more went down the front of Duo's shirt than in his mouth. The funniest part was Duo attempting to eat the rice by picking up each grain until he had shown the Irish the way it was done.
Wu Fei did not remember laughing so much. It wasn't very productive as laughing stopped him from eating and his belly was aching from it all.
Eventually, they boys HAD managed to get every morsel of food into them and were enjoying the oranges when Noin returned. Even though the boys were full, they did not refuse when Noin offered them dessert - lychee and longan in sugar cane syrup. [5]
"Miss Noin." Wu Fei felt himself blushing again. "I don't know how to thank you, you didn't have to do all this."
"I know." She smiled and clasped his hands, "But I wanted to. I take very good care of my patients and I would do even more for a friend. I'm glad I got it right. The food was edible, wasn't it?"
"It was absolutely delicious."
"Good. Oh, another thing, I heard that the local Chinese community are going to set off some fireworks at midnight, you should be able to see them from this window."
"If I may be so bold, I'd like to go out into the garden below. Duo is willing to accompany me." Wu Fei pleaded with his eyes.
"Well." Noin tried to resist but failed. "Only if it's not raining and you MUST wrap up warm, the air is rather chilly tonight. There are shoes and a robe in the closet."
"Don't worry, Miss Noin, I'll take care of him. Why don't you just go home, kick back and relax?"
"Unlike others, Duo, some of us have work to do."
"Hey, is it my fault that the captain of my ship was too cowardly to stay in the war-torn shores of Canton and left without me?"
"Your captain abandoned you?" Wu Fei never once thought to ask WHY Duo wasn't on his way to a saver port when the hostilities began. He had heard that most of the trading ships evacuated to other British or friendly ports like Macao, Singapore and Penang.
"Well, actually I disobeyed orders so it was well within his rights to kick me off his ship. Don't look so worried, I'm not!"
Wu Fei felt a pang of guilt. Somehow he felt responsible for that knowing that Duo came to shore against orders, both military and his captain's, to see him. Why would Duo disobey his captain, risked losing his livelihood just to see him? He wasn't worth it, and now that he had nothing, he could offer the Irish no recompense.
"I'm going to have to leave you again. I'll probably not see you till tomorrow afternoon, Wu Fei, but someone will bring you breakfast. Just don't get too rowdy okay? You're not supposed to stay up this late." She then turned to Duo. "This means you!"
A mischievous glint twinkled in violet eyes, "Yes, Ma'am!"
"Good night." Noin said retreating out of the room.
"I'm fed, I'm happy, what do you want to do now until the fireworks? You can nap for a bit if you want, I'll wake you before midnight so we can go out to the garden if it isn't raining."
"Duo..." Wu Fei's expression was somewhat grim.
"What? What's wrong? Are you feeling ill?" Duo cried alarmed, misinterpreting the unhappy look on his friend's face, "Should I get Miss Noin?"
"No! No, I'm feeling alright."
"What's wrong then?"
"Nothing." Wu Fei put a smile back on his face again. It had been a good day, he didn't want to bring up angst issues if he could avoid it. "What do you want to do?"
"Fei, what's wrong?" Evidently, Duo wasn't buying the smile. "Please tell me?"
"Duo, if it truly needs to be said it can wait. This is a night of celebration and that's what I am determined to do."
"Okay."
"Thank you."
"Now what?"
"What is the time?"
"I don't have a watch. I think it's about eight but I'll go find out. Just wait here."
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," Wu Fei mumbled to himself seeing that Duo had already left the room.
He sank back into the pile of pillows behind him and shut his eyes, allowing the events of the past few hours replay in his mind's eyes. It HAD been a good day. This New Year, although a far cry from last year's colourful and joyous celebrations, was just as important and memorable to him. He honestly believed that he would never find reason to laugh again after Mei-Ran, and for a change he was thrilled to know that he was wrong.
He knew that he had to make it up to Duo somehow, for the debt of protecting him from his father, all the cruel words he said and mostly for the debt of saving his life. He wasn't sure how, seeing he had nothing left to offer, but Wu Fei was certain he would think of something eventually.
"Fei?"
He heard a faint whisper.
"Fei? Wake up, it's almost time."
"Hm?" he blinked, trying to clear his vision, "Time for what?"
"The fireworks."
"What? I thought you said it was only eight."
"It was, about three hours ago. You must have been tired. You were asleep when I got back. You still up to watch the fireworks in the garden? The night sky is now clear as the rain stopped about an hour and a half ago. The grass might still be wet though."
"Yes, I am." Wu Fei mustered his strength to get himself up. "I'm really bored just lying in this room staring at the ceiling."
After allowing Duo to wrap him up like an Egyptian mummy, the boys made their way out. As his legs were finally obeying him, Wu Fei was determined to walk on his own, bravely refusing to use Duo as a crutch. They still felt a little sore and weak and each step was shaky. Duo walked beside him, ever ready to catch his mate should he stumble.
"Oh, great." Wu Fei suddenly moaned.
"What?"
"Stairs ... " he sighed and grimaced, "I had forgotten we were on the second floor. I don't know if my limbs are obedient enough to tackle them. It's going to be a LONG flight of stairs."
"Not necessarily." Duo said then handed the blankets to Wu Fei. "Right, you carry these, and I'll carry you!"
Before Wu Fei could protest, he found himself quite literally swept off his feet. He had to bite his tongue to stop himself from crying out in surprise. He didn't want to risk alerting anyone that they were sneaking out to the garden this late into the night.
"Duo!" he hissed.
"Stop wriggling, or I'll drop you!" the braided Irish replied with a cheeky grin and began descending the stairs, "Relax, Fei! I'm used ta carrying heavy loads, compared to them you hardly weight a thing. The only difference is they never did move this much!"
"I'm not moving! In case you hadn't notice, I'm petrified with fear!"
"Aww, Fei, you wound me! You don't trust me?"
"Of course I trust you!" Wu Fei exclaimed, "I've just never been... been..."
"You really have an issue about accepting help, don't you?" Duo mused, "Don't worry, I ain't gonna tell anyone, so your reputation ain't gonna be tarnished!"
"I HAVE no reputation."
"Sure, you don't! Here we are." Duo set Wu Fei down. "There, it wasn't so bad was it?"
"...no..."
"This way." Duo relieved Wu Fei of the blankets. "I think the grass is not very wet, we can just lie on the blankets. If it is too damp, then we'll just sit on the benches, although it won't be as comfortable."
Wu Fei nodded and followed Duo in silence. Just as they stepped into the garden, Wu Fei took a huge breath, drawing in the crisp, fresh air deep into his lungs. He stood, unmoving for a moment, simply absorbing the calm and clear atmosphere around him.
Duo, who had gone ahead, had laid one blanket on the mildly damp grass and rolled up the other to use as a pillow. It wasn't too chilly that they needed to cover themselves up whilst lying under the naked, starry sky.
The boys laid in silence, watching the moon and the stars twinkle on the black velvet canvas above them, waiting for the twilight hour. The moon was full and it smiled warmly on them. The gentle warm sea breeze rustled the leaves high upon the treetops, bring with it the occasional wispy clouds to streak the darken heavens.
"I miss being out in nature's embrace," Wu Fei whispered.
"I never pictured you to be a plant lover." Duo chuckled.
"I was not, until Mei."
"Oh..."
Only the sounds of the breeze whispering through the grass could be heard. Even though he had lost a few people he cared for, Duo still didn't know what could be said to comfort his friend.
"I miss her, Duo." the Chinese youth let out a long drawn out breath, as if he was weary and burdened by the thought of it, "I ... it hurts so bad and there is nothing I can do to change it."
Duo said nothing, instead reached over to Wu Fei and grasped his hand firmly, reassuringly.
"Duo... is this real? Or am I just having a bad dream?"
The desperation in his voice broke Duo's heart, yet there was nothing the Irish lad could do to banish the pain and anguish.
"I'm sorry, Fei, but this is real. If I could make it go away and return Mei to you, I would." Duo propped himself up on his left elbow and peered at Wu Fei.
"Thank you for the thought, but I know better than to delude myself into thinking that she would come back to me. She told me to live. Live life the same way as I would with her by my side." Wu Fei sighed and turned to look at Duo, "How could I? She has been such an integral part of my life; she was everything to me. I cannot even mourn her; I cannot even honour her at her final resting place. Yet if I do not do as she asked, I would be breaking my promise to her, I would be letting her down."
"Mei knows. She would not wrong you for not following the traditional mourning ritual while you are in this situation." Duo hazarded a guess, "She understands you better than anyone, and I am sure that she would be slapping you out of this feeling of hopelessness if she were here."
When Wu Fei did not immediately reply, Duo thought he had put his foot in his mouth. He was about to apologize yet again but Wu Fei beat him to speaking.
"You may be right, Duo"
"I am?" he grinned, "Which part?"
"All of it." Wu Fei returned his smile, "But mostly the part about Mei slapping me and I think she did from beyond the grave. As trite as it may seem, it was my dream of her last night that made me finally realise I was breaking my promise. I don't remember much of it, just that something or someone was very disappointed in me for wallowing in self-pity and self-recrimination."
"Oh, so that's why you finally decided to talk to me again! And here I thought you missed me and all!"
"Fool!" Wu Fei swatted his friend playfully.
"Yeah, I sure am, seeing I keep coming back fer more of the abuse you throw at me!"
"I do NOT throw abuse at you."
"Sure you don't!"
"Well, if you're so reluctant in and displeased about receiving my 'abuse', why do you stay?"
"Because I'm a fool" Duo chuckled, then lowered his voice to a murmur, "... and because I have a soft spot for exotic beauties like you."
Wu Fei felt a shiver run down his spine. It was not because he was lying upon damp grass, nor was it because of the cool breeze. It was the way that Duo held his eyes; the endless depths of violet drew him in like the siren call of the voices in his dream did.
The amethyst orbs shone with care and concern that spoke in volume of the importance of their rapport was to him. Wu Fei found himself enthralled by the gentle gaze of affection and began revelling in the stir of emotions that it evoked within him. A small feeling of foreboding prickled in the back of his mind but he was too preoccupied to listen to it. For a brief moment, he lost all senses and found himself being swept into a swirl of unfamiliar yet welcomed elation.
An abrupt, distant bang of firecrackers startled the boys apart. Although, the bang itself was muffled by distance, the suddenness of the sound in the still of the garden was enough to jolt them out of their trance.
Neither one of them said anything more, so Duo promptly rolled onto his back to enjoy the twilight display.
Before long, the sky lit up with showers of vibrant colours in myriad patterns. Sparkling reds, scintillating greens, dazzling blues and shimmering yellows streaked across the darkened sky painting fleeting pictures of celebration and joy as distant sounds of more firecrackers echoed around the garden.
The spirit of his people wanting to celebrate in spite of the war lightened Wu Fei's heart. Yet he could not help but wonder why and how the very same group could be celebrating because there was a war raging around them. What did they have to toast about? How could they indulge in something so trivial when the soldiers were dying in a bloody war for something as inconsequential as opium? Yet, could the same not be said of him?
Another long drawn out sigh escaped from his lips. Duo turned to look at him.
"Are you alright, Fei?"
"Yes, I am fine," he replied, his tone a little brusque than he expected it to be. He didn't dare look at Duo for fearing the hurt look that may be on the Irish's face. He hastily added, "Just tried, that's all."
"Maybe we should get you back indoors." Duo rose. "It looks like the fireworks are stopping anyway."
"Of course." Wu Fei nodded absently and allowed Duo to pick him up and carry him back to his room.
[1] "Happy New Year" in Cantonese.
[2] I don't actually know WHEN April Fools Day became a tradition but I just thought it was kinda fitting. Can anyone shed any light on when exactly it became tradition?
[3] Once again, I'd like to thank Ruth for telling me why the Manchu wear their hair long.
[4] The Great Wall of China - The Ming Dynasty did not build the wall from scratch; instead it merely connected fragments of existing walls that were built by previous dynasties to create the Great Wall. All these walls had a singular purpose of keeping the 'northern barbarians' out of China.
[5] Small round fruits with stones - as far as I know, there are no 'English' names for them, the Chinese names were merely anglicised.
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