Pros and Cons [ chapter one: Unaware - 5xR ]

[Nausica?]

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters, terms, and affiliates of Gundam Wing are not mine, but belong to their respective owners, Shin Kidosenki, Sotsu Agency, Sunrise, &c.

Notes: It's Chang Wufei like you (or Relena) have never seen before.

Here?s my tribute to gundam pilot 05.

Have fun?




Pros and Cons
written by: Nausica?




Chapter 1: Unaware




Only a short distance of twenty feet separated Relena from the object of her intense scrutiny. She was close enough to see the muscles of calf and lower thigh stretch and tighten in turn as Wufei walked casually about, carrying folding chairs and other picnic necessities from their ?getaway? car. She watched as he neatly sidestepped the knapsack Duo carelessly tossed off his shoulders without so much as a pause in his step.

He moves like a cat, she thought. There was no hitch or limp marring the smooth fluidity of Wufei?s movements, the lack thereof reinforcing Relena?s haphazard notion that he was part feline. But despite his catlike grace, Relena knew without a smidgen of doubt that Wufei Chang was no animal. Nothing but raw masculinity could have set her face to burning. She pressed her drink to her hot cheek as a thought struck her: she was only at his legs.

Oh my?

It took a few minutes before Relena could say that the blush painting her cheeks could be due to the sinful heat alone, and even then she admonished herself for being a wicked girl. What was the point, she argued, of sneaking furtive glances at someone who probably wouldn?t have given her the time of day, except that she was the Vice Foreign Minister? No point, she thought nodding. She resolved to keep her thoughts at a platonic level with the brooding, Chinese man but was aghast at finding that wherever she turned her gaze, her eyes kept straying back to the strong, lean form nearby.

After a silent battle with the voice inside her head (of which had naturally been dubbed ?Hilde?), she gave in.

Ah, what the heck? She thought. In for a penny?

Trim hips were next revealed to Relena?s curious stare, and after a lengthy consideration, she decided that khaki shorts suited Wufei. The soft, sand-coloured material sat well about the loins, and ? much to the horror of Relena?s rapidly diminishing innocence ? left nothing to the imagination when the breeze blew.

The Hilde voice inside her head gave what sounded suspiciously to Relena like a cat?s purr. She thought she was going crazy. Cat calls. Just great. Next thing I know, I?ll be kissing him.

A smile almost made it to her lips.

She wondered, though, how she would ever be able to look Wufei in the eye again without burning up on the spot. Even if she managed to, Relena was sure that he would be able to read her mind. And then what? Weirdness, much clearing of the throat, and eye twitching, that?s what. But then again, she and Wufei really weren?t all that chummy to begin with. So where did that leave her? What was worse: blushing over a friend?s attractiveness or blushing over an acquaintance?s?

Completely bemused, Relena sought to distract her over-active mind and dragged her eyes away. She didn?t get very far, but she did succeed in diverting her attention? sort of.

Everyone has a chest, she decided, but I can?t deny that he?s got one worth noticing?

And framing, the Hilde voice added.

Four years after the Eve Wars had changed Wufei?s body from that of the wiry strength of a boy?s, to the well-developed, breathtaking musculature of a man who had complete control of his faculties. She watched his movements with the full appreciation of a woman looking at a fine specimen of the male species. The black t-shirt he wore delineated a chest of finely chiseled firmness and abs of the same make, while arms bulged beneath the short sleeves.

Training out in the sun, Relena guessed. She took in Wufei?s darker complexion with glinting eyes. Mental note: watch him train sometime.

After taking her sweet time with the magnificent torso displayed before her, Relena finally fixed her eyes on what she thought was the most important of all. The head.

She started on Wufei?s hair. The raven black of his cap surpassed the darkness of his shirt, but it still held vitality and shine ? signs of which pointed to time spent keeping it well groomed. Although pulled back in its customary ponytail, Relena had no doubt she guessed right about his grooming habits. If the rest of his body was any indication, Chang Wufei was not a person slack on personal fitness or hygiene.

Chalk up another brownie point, she grinned.

Relena was completely enjoying herself, reveling in the fact that the guys were busy, and she was not. She turned her attentions to his eyes and choked.

Dark, nearly black, eyes gazed back her. Relena?s breath stuck in her throat.

?Something wrong?? Wufei asked. He waited patiently for the lady sprawled on the sand to answer.

Even as she struggled for a response, Relena couldn?t help but notice that his eyes slanted upward; it gave his eyes an exotic look that she found very attractive. ?Uh,? she started coughing and slapping at her chest, lowering her eyes from his. ?Just choked on an ice cube. Nothing serious, Wufei.?

When he looked dubiously at the small slivers of ice that floated in the sea of her drink, Relena just smiled and pushed the drink from his view. ?Thanks for checking anyways.?

He continued to stare at Relena, mouth twisting as though to reply. She watched him do this, wishing he would just get back to whatever he?d been doing. Wufei finally settled on, ?Next time, ask for crushed ice.? Leaving her to mull over his parting comment, he went back to the car.

Relena?s hands clenched in the sand, the fine grains sifting through her fingers. ?Next time, ask for crushed ice,? she mimicked. She rolled her eyes after Wufei?s retreating form. ?The man does have a way with the ladies.?

She rolled onto her stomach and rested her chin on her crossed arms. That was one flaw of Chang Wufei?s ? oh, she corrected herself. That was one really, really, really bad flaw of Chang Wufei?s. He?s good to look at, but as soon as he opened his mouth, one finally understood why he was still flying solo.

Relena let her nose crinkle slightly. He seemed pretty lonely, despite his I-am-man-hear-me-roar attitude he wore about himself like a cloak. She?d seen him many times with the guys, always with them physically but sometimes? sometimes she would see his eyes get a faraway look when he thought no one was watching. And then she?d remember. He?d lost his entire clan when his colony exploded right before his eyes. Relena could relate to that. Maybe not the exploding colony part, but the loss of family. Aside from Paygan, there had been no one else.

She reasoned he had an excuse for being so wary of others, man being by nature easily persuaded to change alliances with the right words or the right amount of money. He had his battle scars, and he used them to distance himself from others. Look at me, it said. I?ve been through two wars ? been to hell and back. Can you say the same for yourself? And if you answered no, you could have sworn you felt this immense void break open between the two of you.

Relena toyed with the idea of telling Wufei that there were at least four other men he knew who also had something devastating happen to them, but in the end she decided against it. The gut feeling she was having told her that he would do it on his own time and in his own terms. He could work on slowly getting rid of his personal demons in varying stages. Like simply talking - not particularly to her, though admittedly Relena would have given both her arms to hear the story of Chang Wufei. Anyone who?d listen would really do.

Relena sighed. If it were a girl, she?d have to be thick-skinned and have enough guts to shout right back. Wufei?s caustic comments could flay to the bone sometimes. Her sigh turned into a quiet chuckle. No wonder Sally Po, a woman who?d also fought in the wars, was the only one who would even try to strike up a conversation with him.

Good luck, Sally. She toasted the unseen woman.

Relena let her eyes slide completely closed, satisfied with her dissection of Chang Wufei.

So, somewhere beneath that scowling face and chin to wrist to ankle clothing lies a body just as hot and sexy as the other guys?. Relena smiled sleepily. She heard Wufei mumble something about Duo throwing the Frisbee like a woman and added a bit more as an afterthought.

It?s just too bad he has a mouth.




TBC




Notes: FYI: I got the inspiration to write this chapter from a pic of Wufei that I saw from Rising Earth. Wufei?s not popular, but I wanted to see if I could write enough about him to make him sound just a tad bid attractive for the females. Did it work? * sigh * Guess not. As long as Wufei opens his mouth, we?ll all want to run him through with a pitchfork. I suppose you guys get the drift of the chapter orders. Next up is Quatre Winner, loves.

Until next time, reviewing would be sweet ^_^

[Sachie]

Nice fic!

I find Wufei immensely attractive, but not just because of his looks. Believe it or not, I like his personality.

He's a man who has no lies. He has strong convictions, no wishy-wash-ness here! He's got incredibly high ideals and he forces himself (and everyone else around him, if he can help it) to live up to it. He's spends a lot of time alone because very few people can earn his respect. However, I get the feeling that once you are his friend, he would be incredibly loyal and supportive, and go through all kinds of hell to make sure you were the best that you could be. He would be the kind of pal to help you out in a class you were struggling in by tutoring you and forcing you to do extra homework (and sitting through it with you) until you finally understood the concepts you were supposed to learn. I suppose that's not the kind of friend for everyone. Some people would just rather their friend comiserated with them in their dismal grades, or did their homework for them so they wouldn't have to suffer through it. He's too caustic and harsh for some people's tastes.

But you gotta admire a man who never takes the easy way out, always confronts his worst fears (and sometimes even becomes them) and tackles the world head-on without a smidgen of doubt or fear.

So, yeah, I'm into Wufei. I love reading fics where he features prominantly.

[gethmane8]

I am crazy about this story! It's pretty much a toss up between Trowa and Heero. I'll definitely be dying to read Relena's fantasies about them. Hot!

[Dark Deity]

Well, you see, i voted for Trowa, BUT as i think about it, maybe he ought to go last...?

Yanno, "save the best for last" idea?

Dark D

-Ryry-

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

This is a really interesting concept for a story!
I have never before found Wufei so attractive...bravo! Is it hot in here or what?
I absolutely loved the slow, slow working of description up the body. It's nice to give the boys a nice long once-over for a change!
I love your writing style and I think you portrayed ole Wufei perfectly. If only there was a way to get him to take off the shirt and put something over the mouth.
I can't wait for the next chapters. Even though I think a lot of people on this forum favor Trowa-boy (my drooling self included), I'm really interested to see what you have in store for Quatre!

Until then,
Sphinx ^_^

[Nausica?]

I can't wait for the next chapters. Even though I think a lot of people on this forum favor Trowa-boy (my drooling self included), I'm really interested to see what you have in store for Quatre!

Ah, yes, I do agree. Trowa seems to be the all time favourite for most of the Alt. authors/readers. I have to admit: I can't wait til I get around to writing his chapter. Ehehe * wipes drool off chin * it's gonna be fun.

Now as for sweetie-pie Quatre Winner... Hm, now there's a challenge. I'm more or less about half-way through with his chapter, and just from seeing the time it's taking me to write it, I've got to say that Quatre's chapter will be the hardest chapter for me to write. I'm still undecided on whether or not I should keep him portrayed as the shy, silent Adonis from Arabia, or portray him in a new and hidden light.

Got any preferences, anyone?

* Naus taps her chin * Well, how about I give you a taste of what's coming up for Quatre's chapter? Here goes...



excerpt of Pros and Cons, chapter two: Double Take

Quatre had been kneeling at the time, and after exchanging the pleasantries, he sat back. Bending his slightly parted legs, he rested his elbows on his knees and stared towards the gently rumbling ocean. Relena did the same, though at the moment, she found the form of the man resting casually beside her much more to her liking than a view of the ocean. She searched for a reason to bring his focus back to her. ?So what brings you here, Quatre? Heat getting to you?? As soon as she?d said it, Relena could have kicked herself. Her blonde companion was at ease in temperatures far more extreme than the present weather.

Well, either way, while staring at the aristocratic profile presented to her, Relena decided that the heat was at least getting to her.

All the same, as Relena was mentally smacking her forehead, Quatre turned back to her. Half his face was illuminated by the setting sun and the other was set in shadows. He smiled slightly and shrugged, the movement settling the cotton shirt he wore. ?Like yourself, Ms. Relena, I just wanted some down time. Away from offices and paperwork. It?s not often I get a chance to watch the sun set.? His voice grew soft and gruff as he gazed at her. ?There?s a lot around you that you miss because you don?t stop to take a look, you know??

About to give a noncommittal reply, Relena stopped short and barely suppressed the shiver that slid deliciously down her spine.

Whoah.

She had felt that voice down to her toes...



I'm such a tease Keep in mind, though, that the excerpt's bound to be revised one way or another. But did you like what you've read so far?

Until next time...


- Naus

[Symee-Sama]

This is really great! My vote's for Heero or Duo for the next chapter.

Symee

[Kuno-baby]

I'm going to be different and say Quatre's my man. He's not only adorable, he's a hottie as well. And that little tease you gave over his part was sweet. I bet he'll be just as interesting a read as the others. Maybe more.

[ice princess]

Four more hot boys to fantasize about....I've got no problem with any of 'em!! And I love the way you write...I can't wait to read more. Ok, I lied. I, too, am partial to Trowa and Heero, but a fantasy is a fantasy.

~ice princess

[War Dove]

Oh man, this idea's a great one. I really think you did well going with this. I think you captured Wufei in a very sexy but human way.

I also love the idea of this from Relena's POV basically because I like how it just shows her as a normal young woman with normal thoughts, desires and fantasies. Very nice.

And the teaser you left for Quatre just keeps me wanting more of this stuff.

Awesome work and I can't wait for more of these.