9-Mar-2002
Title: I Wonder How Long I'll Get To See The Moon
Author: Von
Contact: sablexo1@yahoo.com
Warnings: Spoilers Series
Notes: Set 10 years after Endless Waltz/P>
Duo sat on top of a large pile in his salvage yard. He had been so busy during the day, that he'd lost all track of time. He was tired and his muscles ached as he glanced up at the night sky. A smile etched itself on his face as he saw the full harvest moon.
Sighing deeply, he felt the tension in his body dissipate. Leaning back, he looked up and let his mind wander. "Hn," he said. It's been ten years, he thought. Never thought I'd make it this long.
Shaking his head, he watched as the clouds seemed to move over the surface of the orange-toned orb creating shapes and faces. Of course, we were all young and ready to die. We were convinced that it all had meaning for the world. Hot shots with no future and too much past, he thought.
Reaching down, he straightened the pendant around his neck. Touching the cool stone, he closed his eyes a moment. A cool breeze moved over his skin and he felt a sense of peace that had come as a gift from the passage of time. "Moonstone," he said softly, identifying the stone. A litany of it's more mystical properties followed in Duo's head unspoken. He felt the relaxation deepen.
Intense, he thought. Where did all of that energy go? We thought it would last forever and forever would last until the next blast. So easy. Do your job and get your ticket punched. We never counted on surviving.
From somewhere a distance away, Duo heard voices from a nearby house. The lilting music of kids laughter filled his ears and he smiled again.
Much better than screams or crying, he thought. Bonus.
Rubbing his temple, briefly, Duo had the feeling that he was forgetting something. He frowned.
Ha, you're getting old, Duo, he thought. "Better than dead," said, softly.
Nights were still bad. Sometimes he woke up in cold sweats. Sometimes he dreamed. There were some things time couldn't erase completely.
"Quatre," he said, thinking of the Arabian pilot with the penchant for hyper-responsibility. In his mind's eye, he saw the blonde pilot as he once appeared. His looks were far too young for the weight he carried.
Trowa, Duo thought, seeing the image of the too serious pilot in his head. Outside, tough, capable. Inside, thoughtful and caring.
The Chinese pilot's visage was next. "Chang Wufei," he said, remembering their time on Peacemillion. The best defense is a good offense, Duo remembered him saying. And who would know better, Duo thought.
"Heero," Duo said, elongating the name like a breath of fresh air.
Focusing on the moon once more, Duo sighed again. Prussian blue eyes filled his mind. Of all the things I was wrong about, he thought. I didn't miss much when it came to him.
Duo chuckled. "I wonder how long I'll get to see the moon like this?" he said, remembering a time long ago, when he'd asked the same question.
"Well I could pull my pants up, if you'd like?" a voice nearby said.
"Nah, that's all right," Duo answered as he sat up. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
Heero looked down at Duo. "Finding you and playing a straight man to your bad jokes," he said. "Now come on inside and get cleaned up. Hilde and the others are here. You probably forgot it's your designated birthday, right?"
Duo squeezed his eyes shut and then stood up. "That was it," he said, remembering what he'd forgotten.
Looking up a last time to the moon, Duo turned to Heero. "Did you ever..." he began.
"Look up at the moon?" Heero asked, finishing his statement. He looked back into violet eyes. "Sometimes," he answered.
Duo nodded.
Heero took a step forward and placed his arms around Duo, giving him a solid hug. "Happy Birthday, Duo." he said.
For a moment, Duo closed his eyes, feeling content. Survival wasn't so bad at all.
-Owari-