17-Aug-2003
Title: Fall
Author: Ebonydove
Pairings: Implied 1+2
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: language, sap
Spoilers: none
Archive: aenai.steelsong.com and Team Rocket & Shinigami's Castle.
Disclaimer: Do we really need to go into the details of copyright infringement at this point? I have no money, and if I had some I'd be on vacation on some tropical island somewhere.
Author's Notes: Sequel to 'Saturday'. Inspired by Call Me, from the Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack.
The night was so clear that it seemed to make the stars stand out even brighter against the midnight blue sky as he walked up the steps to the front of the building. It also seemed to be chillier than the thirty or so degrees the temperature had been hovering around at for the past few nights as well. Pulling his jacket collar up a bit tighter around his ears, he pushed the heavy wood doors to the building open and entered.
His gaze flicked over to the closed door where he could clearly hear Duo's loud laughter from behind it, having no doubts that's where he was being held. It was a brittle; an almost forced sounding laugh to him, but until he saw Duo he wasn't going to make any quick assumptions on what was going on behind the scenes. Duo was too good at fooling the general public into believing that he was right as rain by simply charming them into submission. So only the people really close to Duo as he was, could see through the thinly veiled cheerfulness he projected almost constantly to the world and very obviously to him and the rest of the guys lately. He folded his arms over his chest and glanced to the clock on the far wall. He was right on time, so he'd just wait patiently in the too hard plastic chairs until they released him.
Twenty minutes later Duo appeared from the holding area with two policemen. He had been handcuffed, but was munching happily on french fries and tossing the wrapper of a fast food hamburger into a nearby waste can as he made his way out of the inner offices and holding area. Duo instantly stifled his witty banter with the two men when he spotted him sitting on the other side of the Sargent's desk. Then he rolled his eyes and gave a huff of aggravation at what he could only assume was Duo's ire that it was he, and not Wufei, sitting in the waiting area for him.
Yeah, so anyways, don't be strangers guys and thanks for the chow."
The two uniformed men smiled back to Duo and he watched as one of them pocketed a recently signed autograph. It gave him cause to sigh quietly to himself. Duo hated when people asked him to do that.
After they released him from the cuffs and he had signed all the appropriate paperwork; another officer held open the little wooden gate and allowed Duo to walk over to the waiting area. By the time Duo reached him there was no sign of the false cheer he had been emanating for the rest of the room and the manic look in his eyes became much more prevalent to him than when Duo had first appeared from behind the closed doors. It was also hard to overlook the dark circles and pale complexion, which made Duo seem so much older than his nineteen or so years. The harsh fluorescent lighting of the stationhouse didn't do much to improve his appearance, but the last thing he wanted to greet him with was that he looked less than stellar. Duo was obviously not taking very good care of himself recently, but it really wasn't that much of a surprise. The last time he had seen him was right after his breakup with Kai, and he had looked like death just about warmed over.
He broke the tense silence that was stretching out between them with the most obvious of his observations so far. I see you've already eaten... sort of. You need anything else from here?"
I told Wufei I wanted him to pick me up." Duo growled harshly as he rubbed his wrists briskly from where the cuffs had been too tight. Apparently despite the autographs, Duo's reputation had gotten the better of him and the officers had taken no chances of him escaping because of something as silly as having the cuffs too loose. By the sight of Duo's raw skin, it had been the very opposite.
He was busy." He sat as still as stone and waited for what he was sure was going to be a full-blown fit that Wufei had sent him instead of coming himself to bail out Duo, but it really was for the best given the nature of the explosive tempers both Wufei and Duo had. To his surprise the statement only earned him a cold glare and a huff as Duo, still in his orange flight suit, stormed past him. Duo then grabbed a brown cardboard box from on top of the Sargent's desk which contained the tangled remains of a red and black parachute he had used in his latest attempt to test the laws of gravity and push the envelope of what the city would tolerate as a 'training exercise'. Stuffing it firmly down in the box, Duo spun on his heel and stood waiting much like a recently scolded child near the exit until he stood and made his way over to hold the door open for him.
He hadn't even acknowledged the ridiculousness of the stunt Duo had pulled when Wufei had told him about it over the phone and had simply resigned himself to the task he'd been given. It had been a public relations nightmare and he wasn't about to step in the middle of it, agreeing that it was best Wufei handle the repercussions of Duo's latest stunt. He also didn't think it was a very good idea to press it any further with an already irate Chang, and an even more furious Lady Une about picking Duo up at the time of the conversation. He didn't have a death wish after all and knew that Duo was still grieving in his own way, despite how difficult it was for Wufei to understand or admit that.
Wufei had already posted his bail, so all he had to do was get Duo home in one piece; which was still no easy task as he noted the foul mood Duo was in. He had been arrested as soon as he'd touched down and once the media caught wind of it, it had turned ugly fast. To further aggravate an already touchy situation, Duo also knew just how to push people's buttons and did so; creating a media feeding frenzy once they found out he was a Preventer. The last thing he wanted to do now was to provoke Duo into another outburst about free speech or public conduct laws in the stationhouse. It took Wufei over an hour to get the media to stop calling H.Q. as it was. The last thing they needed was any more trouble tonight or media attention ever.
He followed Duo down the steps and out into night, taking a few moments just to breathe in the crisp, clean air. Once outside with the gently falling snow around them, away from prying eyes and the potential for Duo to cause another scene, he felt ten times better that he had come when he had, instead of letting Duo sit stewing for a few more hours as he had originally planned on doing. He had always disliked places like that immensely himself. Old, dark, memories revolving around imprisonment and cuffs sprang to life, but he quickly shook them away as he watched the fat, white snowflakes dust the top of Duo's hair with white. He suddenly wished he could avoid the looming confrontation he knew he'd be having with Duo before the night was over. Duo was still brooding about his overnight stay in the holding facility and the tense silence that had begun in the stationhouse had become much tighter as they walked the short distance to the car. At least it wasn't the manic cheerfulness that Duo had been broadcasting inside to everyone. That always made him want to scream. How long did you stay there until you finally called Wufei?"
It was like someone had let all the air out of an overstuffed balloon. Duo just kind of... deflated where he stood. He tipped his head to one side and looked at him for a moment with eyes that resembled pale cut amethyst stones in the dim light of the nearby streetlamp before hanging his head and speaking so softly he had a hard time catching what he was saying. I called Quatre first, but he wasn't home and I figured you two were together." He paused and looked up from under the shield of his bangs. "So I stayed overnight and called Wufei about an hour ago."
Why didn't you just page me instead of staying here all night? Or Heero? You're on his speed dial, y'know."
Duo just shrugged and looked away as he moved to unlock the car. He had a pretty good idea why Heero was last on Duo's list, but it still bothered him that his two friends couldn't seem to get it together. Duo was his friend and this was certainly one of those times where Quatre would understand him running out on dinner if he had gotten a phone call that Duo was in jail... again. Duo had been so depressed and angry about Kai and was beginning to pull away from all his friends, and especially Heero. Given some time he figured that Duo would come around, but after two months of wallowing in self-pity and depression, he figured it was time for someone to step in. He knew a little something about both depression and wallowing in self-pity from past experience.
You still not sleeping?" He asked quietly.
Already got the lecture from Wufei." Duo huffed as he shifted the box in his arms impatiently.
"So then I take it that's a no."
Duo looked at him long and hard as he seemed to arrange his thoughts before finally speaking again. How did you know that I haven't been sleeping anyway?"
I spoke to Heero."
The temperature suddenly seemed to drop ten degrees making the cold night take on a crisp, arctic quality. Oh really? So he told you too then. And did Heero have anything helpful to say? A glass of warm milk perhaps? Maybe I should have you sing me a lullaby when we get back to my place."
Duo's heated words puffed out in little clouds of steam and swirled up into the dark sky distracting him for a second or two. He had hoped that the looming confrontation would happen in the car at the very least and not on the steps of the stationhouse as he dreaded.
I take it you're upset with him for telling me about your nightmares." He said in a soothing tone and watched Duo's expression change too quickly before his eyes for him to gage just exactly what he was upset about. The not sleeping part, the nightmares, or that he and Heero had been talking about him.
Nope, not one bit. We're friends."
Duo spit the last word out like it was poison. He figured it was the Heero part that was upsetting him and sighed that Duo couldn't see that Heero was trying to bridge the gap that had been growing between them for months now. He's worried about you, Duo. We all are, especially now with all these suicidal stunts you've been pulling."
Suicidal? Screw you. And him for that matter. He's really out of touch if he thinks that I'm that broken up over Kai that I would purposely not pull the rip to the chute. It got stuck. I told him that when I left the message on his cell. And I managed to pull the secondary in time not to go splat. I told him that too."
Did you mention your arrest along with that message you left?"
Duo just glanced away and huffed as he shifted the box in his arms.
It confirmed his suspicion that Heero had already confronted Duo about his recent destructive behavior and must have hit a wall with him about it. It also explained why Duo probably didn't call Heero to come pick him up from the police station as well. Heero was like a dog with a meaty bone when he put his mind to getting answers from someone and especially from one evasive Duo Maxwell. It would have sparked one huge argument for sure that Duo had been arrested yet again. When Heero had seen the news footage of Duo plunging off a forty story building in the midtown center he was livid, only no one was quite sure why. Worried for Duo because of what drove him to do the stunt, or anger because the stunt itself was so public and... crazy. Heero didn't do well with either scenario. So you're not upset over Kai then?"
Duo quickly looked away and didn't answer as he carried his box to the back of the car and waited for him to pop the trunk.
He opened the trunk and moved a few things aside to give Duo room to put his parachute in. Then he leaned casually against the back of the understated sedan and gave him a level look as Duo unceremoniously shoved the box in. You don't have to look at life like a dragon you have to slay, Duo."
In those next few moments Duo seemed to fight between anger and utter despair. But then the anger won out and he grinned a wicked smirk. Now you're not only here in Wufei's place, but you sound like him too. Well, thanks for the little bit of insight Tro, but I don't need your concern or your help. Kai is gone. He's never coming back and it's my fault." He spun away from the car and made as if he was going to walk all the way across the city towards home before stopping short again and turning back around to face him. Heero doesn't understand." He paused and brushed a snowflake off his cheek. I've got everything perfectly under control."
The white snowflakes were a stark contrast against the dark night sky as they fell gently around Duo. His eyes had taken on a more bluish gleam in the low light and the way his breath was coming out in quick puffs of air made him look more like a scared stray in the middle of the street, than the charismatic warrior he'd always been. It tugged at his heart to see Duo looking so lost and alone. He pushed away from the car, which caused Duo to take a few steps back away from him before he could gently take him by the shoulders and gave him a little shake. Look me in the eye and tell me that you've been doing this daredevil shit for something other than to punish yourself for what happened to Kai. Because believe me, you got all our attention this last time around. You scared us. And you really upset Heero, which is a damned hard thing to do."
Duo shrugged off his hold and stepped back again, putting even more distance between them than before. "It was just to blow off steam, Tro. No one got hurt. And I'm fine."
He crossed his arms over his chest and gave Duo a tiny look of reproach. "You were very lucky you weren't killed. And remember I used to walk a tightrope and infiltrate Oz bases with my eyes shut for fun. I know the difference between a calculated risk and an attempted suicide. And so does Heero. Why do you keep ignoring his concern for you?"
Any further argument Duo was about to use went out in a defeated puff of air so he quickly changed tactics. Why are you so suddenly concerned Trowa?"
If he thought he could, he would have slapped some sense into Duo right then and there on the sidewalk where they stood. Instead he sighed again and took another step closer to Duo's wary form. I've always been, Duo. You just haven't noticed lately." He said softly. Base jumping off that building was not about having a little fun. Or blowing off steam. It was flat-out reckless and you know it."
Duo smiled a broad grin and held his fingers up like a Boy Scout, saluting hautily. Gee Tro, I never knew you cared. I promise I will never run with scissors again and will only use the Q-tip on the outside of my ear. I am not suicidal, and both you and Heero are blowing this way out of proportion."
"And Wufei, Quatre and Une are as well in your opinion?"
"Damn Tro, those media sharks were pissing me off. I just threw them a little guppy to get them off my case. Wufei and Une got upset over nothing."
"All you did was bait them more, Duo."
"How did I know the reporter types would be so nutty about the whole thing? I'm sorry I said that it was a Preventer's training exercise, okay? Can we please go now? I promise I'll behave." He easily slipped into a nonchalant stance and plastered on another wide grin.
It was that very same happy go lucky bullshit routine that Duo always slipped into when he was trying to evade talking about his true feelings that made people want to throttle him. But he certainly wasn't going to throw down about it in the middle of the street. So instead, he took a deep breath and reined in his emotions. He ignored the sarcasm and Duo's quirky grin as he shut the trunk and walked to the side of car and waited for Duo to get in. You don't want to talk about it; that's fine. So when was the last time you had something real to eat?"
Duo glanced from him, to the car and then to the cold, clear night sky before shrugging and walking towards the passenger side door. You mean other than donuts, greasy fast food cheeseburgers, and Red Bull?" Duo cracked another manic smile and slipped inside the passenger seat.
Yeah. Real food."
Why do you want to know? I thought Quatre played the mother hen in your roost. It's unlike you to take over the nagging duties he usually handles."
Duo being petulant wasn't much better than Duo being sullen and irritable. "He just cares about his friends, Duo. He doesn't mean to hover over you. If your eating habits were even remotely close to healthy he wouldn't have to worry for you. But then again, maybe you like seeing him upset."
He sighed quietly at the sudden stricken look on Duo's face knowing he'd too close to home. He pulled out a beat up pack of cigarettes from the inside pocket of his leather coat and easing one from the box he lit it, took a long, slow drag, exhaled, and gave Duo another level look. I'm sorry that it wasn't Heero who came to pick you up. Not that you'll admit it, but I know you're disappointed. He was just upset and didn't want you to misunderstand. Wufei wanted to, but neither he nor Quatre could make it with all the other things they were trying to control because of your little stunt. In the meantime, I'm here and don't plan on leaving you to wallow in misery tonight."
Any false cheer Duo was trying to maintain slipped away again at the mention of Heero and the trouble he had caused everyone. Look man, thank you for picking me up really, but I don't need a nursemaid. I'm all grown up now and I can take care of myself." Duo reached over and taking the cigarette from Trowa's lips; took a long drag off it before handing it back over. And since when the hell do you smoke?"
Just picked it up from somewhere." He smiled wryly at him and started the car. They both knew that it was because of Duo that he started the nasty habit. He usually only smoked on one of their nights' out, but between the chill and Duo's mood he needed a little kick.
Trying to kill yourself the slow way, huh?" Duo chuckled as he blew the smoke out in a long, slow stream.
You should talk."
Heh. If I wanted to die, I'd just eat a damn bullet for breakfast right after I finished my cornflakes."
It was the dark laugh that followed the comment made him shiver, and certainly not from the cold. He knew it for what it was, and figured it would be better to just get going than try to. tackle that little topic now. Well then tell me; if you're so good at taking care of yourself, when was the last time you showered?" He actually laughed that Duo had the decency to look shocked at the question.
What's that supposed to mean?"
You stink." He said as he rolled down his window a crack.
I do not stink." Duo rolled down his own window halfway and took a deep breath of the cold night air. Anyway showering is highly over-rated in my opinion, especially while incarcerated."
He shot him an incredulous look.
Okay, so you gotta a small point here. I am kind-a ripe, huh?"
And your hair's a mess too." He chuckled as he blew the smoke from his cigarette out the window and pulled away from the curb.
Oh, thanks a lot. This coming from a guy who smells like an ash can and has longer bangs than I do."
Duo laughed and to him, it was the first time that evening that he had sounded like himself.
To be honest? It's been a couple of days. It's not something I care too much about lately. I mean... I'm comfortable with who I am." Duo flashed him a softer grin and turned the heater up a notch.
Are you? Comfortable, that is?" He asked quietly as he merged onto the highway that would take him to the other side of the city and Duo's apartment.
I could ask you the same thing, Tro." Duo replied in a voice that sounded tired and dejected.
I know how it feels to want to self-destruct if that's what you're getting at." He ground out the cigarette on the sill and they drove on in silence for the next half-hour.
Duo had taken to staring out the window, which he had rolled down completely, and was trying to catch the snowflakes as they whizzed by his hand. He had turned up the heater to its highest setting to keep from shivering any worse than he already was as the cold air blew through the car. For whatever reason, it made Duo more comfortable driving with the window all the way down, so he wasn't about to insist that he close it, despite the snow and biting wind rushing in from outside as they drove.
He hadn't been to Duo's apartment since Duo and Kai had split, so he was interested to see what state of disarray it was sure to be in given Duo's housekeeping skills. But disappointingly when they pulled in front of Duo's complex and walked up the four flights to Duo's flat, he was amazed to find the place absolutely spotless. It was also pretty spartan. The only thing that really stood out in the place as unusual, given the surroundings, was the half-empty, algae-riddled fishbowl on the kitchen table and a few boxes packed and neatly stacked in one corner of the living room. There were also a few bags that looked to be full of clothing or bedding on the floor next to the couch, but the rest of the place was immaculate.
I didn't know you liked fish." He said as he made his way over to the table and took off his coat.
Yeah."
Duo glanced over to the bowl and that sad, lost look came over him again making him wonder if he'd picked a bad topic of conversation.
You want some coffee Tro? Or a Red Bull?"
I don't know how you can drink that stuff. It's like speed in a can." He shook his head as tapped the edge of the fishbowl. Besides it keeps me up at night."
That's exactly why I do drink it." Duo said softly.
He could feel the weight of Duo's eyes on him and looked up through his long bangs and quirked a small smile as he tapped the side of the bowl again. Anything in there?"
We uh... I... forgot to feed it and it died."
Oh... I'm sorry I didn't mean to... "
Forget it. I'll be right back." Duo shrugged then and set about making coffee in the kitchen.
He paced around the apartment for a bit before finally settling on the sofa. It was pretty obvious that the fish wasn't a good topic to pursue, but he wasn't quite ready to get into the conversation that Heero and the rest of the guys all felt he needed some professional counseling to deal with the obvious depression he was going through. He tried to think of lighter things to talk about, but small talk was not his strong suit.
Duo emerged a short time later from the kitchen with two steaming cups of coffee and an odd look on his face. Do you mind... if I... "
Duo looked even more rattled now than he had when they were standing on the sidewalk outside the police station. He was just about to ask him if he should go when Duo burst out that he really did need a shower. So he took the mugs and set them on the coffee table and chuckled softly. I thought you were comfortable with who you are and didn't care if you stunk like three day old road kill."
I lied." Duo laughed and it was another one of those true sounds that he had been waiting to hear ever since he arrived to pick Duo up at the stationhouse.
I'll be right here then."
You're staying?"
Unless you want me to leave."
No, you can stick around... if you want." Then Duo turned tail and headed for the bathroom muttering something to himself that he couldn't make out. Duo was definitely flustered with him being there, but he wasn't about to leave yet. He needed to be sure that Duo wasn't going to do something stupid to himself. He really didn't think he would, but wouldn't sleep tonight if he thought there was even a slim chance of it.
Twenty minutes later Duo returned; showered, changed, with his hair still damp and left unbraided. He couldn't help but stare at Duo for a moment because he'd never seen it down before. Unraveled on occasion, especially during the missions of the past, but certainly not recently or completely like it was just then. He noticed Duo blushing a little at the obvious attention he was giving to his hair before sitting down beside him and reaching for the full mug of coffee on the table.
I uh, leave it down at night."
Duo shrugged as he took a sip from the mug and flashed him that same odd little look he had before he went to shower. It made him want to suddenly pull at his collar. Then before he really knew what had provoked it, Duo had set down his mug and practically crawled into his lap giving him a fierce, almost desperate kiss. He was engulfed with the scent of Duo's cleanly washed hair and the taste of mint on his breath and for a split second found himself being drawn into the kiss before he came back to himself. Although he really didn't want to hurt Duo, he abruptly broke the kiss and pushed Duo off him and quickly stood up. Duo... "
Slay the fucking dragon right?" Duo hissed as he got up from the sofa and stood in front of him with his fists balled at his sides and shaking slightly.
He really didn't know how they had gotten here. It was never his intention to come to Duo's apartment to offer him comfort, despite how much he knew that Duo needed that kind of physical contact right now. It just wasn't meant to be him and he secretly cursed Heero for being so bull-headed about Duo. Flashes of Quatre's concerned blue eyes flooded his brain and he suddenly felt so very badly for Duo that he had somehow given him the impression that he could offer that kind of support. Duo, I was talking about how you keep pushing the limits, trying to scare everyone, trying to feel something other than the pain and loss."
This isn't about Kai, Tro! I don't want to live in fear everyday that the people I get involved with on a personal level are going to get up one day and get themselves killed! I don't know how else to tell you all... I don't know how to explain how much you guys mean to me. And I obviously did a poor job of that with Kai, or he wouldn't have... "
Stop that." He wasn't about to let Duo take on the blame for what happened to Kai. Kai left Duo and didn't even offer a real reason. Duo had spoke of leaving the Preventers all together at one point after he and Kai had split to gain some perspective, and it took a lot of convincing from them all to get him to stay. What happened the week after their breakup had been an accident; a terrible accident that no one could have foreseen, least of all Duo. "You don't need to prove anything to any of us. What happened on that mission with Kai was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done. We all know that."
"And Heero? Does Heero think that? Or does he think... that I... failed him?"
Duo was on the brink of tears and it made his heart clench tight to see it. Heero does not think you failed anyone. Least of all Kai. He was just so angry... "
That's what I mean!" Duo wailed and spun away from him as he scrubbed at his face. I was right there and couldn't save him! It happened right in front of me and I just... couldn't stop it. If it had been anyone else, if it had been Heero there instead of me, Kai would have lived... and then Heero wouldn't be so disappointed that I couldn't..."
You're wrong to do that to Heero, Duo."
What?"
Make those kinds of assumptions. Heero was angry because you were going through so much and he was powerless to help you. We all were. And we still feel that way. Heero wouldn't have been able to save Kai any more than you could have. It just... happened. And that you assume that Heero could, or sees less of you because you couldn't keep the impossible from happening isn't fair. Anymore than it would be for me to let that kiss happen, Duo."
I know, Tro... I'm sorry... I... " Duo just hung his head and fell silent again.
"How you feel isn't wrong. I of all people know what it's like to struggle with having to need other people when things seem so out of control. You don't have to apologize to me. Let's just forget about it, okay?" He paused and gave Duo's shoulder a quick squeeze. "Anything worth having is worth fighting for. That means you don't throw yourself off a building to get the people you care about to notice that you're hurting. And you shouldn't assume that it could get Heero to understand the message you were sending."
Then why won't he... why can't I... ?"
I don't have the answers, Duo." He knew it wasn't what Duo wanted to hear, but he couldn't possibly give Duo any rational reasons as to why bad things happen to good people. Heero didn't know how to explain how he felt about Duo any more than Duo could see that he was still grieving over Kai. Duo assumed Heero thought less of him for not being able to save Kai, but then also assumed that had Heero been there, that he could have somehow prevented it all. Which was impossible given the nature of the explosion that killed Kai. Heero was good, but he doubted that even Heero would have been able to stop those wheels from turning. But most of all, the fact that Duo was in love with Heero and Heero was in love with Duo and neither of them could seem to just spit it out was like a herd of giant, white elephants in the middle of a room that no one wanted to talk about or even acknowledge for that matter. And it was starting to wear on all of them.
Duo sat back down on the sofa and put his head in his hands. "I'm sorry Tro. I'm just tired of fighting so hard to keep it all together. I miss Kai. And I miss Heero. And I know that I'm the one pushing away from everyone. I just don't know how to stop feeling like I cause the bad things that happen to the people around me. I figure if I put some distance between me and you guys, that somehow everyone will be better off. Better off without me."
"We'd never be better off without you, and deep down you know that." He sat down and hugged Duo gently. You can't define life and put it in a neat little box and tie it with a pretty ribbon. It's hard, and hurts you as much as it gives you joy. You need to find the little things that give you that sense of wonder and stop fighting so hard to change the things that are beyond your scope of control. You just... fight too hard."
"What if I can't do that?"
"If you really believed that you couldn't, then you wouldn't have pulled that secondary chute, would you?"
"No, I guess I wouldn't have."
You need to give yourself a break Duo. You're too hard on yourself. And you need to stop putting Heero on a pedestal. Why don't you call him?"
I dunno, Tro."
You're on his speed dial. And I know for a fact that he's waiting by the phone for you to call him and give him a status."
Duo chuckled softly. Probably. But the phone rings on both ends ya'know."
"I know. And I still think you should call him." He paused and gave Duo a little light shove. "Are you going to be all right, then?"
"Yeah." Duo shook his head and then stood to show him out. "I'm sorry about what I said about Quatre."
"I know."
"Thanks, Trowa. For picking me up too."
"Anytime, Duo. That's what friends are for."
He stepped out into the hall and listened as Duo slid the bolt into the lock before stuffing his hands into his pockets and making his way downstairs. He pushed open the door and walked a few steps out into the dim street and heaved a heavy sigh. The snow was still falling silently around him as he eased another cigarette out of their hiding place and lit it. Duo had such a long way to go still and was fighting the grief. Was fighting getting close to people. He could only hope that some of what he had said got through to him tonight. He glanced up into the sky and then to Duo's floor catching sight of Duo in the window of his apartment, on the phone and pacing back and forth to who he would guess was Heero and smiled. He blew out the smoke and ground out the hardly used cigarette as he made his way to the car, content that Heero wouldn't let Duo fall tonight and that he could go home to Quatre and actually sleep through the night himself.
The End
On to '2 Minutes To Midnight'
(:./ebony/fall)
