Title: Sunset
Author: Lanjelin
The sun was setting. It made the sky burn with shades of red and yellow, reflected in the calm waters of the ocean. As the sun continued its way towards the horizon, a mild breeze swept along the beach, slightly ruffling the chestnut bangs of the lone figure walking along the shore.
Duo liked this place. It was very beautiful, and not many people knew about it. He himself had found it by accident one day and had decided to keep it to himself. He smiled inwardly as he climbed a low, flat rock situated halfway out in the water. He had come here tonight because he needed to be alone and sort out his thoughts. Heh. The others wouldn't believe it if they knew. And they really wouldn't believe the reason for the turmoil inside of him.
He let out a small sigh as he lay down on his stomach on the sun-warmed rock. The beauty of the sunset was breathtaking, but tonight he failed to appreciate it. He had too much on his mind, and on top of that he was in one of his rare melancholy moods. That was in fact one of the two reasons he had chosen to do this tonight. He didn't want to face the other pilots until he felt like his old self again, and so he had excused himself right after dinner, saying he wanted to get some fresh air. With a casual smile and a "See ya later!" he had left the safe-house and made his way down to the beach. The others had barely noticed him leaving. Quatre and Trowa had decided to practice together and were discussing which music they should use, Wufei had gone to practice his katas and Heero... Heero had left for a mission that same afternoon, and that was the second reason Duo was on the beach this particular evening.
Despite the pain it brought, he always took every chance being near his partner, and now that he wasn't here anymore, Duo could gather the calm needed to sort out his feelings. It was pretty obvious by now, of course. He didn't know when or why, but somewhere along the way he had fallen head over heels for the pilot of the Wing gundam. What he needed to do now was to consider his options. Not that he had any but the obvious... Who was he trying to fool anyway? How could he even dream about them ever being together? Heero, after all, had Relena. Rich, beautiful and very much in love with the sullen Wing pilot she had much better chances of gaining his love than Duo would ever have. And they did look good together, he thought to himself, continuing his self-torture. Why would Heero want someone like me, when he can have her? Maybe he is in love with her. Maybe I can ask him? No, then he would want to know why... and he probably wouldn't answer anyway.
Duo began to play absent-mindedly with the tip of his braid. Still... sometimes he does these little things that make me wonder if he does feel something for me after all, little things no-one who didn't know him would notice... but it's probably just my imagination. Maybe he'll marry Relena after the war. If that happens... If that happens, Duo thought with a painful clenching in his chest, I will go to the wedding and wish them luck, joking and laughing and hiding my pain deep in my heart. He wanted Heero to be happy after all. And if that meant Heero and Relena getting married, then so be it! Duo would still be there, as a friend. He could see Heero often, talk to him, knowing he'd be safe. Not like now, his thoughts carried on, when every day could be their last. And Heero had absolutely no respect for his own life!
There he stopped himself. That, at least, he would have to do something about. Somehow he had to show Heero that his life was worth something and that people cared about him. There was just no way he was going to let Heero get himself killed because he thought his life was worthless. And even though he wouldn't get Heero's love... he could still have his friendship. And, despite the pain, it was worth it.
End Part 2
(:./lanjelin/sunrise2)
