Duo Would Have

By Banshi

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Wufei stood in the doorway of his apartment, keys in hand and the door closed behind him. For one frivolous moment he imagined that he could still hear the echo of the bolt sliding home. He shook off the feeling as he removed his uniform jacket and tie. The noise he was making seemed unnaturally loud to him, though he knew it to be an affect of his solitude.

It didn't help that his thoughts of noise brought him right to contemplating Duo. The laughing pilot would have made everything so much noisier if he were here. Things wouldn't seem so oppressive if he were here.

But why would he be here? There was a whole universe out there to explore. So many colony clusters to scavenge in, So much trouble to get into.

Wufei hoped that Hilde was taking good care of the Baka.

With that passing wish, Wufei threw himself into activities. He made himself a quick, healthy dinner and cleaned everything up immediately after eating.

Duo would have made a huge mess and left it for hours.

He showered quickly, letting the hot water and steam relax him, but spending no more time under the spray than necessary.

Duo would have been in there for an hour.

He walked around the apartment picking up anything he may have arbitrarily left lying around.

Duo would have been mocking him.

He decided that it wasn't late enough to go to bed, and tried to find a book that he hadn't read in a while. He didn't have any new ones.

Duo would have planted himself in front of the TV.

Wufei read an old volume of myths. It had always fascinated him, and for a few hours, he was free. His mind was away from the memories, the longings and the loneliness. He was away from himself.

Duo would have brought him back.

Looking at the clock, Wufei noted that it was later than he had planned on staying up. He would need sleep to stay healthy and alert tomorrow. He put the book away and shut off the lights before going to his bedroom.

Duo would have wanted to stay awake to watch the end of a movie.

Lying alone in his cold, empty bed in his cold, empty apartment, Wufei stared up at the ceiling, dreading sleep. While reading was his escape, sleep was his prison.

Duo would have been snoring at full volume by now.

"Ahhrrggg!"

Contemplation of Duo, and missing his affectionate friendship was one thing. Obsessing about his habits was another. And since when did he know what Duo would have been doing?

Being angry with himself held the memories at bay, and soon Wufei drifted to sleep. There, he dreamed of indigo eyes, wide smiles and comforting embraces.

Duo would have laughed delightedly.

~Owari~