Duo closed his eyes against the tears, leaning back against the cold brick wall. He felt like he couldn't breathe, his throat clogged by the shards of his broken heart. He'd been shattered, unknowingly, by his best friend. Heero would never know that he'd just killed Duo inside. He'd never know the debilitating pain that he'd just consigned Duo to for the rest of his life.

He choked down a burning breath and started walking toward HQ as the rain began to pour. Une had offered him a very dangerous mission; the chances of him coming out alive were less than ten percent. She'd given him a week to think it over, the deadline being the next day. He'd been thinking of how to ask Heero his feelings, but after tonight, he knew he'd be taking the mission.

So what if he didn't come back; Heero had Relena now, he didn't need Duo anymore.

"I'll take the mission, Une." Her eyes were wide with surprised as she stared at him. He resembled a drowned rat at this point; his suit jacket had been dropped in a dumpster on the way leaving him in a soaked white dress shirt, black pants, and his hair dripping down his back from where it had come out of its braid. He hoped she didn't notice his red-rimmed eyes; he'd never admit to having stopped to cry.

"Are you sure Maxwell; the chances of success are less than ten percent and the possibility of you surviving in less than fifteen. I need to know that you're up to this or it will cause more harm than good." Her eyes were filled with concern.

"He won't be taking it, Lady Une." The words were cold and hard, daring either to protest. They both turned to see the soaked form of Heero Yuy standing in the doorway, eyes glinting dangerously.

"I will be taking the mission, Lady Une." Duo's voice was devoid of any emotion, his face blank. That didn't stop Heero from seeing the dead look in his eyes.

"No he won't. He's going to be coming with me and explaining what made him decide to take a suicide mission. Then he's going to explain it to Trowa, Wufei, and Quatre." Heero's face had adopted his glare, the glare that scared just about anyone into submission, Une being one of the many to succumb to its might. He strode forward and grabbed Duo by the arm, pulling him from the room. Duo didn't fight; he was numb at this point inside and out.

Heero all but dragged him down the hall and into their shared office; the room was soundproofed and had no means of being watched. He shut and locked the door after pushing Duo in.

"Explain," he bit out. His anger was palpable. Duo met his eyes and what he saw worried him. What was normally mischief filled amethyst was now dull and almost lifeless. Heero felt some of his anger fade as he took a moment to look Duo over. His best friend looked horrible; his hair was dripping down his back, his entire body completely soaked, and his eyes were red from crying. Heero was stunned at that revelation; he'd never known Duo to cry.

"I was offered a mission by Une almost a week ago. It was a mission suited to my skillset more so than anyone else in the Preventers. The chances of me coming out alive are less than ten percent, and the success rate is even lower. I've looked over the file; her calculations are wrong. She wouldn't have offered it to me if she had done the math herself." Duo began to pace at this point, eyes trained anywhere but Heero.

"At first, I wasn't even considering the idea of accepting. I don't do missions with odds under thirty percent. Une knows this, which is why she was so reluctant to bring it to my attention. After tonight though, I decided to take the mission." Duo's shoulders slumped down, arms rising to cross over his chest protectively.

"What could make you consider taking a suicide mission," Heero asked.

"I found out that I have no chance at all with the person I love more than life. I've loved them since before the war started in earnest. I love them more than anything in this world. I'm broken now, Heero. I have nothing left to live for now. Quatre has Trowa and Wufei, you have Relena. No one needs me anymore." Tears had begun streaming down his face.

"What do you mean 'I have Relena'? I loathe that woman. She is the last person I would ever turn to for anything, let alone the status of my lo-best friend." He had nearly slipped up. He'd nearly said the thing he'd wanted to say for over a year. Duo's eyes glinted as he caught the slip, hope surging in his chest.

"I saw you two kissing Heero," Duo's eyes dulled again as the memory played in his mind once more.

"She forced herself on me once again. I set her straight this time because I pulled my gun and threatened to arrest her for sexual harassment if she does it again."

"I don't understand." Duo didn't. He wanted to know if Heero returned his feelings. He didn't want to hurt anymore.

"Sore o fakku (Fuck it)" Heero said as he strode forward and pulled Duo into a breathtaking kiss. Duo's arms moved to wrap around Heero's neck, while Heero's wrapped around his waist. It wasn't gentle; it was lips and teeth and passion. It was the desire they felt for each other, the frustration at so many incorrect assumptions, and their impatience to have each other. They kissed until lack of oxygen drove them to separate.

"Aishiteru," Heero murmured as he rested his forehead against Duo's.

"I love you too, Hee-chan."