Okay so here we are! the next Color Collection addition! Dedicated to Rein-Kun and StandingOnTheRooftops and my good friends Tro and Fei! Here you are my dears! I hope you enjoy!

Black Death - TheManBehind-TheJokersMask

Heero watched from the bed as Duo undressed for bed. His eyes followed his pale hands as the slowly dragged the black over shirt off his shoulders. His eyes moved over all the black. He frowned as hands went to hem of the black tank top, pulling it from the lean, muscular frame.

"You know," Heero stated, gaining Duo's attention. "I've always wondered what your odd obsession with the color black is about. It's almost as if you're in mourning for something."

Duo looked back over his shoulder at Heero. "I am 'Ro." He chuckled darkly. "Remember what I told you about my past?" His voice dropped into a whisper. Heero saw Violet eyes darken and instantly knew that Duo was thinking about how the Church had been destroyed and how his entire gang was wiped out by the plague.

"Everyone that I have *ever* LOVED has died. They've died and I'm always the only one left standing." Duo whispered brokenly. "Death follows me and claims everyone I love. So I mourn for them the only way I can." One hand absently touched the cross and the other gripped the black tank.

Heero's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Duo Maxwell." He growled, making the other jump at the fierce tone.

Duo turned to face him hesitantly. "Y-yeah?"

"You claim that you love me, correct?" Heero ground out.

Duo's eyes widened. "I don't claim to do anything. I *KNOW* I love you." He hissed.

Heero's glare turned into a pained look. "Yet here I stand. I'm still standing and you love me. How can say that *everyone* you love dies, when I'm standing before you as living proof?"

Duo's features crumpled into one of hurt and contemplation before he turned his back to Heero. Heero bit the inside of his cheek when Duo remained silent and stood facing away from him, arms wrapped around his frame tightly. With a long sigh he slid from the bed, grabbing a pillow and blanket, and headed out the door.

Heero lay on the couch, in the dark, thinking. Duo still hadn't come out of their room yet and it had been hours since that little incident. Frowning, he shifted on the couch again. Tonight was going to be a long one. He thought bitterly.

~A few hours later~

Heero sighed and rolled over. Again. He sat up slowly and twisted on the couch, bracing his arms on his knees and placing his head in his hands. He stood after a few moments of silence and ambled back down the dark hallway, into their room.

He leaned against the door jam and looked at the bed. Duo was face down in his (Heero's) pillow, one hand wrapped around the cross the other gripping a picture frame.

Frowning he moved toward the bed. He blinked rapidly upon seeing which picture it was.

He snorted and shook his head, carefully removing the frame from his hand, placing it on the night stand. With another sigh, he dropped a blanket across Duo's form and shuffled out of the room.

He sat on the couch heavily and waited for morning to come. Only when morning came, would he see how much damage was done.

~END~

Okay here we go! The newest addition of the Color Collection! Here we are! *Grins* hope you enjoyed it! Let me know by clicking that button down there. Yeah you know the one, the one that says REVIEW! LOL thanks! Oh and do tell me what your personal thoughts on the picture is...what picture do you all think he was clutching? Heehee let me know!

~TMBTJM