A/N: I think I'm gonna get killed for something like this by all my dutiful readers. I have two that I promised to finish for this fandom: Come Together, and Treading Through Troubled Waters. It's a shame. But be thankful that my juices are running at an all time sensible, now.

This fic here is something sporadic, really. So have fun reading it.

CHAPTER ZERO …of only who knows how many. ^^;

Duo rolled over in the protective shell of Heero's arms, sighing as he took in the other man's countenance. Handsome features were relaxed in peaceful slumber, lips slightly parted to partially reveal pearly whites. His hair splayed across the pillow in a sort of fan-like manner. The Japanese shifted slightly to accommodate Duo's new position and settled into a deeper slumber.

Duo wrested an arm out of the other's hold and let his fingers ghost across his lover's face, memorizing again the feel of golden skin, the firm lips that battled with his often, eyelids that fluttered ever so slightly under his touch… Duo felt his heart break little by little, throat constricting at the thought that one night it may be his last to indulge in something that he was careful not to take for granted. Every morning he would hold his breath, heart leaden everytime he sat in front of the computer at work. He would have to remind himself to breathe as he would peruse his inbox, force his body to remain relaxed lest Heero should notice and ask any questions. Morning after morning was hellish, watching his entire life with the man he loved flash before his eyes… Only to heave a supremely grateful sigh of immense relief to see it absent. And he would continue the day, living every moment to the fullest because that day may very well be the last he can.

Duo's breath hitched involuntarily and he froze, feeling Heero shift at the disturbance.

"Shh, love," the former Wing pilot murmured. "It's alright…"

Duo strangled a sob that threatened to escape. All of this…gone with just the appearance of four words. It was beginning to drag him down. It was nearing the year of his twenty first birthday, and by then, his life which was signed away by another would cease as he knew it.

Holy God…

Duo couldn't take it any longer but waited for Heero to settle, carefully keeping his own breathing slow and measured to lull the other's sixth sense. Warily, he watched Heero's face as he meticulously detangled himself from the other man's arms. With one last cursory glance, he left for the bathroom. He immediately grimaced at the light's assault on his eyes and he closed the door behind him quietly. He leant against the door and ran an hand tiredly over his face.

"Shit," he breathed, feeling his entire body lose its strength. Wearily, Duo moved with heavy steps to the sink and the mirror above it. Looking back at him was a man waiting death, torn between battling to save the little that he had and resigning to the fate that had been sealed a long time ago. His eyes were bloodshot, the colors actually clashing and giving him an overly jaded look. Hell, he felt like life beat him beyond recognition, ate him, threw him up, re-enjoyed him and shit him out.

The vision before him blurred and he closed his eyes against the dizzy spell that overtook him. He was exhausted, and it was beginning to show. There were slight shadows under his eyes; he'd have to wear at work that face-powder that he kept hidden quite well. But what he wanted was just one night to sleep peacefully, without the mind blowing sex.

Duo smiled ruefully. It took being extremely intimate with the one person that was going to be ripped away from him in order to sleep like nothing was ever wrong in the first place. Life sucked.

Duo turned on the cold tap and splashed some liberally over his face before letting it run. Leaning some of his weight on the porcelain bowl, he looked at the running water, eyes blank. It was strange. His life was just like how this faucet worked: it would put forth everything it can, but in the end, it would all just end up going down, down, down the drain.

He didn't know just how long he was standing there, just watching water swim down a dark hole and he started considerably when warm arms surrounded his very cold middle. His eyes were beginning to slip closed just before then.

"Heero?" He mumbled, tiredly straightening as he heard the water stop.

Heero responded by lodging his chin at the juncture where Duo's right jaw met his shoulder. "What's wrong, love?"

I don't know, Duo thought miserably. I'm scared out of my mind; life's sucking immensely; I'm about to lose you sooner than I think; I'm too afraid to go to sleep for morning to come quicker than it should; I'm damned tired.

"I can't sleep," he settled for. It pretty much covered everything in its entirety.

"Bad dream?" Heero quietly led Duo out of the bathroom, flicking off the light.

Duo thought about the question. "Not really. Just a lot on my mind." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry I woke you."

Heero closed the bedroom door behind them and steered the braided man toward the bed. "You didn't," he placated the American, laying him down and covering them both with the sheets. "Do you want to talk?"

Duo shifted to rest his head against Heero's chest and let his eyes fall to a close, his last sight being the neon numbers of the alarm clock: 3:15 a.m. "No," he murmured. "It's nothing."

Nothing you can do about it.

There was a moment of silence before a whispered acquiescence to his silent plea to be left alone. Duo fell into an uneasy sleep at the feathered touch of lips to his forehead.

Morning drew nigh.

A/N: Yes, you are free to kill me, now. Why, you ask? It's because I've already gotten your curiosity hiked and there's the very large possibility that this may not be updated. Yes, you just read that. I'm terribly sorry. It's almost identical to Compromised Vitality but too bad. I couldn't get past Heero's Fluster Cluster in the fifth chapter there, and so I left it alone. As for this, titled: Rift, review and I'll actually continue this. Yes, I said it. I need reviews. At least to know that some people hadn't abandoned me (even if they are entirely of the right to do so).