Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. The plots are.

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Notes:

* Warnings: Hurt, Angst. May need tissues.

* Reviews welcome!

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World: TAG.

Title: Canvas.

Day 1. A photograph in his hand and an empty canvas in front. He had intended to paint it. To bring the potential he saw in the photo to life. But, how could he? Not now. Not when… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 4. He held the picture tightly. 7 days ago, he had decided to paint it. But why did he have to choose this photograph? Why this one? Had it been a warning? No! It had simply been his favourite! His hand reached out for a pencil. But he couldn't bring himself to pick it up… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 25. Covered in paint for the first time in 27 days. But not because of this canvas, this one remains white, blank, void of the life he had intended to draw and paint… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 28. Holding the drawing in one hand. Pencil shaking in the other as it presses against the canvas. Lead breaks. Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 31. Sitting down. The picture in his hand. Anger brewing inside. It had been a month and nothing! But he couldn't lose it. he had to keep it together. He needs to be strong for them... Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 35. Staring intently at the blank canvas. Photo in one hand and a pencil in the other. He begins to draw the image. The alarm sounds for a mission… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 45. Staring at the canvas. The drawing finally complete. But it wasn't alive. He needed to paint it to do that. He picked up the photograph. Looked at the colours he needed to use. But he couldn't. Not today. Not when he was still… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 60. 2 Months. It had only been 2 months! Yet the GDF had given up. Stopped helping in the search. How could they do that? When he was still out there, lost to them all. He picked the photograph up. 'Where are you?' He thought... Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day.

Day 75. The paint flowing onto canvas. Bringing the image to life. He was alive, he had to keep believing. He wouldn't, he couldn't give up. Placing the paint brush down. He glanced at the photograph that lay in front. He picked it up and smiled. The painting was complete it just needed his signature. But if he signed it. Would that mean he was giving up? He couldn't sign it. Not yet… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day

Day 80. He picked up the photo. The one that he had brought to life on the canvas in front of him. The one that wasn't complete until he sighed his name. But he couldn't sign it. Not today… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 90. The painting in front of him. The photo in his hand and a pencil in his other. He couldn't do it, he couldn't sign it… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away. Maybe another day!

Day 100. 100 days. Hid dad had been gone 100 days! He picked the canvas up in his arms. He wanted to smash it. To take the rage he was feeling out on something. But he couldn't. He was the glue. The one that held them all together. But who would be his glue? Who would stick him back together if he fell apart? He put the canvas down. And picked up the photo that he had painted. A picture of his mom and dad. They were sitting together, arms wrapped tightly around each other. 'I'll keep being the glue.' He said to them. He picked up a pencil and signed his name… Sighing, he placed the photograph down and walked away… He would show his dad when he was back… He would come back… But that would be another day!