Duo walked quickly to reach Hilde's apartment. He was late again; not good. She seemed to be so sad whenever he was late or forgot to call her or return her messages. As if she felt he didn't have time to love her or something; and as if she would accept it.
So he ran up the steps, and was out of breath by the time he reached her small room.
He never bothered to knock and so just walked in. "Honey – I'm home!" He yelled, a bright smile on his face and a joking tone in his voice – as always. His smile melted away quickly when he didn't see Hilde waiting for him on her favorite chair.
"Hey, Hilde babe, sorry I'm late!" He called out, going towards her room. He smiled affectionately when he found her lying down with her back to him on the single bed. She looked so petite and cute, all curled up.
"I'm really sorry babe. Forgive me? 'Cause I was really looking forward to partying hard over at that nightclub." He sat down and put a hand on her shoulder. He recoiled immediately; shocked at how cold she was. Understanding overcame him in a wave of nausea as he sickly turned her over and stared into dead eyes.
"Oh God."
Duo felt his head spin for one dizzying moment. When everything cleared he realized the reason he still couldn't see right was because tears were blurring his vision. "You can't be dead, Hilde, babe." He said softly, gently tracing her cheek bone down to her stubborn jaw, feeling her cold lips. "I'm the God of Death, I won't let you die. I'm the God of Death. You can't die, I won't allow it. I won't let you, I'll-"
Duo exploded, jumped off the bed screaming as he slammed his fist through her plaster wall. He yelled and screamed in outrage, kicking holes into the walls and throwing himself against them. He finally collapsed in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably on the bed next to her. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him, crying on her shoulder. "I won't let you die." He whimpered. "I'm the God of Death and I forbid you to die."
For hours he lay there next to her, sobbing wildly and whispering how she was forbidden to die. Slowly he calmed down; his breathing slowed, his tears subsided, he stopped whispering, and he sat up slowly as he wiped his eyes. Staring at her body, he saw past it to a piece of paper taped to the wall.
Knowing what it was, he reached for it and read Hilde's note slowly.
I'm not sorry I had to leave; but I'm sorry if I hurt anyone. I probably won't though; I'm just in the way. I'm unimportant next to Duo. He says he loves me, but he shouldn't. I don't deserve him. He's too good for some forgotten child pilot. I've been outshined by him, but he's too stubborn to leave me. So I have to leave him, and if I have to leave him, I want to leave everything. I don't want to live without him, but I see how I don't deserve him. He deserves someone better. I hope you find someone worthy of you, Duo. Please just forget me.
Love always,
Hilde
Duo let out a painful sob. The pain in his chest clutched at his heart and he let out a throat-tearing scream. "It was my fault." The realization sent sharp pains through his chest and stomach. For a moment he thought he couldn't breathe; thought he would suffocate.
Then he slowly unclenched his fists, slowly raised his head and took in a sharp breath. Hands shaking, he lifted himself up off her bed. He brought a blanket up around her and tucked it up to her chin. Then Duo walked out of the room, wondering who he needed to call to set up a memorial. Last wish or not, Hilde would not be forgotten.