Category: Angst, AU
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4
Rating: R (?)
Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.
Notes: This takes place in a world of my own making, where things can and are twisted into strange things. So what doesn't seem possible is. There are M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.
Twisted Fates Part ThreeBy SilverLady
A cold wind was blowing through the trees as Duo walked up to the stream. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees and now lay broken and forgotten on the ground. It was how Duo felt at times. Especially today.
He sighed as he sank to the ground, pulling his knees up to his chest and hugging them tightly.
Why does it still hurt so much?
Burying his face in the hollow of his legs, he struggled to hold the tears back.
It was growing dark when Heero approached his place. He needed a few minutes in the quiet solitude to gather his thoughts.
He froze when he realized there was already some one sitting under the tree. Who?
He relaxed when he recognized the long braid of hair trailing down the figure's back.
Why can't he find someplace else to go? Heero huffed angrily as he walked over to where Duo was sitting. He did notice that Duo seemed to be curled up on himself, not in his usual sprawled position.
"Why are you here today?" Heero demanded as he sat down.
Duo didn't even look at him. If fact, he didn't even acknowledge his presence.
Heero frowned. Something was definitely wrong here.
After several minutes of silence from the braided boy Heero was growing a little worried. He hadn't admitted it, even to himself, but he found the boy's ceaseless chatter comforting. Here was someone who was willing to talk to him as an equal, not as someone who could get something for him. Silence from the boy was…. Wrong.
"What's the matter?" Heero finally asked, turning to look at Duo.
"Nothing," came the muffled reply.
Heero could hear the tears in Duo's voice, tears he was obviously fighting. "I believe you told me once it helps sometimes to talk to a disinterested party."
Duo looked up at him, his eyes sad and red-rimmed. "It's nothing," he choked out.
Heero reached over and brushed a finger across Duo's cheek. "You've been crying."
Duo jerked his head away. "No," he denied vehemently, scrubbing at his eyes with his fist. "Boys don't cry."
"Then you've got something in your eyes, because they're watering badly."
Duo blinked at Heero in surprise. "You really want to know."
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
Duo stared off into the growing darkness. "Today is the day my mother died," he whispered softly.
Heero looked at him for a minute. "I'm sorry," he finally said. "Did you go and visit her grave?" He knew that it was a tradition in this city to make a pilgrimage to the gravesite of loved ones on the date of their deaths, to pay respect and to remember.
"She doesn't have one. Neither does my father. We didn't have the money to pay for a grave. They were taken away and burned." Duo buried his head back in his arms. "Like unwanted trash."
Heero was quiet for several minutes. It seemed wrong that Duo had no way to honor his parents' memories. Suddenly he rose to his feet and ran off.
Duo sighed as he listened to Heero's retreating footsteps. He wasn't really surprised that he left so abruptly. It wasn't as if he cared about him or his problems.
It took Heero nearly half an hour to find the things he needed and return to the park. He was relieved to see Duo still sitting where he'd left him.
With a slight huff he sat down next to Duo. "Here," he said, shoving a package roughly at Duo.
Duo looked down at it. "What?"
"Open it."
Slowly Duo opened the package. Inside was what appeared to be a small boat with two candles placed in it. "What?" he asked again.
"In my country there is a day each year when we remember those who have passed on. We light candles and float them down the river, to honor and to remember. Since you have no place to visit your parents, I figured this would be a good way for you to do the same."
Duo looked down at the small boat in his hands, then at Heero. Slowly a smile crossed his face. "Thank you."
Heero nodded briskly. "Everyone needs a way to honor their family." With that he produced a small box of matches and handed them to Duo. "It's only right that you light the candles."
Duo took the matches with a hand that trembled slightly. After carefully striking one he light the first candle. "James Andrew Maxwell," he whispered, remembering the large boisterous man that had been his father. He'd always felt safe with him, feeling that his father's large hands and larger heart could keep everything bad away. He remembered the smell of smoke that surrounded his father when he came home from working the forge and the way he would laugh as he threw his son up into the air as a greeting. He also remembered the gentle way he would stroke his mother's hair with a soft look in his eyes. And he remembered the shattered man who had watched as his beloved wife slipped away from him. "I love you, Dad and I miss you. Be happy with Mom."
Then he lit the second candle. "Angelina Catherine Maxwell," he said, an image of a golden haired delicate woman rising in his mind. His mother had always seemed so fragile to him, with her slender hands and gentle voice. He remembered her telling him stories as she brushed his hair or firmly admonishing him for his misdemeanors. He could still hear her as she taught him about letters and numbers, determined that her son would get the education she felt he deserved. And he remembered her softly whispered goodbye, the final words he'd ever heard her say.
Slowly he bowed his head and let the tears fall. It had been so long and yet he still ached for missing them.
Carefully he set the boat into the water and watched as it floated down the small creek. "Until we meet again someday."
He didn't even move when he felt the firm hand that came to rest on his shoulder. He stood for what seemed like forever, watching as the little boat with it's softly glowing candles disappeared into the night.
Finally he looked at Heero. "Thank you," he said softly.
Heero nodded. "It was my honor."
Duo cocked his head to one side and smiled slightly. "Don't worry. I won't tell."
Heero shook his head but said nothing.
