Gundam Wing doesn't belong to me.

Finally, the end is in sight…  This is the last chapter.  I hope you enjoy.

This fic contains angst, shounen ai, and possibly cursing.

Giving Away an Angel – Part 13

By Shinigami no Kamikaze

Quatre had never seen Duo so… so… timid as he had been in the last week.  The worst of it appeared to be over, but there were still so may pieces left to pick up.  Duo had been hurt and betrayed so many times… 

But Quatre was determined to change things for Duo, so Duo wouldn't have to isolate himself anymore.. to hide anymore.. to be afraid anymore…

"I want to see him."

The statement had come from out of nowhere.  "See who?" Quatre asked.

"Heero.  I want to talk to him."

Trowa shot up in alarm.  Duo was doing so well… he didn't want Heero to undo all that Quatre had managed to accomplish…

"Duo, I don't think that's such a good idea…" Quatre said, worry leaking into his voice.

"I need to see him, Quatre," Duo's violet eyes were pleading silently with the blonde, "The Heero that… that put me here… and the one I found in that hospital room… they aren't the same one."

Quatre frowned, "Duo… Sometimes abusers can seem repentant, but—"

"Two years together, Quatre.  We were together two years.  He never raised a hand against me, even if I deserv—"

"Duo…" Quatre warned gently.

"…you're right." Duo said weakly, "I didn't mean that.  What I mean is we had our fights.  He pissed me off, I pissed him off...  In all that time, he never lay his hands on me with violent intentions.  I mean… I… I just need to see him."

Quatre sighed softly.  Duo was still vulnerable, still hurting.  Heero could still hurt him so badly using only words…  But he saw the need in Duo's amethyst eyes.  What was he supposed to do?  "Can't it wait until you're stronger?"

"I can't get the memory out of my mind… I can't get rid of the look in his eyes when was going to..." Duo closed his eyes and looked away before the tears had a chance to surface.  "…I don't want to have to see it any more." 

Silence lingered for a few moments.  Finally, Quatre conceded, "I'll mention it to Wufei.  But I wouldn't get your hopes up." 

Trowa leaned in the doorway and crossed his arms with frustration.  Well, at least he knew Wufei would never agree to it….

Duo's eyes shyly made their way back up to meet the blonde's.  "Thanks, Quatre… I know you don't want me to.  But thank you."

Quatre smiled softly, "Anything for you, Duo."

---

"Absolutely not." Wufei said angrily, "I'm surprised you'd even ask such a thing."

"Well, why not?" Quatre said, trying to keep his tone even.  He didn't much care for the idea himself, but he knew Duo wouldn't let go of this.

"There are a million reasons…" Wufei paused, to think of one specifically. "Duo's a witness.  Can't let him and the suspect together.  Can't risk Heero influencing him or threatening him."

"That would make sense, if Heero was a suspect.  But you have a formalized confession from him on all charges.  There isn't going to be a trial, because he's not fighting the charges."

Wufei whipped around to face Quatre, irritation in his voice, "You can't think this is a good idea, either!  Why do I have to explain my decision to you?"

"You're right.  I don't think it's a good idea.  I think it's a terrible idea.  But Duo believes he can't let this go until he talks to Heero, and as long as he thinks that, he isn't going to let it go, he'll just let it eat at him, and I can't allow that."

"No," Wufei insisted.

"Fine," Quatre said, "You tell him."

"What?"

"You explain to him why you won't let him see Heero.  You explain to him why you don't trust his judgment."

Hesitating, Wufei said, "But… it's not his judgment I don't trust, it's just he's.. confused.. right now."

"Fine.  Tell him that."

Wufei frowned slightly, "I don't want to undermine his confidence."

Quatre's eyes narrowed slightly, "Whether you explicitly tell him or not, he's going to get the same message from you.  He's not stupid.  So you might as well be open about it."

Wufei considered it for a minute.  "You're sure this is the best thing?"

"Not in the least," Quatre replied honestly.

Scowling, Wufei finally said, "Fine.  A short visit.  If anything happens you or I don't like… one wrong look, a breath out of place… it ends.  I will talk to Yuy beforehand," there was a dangerous glint in his eyes, "and make sure he is on his best behavior."

Quatre nodded, and they went their separate ways.

---

Duo bit his lip, fidgeting with his hands, unable to hide his anxiety.

Quatre knelt down in front of the wheelchair so he could look Duo straight in the eyes, "Are you sure you want to do this, Duo?  We can call it off right now, if you want to.  You don't have to do this."

Duo shook his head slightly, despite the aching it still made him feel.  "That's where you're wrong, Quatre.  Please, let's get this over with."

"Don't force yourself…"  Quatre stopped when he saw Duo was going to insist no matter what he said.  "Remember, you can end it at any time."

"Yeah, Quatre, you've told me."

With one last sigh, Quatre went to wheel Duo out of the room and out to the elevator.  Duo hated the wheelchair with a passion, but, remembering his last trip to Heero's room, he decided that it was probably a good idea.

As they got near, Duo saw Wufei standing outside Heero's door, looking generally unhappy.  He felt bad for making every so upset… but they couldn't understand… 

Heero's two regular guards stood further down the hall, out of immediate earshot, but only seconds away.  Both Quatre and Wufei were armed and would be acting as the guards for this visitation.  Unbeknownst to them, Trowa was also there, ready to defend Duo if it came to that.

Finally, they arrived.  Afternoon sun filtered through the thin hospital curtains.  Duo could see the bruising across Heero's face so much clearer in the light, and he could see the restraints.  Despite what Heero had done, Duo didn't like seeing him like that.  Heero wasn't looking directly at Duo; he seemed to be looking everywhere but.

"Heero…" Duo began softly, "…you never answered me."

"I don't know how.." Heero murmured, sounding so unusually meek.

"Look at me and try… please, God, Heero, try…"

Heero's eyes rose slowly to meet the violet depths of Duo's.  "I… I was afraid.  So afraid.  It started when I saw you with Quatre… and it just built and built.  When you said you were leaving, I was terrified.  I'd never felt that before.  All those times, in the war, when I put my life at stake… never did I feel terror like this.  I was going to be alone.  I knew I was going to be alone.  And, in that moment, I just couldn't take it.  I lost control… all I could think… all I could think… was of making you stop." Duo watched as the tears made their way down Heero's face.  Never, in all their time together, had he seen Heero cry…

"I… It was like someone else was in control of me…  I watched as I did those horrible things to you…  I … oh, God, Duo, I'm sorry.  I know it doesn't change anything, but I am.  I never meant.. I never wanted this… I'd do anything to take it back.  I'll do anything to make it easier for you."

Though he promised himself he wouldn't shed any tears, Duo felt the warm trail of wetness begin at the corners of his eyes.  "Why didn't you trust me? I—" Duo's voice cracked, "I.. I would have come back!"

Heero looked away ashamed, and Quate said gently to Duo, "Maybe it's time we left.."

"…My parents never came back for me."

Everyone looked at Heero.

"…They left me to be raised by Odin.  They said they'd come back for me.  They lied."

There was dead silence.  Duo whispered, "Heero…" under his breath so softly Trowa thought he was the only one to hear it.

"I'm dropping the charges."

The room erupted.  "What?!" Wufei cried at the same time Quatre said, "Duo, are you sure..?" while Trowa shouted vainly, "That doesn't make what he did right!"  Heero just looked back up at Duo in shock.

"Duo, maybe you should think this over more.." Quatre started to say.

"Don't do this because you feel sorry for him.." Wufei began.

"I have thought about it," Duo said with anger.  "I've been thinking of it."

"Duo—"

"Let me finish!" Duo said, still blinking the tears away from his eyes.  Everyone fell silent again.

He looked directly at Heero.  "Quatre told me you confessed, and that you tried to kill yourself.  You told me you'd do anything to make it 'easier' for me.  You could have escaped when that guard was away, but you didn't.

"You want to be punished, Heero, because you think that'll make it right.  Well—" Duo choked on a sob, "..N..nothing will make what you did to me right."  Quatre gripped Duo's shoulder gently, supportively, tears threatening to spill from his own eyes.  Duo had come so far...

"Looking at you know, I know you'll punish yourself worse for this than I ever could... and I think it'll keep you from doing it to anyone else ever again…  God help me if I'm wrong…"  Tears flowed freely down Duo's face, and he looked down at his lap.

"I don't want to see you anymore, Heero.  Not now.  Maybe someday… maybe never…  But not now," Duo's voice was just a thread above a whisper.  He reached up and squeezed the hand Quatre had put on his shoulder.  Quatre didn't need too hear Duo say it; he turned with Duo and left the room.  Trowa trailed behind them silently, finding no words to say that had not been said, knowing that no one could hear him, anyway.

"Duo is wiser than I would have given him credit for," Wufei said softly before looking back at Heero's tear streaked face.  Seeing Heero so devastated… any desire Wufei had to hurt him dried up and left.  He still hated what Heero'd done, but Duo had been right.  Heero had hurt himself with what he'd done, and it was something he could never escape.  Wufei almost felt pity for him.  Almost.

"Yuy, if you do anything to hurt him again or betray the confidence he's shown in you today…"

Wufei stopped when Heero turned his gaze toward him, looking almost relieved to hear Wufei's threat.  "I wouldn't expect any less from you."

---

Duo had cried himself to sleep again the night of his visit with Heero, but Quatre was right there by his side to comfort him.  He stayed by Duo's side at all times.

Another week passed before the hospital would sign Duo's release papers.  The American was still weak, and he would still have pain medication to take regularly, but he was going home…

But, Duo realized, he didn't have a home anymore.

He was oddly silent the morning of his release. 

"What's wrong?"  Quatre asked.  These past two weeks, he'd learned to read Duo as easily as he could Trowa.  …Trowa… for once, Quatre realized, the thought of his late lover didn't make him want to collapse into tears.  There was still a sadness, but the wound was no longer raw on his heart…

"I have no where to go," Duo said with the heartbreaking despair Quatre thought he'd finally chased from the American's soul.  "Everything was in Heero's name…  I couldn't go back there, anyway."

"Duo, you didn't think I'd just leave you outside the hospital, did you?"

The way Duo suddenly took an interest in the hospital sheets, effectively dodging Quatre's line of sight, showed that Duo'd been thinking exactly that.  He should have guessed Duo would be anxious about this.  There were times Duo seemed so much better, that it was easy for Quatre to forget how fragile Duo's ego was, that he was struggling to rebuild his self-confidence...

"I will not abandon you.  How many times have I told you that?"

Duo didn't say anything, but he felt ashamed for doubting Quatre.

"I'm taking you back with me.  You can stay with me for as long as you need, unless there's somewhere else…?"

"No… I'll stay with you."  Duo just barely managed to save himself from saying 'I want to stay with you.'  "Thank you, Quatre… thank you so much… for everything…"

Quatre's smile held a hint of sadness, "You were welcome anytime, Duo.  I just wish it hadn't taken all this for you to discover that."

---

Duo tried to hide the wince, but Quatre caught it.

"Are you sure you're alright, Duo?"  Quatre was swiftly discovering Duo was an expert at hiding more than just his real emotions.

"I'll make it." Duo insisted.

"Yes, I don't doubt that, but will you make it unhurt?"

"I have to push myself some if I'm going to get stronger."

"But you'll hurt yourself if you go too far, you found that out already.  Besides, there are plenty of rooms downstairs, Duo.  And stop dodging my question."

Duo rolled his eyes.  Quatre missed it.  Trowa didn't.  "I am fine, okay?  And you'd have to move one of the servants out to get me in a room down there.  I don't want to bother them."

"I'm sure they'd understand…" Quatre started to say.

"Well, it's rather pointless now," interrupted Duo with a slight hint of pride, "Seeing as I'm at the top now."

Quatre was trailing just a step behind him, ready to help Duo if he needed it, and to catch him if he faltered.  Then the blonde came around to Duo's side to help him support his weight.

"Is this really necessary?" Duo said with a hint of exasperation.

"You're lucky I'm letting you do this.  You're supposed to stay mostly to the wheelchair."

"Hmph."  But Duo didn't resist Quatre's help as he led him to his new room.  The blonde opened the door, and deposited Duo on the bed.  No one was coming with luggage.  Duo didn't have any. 

Duo sighed softly as his eyes ran over the room.  It was huge.  This was a guest room?  It had been awhile since he'd stayed with Quatre, he'd forgotten how much space there was.  Maybe he'd gotten too used to the cramped hospital room, but this room just seemed too …impersonal.  It made him feel small in it.  Alone.

He lay down against the pillows as Quatre bought over the phone from the dresser to the night stand, by the bed.  At least the bed was more comfortable than the hospital's.  The sheets were even silk.  Nice.

"If you need anything, just hit nine.  They can get in touch with me, or get you something to eat, or anything else you need."

"Yeah.." Duo said distantly, suddenly exhausted.  Going up those stairs was more work than it had seemed at the time…

Quatre smiled, "Then I'll leave you to get some rest." 

"You don't have to go," Duo said more quickly than he'd meant.  He didn't want to sound needy.  Quatre had already done so much for him… more than he deserved.

Quatre saw it in his eyes.  The doubt.  "I don't have anything I need to do."

"That's a lie," Duo said softly.

"I don't have anything more important to do."

Duo thought that probably wasn't true either, but he didn't like calling Quatre a liar, so he let it go.  Besides, his eyelids were so heavy… and the bed was pretty soft… without so much as a thought more, Duo was out.

A smile graced the blonde's face.  The bruises had mostly disappeared from Duo's face, and, without them, he looked to be peaceful at last.  He was so beautiful, the chestnut mane framing his heart shaped face perfectly…  Quatre looked away.  He should slip out while Duo slept.

Just as Quatre reached for the doorknob, he heard the soft whimper.  He turned, and he saw the serene scene had been shattered by the grimace written across Duo's delicate features.  With another soft cry, Duo turned in the bed restlessly. 

Trowa saw Quatre's shock.  He'd forgotten the blonde hadn't seen Duo in the throws of nightmares before.  The medication… the medication Duo was on had changed.

The blonde looked torn.  He wanted to help Duo, but something was holding him back, something he wasn't even conscious of.  Trowa stepped beside his love and whispered, "Go to him, Quatre… he needs you more than I do…"

Quatre turned back, and went to Duo's side.  He didn't want to just wake Duo… in the end, the nightmare would just come back.  Instead, he crawled in beside the boy and took his weakly thrashing form in his arms, holding him gently, whispering to him soothingly.  After 10 or so minutes, Duo began to calm down, his breaths evening out.  At that point, Quatre planned to slip quietly out, but it had been so long since he'd slept in a bed that the second he relaxed he was fast asleep…

Trowa looked down at his two sleeping treasures.  He wondered if…  well, there might not be another opportunity like this one.  So he held out a hand above each of them, and reached.  Soon he was falling…

---

A grey expanse lay ahead of him, hazy in its quality.  Eyes drifting to his right, he saw a beach that only looked half finished… The sunset was there in its full glory, painting the sky in brilliant reds and golds, but the waters were sluggish and the sand was strangely lacking in its texture… and all at once he understood was staring into Quatre's dreamscape, as if a sense he hadn't known he had had detected the knowledge.  Turning to his left, he saw the dirty L2 streets he had last seen in Duo's nightmares, and he saw Duo staring straight back at him, confused.

"Trowa..?" Duo seemed to realize there was something not quite right with seeing Trowa standing in a hazy patch of… nothing… that separated the streets of the colony from the ocean.  However, thanks to the veils of a dreaming mind, he couldn't figure out what it was.

Trowa smiled softly at the American.  While the setting of Duo's dream was the same as that of his nightmares, they didn't seem to have him entangled at the moment.  He was even responding to Trowa's presence this time.

"Trowa!"  When Quatre had heard Duo's voice and his love's name, he turned and saw Trowa standing on the bridge between their two dreams.  No one, not even Quatre, could say for certain where he'd come from, exactly, but he stood on his half finished beach now, tears of joy in his eyes.

When Trowa turned his emerald eyes to meet his blonde angel, Quatre went sprinting forward to him.  Trowa did not have to say anything.  He caught his lover in his arms, and held him close.  Had it been so long since he'd last had the chance…?

Duo smiled sadly as he watched the reunion.  How he wished he had someone to hold him the way those two held each other...  But he didn't want to ruin their moment.  Silent as the Death he had named himself for, he retreated back into the expanse of buildings of his childhood home and let the lovers be.

Trowa allowed Quatre cling to him for awhile, hoping his appearance now wasn't going to a trigger a relapse into Quatre's former state.  At last, the blonde's grip relaxed.

"Quatre… I have some things to tell you.."

"So do I," Quatre said with a sudden shadow falling across his eyes.

Trowa's brow knitted with worry.  Had he missed something that was troubling his love while he watched over Duo?  "What is it…?"

"I… I…" Quatre started, new tears forming in his eyes to replace the ones borne of happiness.  "I think that …I have fallen in love with Duo…" The last was spoken so softly Trowa was scare he heard it.  Quatre's hand tightened around him, "I didn't mean for it to happen!"

Trowa's smile caught Quatre by surprise as one of his love's hands came to wipe the tears gently away from the edges of his eyes.  "And you thought that would upset me?"

Quatre's mouth moved, but no words came out as he looked up at Trowa's face with surprise.

Placing a finger over those soft lips, Trowa hushed the blonde's silent stuttering.  "I told you before, I only want you to be happy.  I don't want you to stop living out of some notion of being loyal to me."

"Besides…" Trowa breathed, "I love him, too…"

"Trowa..?"

Trowa's arms brought Quatre closer, "I don't love you any less, Quatre, don't think that—"

He was interrupted by Quatre's light laughter.  "Is that what you were worried about when I first saw you here?"

"First saw me..?"

Quatre looked up into Trowa's glittering eyes, "What a pair we are, afraid giving one another the same news…"

Trowa smiled a little, too, seeing the humor.  "Now there's just one question left…"

"What does he feel for us?" Quatre finished for him.

Trowa turned to look back where Duo had been standing, and Quatre followed his gaze.  But Duo wasn't there.  Just as they realized it, a soul piercing cry echoed from the abandoned L2.  There was no questioning its owner.

"Duo!" Trowa cried, cursing himself for having forgotten the American, too wrapped up worrying about how Quatre would react to his newfound love.  Immediately he sprinted headlong into the maze of torn and broken buildings, Quatre at his heels.

They ran as fast as their feet would carry them.  Softer cries that followed the first howl of pain directed their way, urging them on, faster and faster.  As they ran, the decayed buildings around them started straightening themselves out, their architecture and layout changing subtly until it wasn't the old streets of L2 they were running down anymore, but the street that Duo and Heero had lived on. 

Knowing exactly where he was going now, Trowa flew up the stairs of the apartment building like an avenging angel.  The door to the apartment shattered with Trowa's kick, and the scene he saw was one he had seen before; Duo was held broken, bleeding, against the wall, Heero's hands around his neck, cutting of his breath.  This time Trowa did not hesitate as he surged forward, tearing Heero from Duo, throwing him like a rag doll to the ground.  This time Quatre was there to catch Duo as he fell from Heero's grip.

The blonde held Duo as gently as he could against his chest, afraid to hurt him more.  Duo watched as Trowa jumped astride the Heero his memories had conjured and struck him again and again…

Blinking the tears from his eyes, Duo remembered.  He remembered the look in Heero's eyes, the cold dread when he knew Heero would kill him… and the faint memory, just before the darkness claimed him, of Heero being dragged down… taken down by a man who wasn't there.

"…it was you…" Duo whispered, eyes wide, "… it was you…"

The dream Heero literally dissolved underneath Trowa, and the green-eyed boy turned toward the sound of Quatre's soft words of comfort to see Duo's tear filled eyes.  "Duo…"

"But… but… you…. You died… you were dead… how..?  You… how could..?" Duo stammered.

Trowa sat on his knees in front of the still bleeding American, looking into the endless violet depths of Duo's eyes.  "I don't fully understand myself, but, Duo, I had to.  He would have…  When I got back to you, you weren't breathing… I managed to make you start again…"

Duo couldn't stand against Trowa's intense gaze, and he looked down at his hands…  He saw his own blood there… it dripped slowly down from his cheeks, raining down, drop after crimson drop.  "…Why.. save… me?"

"Do you still have to ask that question, Duo?" Quatre murmured softly in Duo's ear.

"Duo, there are countless reasons… you're so selfless, so kind… but, more than that, Duo…" Trowa reached out with hand, and Duo cringed.  But, ever so softly, he lay a finger under Duo's chin and pushed his gaze up.  "I love you."

Duo was speechless, and he stared at Trowa, not believing.  Trowa saw the uncertainty there, the doubt.  "Duo, I know what I am saying… And before you even can start thinking it again, I didn't die because of you.  It was only after I died… after I got the chance to watch you…  I saw you as never before.  Duo, if only hadn't been so blind in life!  If I'd only taken the time to have even gotten to know you outside of Deathscythe…. If I could do it all again…  I'm sorry.."

"No!  You and Quatre—"

"He's not the only one who loves you, Duo," the blonde said, watching Duo's face carefully for the reaction. 

The reaction was denial.  Duo couldn't accept it.  "No.. no… don't wanna be in the way… don't want you to.. to …. have to deal with me… no.." He said, eyes squeezing shut, as if he could make it all go away.  It wasn't that he didn't want their love… God, no… but, he cared too much to hurt what they had with his selfish needs and wants.  He didn't want to prevent them from having what he'd always dreamed of.

"You're not in the way, Duo, can't you see that?" Quatre was afraid Duo was going to close himself again.  Had they pushed him too fast?  "Duo, I need you; you mean as much to me as Trowa does."

Duo sobbed against Quatre's chest.  He wanted to believe it, oh God, he wanted to believe it…  But Quatre couldn't be serious.  He couldn't really mean it.  "No…no…no.." he kept repeating into the fabric of Quatre's shirt.  He couldn't tell them what he felt… he couldn't.

Duo felt another set of arms, ever careful of his wounds, wrap around his shaking form.  Duo opened his eyes and found himself embraced between the two. 

"Duo, you're not an outsider, and you're not alone… you'll never have to be alone again." Trowa told him softly.

"Don't…" Duo started.  Trowa drew back from him, looking slightly hurt, and Duo winced away.  He didn't want to hurt Trowa..

"Duo, please, tell us how you feel… don't hold anything back... The last thing we want is to hurt you," Quatre pleaded with him.  "If it's too soon, just tell us."

"…no…"

"Do you feel nothing for us?"

"No… not that.. I can't.. I can't…"

"Why not?"

"…  it's wrong.  It's selfish.."

"Duo, nothing you feel is wrong," Quatre said it with such sincerity that Duo's defenses faltered.  He looked up at the blonde with his shimmering violet eyes.

"I want to love you Quatre, but… I'm.. I'm so afraid…"  Duo dissolved into tears, his body simply unable to stand up the raw torrent of emotion that threatened to crush him.

Quatre rocked him back and forth, stroking his hair, "It's okay Duo… these things take time…  I'm not going to rush you into anything."  Even as he said it, he was the pain in Trowa's eyes.  He wanted to reach out comfort him, too, but Trowa saw the desire in his eyes and shook his head slightly.  Duo needed him more than Trowa did. 

Regaining some of his compuse, Duo turned his red-rimmed eyes to Trowa.  He looked so guilty.  "Trowa, I…"

"You don't have to explain," Trowa smiled sadly, "…Duo, I know you don't love me.  I couldn't expect you to… you don't even know me, and the only person I have to blame for that is myself." 

His hand grazed the side of Duo's cheek, but this time the American didn't draw away, "Don't feel guilty.  I have a feeling we have not seen the last of one another.  When we met again, I'll be sure to do things right…"

"Trowa…?" Quatre questioned, sensing a change in his lover.  But before he could press the issue, the apartment faded out in a white glow as, before his eyes, the wounds Duo received in his nightmare faded.  Duo looked just as shocked as he felt.  And Trowa… he looked peaceful, content.

"Trowa, what's happening?!"

"It's time for me to go, Quatre." He leaned forward and stole any words on Quatre's lips with a kiss, "Take care of Duo for me." 

Duo sat up on his own, the pain gone from his body.  His eyes were still red from the tears, but the light in them had returned.  It was faint, but it was there.  Trowa turned to him, smiling when he saw it, "And you… take care of Quatre."

"You don't have to tell me."  Then Duo caught Trowa by surprise when he reached up and wrapped his arms around Trowa in timid embrace.  "I never thanked you for… everything… for saving me, for helping me…"

Trowa returned the hug, "There's no need to thank me.  I did it glady; I want to see you smile again, Duo."

"Thank you, anyway," Duo said as he drew back, managing a shaky smile, one that he didn't use to hide anything.  He didn't know how long it had been for him since a smile was simply that.

"But, Trowa… you're going to be all alone…" Tears slipped silently down Quatres cheeks.

"No, he won't."

They all looked up.  Above them floated a winged creature of such awesome beauty, it should have made them all feel unworthy to be in its presence, but the expression of such perfect compassion and understanding it wore and the sense of peace that seemed to exude from it put them all at ease.  Beside the angel was a couple who also had wings, though they were not so grand.  Bathed in the angel's light, the two souls looked down at Trowa with tears of joy in their eyes.

And then, though he did not know how, he knew they were his parents.  "Mother…?  Father..?"

His mother reached out to him, "It's time to come home."

Wings burst from Trowa's back, and he used them to soar up into the angel's light, giving one glance back at the two loves he left behind.  There were tears in their eyes, but they were tears of joy.  There were no words he could use to express his feelings in that moment, but he did not need any.  Quatre and Duo could see them in his eyes.  There was no need for goodbyes.  This was not the last time they would meet.  Then he turned back and, with another pump of his wings, reached the arms of his parents.

The family disappeared from sight that instant, leaving Duo and Quatre in the presence of the angel, who smiled upon them.  "Live out your lives without sorrow for what has happened this day; live with joy."

And then Quatre woke up.

Had it all been just a dream…?  Was Trowa really out there, happy, or was it all some illusion he created just so he wouldn't have to feel bad about letting his heart fall to another?  He was about to despair for his lost love, when he heard a whimper beside him.

Quatre turned his head, and saw Duo's eyes slowly open, his face wet with tears shed during dreams.  "Duo…?"

The American was surprised to see Quatre beside him.  Oh, his cruel subconscious… for a moment, he'd actually believed everything was going to be alright… that Quatre loved him…  But now he was faced with reality again.  How could he stand it?

"Duo, what's wrong…?"

"Nothing…" Duo sniffled a little, trying to avoid Quatre's eyes, "Just a dream.."

Quatre's eyes widened, "Trowa… Trowa was there, in the dream, wasn't he?  And there was an angel… an angel came to take him away…"

"How did…?" Duo started, wiping his eyes dry with his sleeve.

"It was real, Duo.  It was all real.  I remember it."  Oh, Trowa…  his sweet, loving Trowa… He was gone, but he hadn't left without guiding Quatre to someone he could share his soul with…

"No…," Duo said reluctantly, wanting so much for it to be true, but knowing better than to trust such a cruel world, "…no, it couldn't be.  It's just a coincidence.  In my dream… in my dream, you said—"

Quatre put his hand under Duo's chin, pushing Duo's gaze up, and looked into those violet pools he could happily drown in, "I love you."

Duo's tenuous control cracked, tears coming forward again "Oh, Quatre…"  If this was another dream, just some sadistic joke…

Quatre's eyes never faulted, "I meant every word, Duo.  I meant every word."

How could eyes like that lie?  "I-I… I.. be-believe… I believe y-you," Duo managed around the tears.  He wanted to, at least… he wanted to give in to this dream.

"Not yet, you don't…" Quatre said, wiping away Duo's tears with a practiced hand, "But I know these things take time.... I don't expect the impossible from you.... But, I'll show you I mean it… then, someday, you won't choke on those words."

~~~the end

Oh, there are so many things I could say about this work… but, perhaps I'll post author's notes on my website some day, when even fewer people care about this fic than already do… 

I'd like the thank everyone who's made it this far, with extra love to any and all hearty souls who have been with this story since its beginning.  I am so sorry, you guys… I wish I could make it up to you somehow… you have my gratitude.  Thanks for everything ^^

I said I'd finish, and, with some encouragement from my readers, finish I did.  I may be slow, but I get there in the end, non? 

I'd also like to thank the Crüxshadows, though they'll never read this; their music helped inspire me to get off my lazy ass and back to the keyboard on this fic.  I listened to them heavily while writing these last few chapters.

Thanks again, everyone.  I know no ending could be worth the year's wait, but your comments are, none the less, valued and appreciated.  Anyone thinking of archiving this (hah!), please just drop me a line… I like knowing where my stuff ends up.

~Shinigami no kamikaze

shinigaminokamikaze@yahoo.com