Title: Fall
Author: Sandolious
Rating: T or PG – 13
Warning: Homosexuality and Heterosexuality. Violence. Language.
Summery: Some secrets are meant to be kept. Some betrayals are unforgivable. He has been betrayed one too many times. After the war, one pilot searches for salvation.
Disclaimer. I own nothing but the story.
To the Reviewers: ( NotSoInnocent, Tatsu Satsuki, hyrp, nickolaren, GundamPilot03, tssoldiergirl06, Sayo-chan, Musoka1, HellFire, Enna Namo, Aya-chan, Lady Fate, Nikkler) Thank you!
There is a moment just before day break, the darkest hour of night, where time seems to stand still as if deciding to continue its existence, from night to day; dark to light. Everyday it decides to welcome the light, shying away the night with its bright touch across the sky. This moment is lost to those living in the colonies. There is simply no way one could manufacture the moment same as Earth or even comes close.
Duo leaned back against the wall during that fate filled hour, observing the clear night sky out on the second story balcony. The confrontation at lunch was an after thought, for now he absorbed himself in the stars shining brightly. He tried to forget the bitter after taste clinging to his tongue at Une's betrayal. Tried to quell the rage burning icily through his veins at her attempt to threaten his children. The confrontation was an afterthought; however the emotions it brought forth were not.
Of all the places he stopped at, supported and protected, there was one on L2 which grabbed his attention. For those that knew him, they might suggest it was because the orphanage was in run by a church. Or because the Father reminded him of Father Maxwell. They might even suggest he was dedicated to this Church because it was only a block away from the Maxwell Church Massacre. They would be wrong. It was the children who kept him coming back. Two in particular.
A small girl with fiery red hair always up in pony tail. She had long bangs falling into her rounded face. Pale cheeks and thin peach lips. Her eyes, a dull jade green, were almond shaped and far too large for her features. Her voice, when she spoke, was muddled as if speaking through a filter, though her laughter was clear as a bell and just as beautiful ringing through the air. She was deaf, but not disabled. In her thin six year old frame, she was too stubborn to be disabled; too jaded to be innocent; a broken porcelain doll gleaming amongst the dust.
The other, was a nine year old boy. He refused to smiled, stated firmly in a hard voice; there was nothing worth being happy enough to smile about. He was tall and lanky, a frail bag of bones and flesh. He had a gaunt face with papery white skin and thick coral lips. His nose was a bit too big and his eyes, a deep midnight-blue, held the depths of the ocean. Short cropped black hair sat in tangled disarray upon his head, as unruly as its owner. He was cold both in temperature and in heart. Bitter and forlorn, he gave up on life long ago, and now, this boy refused to give life anything else to steal from his grip.
Tavea and Donovan where in truth the children he wanted to adopt. The two he wanted to share the world with. Their stories rang soundly through Duo's body, in essence implanting the idea of adoption into his mind. Those thoughts were for later though, when his life was more stable. When he had the time and energy to properly take care of two war orphans; for now he visited them twice a month, or if unable to called them. Duo was dedicated in his pursuit to ensure they were both as well taken care as they could be for now.
As the first rays of light crept along the horizon, Duo's thoughts passed from Une, to his children. Dispelling his ill will within moments. Those two brightened his life, more then he thought anyone could. Sighing, the braided man walked over to the railing and rested his weight against the cold wrought iron entwined bars. Life seemed bearable in the cold morning hours as day was just breaking. Before the world came a live once again.
"The peace never lasts." He murmured to a passing firefly.
"No, it doesn't. We however, have the ability to find something to make the on coming chaos more manageable." A soft tenor, responded from behind. The quiet patter of skin against concrete followed in the silence, with the hypnotic swish of silk. "You're up early…? Or late?" the warm voice asked with a hint of amusement. Duo hid his smile, bowing his head into his crossed arms resting on the railing.
"I have yet to lie between the sheets."
An inelegant snort of amusement came from his companion, and Duo closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of the encounter. It had been so long since he had an actual companion to share his midnight bouts of insomnia with. So long away from the warmth they provided, giving him comfort effortlessly. Duo relished in the moment, hoping for more in the future.
"Still unable to take care of yourself?" the voice whispered cascading Duo's ear in hot moist breath. Shaking his head, Duo let out a low chuckle.
"I am well enough."
"Define well enough." The warm tenor snapped lightly, concern taking the bite out of the tone.
"Still breathing." Duo's companion gave a hollow laugh, masking the discomfort and worry flooding his veins.
"You need a caretaker then. One's ability to breathe should not be a wellness scale," whispered the voice firmly. Duo nodded slightly, taking a deep breath and savoring the sharp spicy scent hovering around his companion. He murmured contentedly into his arms as a warm heavy hand caressed his head in rhythmic strokes. "You have been missed Duo."
"I know." Duo sighed, opening his eyes and lifting his face from his forearms to stare out at the brightening expanse of land.
"Will you disappear again?"
"I may run and I may hide, but I never lie," Duo stated, turning his eyes to his companion. Obsidian locked with his indigo, searching his soul. A string of curses rang through the air in Chinese, as Wufei shook his head and gave his American companion a small smile.
"Only you are capable of soothing a person and making them worry at the same time."
Duo smiled standing fully and stretching. "Someone has to keep you slackers on your toes."
Wufei shook his head, murmuring to himself. He observed Duo for a quiet moment before, grasping his wrist and leading him inside the warm home. He walked them up the steps with no restraint from his companion. They reached Duo's room where Wufei proceeded, to tuck Duo in with many references to the Chinese man's sudden womanhood.
"You'll make a good little wife someday, 'Fei." Duo mumbled through a yawn. Wufei refused to comment and shushed the American, running a hand through his long bangs.
"Sleep Maxwell."
"It's Duo, Wufei. Duo." Was the sleepy response.
"Sleep." Wufei whispered, taking one last look at his sleeping companion before walking out of the room and closing the door gently. He missed the final whisper from Duo, as Wufei made his way to a cold bed.
"You were missed, also."
I hope you enjoyed this installment.
Best Wishes,
Sand