It was eight months later that Duo stood in his own house, a few boxes of junk he collected while living with Wufei and Heero stacked in the middle of the empty room. He had money to get furniture and food, and a wallet with a card that would have credits added each month. It was a strange thing, Duo thought, to have credits given to him for being a, how did they word it 'Victim of Warfare'. He wasn't expected to find work, or to gain in education - though he was assured those were possible options if he wanted - because he had been a child soldier, used and abused by adults to kill thousands. Now he was given handouts by the same people he had been fighting against in the war.

His rent was covered by the same program. It was how Wufei and Heero afforded their two bedroom house across town, near the police station where Wufei worked full time.

Quatre was still out in the middle of nowhere, Trowa still held prisoner by him.

He spent the first night in his new home curled up in a ball on the living room floor staring at the wall.

It was lonely, living by himself.

It took another three months before Duo got the courage to drive back out to see Quatre and Trowa. He didn't tell Wufei or Heero he was going - they didn't have to know every little thing anymore - and he had to stop a few times to find out where the hell he ended up. It was close to sunset when he saw the familiar two-story house, let back behind a battalion of tall trees and sprawling grassland.

He turned off the engine, leaning his head against the steering wheel, and wondering if he should have called to let them know he was coming.

He wondered if he still had time to leave.

"Duo?"

He jerked his head up, catching sight of a blond who could only be Quatre.

"Hey, er, surprise?"

"It's so good to see you! I didn't know you were coming!" It didn't come out like an accusation, the man genuinely sounded happy to see him.

"I wasn't sure I'd actually come," Duo admitted, opening the door to the car and stepping out. It was not even two seconds before Quatre was engulfing him in a tight hug.

"Come on in, are you hungry?"

"Uh…"

"I was about to eat dinner," he continued, pulling Duo along behind him. He didn't put up any resistance, though he couldn't help but ask.

"Is Trowa eating?"

"I haven't seen him in a couple days," Quatre answered, pulling open the door. "He does that sometimes though, just vanishes and then reappears. He's assured me he's not leaving the house, so as long as he comes back to check up with me I don't press it."

"I'm amazed you let him get away with it," Duo muttered, and Quatre gave a small, defeated smile.

"He's not doing well, Duo. If this helps, I'm willing to try it."

Duo felt his chest constrict, his eyes falling closed as he remembered how Trowa told him to pack his things, to leave him here and go live his own life.

He still regretted leaving him here alone. Would Trowa be doing better if he hadn't left?

"How long are you here for?" Quatre asked, pulling out another plate and glass from the cabinet. Duo pulled open the silverware drawer, glancing at the table for a hint of what he was supposed to be using. It didn't take long for both of them to dish up, and by the time he finished eating he had an answer for him.

"However long it takes to convince you to let Trowa come home with me."

Quatre was silent, staring into the glass as if it could have a reasonable answer for Duo.

"You said it yourself, Kitty cat. He's not doing better. What good is keeping him here, away from everything that's real, going to do for him now? You have a life too, Q', let someone else take the load for once."

"He's safe out here, Duo."

"You mean that everyone else is safe from Trowa," Duo corrected. "Out here he's only going to lose his mind."

"You do know it's not up to me?"

"Then get on the vid and start convincing whoever the fuck will allow it."

Quatre frowned, but Duo stood up from the table, collecting their plates and putting them in the sink. He walked out of the kitchen, and didn't respond to Quatre's questioning call.

Duo had a feeling he knew exactly where Trowa was.

He wasn't certain if he had been right at first, the small maintenance door showing very little use and the amount of dust showing it hadn't been disturbed in months. But he shimmied his way up the wall, the familiar path easy to navigate his tiny frame through. He paused up near the top ledge, raising his hand to knock twice.

He was answered with three knocks.

"Hey," Duo greeted, sliding up over the lip and into the fake attic space. Trowa was sprawled on his back, his arms stretched out to each side and his gaze fixed on the ceiling, though it didn't seem like he was staring at it. He didn't respond, though that didn't stop Duo from shuffling forward to rest his head on Trowa's shoulder, nor did it stop him from draping an arm over his chest, holding him.

"I missed you," Duo said, but Trowa still didn't acknowledge him.

Quatre was correct, Trowa had gotten worse.

Trowa had altered the attic space a little, removing some boards and adding in a few extra slats to make some storage space. There was light up here now as well, a small fixture embedded to the wall with a simple chain dangling below it, but it provided plenty of light and eliminated the need to carry a flashlight up. There was also a latch and cord attached to the opening in the floor (which Duo only ever used to leave the attic space). It appeared to be the way that Trowa came up, as the hatch Duo used hadn't been so well taken care of.

It was clear that Trowa spent a lot of time up here, the modifications only reflecting some of it. The floor had been smoothed down - something Duo hadn't cared enough to do while he occupied this space - and a blanket, pillow, and water was stacked neatly along the side wall. There was even an outlet installed - that had most definitely not been there before - with a clock and music player attached.

"Hey," Duo said, climbing over Trowa and laying down on his chest. He was still being ignored, but Duo pretended not to notice and started running his hand through Trowa's fringe, holding up the strands so he could look down into those mossy green eyes. "I missed you."

"You said that," Trowa finally replied, though his words held no annoyance or amusement. It was bland, spoken without a care. Duo chuckled softly.

"I wasn't sure you were listenin'. I missed you."

"You said that."

"I'll keep saying it. I. Missed. You."

"Why are you here?" Trowa asked, a spark of emotion flitting through his eyes. While his tone didn't change, Duo could feel a sense of anger in his words.

"Haven't you heard? I missed you."

"You said that."

"I know."

Trowa stared up at him, and Duo stared back, a small smile blooming across his own face. He could see different emotions flickering in Trowa's eyes, his face contorting slightly as he processed whatever thoughts were running through his mind. It was a few moments later that Trowa reached up and grabbed Duo, pulling him down into a tight hug and buried his face in his neck, taking a shuddering breath.

"I missed you, too," Trowa breathed, his voice soft and raspy. Duo stroked his head gently, smoothing the mussed locks.

"I know. That's why I'm here."

"So you come up through here too?" Duo asked, sliding the panel open and staring down towards the floor below. Trowa hummed, waiting for Duo to slide out before following, his height advantage working in his favour as he moved the panel back into place, hiding the opening from any casual observer.

"Well, let's go get some real food in you. I'm starving!"

"You ate when you got here," Trowa pointed out, and Duo raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How would you know?"

"Because I could smell Quatre cooking earlier, and I could smell it on your breath."

"Are you saying my breath smells?" Duo asked in mock outrage, and Trowa leaned down, kissing Duo. Duo paused, and at the insisting tongue rubbing against the seam of his lips, he opened up and let Trowa delve inside, deepening and intensifying the moment. As Trowa pulled away, a string of saliva connected them for a second, before it broke and landed on Duo's chin.

"I can taste it on you as well," Trowa added, walking forward as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. That they hadn't just shared their first kiss in over a year, or that he was leaving Duo behind, hot and flustered.

"Hey, buddy, finish what—"

"Oh! Good timing!" Quatre interrupted, looking up from the kitchen table. He had a vidphone set to his left, his tablet lying in front of him, and an empty mug on his other side. There were a few smudges of something Duo couldn't discern smeared across parts of his face and hands, and he looked tired. But he offered them a smile, gesturing to the counter.

"Help yourself to something, Duo, and there's dinner still left in the fridge if you would like some, Trowa."

Trowa nodded, pulling open the door and grabbing the wrapped plate. He also pulled out a bag of grapes, which he handed to Duo before closing the door, accepting the fork that Duo held out to him.

They worked in tandem to grab themselves dinner, no words needing to be exchanged for bread to be sliced, drinks poured, or food divvied up and heated. It was a comfortable, familiar routine, one that they had performed flawlessly during their time together here in their pseudo-prison. It had Trowa relaxing, which in turn had Duo relaxing as well.

Duo couldn't help but glance back at Quatre, who was watching them work with a speculative, assessing gaze. He quirked an eyebrow, and Quatre smiled lightly, shaking his head as if to say, 'Don't worry about it.' A bowl of grapes was offered to Quatre, who refused it politely, and then Duo and Trowa shared their meal together, Duo talking animatedly while Trowa quietly listened.

For the first time in over a year, Duo felt completely relaxed and safe.

"What were you thinking?" Wufei asked sharply over the line, and Duo glared back at him, not giving an inch in his argument.

"I was thinking that I left my friend here to rot, and that I was a fucking idiot for it. I came to bring him home with me, and I don't plan on leaving here until I do!"

"It's not as easy as you think it is, Duo! He needs the proper care and supervision, something you—"

"He's not getting better out here, Chang!" Duo shouted, unable to maintain his temper. "Being shut away and locked up isn't going to help him! He needs a change of scenery, something to fuckin' work towards! How long are you going to leave him out here, with only Quatre for company? How is that fair to either of 'em?!"

"Duo," Heero cut in, placing a hand over Wufei's mouth before the obviously angry reply could be spoken. "You are right. It is not right to expect Quatre to give up so much time for Trowa. He has spoken to both of us on this matter already. I also am in agreement with your observation and suggestion. I will bring this up during the meeting and make it known."

"Thank you," Duo said sincerely, and Heero gave a sharp nod.

"Quatre sent over a report of his observations of your first evening here. He made a note how in one hour you managed to do what he had failed to do in months. Your presence is a positive influence on Trowa's behaviour and wellbeing. While I do not believe it will be as simple as we all would like, I believe having Trowa residing in the same residence as you will have a great impact on him."

"Well, I'm not goin' home without him. So a decision better be made soon, 'cause one way or 'nother, he's leavin' with me. Understand?"

"Affirmative," Heero replied, his hand still covering Wufei's mouth. "I will contact you when a decision has been reached."

"Gotcha."

The call was cut before Wufei was able to protest, and Duo let his head fall to the table, his eyes sliding closed. He just wanted to take Trowa home, why did it have to be such a big deal?

"Why are you doing this?" Trowa asked from the doorway, his eyes hidden by the long fringe of his hair. Duo tilted his head, smiling gently at him.

"Because I care, Tro'. I shouldn't have left the first time, an' I'm gonna make it right again."

"I can't be fixed. I'm not some machine, or broken toy. I'm not going to change."

"I don't expect you to. I expect when we get home, you're going to freak about the mess I didn't bother to pick up before driving here. I expect that you're still going to be anally retentive about me cleaning my hair out of the tub and sink. I expect you try and rewire the entire house so that we're off the grid and getting the best TV reception in the area. I expect that you're going to lose your temper and throw shit at me at least once a week, if not more, and I'm going to put up with it because I fuckin' love you, you shit."

By this point, Duo had stood and walked over to Trowa his hands resting on each side of Trowa's face. Trowa himself had backed up to the wall, staring down in a mixture of shock and disbelief, his eyes shining with a thin layer of tears.

"I expect to wake up to see your face each mornin', and I expect to see it when I go to bed. I expect to have days where you don't want to look at me, and days where you refuse to let me out of your sight. I expect to have you hunt me down when I get moody and hide away, and I expect you to make me talk to you when I don't want to. I expect that you're going to be yourself, and I'm going to be myself. I expect, somehow, we're going to make this work, and we're going to be okay in the end. That's all, Tro'. I don't expect you to be anything other than what you are."

Trowa was shaking, his eyes closing and forcing two tears to track their way down his cheeks. Duo reached up, resting a hand on each side of his face, and used his thumbs to halt their progress, smearing the moisture across his face and towards his ears.

"I want you to be happy, Trowa. And being here, cut off from the real world, isn't going to do that."

"Which is why he's going home with you," Quatre interrupted softly, standing at the end of the hall and watching them with gentle eyes.

Trowa's eyes shot open, his head turning along with Duo's to stare at the smiling blond. Quatre held out an empty bag towards the pair.

"Go pack your things."