Heero reached his hand out, a beautiful smile on his face, not the typical manic grin he had while killing, but a real smile... real... the most beautiful thing to Duo. Duo smiled gently in return, reaching his hand out as well to take Heero's, suddenly everything exploded... a bright blast of fire and soot washed out Heero's angelic appearance...

Duo gasped, shaking himself from his day dreamy thoughts.

Duo shivered as he stared glassy-eyed about the land. He looked down and sighed, a piece of white Gundamium shrapnel lay at his feet. He kneeled down and picked it up. The white was sooty, dirty, he wiped off the grim then slowly ran his fingers down the smooth surface, a single tear dropping from his face.

"So far away now..." Duo whispered to the air. It had happened only yesterday, but yesterday was all to soon. "I wish... that I... I could have told you everything..." Duo's breath came in short as he felt arms slip around his waste and a head nuzzle into his shoulder, Duo looked to the side but saw no one.

Duo grinned, a sad, lonely grin. "Come to comfort me... I'm glad... I know.... you'll always be there, you said you'd never leave me..." Duo whispered again to the air. "You want me to keep going don't you... I don't know if I can..."

"I... I can always try..." Duo turned the piece of metal over and over in his hands, the shimmering metal that was supposed to protect the pilot from the outside... but what about the inside...? No.... it never works that way....

Duo's eyes raised to see Heero walk into his dorm room, Duo grinned and ran up to him, greeting him happily and eagerly with a kiss, Heero smiled at the greeting and picked Duo up, walking over to the bed and plopping the grinning youth down on it.

"Heero! I haven't seen you for so long! I'm glad you made it back from your mission!" Duo exclaimed, Heero just smiled and nodded then laid himself down over Duo... taking the boy as his...

"Happy Birthday, Duo!" Came Heero's cheerful voice, it was rare to see a smile and to see him happy, but those where to moments that Duo would cherish for the years to come.

"Oh God Heero! I never thought that you'd remember!" Duo accepted the birthday package presented before him and opened it happily. In it was a bible with his name inscribed on the front in silver, inside it read, ‘To Duo, with Love...

Heero'

Also in the front cover lay a picture that had been taken of Duo and Heero smiling brightly together, the only picture that way, Duo had commented a million times how much he had loved that picture. Also in the box was a black satiny shirt with silver buttons that glistened in the light.

Duo looked up at Heero, eyes shining brightly, "Thank you Heero! You know me so well!" Suddenly Duo found himself with Heero's lips on his, and Heero's hands caressing his face gently. At first Duo froze, but then he leaned into it, leaned into Heero's gentle touch, into his warmth...

Duo shivered again, he cuddled himself down into his glistening black satin shirt. "It'll never be gone... when I am gone, we'll be together again... I promise..." Duo said baring his wrist...

Duo held the shrapnel to his wrist, he couldn't go on this way... never...

"While I'm alive, we'll be separated... or will we? Your love is always here... I can feel your cobalt blue eyes blazing bright... watching me... right now..." the tears began to fall, "Your arms around me... God Heero... I can't stay alive! Let me die!" He sobbed, mixed emotions and tears blurring his vision.

"You're here.... You'll always be here..." Duo whispered patting his hand over his heart. "If I do it... will I lose you along with my blood?" He asked looking down at the jagged metal that was already cutting his delicate flesh.

"Where?!" Duo asked in exasperation.

"To L4... I'll be back in a few months..." Heero replied calmly.

"What? That long?" Duo asked again quieter now and more sadly.

"Don't worry Duo... I'll be back... I promise..." Heero kissed his lover, gave a grin... and left...

The door opened once more, "Duo, you'll always be here... as well as I for you..." he smiled while gesturing to his heart, but it was obvious to Duo that he didn't want to go... he could see it clearly from his expression, eyes, and movement. Duo smiled, "Always..." He whispered and the door closed and again Heero was gone...

Duo was no longer afraid of dying... not now... not now... but would that make Heero happy? He was standing there comforting him... going a good job of it as well...

The horrible memory of the Wing Gundam self destructing right in this spot flashed through his mind again...

"He's gotta still be alive! Somewhere... he promised! Listen to me! He promised!" Everyone dismissed Duo's desperate attempts at comfort as sorrow's rejection.

Duo snapped to the real world again...

"You promised... and you were right..." he whispered.

"Forever... we'll be together forever my love... forever... you'll never leave me.... you keep your promises..."

"My heart will beat for you... I only wish you were still alive..." Duo whispered then turned his back to the now darkening, dismal wreckage and walked away... knowing that he would always be walking with Heero... always....