Author's notes: I started this fic a long time ago, but due to a bunch of events, I discontinued. But since halloween's rolling around, and I had succeeded in the twisted story of Living Hell (A GW fusion, I guess, to Konami's Silent Hill series... basing it mostly on the 2nd one) and I haven't posted anything else at mediaminers.org (all other fics had gone to adultfanfiction.net and a few to ff.net) I decided to finally revive this one after going through a major revision.

Timeless Obsession

by Nightbloom

1990 AD

Keith Summers gritted his teeth as he peered into the window of a two story house. His dark blue eyes narrowed and he let out a small growl. There was one car parked outside, and he knew it didn't belong to the parents. Shaking the dark brown hair from his eyes, he ducked down and crept alongside the house towards the back door. He trembled in rage as he passed one window and heard the sounds of love making coming from inside.

"Clarissa," he murmured, in a monotone voice, his eyes going cold and hard. "You were mine, and only mine." Reaching the back of the house, he picked the lock and grinned in triumph as the door swung open.

He stepped inside and looked around. The back door had led into the kitchen. His triumphant grin melted into an even more sinister look as he spotted the knife block and picked up a large butcher's knife. Keith moved forwards, following the moans.

You were mine, he thought to himself. I molded you. I made you the perfect woman for me. We were suppose to be together forever.

Young, young Clarissa. Always talking, always flirting, always smiling. And very, very, beautiful. She had paid attention to him when no one else bothered to. She wormed her way into his heart, and he was going to be damned if she left him.

It's me who will decide to let you go or not. And you will not belong to another.

"Oh, Jerry!" he heard a female voice cry out.

Keith opened the door that lead to the room where he heard the sound come out. He stood there silent for a moment, watching as some guy named Jerry thrust himself into his Clarissa.

Jerry with the same dark hair as his, but a much weaker build. A cheap imitation. He probably had blue eyes, too.

Clarissa's head was thrown back in passion, her long wavy hair spread out.

Keith boiled. No one was suppose to see you with your hair down but me.

Her beautiful eyes were closed, and Keith stepped forward.

Clarissa gasped and tensed, as Jerry thrust harder. "Oh," she moaned. "Jerry."

"Clarissa," Jerry murmured in return, as Keith unconsciously mouthed the same name.

Jerry grunted as he came.

Clarissa let out a cry.

Jerry collapsed on top of Clarissa, panting for breath. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too," whispered Clarissa, violet-blue eyes cracking open. She shrieked.

Jerry whirled around, as Clarissa scrambled to cover her naked body with blankets.

Keith was right. Blue eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" Jerry shouted. "Get out of here!"

Keith continued to stare past Jerry's shoulder, his eyes boring into that of Clarissa, who trembled in fear. "You disobeyed me," he said without feeling. "And now you must be punished."

"What are you..." Jerry started, before gasping in pain.

Clarissa screamed when she saw the knife embedded in Jerry's chest.

Jerry's eyes were filled with disbelief as they took on the glassy look. He slumped down. Clarissa screamed again as Keith came towards her, crawling onto the bed, shoving Jerry's bleeding body off the sheets and onto the floor. "Jerry! Jerry!" she kept screaming hysterically.

She gasped as Keith backhanded her.

"Shut up," he said. "Never, ever talk, unless you are spoken too. And never say another man's name in my presence. You are mine."

He lunged towards her and pinned her to the bed.

"No! Please!" she cried.

Keith struck her again, leaving her in a daze. He reached down to Jerry's cooling body and yanked out the knife. "You bitch," he said. "You opened my heart and left it bleeding. And now I will do the same to you."

Clarissa moved her head, letting out a small whimper.

"You must have liked having him in you," Keith continued. "Did you like me? Do you want me to take you?"

"N-no," Clarissa sobbed.

Keith laughed. "I wouldn't want to be in you. Not when you let another man enter you. It has to be destroyed." He slid the knife down between her breasts, down her stomach and past her navel. "This," he whispered, "is more fitting for a back stabbing slut like you."

Clarissa's eyes widened at the searing pain that came from between her legs. Then she gained the ability to scream as Keith fucked her with the knife, again and again. His free hand pinned both her wrists over her head, leaving her defenseless. He savagely bit at her breasts, tearing at her nipples until blood dribbled down into her cleavage.

He yanked the knife out from between her legs and held it over her heart.

Clarissa let out a feeble cry, feeling her life flowing from her. The pain that had consumed her, ebbing away. She looked up into the dark blue eyes.

It was as if she were looking at a movie. She could no longer feel anything, and everything sounded faded. Somewhere, in the deep recess of her conscious mind, she was mildly surprised to see tears in Keith's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Clarissa," he whispered. "But I trusted you when I opened my heart. And you left me." He brought down the knife, once, then twice, then continuously, hacking into her chest as fast as he could.

Keith watched as the light in her eyes faded away until nothing was left but a vacant stare. He finally stopped. He yanked the knife out of her chest and stared at it, before bringing it up to his lips. He licked it clean, a manic gleam forming in his eyes. "No matter when or where, I will find you again, and I will not let you go." With that, he took out the remains of her heart, and ate them.

AC 197

"Heeeeeeeeeeeerrrrooooooooo!"

Wufei and Heero winced as the voice of their former gundam comrade rang loud and obnoxiously through the hall.

"God, he sounds like that crazy onna!" complained Wufei, turning to see how Heero was reacting.

Heero face had resumed it's normal disinterested look as he turned back to face the direction that Duo had bellowed from. Both of them spotted their colleague jumping up and down, trying to look over the numerous taller people that stood in between them. With the big grin on his face, Duo resembled the idiot he liked to make himself out to be. It was one thing Wufei couldn't understand. There was no longer much need to have people underestimate them, so why did Duo play dumb?

On the other end of the hall way, Duo jumped one more time before spotting the ex-Perfect Soldier. Now the Perfect Student, he thought to himself with a smirk.

He briefly thought back to the time after the final war. He had worked with the Sweepers for a while, alongside with Hilde. Then he got a call he wasn't expecting. Seemed that some concerned citizen of earth wanted the former gundam pilots to have a chance at living a normal life; And in the process, it was suggested they attend, horror of horrors, school.

However, high school was not for them. The classes were not challenging enough. Each one of them passed college entrance exams, which Duo had no doubt that his passing probably stunned them all, and so they had no other place to go but college. Having also been in war, the goverment was able to sign them off as adults, with on exception. Each of them had to have a legal guardian. Howard took over Duo, Catherine took over Trowa, Noin took over Heero, Sally took over Wufei, and Quatre's sisters had a small war before agreeing to all be responsible for him.

Duo made sure to tease him about it every now and then.

As it was, the five of them were now a few of the youngest students. At sixteen going on seventeen, it was a different experience seeing older people in their classes. Being together, though, eased the transition, no matter how odd it was to find themselves suddenly tutoring a 30 year old.

And of course, now instead of worrying about missions, I actually have to worry about getting my work done on time. And even Heero's mellowed a bit about deadlines, Duo added to his thoughts, a smile on his face. He gets them done hours before they're due instead of a day or two.

Duo greeted another student as he made his way to Heero and Wufei.

"Hey, Wu!" he greeted.

Wufei grimaced.

Duo grinned.

"What do you want?" asked Heero, without real interest.

Duo's grin faltered just a bit. But he can still be as cold and distant as always. "Uh, Quatre and Trowa are going to the carnival tonight. And so am I. We just wanted to know if you two want to come along."

"I have a test to study for," answered Wufei. "And if I'm not mistaken, so do you."

Duo shrugged. "Hey, gotta have some time to live a little."

"You've lived too much," Heero responded.

"Just a simple 'no' would suffice," grumbled Duo. He shrugged once more and flashed a smile. "Well, you guys have fun hittin' those books." He walked back from the direction he had come from.

Heero watched as the braided boy disappeared into the crowd. He turned back to Wufei, and caught him staring at him with a contemplative and amused look on his face. "What?" he asked tersely.

Wufei just rolled his eyes, sighed, and walked away.

Heero stood alone, puzzled, but not showing it. He glanced back where Duo had went. Studies, he thought to himself. They may not be life threatening like missions, but they're still important. I can't just forfeit them to hang out with anyone, not even with Duo.

x

The night was at a comfortable temperature, humidity down to almost nothing, and a soft breeze that kept insects away. The stars twinkled against clear skies, as the moon showed it's full face. Laughter and screaming could be heard throughout the entire park, as people talked and joked as they made their ways around. Rides and booths had lines of people waiting their turns, and the pathways were conjested with people trying to make their way around the park. Music pulsated from each and every direction, as the smell of food enticed hungry patrons.

Quatre and Duo laughed as they got off the ride Twister, arms around each others shoulders. Trowa lagged behind, a small smirk on his face.

"Aw, man, that was great!" Duo said. "I think I'm going to puke!"

"Duo!!" exclaimed Quatre.

Duo laughed some more.

"We're running out of tickets! I'll go get some more." Quatre wobbled towards the nearest ticket booth.

"Careful," warned Trowa.

Duo chuckled, still trying to stand up right. "He can take care of himself. Man, Heero and Wufei missed out big time."

Trowa looked on amused. "Yeah, they did," he said, standing perfectly steady.

"Hey," Duo exclaimed, realizing that Trowa was having no trouble standing still. "How come you're not dizzy?"

"Better sense of equilibrium."

Duo made a face.

"I got them!" they heard Quatre yell, waving a ribbon of tickets. "Let's go on Pheonix next!" The blond took off running towards one ride that had two caged cars than spun in a full circle.

"I've created a monster," murmured Duo. Trowa laughed, grabbed Duo by the wrist, and ran after Quatre, dragging the braided boy behind him.

x

The campus was quiet, most of the student body having either gone to the dorms or to the carnival. Heero's footsteps echoed as he walked alone to his dorms, a back pack slung over his shoulders. It was so silent. Even the crickets were quiet. Heero made a mental note to stop wearing dress shoes if he was going to keep on studying till late night. It sounded rather, dare he say, creepy? A slight breeze picked up, sending a small chill through him. His arm broke out into goosebumps. Heero glared at them. There was a time when I wasn't affected by the cold, he thought to himself.

He looked up and narrowed his eyes when he saw a person dressed in black walking his way. The person's jacket was hooded, and it rested over the head, casting a shadow on his face. Judging by the build in the shoulders, Heero assumed the person was male.

He felt himself tense up as the person continued to walk towards him. There was something that set off every internal alarm he had. The air felt colder, and the sense of danger weighed heavily on him. The person walked past him.

Nothing happened.

Heero shook his head and continued forward, but continued to listen to his surroundings.

It wasn't until he stepped into the dormitories that he allowed himself to relax.

x

Wufei opened his eyes and snorted as he heard Duo's laughter in the halls. Quatre and Trowa could barely be heard trying to shush him. Baka, he thought, as he looked at his clock. 2 a.m.

He's gonna have a hell of a time waking up for the exam. Come to think of it, so will I.

Wufei sighed as he rolled over, pulling the pillow and blanket over his head, hoping to drown out the sounds from the hallway, and the snoring from his room mate. A moment later, everything got quiet, and even the snoring's volume lessened.

Wufei heaved a sigh of content, enjoying the peace and quiet.

It lasted about ten seconds.

"Help! Someone call the paramedics!" he heard Duo shouting, panic evident in his voice.

Wufei jumped out of his bed and rushed out of his room. Several students were opening the doors to see what the commotion was about.

Heero was among them, making his way to Duo's dorm room.

Both of them arrived at the same time.

Upon entering the room, they found Duo kneeling on the floor next to the lifeless body of a fellow student. He was giving mouth to mouth, his eyes wide with fear and despair. Duo glanced up and saw them. "Give me a hand!" he ordered, hysteria creeping into his voice.

Heero immediately went to his side and began doing the chest compressions. A few moments later, someone shouted that they had called the paramedics and that the dean was coming.

Quatre and Trowa finally arrived, their rooms being at the other end of the hallway.

Quatre let out a small gasp as he glanced around the room, as if searching for something. Trowa looked on, silently.

"C'mon, Stevens," Duo growled. "Fight, dammit!"

Wufei glanced at Quatre, who now stood shivering, arms crossed.

"He's gone, Duo," Quatre whispered.

"No!" shouted Duo. "He was up just a few seconds ago. No one can go that quickly!"

"What's going on?" boomed a deep voice.

"Excuse us," said another voice.

Duo, Heero, and Wufei stepped out of the way as a couple of paramedics made their way in, taking over the young men's positions.

Duo headed over to the dean, his face looking pale. "I, we, . . . that is, I was at the carnival, and when I got back, Stevens was just sitting there with this...dreamy...look on his face," Duo rambled, at loss for the words he needed to describe what he saw. "He just kind of sat there. I thought he was stoned. Then he said 'It was wonderful, Duo.' And he just..." Duo made a motion with his hand of something flopping over. "I checked his pulse and it was gone!"

"We've got a pulse," one of the paramedics suddenly said.

Duo watched as his room mate was loaded onto a stretcher and wheeled out of the room. "Is he gonna be all right?" he called out.

One of the paramedics glanced at him. "We hope so," he said.

The dean turned to Duo, taking in the shaken appearance of the youth. "You might wish to sleep elsewhere, Duo, " he said gently, understanding that even a full grown adult would feel unnerved. A soldier would be no different. "That is, if you feel uncomfortable about going back to sleep in your dorm room."

"You can stay with us," Quatre offered, still looking around uneasily.

Duo glanced at Heero.

Heero nodded once.

Wufei couldn't help but smirk, despite the severity of the situation.

"I can stay with Heero," said Duo, sounding subdued.

The dean nodded.

Silently, the pilots left to their dorms. Duo stepped into his to pick up a change of clothes and his books, then hurried the hell out of his room.

The look in Stevens's eye had looked freaky, and had raised the hairs on the back of Duo's neck. He had felt cold, and he had the eeriest sensation that something was watching him. Whatever had happened before his arrival, Duo didn't want to risk the chance of it happening again with him.

x

"What happened in there?" Trowa asked quietly, as he closed the door behind him.

Quatre shook his head. "It felt all wrong in there, Trowa," he said. "It felt so cold, like death. I...it's hard to explain," he muttered. "I didn't like it. I didn't feel safe."

Trowa nodded. He stepped over to Quatre and gently embraced him.

The blond boy shook with the unreasonable fear that lay inside him.

x

Duo stared at the ceiling, hands linked behind his head. He remained silent for a bit, and then he let out a sigh of frustration and sat up. "I'm the guest, you know," he said, glancing over the edge to see Heero, who was laying on the floor. "You could sleep on your bed."

Heero rolled over to look up at him. "Shut up," he said.

"Okay, okay, I was only offering. Sheesh." Duo pulled back and laid down, snuggling into the covers. Despite the warmth, he couldn't stop shivering. Stevens's eyes kept appearing in his mind. Such a peaceful look that was so out of place against his pale white skin, and those dark circles under his eyes. If anything, Stevens had looked like he was drained from everything that made him the lively person he was.

And as if the whole creep factor wasn't enough, he also felt guilty about taking Heero's bed and leaving the Japanese boy on the floor.

Of course, he thought to himself. I could invite him to share the bed. Although he'd probably regress back to his perfect soldier days and threaten my life. Or he might accept it, which won't be the best of things. I mean, I'm straight, I know I am, but I like having him near me. He looks good, for a guy. But admitting that a guy looks good doesn't mean I'm gay, right? Of course not. I just have an open and liberal mind.

Or you're gay but in denial, added a sniggering voice.

Shut-up, Duo's voice replied. So, if I'm straight then I wouldn't exactly feel hurt if he refused. I just would like the comfort of the human touch.

A snort.

I thought I said to shut-up.

Touchy, touchy. Ever hear of 'bisexual?"

Ack, I'm not hearing this! And now that I think about it, how did Heero end up with a single room?

Diversion tactics now?

I thought I said to shut-up! Great, now I'm arguing with myself. Anyhow, here goes.

Duo leaned over once more, feeling as nervous as hell. "Heero?"

"What," stated Heero, in a tone Duo recognized as I'm-about-to-do-something-drastic-if-you- don't-shut-up.

""Uh, never mind." Duo dropped back, fighting back the pain in his throat. I just need someone, dammit, and I can't say a word.

The room was silent for a few more seconds.

Heero lay on the floor, eyes closed. Yet, he could hear that Duo's breathing was too rapid for sleep. He quietly sat up and glanced at the bed.

Duo lay on his side, shivering despite the blankets that covered him. Heero sighed, attracting Duo's attention.

"Sit up and move over," Heero ordered.

"What?" Duo asked, somewhat stupidly. This, he wasn't expecting.

"The floor is too uncomfortable, it's colder than I thought, and the bed is just big enough for the both of us."

"Oh." Duo sat up and shifted over to make some room.

Heero lay down next to him.

Duo blinked.

Enough room for two?

Only if you lay on top of him.

Shut-up!!

Heero looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

Duo's eyes widened slightly. Then he slowly lowered himself down, giving Heero a chance to move. He didn't.

Duo felt his eyes widen more as Heero's arm wrapped around his shoulder and brought him closer. Duo ended up having his head resting on Heero's shoulder.

"Goodnight, Duo," Heero murmured, softly.

"Goodnight," Duo responded, closing his eyes.

A few minutes later, Heero gave a small smile as Duo's breathing slowed down, and the former Deathscythe pilot fell asleep.

x

The cafeteria was noisy as people shouted to be heard over other people's conversations. Sitting at one of the tables were Wufei and Duo. For once, Wufei found himself not subjected to Duo's lengthy conversations. The braided teen was silent, his forehead resting against the table. Wufei only wished that Duo's plate of food had been directly underneath instead. It would have given him something worth laughing about. Then again...

There was the way Heero offered his room to Duo, considering that there was only one bed in that dorm room. In fact, he'd been noticing the way Heero would just stare at Duo, especially after having given him the brush off and sending Duo on his way. It was a look of contemplation and trying to understand some dark secret. That or Heero was suffering from either an ulcer or constipation.

A small smile graced Wufei's lips as he leaned forward, placing his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his fist. He had begun to analyze Heero's behavior, and now he had another person to dissect. This was going to be amusing.

Heero and Duo, in a single person dorm. Heero no where in sight, and Duo obviously sleepy. Sure the boy went to bed late, plus the fact that bis roomate had died in his room, but... Heero and Duo.

"So..." he started. "Where did you sleep? On the floor? Or in Heero's bed?"

"On Heero," Duo murmured.

Wufei snickered.

Duo's head shot up. "I mean, Heero's bed!" He flushed pink.

"Hn," responded Wufei, a knowing smirk on his face.

Duo sank into his seat, covering his face with his hands.

While it had been wonderful waking up in the arms of Heero, the feeling itself scared him. Was he in love with Heero, or was it just some powerful sense of friendship?

Soul mates! That's it.

Try 'mates.' Fits better.

Dammit! Just where did you come from?!

Duo made a face as the unwelcome voice sniggered, which sounded suspiciously like Wufei, now that he thought about it.

The real Wufei glanced at him, wondering what was up with the American.

"Duo!"

"Quatre!" Duo jumped up and waved at the Arabian, grateful for the diversion. Trailing behind the blonde was Trowa, a lunch tray in his hands.

The two sat down in front of Duo, forcing Wufei to move over.

"Injustice!" scoffed Wufei. "I was here first!"

"But Wuffles, you can't hog Duo all to yourself," retorted Trowa, mimicking Duo almost perfectly.

Wufei's jaw dropped, and then he grinned as he and Trowa engaged in a battle of wits. It would be interesting to see how much Trowa had learned from his peers.

Meanwhile, Quatre spoke with Duo. "Where's Heero?" he asked.

"Studying," replied Duo, wrinkling his nose.

Quatre chuckled as he shook his head. "Figures."

They talked for a bit, unaware of the battle going on next to them, until Trowa suddenly interrupted them.

"So how's Stevens?" he asked, as Wufei leaned back, looking triumphant.

Duo sombered up. "He's critical. They said he was suffering from blood loss, but they don't see any wounds big enough to cause him to just, pass out like that and, well, you know."

The other three nodded gently.

x

As the sun set, casting a blood red glow upon the land, students began to hurry to their dorms or to the places they wanted to hang out. Seldom did the students wish to stay behind and continue working on their studies on campus. Heero was one of these few students.

He sat in the school's library, typing on one of its computers. His report was almost done, but Heero felt that something was missing to make it perfect. He looked over it. It's too much like my mission reports, he thought to himself.

He began going over his report, making minor changes to make it seem more personal. Or at least, he hoped it seemed more personal. Hope. Now there's something I thought I would never need to feel.

A prickling sensation suddenly raced along his back. It was the same feeling he would get when someone was watching. But who would be watching him with such intensity that it set off his personal alarms?

Heero looked down into his computer's screen, trying to spot a reflection. He saw nothing. Very casually, he bent over to put away his pen. As he was stashing it into his backpack, he looked out from the corner of his eye. There by the window stood a boy, probably eighteen. Heero sat back up to look on his computer screen, processing what he just saw.

The stranger was dressed all in black, just about every part of him covered. Black hair shot out from under a cap, and there were blue eyes staring out from underneath the bill of the cap. His lips were twisted into an ugly scowl.

Heero stared at the computer screen, realizing that he didn't see the guy's reflection on there. He whirled around. The person was gone. Heero narrowed his eyes. Something about this didn't sit well with him.

x

Duo munched on a honeybun as he made his way to the dorms, thinking about the recent events. Stevens was still in the hospital, and he hadn't seen Heero all day long. For some reason, that bothered him, although he was also grateful. Thinking back to how he had woken up in the morning, in Heero's arms, made him blush. He honestly couldn't say if he could keep a straight face if placed in front of Heero.

Going back again, it would be interesting to see just how Heero would have reacted with him.

A cold breeze picked up and Duo pulled the jacket closer around his neck, glancing up to make sure he was still on path, before focusing on the ground again.

He really couldn't understand what he was feeling. Why had he gotten so flustered with Wufei's questioning? It was just two friends sharing a bed, wasn't it?

But two friends don't just snuggle away like that.

Duo groaned internally. "That's it. I really have gone off the deep end. Oof!" His thoughts were rudely interrupted as he collided into a semi hard wall. He stumbled back, dropped his bun, and fell flat on his ass. "Ow! My bun! I mean, my bread! Well, my bun, too. Double ow!"

"Hn." He heard the someone say.

"Heero?" Duo looked up into prussian blue eyes, startled. He paused and felt his cheeks turn warm when he realized that the person he had crashed into wasn't Heero."Oh, sorry. I didn't see you."

The stranger put out his hand to help Duo up.

Duo waved the help away. "I've got it," he said. "My fault for not paying attention."

The stranger closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. "I saw you coming."

Duo faltered. "Uh... yeah. Well, even so, I'm sorry. Gotta run." He let out a nervous laugh as he stepped back, scratching the back of his head. With a small wave, Duo darted around the stranger, glancing back only once. Then he jogged towards the dorms, trying not to look like he was running away.

The stranger watched him go, and when Duo was far enough, he turned to look at the sugary half eaten bun on the floor. He squatted on the floor and stared at it in contemplation. Reaching for it, he hesitated, then grabbed it. He looked at it some more before bringing it up to his mouth. The stranger nibbled on the side Duo had eaten off of it, then he smiled and looked back at the direction Duo had run to, a look of longing in his eyes. He pocketed the piece of bread and walked in the opposite direction.

x

Duo burst into Wufei's room. To his surprise, Wufei was actually inside, and he had but a second to get rid of the disturbed look on his face and put on the happy one.

Wufei glanced up from his math work. "Don't you ever knock?"

Duo sniggered. "Who'd ever thought Wuffers would actually prefer to be sprawled on the bed than sit at his desk for homework!"

Wufei nodded downwards to where an older youth sat huddled underneath the desk.

Duo was slightly taken aback. "Uh, hey, Troy," he greeted gently.

"Like, hey, little dude." Troy looked up at Duo, his shoulder length blond hair framing his sqaure face. "Like, be quiet or you might scare the little trolls. They're hiding in that corner. They like to play games, man. See? They threw these at me." Troy held out several small balls of paper.

Duo looked over at Wufei, who made drinking and smoking motions with his head. Duo made a silent "Oh."

"So what do you want?" asked Wufei, looking back at his book.

"Geez, no small talk? Maybe I just wanted to hang around with you or something."

"Not likely," snorted Wufei. Then he added somewhat smoothly. "Why don't you hang around Heero? He seems to enjoy your company."

Duo snorted in return. "Like a cactus on his ass. Actually, he probably wouldn't feel that."

Troy laughed his head off, banging his head against the bottom of the desk.

Wufei tore a small piece of paper, balled it up, and threw it at the wall. It bounced off and rolled along the floor towards Troy.

"See, man! They did it again!"

Duo grinned at Wufei. "Dude, you are evil."

Wufei just ignored him, a small smile on his lips. "It keeps him focused and silent as he waits for them."

"Riiiiight." Then Duo grinned wickedly. "Hey Troy?"

"Like, yeah?"

"Can I borrow your car?"

"Like, suuuuuuuuure, little dude. Just don't scratch up the paint. Cause, like, it's kind of hard to find that kind of color, man."

"Like, excellent," quipped Duo, grabbing a set of keys from the side table.

Wufei shook his head. "Duo, I have nothing on you.".

x

Duo pulled up alongside the beach. He parked Troy's car and stepped out. The slight breeze carried the salted water's aroma towards him. He inhaled it, sighing in pleasure. This is what he continued to love about the earth itself. The sights and sounds that the colonies could never reproduce.

He made his way down the the sandy shore, watching the bright moon's light reflect off the wavy waters.

He leaned back against the sand and looked up at the moon. "How beautiful," he murmured to himself.

"Hn," he heard someone say.

Duo sat up quickly, finding himself searching for a gun. Guess old habits are hard to break, he thought.

Blue eyes stared down at him.

Duo blinked. "It's you!" he stated, recognizing the face of the person he had run into earlier.

The person blinked and then looked up and out over the sea. "The moon is just a barren rock," the stranger said, his voice emotionless.

Duo stood up, his face indignant. "Only to some lame, unappreciative bastard who just takes nature for granted!" he said, fiercely, hands on hips, head tilted upwards to look at the young man.

The person looked down at him, unmoved. "If you say so," he said.

Duo looked away, looking back over the ocean. "If you don't care about the moon, then why are you out here at night?"

"There are other sights to admire."

Duo's retort died in the middle of his throat. He slowly turned to look back at the stranger, perplexed.

Oh me, oh my, was that a pick-up line? snickered the Wufei voice.

If it is, he's gonna have to do better than...wait a minute. What am I thinking?!

Duo shook his head as Wufei's voice laughed at him.

Both young men remained silent for a while.

"Clarence Winters," said the blue eyed male, startling Duo.

"Duo Maxwell," replied the teenager, out of habit. I may run, I may hide, but I never tell I lie, he silently thought, remembering his war time motto.

Well, except to yourself.

"Shut-up."

"Pardon?"

Duo felt himself go bright red and was thankful that it was too dark for the other person to see. "Nothing! Just thinking, er, speaking to myself."

Clarence tilted his head to look at him, the moon reflecting off of his blue eyes. Duo felt himself drawn into them. They looked so much like Heero's.

Can you feel the love tonight? sang the voice.

Duo closed his eyes and groaned.

"What is it?" asked Clarence.

"Just remembered my test tomorrow," replied Duo, which was sort of true. He stood up and began to walk away. "Gotta jet."

"I'll see you in the evening class," Clarence said, his words halting Duo in his tracks.

"Which evening..." began Duo, turning around and pausing. Clarence was gone.

And I thought I was the master at stealth.

Considering that you never stop talking.

Who asked you?

Duo headed to where he had left Troy's car, trying to remember if he had seen Clarence in any of his night time classes.

He couldn't.

x

Clarence Winters watched the long braided boy take off in the car. When he had first noticed the color of his eyes out by the dorms, he felt his heart warm up. So he followed him out here and watched him enjoy the moon light.

He didn't care much for earth's beauties, but obviously the young man did.

"How odd," he said to himself quietly. "I never felt this strongly for a guy before. But why would he even be friends with me?"

He could be, if you allow me to help. I can make him all yours.

Clarence remained silent, as the voice that had lately begun to plague him whispered into his ear.

Just imagine, never being lonely again. Don't you want him? Couldn't you imagine the taste of his lips when you nibbled on that bun? With me by your side, you'll soon be able to feel his skin against yours. Feel the weight of his hair. Have him smile to no one but you. You want that, don't you?

"Yeesss..." whispered Clarence.

With that he moved back into the shadows.

x

"Hey!" shouted Duo in greeting, as Heero and Trowa looked down at him.

Duo ran up the stairs of the lecture room and sat in his usual seat, right next to Heero. Trowa sat on the other side of Heero, notebook open and pencil in hand.

"Lovely night, tonight," said Duo. "Makes me want to skip class and head to the Waterway and play some Arcades. What do you guys say? They won't miss us!"

Heero snorted as Trowa gave a small smile and shook his head.

"You guys are absolutely no fun. You don't know how to act your age, and conversation, pffff, I have to make up for your lack of trying!"

"Contrary to popular belief," started Trowa, in his quiet and steady voice. "I'm not as silent as some people make me out to be."

"He just can't get a word in edge wise with your incessant chattering."

"Oi!" exclaimed Duo, clutching his chest. "That hurt!" In mock anger, he shoved Heero's arm.

Unprepared, Heero bumped into Trowa, both of them nearly falling out of their seats. Something that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle escaped Trowa's lips as he apologized to the girl sitting next to him.

"Oops! Sorry, Trowa. Didn't realize my own strength," said Duo, wide-eyed.

Trowa nodded.

Then he pushed back. Heero grunted as he collided into Duo.

"Trowa!" exclaimed both Heero and Duo, a bit shocked by Trowa's retaliation. Heero then let out a short laugh as Duo failed to regain his balance and fell out of his seat.

Trowa smirked while Heero tried to wipe the grin off of his face. Both their smiles faded as a tall, dark haired young man stepped up to Duo and offered him a hand.

"Are you hurt?" The person glared at Heero and Trowa, his voice filled with malice.

"Wha..?" asked Duo, caught off guard. He looked at the offered hand and then at the owner. "Clarence! No, I'm all right. Really! Just a bit of rough housing."

Duo took Clarence's hand and stood up, his cheeks feeling as if they were on fire. "Thanks!"

Duo withdrew his hand from Calrence and slid into his seat. He looked up at Clarence. "So, uh, where do you sit?" he asked. "I've never seen you in Biology class before."

Clarence pointed up towards the back. "Best place to see everything, and not be noticed." With that, he left to go to his seat, gently patting Duo on the shoulder.

Duo watched to see where exactly Clarence sat. He turned to look back at the front as the professor entered the room, a small chill going down his back.

As class progressed, Trowa looked at Heero from the corner of his eyes. He was slightly amused to see his class mate sneaking glances at Duo. And from the way he was gripping his pencil, Trowa could tell that Heero was not happy.

Duo, on the other hand, looked lost in thought. He had stopped taking notes long ago.

Trowa sighed and continued with his note taking, knowing that Duo would ask for them sooner or later. He paused once more as he got the unsettling feeling of being watched. It soon passed, and he continued without any further interruptions.

x

Clarence Winters sat at his desk, glaring at the boy who had Duo's undivided attention. Judging from the way he spoke to him in an unfriendly manner, and the insult he just gave, the boy didn't know what gift was being laid open before him.

Without a moment's hesitation, he found himself helping Duo up when the other boy caused him to fall out of the seat. He glared at them both, but felt a growing feeling of hatred for the prussian eyed youth in front of him.

Clarence spoke briefly with Duo before heading back to his seat. Class was going to start soon.

Up at the top, Clarence continued to glare at the boys named Heero and Trowa. They hurt Duo. Granted it was unintentional, but they hurt him none the less.

He soon gave up glaring at both short haired boys and focused on his Duo.

Our Duo, Clarence. Ours. I promise you, he soon will be ours.

Yes, thought Clarence. Ours.

tbc...