Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Happy Trails ❯ Chapter 10

Warnings and disclaimers in first part


It was almost midnight when Duo came back, clearly surprised to find Trowa sitting at the kitchen table. Trowa had figured out the second day of his stay that the braided man preferred to use the kitchen door rather than the front one, as most people would have. It was also a more direct door to the barn and buildings at the back of the house.

Seeing the weary way Duo stood, Trowa rose from the table and led him to a seat, prompting Duo to sit before getting him a glass of milk. When the other man took the glass with a tired smile, Trowa brushed his fingers down the side of the heart-shaped face, no longer afraid of the tenderness he felt or the way his heart clenched when exhausted eyes met his. “Were you able to eat?”

“I got something from the diner a few hours ago. Did you eat?”

Not surprised to see worry in Duo’s eyes, Trowa nodded in reassurance. “I made a few sandwiches earlier. I had a feeling you wouldn’t be back for a while. Were you able to find out anything helpful?”

Duo sighed as he set the empty glass on the table, letting his arms rest on the surface. “There were four men and all of them confirmed what you suspected. None of them had time to fabricate a story and when they realized Bruce was going to pile a heap of charges on them, they sang like little canaries. They were told to watch someone Quatre said he wanted to buy land from, but that didn’t want to sell. They were instructed to do a series of acts, each more dangerous than the last. One of them admitted he was ordered to tell his employer the people that came and left the ranch and they arrived over three months ago, taking over for the crew that was here before. Honestly, I think they were tired of camping out. Not one of them was from the country and they all hated camping.” Duo snorted with dry humor, “Quatre should have hired someone that enjoyed being in the woods. He also told them the job would be a month, not three, and then kept changing his instructions. Those poor guys had been bit by ticks, mosquitos, stung by bees, and one of them had a sunburn so bad he had to be treated by a doctor. Quatre told them if they left he would refuse to pay them and would make their lives hell. I think they were happy to get caught. Last time I saw them they were commenting how nice it was to be sleeping in a real bed, even though it was a cot in a jail cell.”

“Hopefully, your problems will stop now,” noted Trowa as he stood, taking Duo’s hand to pull the smaller man from the bench.

Clearly exhausted, Duo allowed himself to be led up the stairs without argument. “I’ll probably hear from Quatre again before this is over. There was a call from an anonymous source while I was at the station, informing Bruce I was a suspected murderer that had been released because there was no evidence. I guess someone’s not happy with me, but he doesn’t know his men have been captured yet.”

“It isn’t going to make things difficult for you, is it?”

“It might have if there hadn’t been a Preventer agent already at the sheriff’s department to trace the call. Quatre was stupid enough to make the call from his home phone. I told Bruce about what happened on L1 when I first moved here because I didn’t want it coming up and causing problems later. He kept a close eye on me for a while then decided I wasn’t going to cause any problems.” Duo shook his head and sighed as he followed behind the tall man, “It’s going to be a while before they have enough evidence to arrest him, but it’s only a matter of time. Until then, I can deal with the fallout.” As if realizing Trowa had led him to his bedroom, Duo stopped dead in his tracks and pulled his hand free of Trowa’s grasp. “Ummm, Trowa, what…”

Facing the small man, Trowa took both of Duo’s hands, walking backwards until they were beside the head of the bed. “Stop worrying. I’m not going to toss you down and have my way with you. Not tonight; you’re too tired. Let me take care of you for a little while.”

Rather than wait for an answer, he let go of the other man’s hands, smiling when guarded eyes watched him as he reached for the buttons on Duo’s shirt. Neither spoke as the flannel shirt fell to the floor. Urging the small man to sit on the bed, Trowa bent down and removed boots and socks, then pulled Duo to his feet and unbuttoned the other man’s pants, smiling when Duo jerked. “Be still. I’m trying to behave.”

It was almost amusing the way the braided man was completely still after that, not moving as Trowa slid jeans down his legs. The sight of black silk boxers nearly had Trowa swallowing his tongue, but he averted his eyes quickly, not daring to touch the smooth cloth. Standing, Trowa picked Duo up and placed him gently on the bed, biting his own tongue to keep from doing what he wanted.

He was pulling the blanket up to cover Duo when he risked a glance at the other man’s face. In Duo’s eyes he saw confusion and wariness, along with sadness. Knowing his heart had been lost to the L2 native, he leaned down, taking Duo’s lips in a slow but deep kiss, moaning when it was returned without hesitation. Moving back, he held the cobalt eyes with his own. “Stay with me tomorrow.”

Duo’s regret was easy to see, his hand coming off the bed to reach for Trowa, only to drop without touching him. “I can’t, Trowa. Even with those men gone, I need to be on the lookout for whatever Quatre’s going to do next and there’s still the usual work to be done. I…I just can’t.”

Though he had already known the answer, Trowa felt disappointed when he heard the response aloud. “Is there anything I can help with? I can’t do much, but I’d like to spend some time with you tomorrow.”

“I have to give the horses some shots tomorrow. You can help me with that,” Duo told him after a pause.

The slight hesitation told him Duo hadn’t planned to give the horses shots, thrilling him to know Duo had altered his plans so they could spend some time during the day together. Trowa decided to use the rest of his time preparing a surprise for Duo. After one last kiss he moved away, knowing if he stayed any longer it wouldn’t be possible to resist touching the skin he had uncovered. “Get some sleep. I…I’ll see you in the morning,” he altered his words, stunned at what had almost slipped out. He didn’t think Duo was ready to hear Trowa was in love with him and likely never would. Either way, the braided man was too worn out to hear the declaration tonight.



Patting the horse on the neck, Trowa couldn’t keep his attention off the other man’s hands, competently administering shots. It was easy to imagine how those hands would feel on him instead of the soft hide and he looked away with a shiver. “Are you okay?”

Looking at Duo with a blink, he discovered the other man watching him closely. “I’m fine. Where did you learn to do this?”

“When I bought the place I didn’t want to have to depend on someone else all the time, so each time the vet came out I had her teach me. It was the same for everything else. When I had to call someone in for help, I got them to show me how to do whatever it was.” Duo looked away, down the row of stalls where other horses had their heads stuck out, trying to get the braided man’s attention in hopes of getting a treat. Looking back at Trowa, he gave a pleading expression, “This isn’t just a place to me, Trowa.”

Moving, Trowa let his hand rest briefly on Duo’s cheek before letting it drop. “I know, Duo. This place is you. You helped build it and you love it here. I would never ask you to leave.” Not wanting to discuss it anymore, he inclined his head at the horse. “Are there any more?”

“Scythe, but you can’t help with him. You don’t need to. He stands still for me.”

Still wary of the black horse Duo had a fondness for, Trowa glanced around, “Where is the happy family?”

“Out in the field somewhere, I let them out to run this morning. Scythe and Evie will bring Shin back. They know where the food is.”

As Duo led the white horse back into the stall, Trowa smiled as he saw the way the man slipped the animal some sugar cubes, his smile fading when he thought of his impending trip. He didn’t think it was an over-exaggeration to believe leaving was going to be one of the most painful things in his life.

When somber eyes fixed on him, he held out a hand, breath hitching when it was taken. Pulling the smaller man to him, he kissed Duo quickly, forcing himself not to take it deeper. “I’ll let you get back to what you really need to be doing.”

“You can stay. There should be something else we can do.”

“Duo, I need to pack.” He didn’t imagine the wince or the way Duo looked away. “I’ll make supper, okay? Do you know what time you’ll be done?”

“It should be around five. Trowa, are you sure?”

“Will you let me stay?” Silence was his answer. Forcing a smile, he nodded slowly, “I’m sure. I’ll see you this evening.”

Inside the house he made a phone call to Sara, the only person in the area he knew well enough to ask for help. After extracting a promise of secrecy, he hung up with a smile and went upstairs, hoping the night went as he planned.



When Duo came in the kitchen door a few minutes before five o’clock, Trowa gestured for him to wash his hands, pulling a pan from the oven. After transferring rolls to a bowl he set them in the center of the table then captured the other man around the waist. Seeing Duo’s surprise, he smirked, “You’re a few minutes early.”

“I said five o’clock. It’s five.”

“So it is.” Trowa gave no warning as he covered Duo’s mouth, swallowing the gasp as he held the smaller man in place. Releasing Duo, he was pleased to see the dazed expression. “You do like beef stew, don’t you?”

Shaking his head, Duo backed up out of the circle of Trowa’s arms, “It’s one of my favorite foods.”

“Good. Sit down and I’ll bring you some. Do you want a beer?”

“I’d like that, Trowa.”

Hearing the sadness in Duo’s voice, Trowa shook his head as he got their food and drinks. Sitting beside Duo rather than across the table, he kept his tone soft. “No bad thoughts. I don’t want my last night here to be sad.”

Supper was a quiet affair, Trowa drawing Duo into conversation by asking what he had done the rest of the day. When he noticed the other man was picking at his food, he stood and took the bowls away, putting them in the dishwasher. When the braided man began to walk into the living room, Trowa stopped him. “No TV tonight, Duo. I have a surprise for you.”

Taking Duo’s hand, he led the man up the stairs, turning off lights as they went. Stopping in Duo’s bedroom door, he smiled as he saw the awed expression, delighted the cobalt-eyed man had been surprised. Duo stared into the room before walking inside, the dim light of the candles illuminating everything with a soft glow. Seeing Duo in that light had Trowa swallowing hard, love for the other man making it hard to breathe. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“That’s not all.” Moving to the dresser, Trowa took the wine from the bucket of ice, pouring two glasses. Crossing the room, he gave one to Duo, returning to the dresser to retrieve the bowl of strawberries. “I was told you like these.”

“You were told right,” Duo said as he reached for a berry, frowning when Trowa moved the bowl away. “I don’t get any?”

Putting the bowl on the table closest to the bed, Trowa smiled as he chose a single berry, taking a sip of wine and smiling at the taste. It was one of his favorites, but it had been banned in Quatre’s house since it was made by a competitor. Holding the berry to Duo’s lips, he lifted an eyebrow, “You can have as many as you like,” he commented.

Eyes on the tall man, Duo opened his mouth to take the berry, his lips closing over Trowa’s fingers and causing his breath to stutter out. Duo’s sly smile made him narrow his eyes, “You enjoy tormenting me, don’t you?”

Duo took a sip of his wine before sitting down and putting his glass aside, choosing another berry. “Maybe a little.” The braided man fell silent as he ate a few of the strawberries, washing them down with wine. “Trowa, this is really nice, but we should probably get ready for bed. You know what I mean,” he added with a groan when Trowa smiled.

Taking Duo’s glass, Trowa filled them both again and set them beside the bowl, choosing one of the berries for himself. “I don’t plan to leave your room tonight, Duo.”

It only took an instant for the expected argument. “This isn’t a good idea. Why won’t you take no for an answer? This is nice,” Duo waved at the table where the bowl and glasses waited, “but I’m not going to have sex with you because of this.”

“I don’t plan to have sex with you and I didn’t do this to trick you.”

“Then what…?”

Framing the other man’s face with his hands, Trowa stared at the man that had become everything to him in such a short time. “I want to make love with you, Duo. If you can honestly tell me you don’t want me, I’ll go to my room right now and leave tomorrow without looking back. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want this and I’ll go away.”

Cobalt eyes looked up at him, wide and vulnerable. Trowa held his breath, letting it out when Duo spoke, “I want you more than I can remember wanting anything. I still don’t think this is a good idea.”

“You won’t let me stay. I want one night with you, Duo. Please. Let me make love to you.” It was the closest he had come to admitting the depth of his feelings.

Realizing he was holding his breath, he sat on the edge of the bed and waited while Duo slowly ate two more berries, air coming out in a slow hiss when Duo finally looked at him with eyes that were half-closed. “It’s not a good idea. I actually think it’s a really, really bad idea. I don’t think that’s going to stop us, though, is it? I knew this was going to happen, but was trying to stop it.”

“Why are you so against this, Duo? I’ll be careful with you. I know it’s probably been a long time since you’ve been with anyone.”

Duo let out a laugh full of nerves. “A long time is an understatement. I haven’t slept with anyone since I left the colonies. It’s been over seven years, Trowa. I’ve fought this because…” Duo got off the bed and walked around the room, eventually stopping in front of the window after getting his glass and drinking it, refilling it again.

“Because you’re afraid you’ll feel something for me,” Trowa finished when Duo shook his head.

With hands that trembled, Duo sipped at the liquid as he stared out the window. Holding the glass in one hand, he crossed his arms over his chest, “I fought this because I already feel too damn much for you.”

The banged man was across the room in seconds, standing inches away from the other man, giving Duo a serious look, his heart pounding against his ribs, “You can’t tell me something like that and expect me to walk away. Let us have one night.”

The other man’s reply was to set his glass on the windowsill and walk into Trowa’s arms. The thought of rushing never occurred to Trowa as he pulled the smaller man into a kiss, moaning as the flavor of the berries and wine mixed with Duo’s own taste. The kiss lasted several minutes until Trowa broke it slowly, listening to Duo’s soft sigh. “Duo…I don’t want to leave you.”

“You have a life you need to start, Trowa. That’s in the city, not here. This isn’t the life you want. Once you leave you’ll realize that and wonder why you thought staying here was a good idea.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Duo he wanted to stay because of Duo and it didn’t matter where they were. Instead of saying that, he led Duo to the bed, keeping his eyes on the wide cobalt ones, easily seeing the fear that lurked there. “I won’t hurt you, Duo. Trust me.”

“If I didn’t trust you, you wouldn’t have stayed one night in my house and you sure as hell wouldn’t be standing in my bedroom.” Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Duo’s voice was low and needy, something that made tall man shudder. “Christ, Trowa. Touch me.”

“Don’t rush me. I’m going to take my time. You’re going to enjoy this, Duo. I promise.”

“If you don’t touch me, I’m going to pass out,” Duo laughed slightly.

If he could have, Trowa would have smiled at the show of nerves, but he was far too stunned at the idea of having permission to finally touch Duo. As carefully as he had the night before, he began opening the buttons on Duo’s flannel shirt, hissing when he found skin underneath. Bending down, he kissed every inch of skin that was exposed with each button undone, shuddering at the taste.

“I should take a shower. I’m probably sweaty,” Duo gasped as Trowa’s tongue laved his chest, his shirt dropping forgotten to the floor. “If you let me, I’ll go take a fast one.”

“I don’t want you to take a shower. I want you right where you are,” managed Trowa as he moved his lips to one of Duo’s nipples, teething it lightly. Deciding if he could live on taste alone he and Duo would never leave the bedroom, he crossed the muscled chest to the other nipple, hands unbuttoning the man’s pants. “You taste good,” he whispered against Duo’s skin as he reached inside the loose pants, finding an erection covered with silk.

Caressing the hardness through the cloth, Trowa heard the moan that passed Duo’s lips, the sound electrifying his skin. Releasing Duo for an instant, he kept his mouth on the other man’s throat as he pushed the pants to the floor, then kissed Duo again, eyes falling shut as he realized one night would never be enough. There had to be some way to convince Duo he was where he needed to be, but it was a problem for later, when he wasn’t so eager to explore the trembling body in his arms. “Sit down on the bed, Duo.”

“You’re driving me crazy,” the braided man moaned, yet did as Trowa requested.

Needing a moment to calm his racing heart and body, Trowa took his time as he knelt on the floor to take Duo’s socks and pants off; glad the other man had left his boots by the kitchen door. It was the first time he allowed himself to really pay attention to the dense muscle, Duo’s legs covered with fine hair. Smoothing his hand up the insides of Duo’s thighs, he looked up to the man on the bed, throat tightening when he saw Duo propped up on his elbows, head tossed back as he gasped. “Beautiful,” he whispered, leaning forward to put his hands on Duo’s hips, mouth moving up firm thighs until encountering the edge of red silk cloth.

“I’m not beautiful,” Duo argued with a whisper.

“You are,” he said simply, moving one hand to cover the erection pushing against the satiny boxers.

Duo didn’t answer, his breath coming in gasps as Trowa stroked him, tongue sliding under the gap between silk and skin to find Duo’s sac, heavy and waiting. He remained there for a long moment, listening to the way the other man moaned, feeling the way muscles trembled under his hands and mouth. Abruptly realizing Duo wasn’t the only one shaking, he rose over the man on the bed, thumbs hooked into the waistband of the silk shorts. “I need to see you. God, I need to feel you.”

“Do whatever you want,” Duo hissed as he lifted his hips. “I need more, Trowa. I can’t take much more of this.”

“Does it feel bad?”

“No. It feels really good. No one’s touched me in a long time and what you’re doing feels better than anything I’ve felt before.”

“It’s going to get better,” Trowa vowed, dropping the boxers to the floor and running his hands up Duo’s sides, leaning over to stroke his tongue over the hard length, finding the skin as silken as the underwear that had been covering it. Duo’s shout echoed off the room walls, tapering off to a groan when Trowa wrapped his lips around the hardness, Duo’s back arching off the bed. Wrapping arms around the slim waist, Trowa held the other man off the bed so he would have better access, growling deep in his throat when hands gripped his hair. “Trowa…no more. I can’t take it.”

Letting Duo go, he moved his body up the other man’s, joining their lips, not sure how he was going to live without the taste of the other man. “What do you want me to do?”

After taking a greedy gulp of air, needy eyes focused on him. “Stand up.”

“But…you don’t…”

“Trowa, you have too many clothes on. I want to undress you. There’s no stopping now.”

Trowa stood, jerking at the feel of calloused fingers under his shirt. His own breath came in pants as Duo removed his clothing, the sensation of hands sliding across his skin driving him slowly insane. “You said before I was seducing you, but I hadn’t done anything,” Duo mused softly, his mouth touching Trowa’s neck. “Would you like to know what I would have done if I had been trying to seduce you?”

“You’ve been seducing me since I saw you again, Duo. Seeing who you’ve become, learning of your strength has pulled me in. You seduced me the first time you gave in to me even when you thought it was the wrong thing to do. I’ve been lost in you for days, but it feels like years.”

Looking down at the other man he saw the single tear that rolled down Duo’s face, heart stuttering at the thought of hurting this fey creature he had been lucky enough to spend time with. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to make you cry.”

Fingers skimmed up Trowa’s chest as Duo turned his eyes down, “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me. I’m not sad, not about what you said.”

“You’re sad because you think I have to leave?”

“I’m sad because you have to leave. Your life isn’t here, Trowa.”

“I think you’re wrong,” he asserted quietly, hands touching Duo’s face before moving to the strong shoulders, then farther down to the slender hips. “I think this is exactly where my life is.” Taking Duo’s mouth, he halted the objections he could see coming, his blood cooled for a moment. “We’ll talk about it later. Right now, will you let me show you how I feel?”

Duo nodded, sighing as he was urged to the bed, their bodies coming in contact for the first time without the barrier of clothing between them. Trowa put his concerns about leaving aside, needing to show Duo how much he was cherished. Keeping kisses and touches light, he worshipped the lean body, realizing how small the other man really was. By listening to the soft sighs he judged what Duo liked the most and repeated those motions, waiting until Duo’s breathing sped up to stop.

Reaching under the pillow he found the oil he had hidden there, lifting Duo’s knees and spreading them while before pouring a healthy amount of liquid in his palm. Although his body was urging him to move faster, Trowa refused to give in as he tipped his hand, letting some of the oil drip onto Duo’s entrance, pulling a startled gasp from the man under him. After applying oil to himself, he shifted, fingers tracing the ring of muscle as he initiated another long kiss. Needing air, he pulled away, propping himself over Duo with one arm, his other hand giving teasing touches to Duo’s most intimate of areas.

Discovering Duo’s eyes were closed, he whispered, “Look at me, love. See me,” the endearment fell from his lips without design and he didn’t know if Duo understood it or not as dazed eyes opened to focus on him. “Duo…”

“I see you, Trowa. I know it’s you. It always has been.”

Wondering what Duo meant, Trowa hoped for a chance to ask about it later. He was looking into the other man’s eyes when he slid a finger inside Duo’s body, shuddering when eyes grew wide, Duo’s breath catching before releasing on a long moan. The kisses continued as he manipulated the other man’s body, fingers of his free hand threading with Duo’s when the braided man gripped his arm. Any time he saw even a hint of pain he would pause to put more oil on Duo, determined to cause as little pain as possible. His own breath was ragged when a hand gripped his erection, earning Duo a gasp.

“Trowa, I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure; I need you.”

Refusing to let go of Duo’s hand, he positioned his erection at the entrance to the toned body, eyes on Duo’s. “Tell me if I hurt you.”

Duo smiled as he released Trowa’s length to touch the tall man’s face gently before moving it to the back of his neck for a long moment, gripping the pillow as he Trowa began to enter him. “You won’t hurt me, not by doing this.”

It went unspoken that he would hurt Duo in another way, but Trowa didn’t mention it. Painstakingly slow, he pushed into Duo, gritting his teeth as his length was surrounded by warm, tight heat. Once he was finally seated, he remained still for several minutes, both for Duo to adjust and for him to force down the impending orgasm threatening to overtake him.

When he began to move he did so slowly, never taking his eyes off the man under him. Seeing Duo’s hand gripping the pillow, Trowa it in his, clasping both in an attempt to ground himself in reality. Duo seemed to understand his need to take his time because he never voiced a complaint or urged Trowa to move faster. Far too soon he felt Duo tense as semen spilled between their bodies, the muscles tightening around Trowa and pulling him over the precipice he had been precariously balanced.

Keeping his weight off the smaller man, Trowa was stunned by the emotions coursing through him. He had believed he had loved Quatre and in a way he had, but it had been the immature love of a teenager, something that had never changed or become larger. Looking into eyes that were almost black in the candlelight, it felt like his emotions were too strong to be contained, encompassing every inch of his soul. He had no words to explain and it hurt to know Duo didn’t want to hear even if he could sort out what he wanted to say.

Swallowing hard, he shifted and saw the glint of moisture on Duo’s face, his worries for himself gone in an instant. “Please tell me I didn’t hurt you. I’ll find a way to fix whatever I did wrong.”

Duo surprised him by shaking his head, “I never knew it could be like that. It was…perfect.”

Leaning down, Trowa kissed the tear away, voice soft as he replied, “I never knew it could be like that, either. Duo, I…”

“We should take a shower,” the other man interrupted quietly. When Trowa looked at him again, Duo’s expression was somber. “Some things shouldn’t be said, Trowa.”

He understood, finally, that if he said those three words it would hurt Duo, who believed Trowa would be better off when he went away. Nodding slowly, he moved, withdrawing from the other man’s body and eliciting a hiss. Standing, he held out a hand to Duo, “Take a shower with me?”

Duo nodded and took the offered hand, standing still when he gained his feet. Looking up at the tall man, he sighed, “Even when things aren’t said, that doesn’t mean they aren’t understood, Trowa.”



Late in the night, Trowa lay beside Duo, watching the other man sleep. The candles had been extinguished, the wine bottle emptied, and the bowl of berries finished, but he didn’t want to close his eyes, afraid Duo would disappear as he slept. With the curtains open, the moonlight filtered through the glass, giving Duo’s sleeping face an ethereal quality.

When the other man frowned in sleep, Trowa didn’t hesitate to lean forward and touch Duo’s face with his fingertips, smiling when the frown disappeared with an almost inaudible sigh. He had tried to figure out a resolution to his dilemma after Duo had gone to sleep, his lean body curling into Trowa’s almost instantly. It didn’t matter how many ways he tried to work out a solution that they could both be happy with, he continued to come up with nothing.

Trowa wanted to stay so badly. He couldn’t imagine a life without Duo in it and had no desire to return to the city, but he had promised Heero he would make the final leg of the trip. There was no need to return to Quatre’s house; his belongings were in storage and easily dealt with; the only thing of any value he owned was his weapon collection and that could be picked up by a moving company.

Duo believed Trowa had to leave in order to be happy. It was clear the braided man could see how Trowa felt and was obviously afraid to hear the words said aloud. It was just as easy for Trowa to see Duo’s emotions in his eyes, emotions that had risen to the surface as they were making love. While he understood the reasons for the other man’s hesitation, he couldn’t comprehend why Duo refused to believe they could stay together.

Also, Quatre was gone from Trowa’s life. Even if it took another six years to make a case against the blonde, he had no intention of involving himself with the man again, having seen the blonde for what he truly was. Quatre had been spiteful and jealous of Duo and had caused numerous problems for the long-haired man that he called friend to all those that knew him. For the deceit alone, Trowa would have despised the blonde, but that had only been the beginning of Quatre’s duplicity. He had purposefully put a wedge between all of the former teammates, destroying the bond they had formed during the war.

While Trowa was grateful Duo and Heero had never become a real couple, he was saddened by how their relationship had been prevented. Out of all of them, Duo had borne the brunt of Quatre’s hatred and had done it alone. Unsure how anyone could ever willingly cause Duo pain he raised up on one elbow, leaning over to whisper in the smaller man’s ear. “I love you, Duo.”

“Trowa.” Still asleep, Duo turned his face toward Trowa and the tall man accepted the unconscious invitation.

The kiss was a simple placement of mouth over mouth until arms wound around Trowa to hold him there. Willingly, Trowa deepened the kiss as he moved, sliding into Duo’s body once again, swallowing the deep groan. “Hold onto me,” he whispered, turning when strong hands gripped his skin. Shifting so his feet were on the floor, he sat up, holding Duo as close as he could get before moving hands to the small waist to control their pace. Cobalt eyes were clear and focused on him, no remaining hint of sleep lingering before their mouths mated again.

There were no words as they moved in unison, Trowa saying nothing when he saw tears on Duo’s face. He knew this time they weren’t from pleasure, but from sadness and pain, and he could feel moisture on his own cheeks. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew this was their goodbye and it was more painful than he had expected. The physical pleasure was mind-numbing; the sensations inside him a riot of ecstasy, tempered by the ache in his chest that came from knowing Duo wouldn’t be there when he woke the next morning. When they came, it was together and Trowa didn’t even consider letting the other man go long enough to clean up. Arms around Duo, he rolled them, burying his face in long hair as the smaller man clung to him.

He didn’t know when he finally fell asleep, but when he woke, he was alone.