Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Running Out Of Tomorrows ❯ Chapter 9

RUNNING OUT OF TOMORROWS

PART 9

* * *

"Ahhhh. . . . ." That silent and painful moan carried over the silent cubicle like a cold breeze over the calm ocean. Slowly, Duo pulled the dirty yellow curtain behind him, closing it and thus isolating Heero and himself from the rest of the room. He stood there for a few more moments, facing the curtain instead of turning around towards the bed. He closed his eyes slowly, taking deep breaths in order to calm his racing heart. The pulsing organ ached uncontrollably, each heartbeat more painful than the previous one, like a ticking bomb approaching its detonation time. His chest throbbed with the dim pain, and he had to take a few more long breaths before he was ready to turn around.

The sight of blood-filled tubes greeted him, along with the sickening sight of the machine responsible of keeping Heero alive. On the bed, one of Heero's limp hands twitched, slim fingers trying to grasp the sheets as they searched for something. Tears filled Duo's eyes as he watched Heero's pale and gaunt face also twitch in pain, his eyebrows drawing near and his lips slightly parting. His slender arm, from which a thin tube of blood was peeking out of thin flesh, rose up a little, still searching. A hoarse whimper escaped Heero's parched lips as his fingers still encountered nothing, and a pair of glazed cobalt eyes slowly opened.

"...Duo...?" A weak voice called out fearfully, sending another wave of pain through Duo's heart. "D-Duo..? Wh...where... you...?"

He could take it no more and immediately he was by his side, holding the fragile hand carefully, as if it will break if he'll hold on too tight. "I'm here, Hee-chan. I'm right here." He whispered soothingly, bending down to kiss Heero's damp forehead, his lips brushing against the warm sheen of sweat that covered Heero's weary features. "I'm right here... right here..."

Another silent moan escaped Heero's lips as he tightened his hold around Duo's palm. "Don't leave me..." He asked, his eyes now closed for he had no more strength to fight in order to keep them open. "Don't let me sleep..."

"I won't, Heero. I promise." He answered back, his voice coming out surprisingly determined and secure. He held onto Heero's hand tightly and brought it to his lips, kissing it lengthily before finally placing the frail palm against his cheek, as if trying to lend the cold fingers some of his warmth. "I'll never leave you."

Heero remained silent this time, lying deathly still on the bed. His eyes were closed and his body limp. The only sign of life was the slight movement of his messy chocolate bangs, lying carelessly over his face and teased by his shallow breath. A bright sheen of sweat was glistering over his forehead, the only source of heat coming out of the dying young man. His parched lips were slightly open, looking colorless and dead. Duo bent down to kiss them softly, just to assure himself that they were still warm. Still alive.

Tears filled his eyes at the realization that he will have to leave Heero's hand in order to make sure that those lips will remain warm and alive. He needed to leave Heero for a while, despite his promise. He just didn't know if he'd be able to do it. He had only five or so hours left... was it enough time to save Heero's life? Perhaps he will be too late and miss the chance of being by his love's side at this crucial moment? Was it worth taking the chance..?

"Duo..." Heero's weak voice spoke up again, coming out as a mere whisper out of those still, pale, lips. Black and heavy eyelids slowly struggled to open, moving heavily up until a pair of tired and blood-shot blue eyes was looking numbly at Duo.

"...do you... do you remember what you said... about how life taste like..?" He asked weakly, his eyes slowly shutting but then he forced them open again, looking sadly at the man leaning over him. "Do you remember... what you said..?"

Taking a deep, long breath, Duo squeezed Heero's hand tightly and sniffled. "Of course." He choked out, his voice suffocating with tears. "French champagne and strawberries. It can't get any better than that, huh?" He added with a sad little smile, trying to keep things light, though the tears streaming down his cheeks were giving the act away.

On the bed, Heero closed his eyes and nodded weakly. "I'll. . . buy us some, ne?" He whispered feebly, licking his cracked lips slowly. A small smile appeared on his lips, like a sweet memory just caressed his mind. His dark blue eyes slowly opened and turned to look at Duo, a small spark of light suddenly returning to the still depths. "...and... and strawberries... just like you said... I'm gonna buy them for you... I'll buy anything for you..." He promised with a saddened voice, the look in his eyes hazed with fever and pain. "Just like you said... about... life... tastes like... when we... together..."

"Heero..." Again it was all Duo could say as he looked down into those tearful and hopeful pair of eyes. The look in Heero's eyes radiated so much love, hope and content... like he had forgotten all about his time of death... all about his pain and suffering and he truly believed... he truly believed that he was going to be with Duo from now on... that they were going to be together... that everything will be all right... that reality would be gone... replaced with a dream... a dream that he'd kept a secret for so long, and now, at his time of death, he was living his dream... he seemed so convinced that it will happen... so happy that it finally came true... Duo was speechless under this gaze. There was too much pain in his heart to try and move or speak. He simply sat there, shedding silent tears as he looked down into Heero's eyes.

"We'll make a toast..... ne?" Heero continued feebly, closing his eyes in bliss and licking his lips as if he could taste the bittersweet wine on his lips. "We can sit on the beach... and drink champagne... and strawberries that will be so red... and sweet..." He whispered dreamily, a small and blissful smile gracing his pale features. "We'll sit together..... on the beach... we can watch the sunset... we'll sit together... okay? Together..?" The last few words came out as mere gasps as pain seared through his slender body, making his muscles tense and ache. But Heero seemed to be caught deeply in his hazed dream, his glazed blue eyes looking up at Duo and begging him for assurance. "You'll... come..? With... with me..?"

More tears flooded his eyes and poured down like waterfalls. He didn't even bother to wipe them away. He just tightened his hold on Heero's limp palm and nodded eagerly. "Of course, Heero. Of course I will. We'll sit together. We will..."

Again that small and joyous smile, the light shining in those dark blue eyes. It was too much to look at. Too much to see. He didn't know how much more his heart could take. He didn't know how much more he could handle. Seeing Heero like this, hearing his hopes and dreams for his lost future... it was just too much!

"We'll have the beach all for ourselves..." Heero continued, closing his eyes and turning his head aside, as if trying to picture the beach right now. "...I'm gonna buy it so it will be just ours... so... so we can drink together.... ne..?" He whispered feebly, his hand twitching in Duo's hold as he too tried to hold on tightly to his lover's warm palm. "You can bring Solo, ne? He'll like the beach, I think... I'm gonna buy him something too... will he be happy..?"

"Yes, Heero." Duo answered, his voice trembling with tears. He sniffled loudly and wiped his nose with is sleeve. "He'll be delighted." He assured his love, while at the same time his heart clenched in pain. He felt as if he was lying. Playing along with Heero's fever induced illusion was just a big lie... but it didn't matter anymore. Nothing did.

"Chairu would love the beach... I think... he'll have a lot of place to run..." Heero mumbled with a smile, his eyes still closed as he pictured his beloved pet there with them.

"We'll bring him too, Heero. I promise." Duo whispered, lifting Heero's hand up to his lips and kissing it softly. He was surprised when Heero's eyes suddenly opened, the two glazed orbs looking at him in shock. "...you won't mind..?" He asked in wonder, his expression that of a baffled child.

Duo smiled sadly and shook his head. "No, Heero. I won't mind." He whispered and bestowed another kiss on Heero's weak palm. "I won't mind at all."

"...maybe... maybe Solo could play with him..? Chairu will like that, I think..." Heero continued, looking up at Duo like a child trying to talk his parents into giving him something.

Tearful, Duo bent down and kissed Heero's forehead lightly. When his lips parted from the warm skin, he turned so he could look closely into Heero's eyes. He smiled kindly at his love and then offered a small kiss to the tip of his nose. "They'll both like it, I'm sure."

Heero's pale features lighted with a smile, his eyes sparkling with joy. "We'll be like a family..." He whispered longingly, closing his eyes as he turned his head away. "Champagne tastes better on the beach... I'll buy us some..." He licked his dry lips and took a trembling breath. Tears were leaking down his pale cheeks, a silent evidence that somehow, despite the fever, Heero knew that it was all a lie. A dream that will never come true. "...and strawberries too..." He whispered in a tired and miserable voice, his head tilting down and sinking into the thin pillow. "We'll... we'll sit together... on the beach..."

Afraid that Heero will sink into slumber and never wake up, Duo hurried to shake him awake. Heero moaned in protest and blinked, turning to look at him in confusion. His mind was hazed with fever, and the look in his eyes suggested that he was barely registering what went on around him. Duo ignored that fact and simply smiled at him, reaching down to pet his hair lovingly.

"Heero, I have to go for a few hours." He spoke slowly, holding Heero's gaze with his own, hoping to get through to the boy. "But I'll be back, you hear that? I will be back. I'm gonna make sure you'll fill that promise, Heero. I'll be back to make sure you will."

Heero's eyes were closing again, his eyelids slowly sliding shut. It looked like he didn't even hear what Duo had said, for he offered no response to the fact that Duo was about to leave.

"Hee-chan?" Duo whispered carefully, placing a warm hand on Heero's frail shoulder and shaking his lightly. "Hee-chan, did you hear what I just said? I have to leave for a while. I'm gonna be back soon, but I have to leave. Do you understand?"

Slowly, those eyelids lifted up, stopping halfway as a pair of cobalt blue eyes turned to look at Duo through half lidded eyes. "You're... lea...ving...?" He asked weakly, his voice hoarse and full of gloom. "You're... leaving... now..?"

There was so much pain behind those words, so much hurt and sadness behind those three little words, the fear of abandonment and heartbreak all too clear in those glazed blue eyes.

"We're not going to... beach..? ...together..? Like... like promised...?"

"No, Heero. That's not it." Duo assured him, shaking his head as if trying to convince Heero. "It's just for a few hours. I'll be back in a few hours. You have to hold on until then, Heero. Can you do that? Can you do that for me?"

"For... you..?" Heero whispered, turning to look up at Duo. And then suddenly, he smiled. "Anything..."

Duo allowed himself a small smile as well, his eyes thanking Heero for still being so strong. For being able to believe in him, to trust him despite all the wrong that he had done to him, despite all the times he had left him and never returned. There was just no end to Heero's loving kindness. He hoped with all his heart that he would not disappoint his love this time. That he will be able to make Heero's dream come true.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, Heero. I promise. I'm gonna make sure that we'll be together always. Please Heero, hold on just a little longer. Do it for me. For us. Please?" He begged, nearly crying. He was holding both of Heero's hands in his own trembling palms, looking down into those warm blue oceans. He bent down to kiss Heero's lips lengthily, reluctant to let go as he felt Heero return the kiss, pressing his lips gently against Duo's. He placed his hands on each of Heero's hollow cheeks, pulling the boy closer to him as they kissed. He ran his tongue over Heero's lower lip, savoring the taste despite the bitterness of sickness and death. He could feel Heero's trembling hands slowly climb up to embrace him, to pull him closer, to make himself one with the one he loved. As much as he didn't want to, he pulled back eventually, parting his lips from Heero's and pulling his head back just enough to look into Heero's eyes. His hands were still pressed against Heero's cheeks, holding his head in place so he could trace his eyes over those handsome features, ignoring all the signs of illness and simply absorbing the beautiful face of his love into his heart and into his mind.

"I'll be back before you know it." He promised in a whisper, bestowing another quick kiss to those pouting lips, and then a few shorter kisses- to Heero's nose and to each one of his closed eyelids. With that goodbye, he finally detached himself from Heero's hold, feeling those slender arms cling to him, refusing to let go. He could feel them slide reluctantly off his body, releasing him without a choice as he rose off the small bed. He sent Heero one last look, full of anguish and hope, and then exited through the curtain.

Behind him, on the bed, a pair of tearful blue eyes watched the curtain as it swung slightly back and forth until it finally stood still. They continued to stare ahead numbly, barely alive, and then finally slid shut, like the sealing of a stony tomb. A silent whimper was barely heard as it pushed out of lifeless lips, and a shaky breath followed it when the tears threatened to smother the dying young man.

"Sa-sayonara, Duo. . ." He whispered, curling on the bed and just waiting to die. "Th...thank you for... c-co...ming. . ."

* * *

Curious neighbors gathered around Ms. Schbeiker's residence, prying eyes trying to determine why there were two police cars parked in front of the small suburban home. The red and blue lights flashed brightly in the dark street, coloring Gurewich Ave in a solemn display of lights. There were other patrol cars circling the neighborhood, searching for hours as the lights in the colony dimmed until they faded away.

In the dark, the officers were even more worried; troubled about the fate of one six-year-old boy who left his home that morning and was never seen again. Inside the house, Social Services officials and other policemen questioned the worried mother again and again, poking her with so many questions until she could take it no more. Every now and then a phone call was made, trying to reach the father who was so far away, but it was never answered. It was always "busy" or simply unanswered. Duo Maxwell was not to be reached while his son had gone missing.

Sitting curled on the couch as a nervous wreck, Hilde dried her tears with her sleeve and sniffled loudly. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her nose running as she sniffled loudly again and again. Her hands trembled each time she tried to reach for a cup of tea that was made for her, and each time she looked up she was staring in to the eyes of a sympathetic young female officer who just sat there with her, trying to offer silent comfort.

The social services left a while ago, after having nothing else to do other than tell her that the custody agreement will have to be questioned in court again, regarding both parents. That only brought another session of tears out of the young mother, after being threatened to lose her rights to see her son at all. She also knew that Duo will be in a lot of more trouble than he could handle once he will be back. If it was not enough that he would have to deal with Heero's death, he'll have custody trials to deal with as well. She was sure that this will devastate her ex-husband for sure, and she wasn't sure if he will be able to recover if he will lose both his lover and his son.

"Would you like some more tea, Ma'am?" The officer lady offered kindly, already rising out of her seat. She was helpless in aiding the young mother, there was nothing she could say or do to ease her heart, so she resorted in short moments of escape into the kitchen.

"Where is he..?" Hilde mumbled quietly to herself, staring numbly at the floor. She was hugging herself now, lying curled into herself on the couch. "When I need him... he's always gone..." She continued as if caught in a trance, her glazed eyes half focusing on the wireless phone resting on the coffee table in front of her. It was always silent. "Duo..."

She was a fool for still loving him, for still depending on him somehow. Though she had moved on since the divorce, she couldn't help but feel bitter and a little upset that she never had his heart. What little she did have, she gave up with the divorce. And now, when her world was crumbling around her, she wanted the father of her son to be near. To be the pillar of strength and optimism he'd always been. During the war she could always depend on his comfort and believe him blindly when he said that it was all going to be all right in the end. She needed to hear that promise now. After all, Duo Maxwell never lied and he always came through with his promises. Always. She needed him to say that Solo will return safely; carefree and cheerful as always.

"It's going to be all right." A voice came from above her, and a cup of steaming tea was pushed into her line of vision. Looking up, she could see the young officer smile kindly at her. By the look in her young and inexperienced eyes, she knew how lost and unsure the woman was feeling. So different than that reassuring and kind violet gaze... it made her words sound hollow and meaningless.

"I want you to call my hus-ex-husband... try him on the cell phone again... maybe... maybe he'll answer..."

Even though she had tried to call the said man just a few moments ago, the young officer nodded her head silently and retired to the kitchen to make the call. She paused at the kitchen's doorway, turning around to look at the helpless mother sitting on the sofa. Her heart clenched painfully at the woman's dejected sight, and her eyes stung with tears. Ten hours and no sign of neither the son nor the ex-husband. She could only pray that things will really be okay in the end.

* * *

Nighttime. A day full of searching and still he had nothing. No matter who he turned to, no matter who he begged and whoever he called, his efforts were in vain. With the limited resources he had and with the distance between L7 and the rest of civilization, there was nothing much to be done. After of waiting for an hour on hold to get hold of his old friend and business man Quatre R. Winner, he got nothing but a sorrowful reply that there's nothing he can do in such a short notice. As much as the wealthy Arabian wanted to help, there wasn't anything he could offer that would be of use. Any kind of action would take at least a day to be taken. In four hours... there was nothing he could do. All he could offer was his deepest condolences and a sad reminder that if only Duo would have called sooner...

That was Duo's last hope, and even that was shattered. He didn't know where else to turn to, what to do and who to beg. He laughed mockingly to himself as he passed by a shabby church on L7's outskirts, but he didn't even think of entering. Despite himself, he did donate his last 10 dollars to a couple of nuns who were collecting charity money, and thus had to walk back to the hospital on foot. It took him about two hours of walking, and when he did arrive the streets were already dark and so were the hospital's halls. He climbed tiredly up the stairs and dragged his aching feet down the corridor that led into the Terminally Ill ward. He took a deep breath and wiped away his tears before entering the room.

He had failed Heero again, and this time there would be no chance to make up for his mistakes. There was no more time left and there was no more hope or strength in him to try. He felt empty, dead, like everything had been drained out of him and left him dry. Even the tears refused to come. They still flooded his eyes, but they had ceased from pouring. His features were still and stony, pale as death and sickened with the realization that he had failed the man he loved. He looked like a walking corpse as he slowly marched towards Heero's cubicle, like a man on death row walking towards his execution. His hair was a mess, wild and stray hairs escaping his falling apart ponytail. His eyes seemed to be sunken deeply into his head, heavy bags underneath the blood-shot violet orbs.

He sighed tiredly as he pushed the yellow curtain open, his fist closing around the filthy fabric as he forced himself to face the facts and enter the small space that will soon become the last place Heero will be drawing air from. The last place that he will get to see in his life.

He wasn't surprised to see that the dialysis had been removed. After all, it's been longer than six hours and those hours were all he could afford. He was mildly stunned to discover that at least the doctors bothered to bandage the injured spots were the tubes once entered Heero's body, though he didn't see the point in treating the wounds. They won't even have the chance to develop an infection. Heero will be dead before that will ever happen.

With that cynical thought, Duo drew his small metal chair close to the bed and sat down heavily. He placed both his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He wasn't crying, simply tired of breathing, living, grieving... that's all he ever did... grieve for the dead and fear the loss of the living. He was so tired of it... so tired of the pain... so tired of failing at helping those he loved... so tired of even trying...

Looking up, he fixed his tired gaze on Heero's still form. He was tired of seeing his love so still and lifeless. He was sick of being reminded of his errors, of his failures, of the pain that will come the minute this beautiful soul will vanish from the world. He wanted to see him alive, full of life and energy and joy. He wanted to make him happy, to make him feel good... to make him feel alive and loved before he shall exhale his last breath. He wanted to make love to him. For the first and last time of their lives, he wanted to make love with the person he truly loved, in both body and soul. He needed to make Heero see, feel and hear how much he loved him. It was now or never. If nothing else, he should at least give Heero this. It was the only thing left to do.

With a heavy heart, he crawled into his lover's bed, trying to shake the feeling of dread and grief off his heart and just concentrate on the moment. Just concentrate on the feeling of Heero's tender skin... of the little warmth it had left in it. Just the sight of his eyes, slowly opening as he ran his fingers down his body. Just the sight of those blue, blue, orbs looking at him in question, and then closing in pleasure as he caressed a pinkish nipple. Just those pouting pale lips parting slowly as his fingers continued to worship the limp body. Those little adorable moans as he slowly undressed his lover, sending kissed to each spot of unraveled flesh. This is all he needed to know right now. This is all he needed to feel. The indescribable sensation of Heero's slender arms wrapped around him, those long slim fingers shyly reaching to touch back, to explore what they've longed to touch for so long. This all-too powerful feeling of lust flooding him as he felt the body beneath him come to life, hormones and desire giving Heero's life one last boost, a finale moment of glorious existence as his body awakened with sensation.

His own body was also taken over by that passion, by the feeling of life and burning desire. He buried his face between Heero's head and shoulder, his lips sucking and nibbling gently at the tender spot. He could feel Heero's pulse, strong and wild, throbbing against his lips as he sucked. He could feel Heero's chest, pressed against his, rising quickly up and down as he panted, choking out moans of pleasure as Duo's hands slid between their bodies, moving down towards his groin. He could feel Heero's own hands work to rid him of his clothes, nudging his shirt off and struggling with his pants. Duo parted from the slender neck for a brief moment, just to rid himself of his trousers and then dove back to worship Heero's body with kisses.

He traced his tongue over each of Heero's ribs, trailing a wet trail down to his abdomen and dipping into his navel. Beneath him Heero's body tensed and then faltered with pleasure, a small cry escaping his parched lips. He could tell that Heero was keeping himself from calling out, probably mindful that behind the yellow curtain were about a dozen other people who might be listening. He was determined to make Heero forget all about these people, all about this damned hospital and just let himself go, lost in pleasure, love and passion. With that determination, he rose up to steal Heero's lips with a kiss, his hands rising up to toy with both his nipples so he will be able to drink each and every moan out of those heavenly lips.

For long and endless moments, when time seemed to stand still, all Duo did was kiss and touch Heero. He touched him everywhere he could, trying to see what kind of response he'll get out of his lover's body. He kissed him and whispered sweet things in his ear, caressing his body and petting his hair.

He pressed his naked body against Heero's smaller one, enjoying the feeling of warm flesh against his. He was lying on his side, Heero propped next to him, panting from the kisses he'd been drinking from his lips. He reached down a hand and traced it down Heero's spine, feeling the boy tremble and sigh shakily. His skin was warm and moist, and he could feel the bumps of his spine underneath the gentle touch of his finger. He let his hand slide further down, caressing the gentle curves of his lover's behind. He wrapped himself completely around Heero, holding him close and tight as his finger ventured lower, sliding between the soft globes and teasing Heero's entrance. Duo turned to suck gently at the juncture of Heero's neck and shoulder, one of his hands wrapped around Heero's chest and toying with an erect nipple. His other hand worked to prepare his lover for penetration, sliding carefully inside his lover. He kept kissing him and soothing him as he began to stretch the tight ring of muscles, speaking softly to him between kisses, whispering his love to him over and over.

Next to him, Heero whimpered and tensed, his eyes shut tight and tears lingering onto his dark eyelashes. Duo rose up a little and kissed his ear, nibbling his earlobe as he carefully inserted another finger. Again the young man whimpered, biting his lower lip in pain. Duo could feel his body tense and his passage become tighter. He couldn't bear the thought of causing Heero more pain, and thus he stopped, his fingers becoming still inside the tight passage.

"Would you like me to stop?" He whispered, bending close to Heero's ear. "Does it hurt? Do you want me to stop?"

Heero raised his trembling hand backwards and placed the warm palm on Duo's shoulder. He shook his head weakly, still panting from earlier ministrations. "...no..." He whispered, his voice weak and hoarse. "Don't... stop... please..." He begged, pushing himself carefully against Duo's fingers, feeling them brush against his inner walls. "My body hardly feels..." He mumbled quietly, closing his eyes as if trying to concentrate, to make his numb body respond. To make the dying flesh feel and live for another short moment. "...I hardly feel... the pain... makes me feel... alive..." He explained sadly, beginning to move slightly on the bed, rubbing his whole body against Duo in an attempt to stimulate dying nerves. "...make me feel, Duo... make me live... I want... I want you... inside me..." He concluded with a miserable whisper, clenching his inner muscles around Duo's still fingers. "Make love to me, Duo... make love to me..."

Smiling sadly, Duo nodded and bent down to kiss Heero's dry lips. He whispered a promise to return as soon as he can, and then parted from his love for a few moments in order to search the hospital for some kind of lube. He returned a few moments later, coating his fingers and his erection with the makeshift lube he had found. He lay next to his lover, hugging him after being apart for what felt like a lifetime. His lips returned to kiss the heated flesh and sweet skin, while his fingers began to venture lower, working to stretch his lover, as his mouth trailed down to Heero's neck, and further down. He licked the crevice in his shoulder blades, feeling Heero tremble at the action. He then traced his tongue down Heero's spine; while at the same time he inserted a third finger into his lover, earning a small yelp from the young man. He smirked and moved his other hand to lightly grab Heero's heavy sack, massaging it gently to distract Heero from the pain. The Asian man nearly jumped off the bed as he was assaulted with a tidal wave of pleasure, calling out with a throaty moan.

This feeling that Duo was evoking within him was more than he thought he could ever feel. His senses were overloaded, nearly short-circuiting. It's been so long since he felt so alive, since he felt the rush of warm blood through his veins, the wild beating of his heart... warm air rushing in and out of him as he panted, and cried out and begged for more. Despite the sickness and pain that was still nesting inside him, he allowed himself to feel only pleasure. Only Duo. Only Duo...

"A-AHHH!" He cried out as Duo's fingers touched something inside him, and in a moment he forgot all about the pain. His eyes flew wide open, the blue orbs clouded with pleasure and lacking any sign of fever and pain. His lips were parted as he panted harshly, waiting for the fingers to move and flood him with that burning-white sensation again. Instead, the fingers slowly withdrew and Duo's warm lips were pressed against his again. He could feel something hard press against his behind and he gulped against Duo's mouth. Though still kissing each other passionately, their eyes were wide-open, gazes locked. Heero felt himself drown as he looked deeply into those amethyst pools hovering so close to his own eyes. They were the only things he could see, and he felt his whole body tingle with the warmth that shone out of those beautiful violet of eyes.

He could feel Duo's hot and hard arousal slowly push into him, and he resisted the urge to close his eyes in pain. The cobalt pools were flooded with tears, but they continued to gaze upwards at that heavenly purple light. His mouth opened wide with a gasp as he felt the pulsing hardness push past his tight ring, and only then he was reminded that Duo's lips were still plastered to his own, and now a wet and hot tongue was sliding into his mouth. He closed his eyes and let himself be engulfed with pleasure as Duo's tongue licked and toyed with the inner crevices of his mouth, and at the same time, down below, a hot and powerful feeling was building inside him. At that moment, Duo's lips left his as the longhaired man arched back with a loud groan, pushing himself into the tight haven of his lover.

A loud groan tore out of Duo's lips as he slid inside Heero and buried himself to a hilt. His throaty cry echoed in the dark hall, breaking the silence of the night. It was combined with Heero's loud gasps as the young man's body buckled and squirmed on the bed. He was left panting by the feeling of Duo's hot and hard arousal pulsing inside of him. He could feel it throb within his inner walls, filling him completely. His mouth was left wide open, his eyes flooded with tears. The pain and pleasure of being filled was overwhelming. His whole body tickled with sensation, and an irresistible urge that was pleading him to move... to make Duo move... anything... just move... move... move!!!

The braided man was lost in his own heaven, completely engulfed by Heero and his tightness. His breath came hard and uneven, his whole body burning. He could barely hold back another groan as he slowly pulled back, rubbing his erection against Heero's hot walls, and then slowly, agonizingly, sliding back in. The movement of his hips was slow and careful, allowing him to feel each and every inch of Heero as he pumped himself in and out of the warm body. It didn't take long before his lover began to wiggle underneath, his slender arms reaching up to grab a handful of chestnut hair.

"Harder..." He rasped, his voice hoarse and his breathing ragged. "Faster Duo... harder... please..." He pleaded, his cobalt eyes shimmering as he turned to look at his lover. "Make me feel... make me feel you... harder... more and more... please..."

Duo smiled softly and bent down to kiss those pleading lips. As he ran his tongue over Heero's hot lips, he drew his hips back slowly, and then quickly slammed back in. Beneath him, Heero jumped up a little, his body now pressed against his lover. His slender fingers were curled tightly around Duo's arms, holding onto him tightly as he thrust his head back and gasped: "Ahhh... nnn... more..."

His longhaired lover quickly complied, pulling back and then slamming back in. Again and again, thrust after thrust, he let himself be buried inside his beautiful lover, his eyes drinking the sight of the magnificent boy as he trashed on the bed, panting and begging for more. The boy's skin was warm and shining with sweat, his cheeks flushed brightly red. His whole body was radiant and full of life, glowing with passion and love. It was a wonderful feeling, to be able to kiss and taste these warm and delicate lips, to be able to touch that burning hot skin... to be able to feel the tight heat of his lover's body, and just for a moment, this single tiny moment, to be able to forget about tomorrow. Forgetting how cold, colorless and dead this body might be tomorrow.

He let himself forget and just indulged himself in the sight of Heero's blushed cheeks and those red lips that were rasping out his name. Shiny droplets were sliding down his bronze skin, and his lush brown hair came to life once again, swinging in all direction as the boy thrust his head from side to side. Long chocolate bangs flew up and down as Heero tossed on the bed, wrapping his arms tightly around his lover as he moaned and cried out his name with each thrust.

He jumped up with a cry as his prostate was hit, crying out in a soulful voice that bounced between the walls. At this moment he forgot all about being in a crowded hospital room, and his mouth was filled with loud moans and harsh panting. It was cut off by loud and intense cries each time his prostate was hit, and it was accompanied by Duo's own sounds of pleasure. The two's cries filled the room as they moved in union on the small bed, bodies sliding against each other. Duo's hands were all over his smaller lover, sliding over his skin and toying with his nipples. Since they were both lying on their side, it was easy for him to wrap himself around his lover, engulfing the young man with his body. For this moment, he actually felt as if they were one, and he closed his eyes and threw his head back in pleasure. He tightened his hold around Heero, moving his hips faster and faster, trying to drive deeper into him until they were truly one being. Maybe then, they will never be apart... they will never part, because they will be one. One being. One soul. One heart. One life... Oh how he wished it was so!

* * *

They lay in silence, still wrapped in each other's arms. They were still lying on their side, Heero pressed tightly against his lover, held securely in his arms. His head was tucked underneath Duo's chin, his own arms wrapped around the muscular hands that were hugging him around his waist. He could feel Duo's limp cock inside him, pulsing faintly against his inner muscles. He felt numb, yet content. His body was moist with sweat and the evidence of both his and Duo's passion sliding down his smooth thighs. He could feel Duo's warm breath caress the top of his head, the strong and comforting presence of his warm body all around him, above him and inside him. He could stay like this forever, lying in silence while wrapped in a blanket of love. Though he was exhausted from their earlier exercise, he refused to close his eyes. The cobalt orbs shimmered dimly in the dark, gazing ahead at nothing. By the even breathing of his lover, Heero knew that Duo was deep asleep, and he couldn't help but smile at the fact that even though his body was taken over by sleep, Duo's hold around him didn't lose its strength. It remained as tight and reassuring as ever. Duo was not going to let him go.

Sighing quietly, Heero wiggled in Duo's hold, trying to awaken his numb limbs. He felt sore and the ailing feeling was back. He was nauseous once again and his head ached badly. Still, he was determined to ignore all these signs of illness and just concentrate on the warm and pulsing organ inside him. It was comforting beyond belief.

He smiled to himself, a small and content smile, a dim light shimmering in his eyes. He lifted a trembling hand to caress his lover, allowing himself to sink deeper into Duo's warm embrace. His tired eyes refused to remain open, sliding shut every now and then, but he fought the urge to sleep, opening his eyes with painstaking efforts. He will stay awake until the end. He will look death in the face, square in the eye, and tell him that he can take him now... and that he would die happy. Content in the arms of the one he loves.

His eyes filled with tears, but his heart was filled with resolve. The resolve to die happy, to stop weeping about his misfortune. He was strong in life and he will be strong in death. Enough crying. He shouldn't cry. He had achieved what he most wanted... what he searched for all of his life. He was happy. He had a happy life, he kept telling himself. He was happy when he was born, happy in the first few years of his life, and he was happy now, in his last days in this world. It was a complete circle. It began with happiness, safety and content, and it ended the same way. What happened in between did not matter. He will forget about it. It did not matter... it didn't happen. He will not carry these painful memories into the afterlife. He will only remember the feeling of being wrapped in someone's loving arms. The warmth of his mother's hand and the touch of Duo's gentle fingers. The cold and callous hands that handled him roughly for most of his life... he will forget about them right here and now. They never existed.

"I was happy..." He whispered, his eyes welling up with tears as he turned around to face his love. He smiled sadly at him and reached to caress his tender cheek, brushing away a few long bangs. "I was happy in life... I had a happy life..." He repeated his lie, his lips trembling as more tears flooded his cobalt eyes. "You made me happy... Duo... aishiteru..."

His eyes felt so heavy... he wanted to sleep... he wanted to rest his aching head deeply into the pillow and just sleep... But even so near his death, so close to his salvation, his body refused to give him rest. Bile climbed up his throat and his body tensed with pain. He shuddered in Duo's arms, feeling the painful seizure build inside him. His inner muscles clenched as he gagged into his palm, coughs racking his aching body. Within the extreme pain the flooded him so suddenly, he could feel Duo stir and begin to rise. The warm arms that were his shelter slowly slid off him and a gentle palm came to rest on his shoulder.

"Hee-chan?" Duo's husky voice, heavy with sleep and worry, whispered quietly into his ear. "Hee-chan... are you okay? What's wrong?" He asked again as he saw Heero was not answering, simply gagging into his palm. His eyes widened in worry and he hurried to pull out of his lover and come to his aid.

But Heero's hand stopped him, reach up frantically and holding onto him tightly.

"Don't!" He called, out of breath. "Don't leave me! Please, Duo... don't let me go... please... just hold me... stay inside me... please..."

"But-" He began to protest, but then Heero whirled around to face him, and the sight of those desperate cobalt eyes was just too much to resist.

"Please Duo... don't let me go... not now... not ever..." He begged, his eyes filling with tears. His weak hold on Duo's arm was beginning to shake, and a few more coughs escaped his lips. His eyelids threatened to close, but he forced them open, looking up into his lover's eyes. "Duo... I don't want to die... not like this... please..." He asked, as if Duo was the one to decide his fate. "Don't go... I don't want to die... don't go..."

His resolve was gone. All the courage he'd been trying to muster... all the lies he tried to feed himself... they failed to calm his fearful heart. One look into Duo's eyes... the sound of his voice... they were such a painful reminder that he was not ready to leave this world. That he didn't want to die. Not yet! Not yet! If death will come he will beg for another day! Another tomorrow! Another day spent with Duo... he didn't want to die! The heck with being strong! He wanted to be with Duo... he wanted to feel those warm arms around him forever. He was so scared to die... so scared to be left alone... again... forever...

"I'm not going anywhere, Heero. And neither are you." Duo finally managed to whisper back, bending to kiss Heero's delicate lips. "I'll be with you forever." He assured him softly; taking hold of Heero's trembling hand and entwining their fingers. He pushed himself carefully into Heero's warm body, ignoring the fact that he was hard once again. "I'll never leave you." He whispered, turning Heero so he would lie on his side again, and beginning to kiss him from the shoulder and up to his neck.

Heero sighed sadly and closed his eyes, letting Duo's warm kisses be his anchor to life as he felt the darkness slowly sip into him. He could feel it sliding slowly towards him, like a puddle of slime, making its way towards him, eager to swallow him whole. He whimpered sadly at the thought of not seeing another sunrise, and tightened his hold on Duo's hand, which was still entwined with his.

"I had so much I wanted to do..." He whispered sadly, opening his eyes and gazing ahead at nothing. He could feel Duo's lips halt at a certain spot on his neck, but as time passed and he said nothing, those lips continued to trail up and down his slender neck. "There's still so much I want to see... to experience... I found out that there was so much more to do... After the war was over... I found out that I was missing so much..." He could feel a few warm droplets fall over his skin, and he knew that Duo was crying. He was no longer kissing him, simply holding him, caressing his hair as he spoke. He was just there with him, warm, alive and willing to listen. He loved him so much for it... he loved him so much for everything he had taught him... everything he'd shown him... about life... about love... and death.

"I wanted... before I died... I always wanted to make a difference..." Heero whispered sadly, bowing his head and closing his eyes in sorrow. "I didn't even get the chance to do that..."

"But you have, Heero. You did make a difference." Duo finally spoke, his voice confident and kind. It coated Heero like a warm layer of honey, making his legs feel weak. He loved the sound of Duo's voice in the dark. When the world was silent, when all was asleep, Duo's voice could really shine. It was so warm and rich and beautiful... only in the dark one could cherish it for what it really was. Honest and loving. No masks and no sarcasm. It was his favorite sound in the world. At least he was able to hear that voice one last time...

"Heero, you've made a difference to so many people. So many lives that you saved..." Duo whispered soothingly, running his hand gently through Heero's dark hair.

"No... not like that..." Heero whispered back, shaking his head. "I want to make a difference to someone... I want... I want to be remembered as more than a simple paragraph in someone's textbook." He replied bitterly, closing his eyes as the tears threatened to come. "I want to be more than a hero who lived and died in one short sentence. People don't know... they don't know... no one knows me... they don't know... they don't know that... no one does... my real name... no one knows it..." He cried silently, shaking his head against he pillow.

Silence fell; so thick and intense that one could almost hear the tears as they slid down Duo's face. He lay still by his lover's side, having nothing to say. Nothing he could say would change the long line of errors that led them both to this moment. Nothing could change the fact that he had wasted the twelve years since he'd met Heero in convincing himself that he didn't need his love. He was partly responsible for the loss of Heero's dream. For the unfulfilling of his wishes. He didn't even give Heero the chance to make a difference. He didn't give him a chance to live the way he wanted to. He ran off to Hilde. He chose the easy way out. He left Heero behind when he needed him, when he needed a guide and a friend in a chaotic world that he was never taught how to live in.

"I will perish and no one will know who Heero Yuy was..." Heero continued sorrowfully, his voice miserable and tired. "...just another name to learn for a history exam... not a father or a son, a lover... nothing. Just a name. A name that doesn't even belong to me..." He sniffled quietly and then turned to look up at his violet-eyed lover. His cobalt eyes shone with tears as he looked up at his love, and pouted sadly. "I want... I want to be buried under my real name..."

A sob broke out of Duo's lips, and still he nodded and smiled. He took Heero's hand and squeezed it tightly, looking down at him with a warm gaze. "Sure, Heero. I can take care of that." He said, his voice faltering. "W-what's your real name?"

For a long moment, Heero simply stared at him with a blank expression. He had no idea what the young man might be thinking. Perhaps he was trying to recall something that he'd forgotten long ago. His lips trembled for a moment, as if about to speak some sort of holly words, but then they went still before a sound escaped past them. With a heavy sigh, Heero closed his eyes and hung his head low. Tears were sliding down his cheeks as his hand trembled in Duo's hold.

". . . . I don't know. . ." He whispered hoarsely, his hand going limp in Duo's hold. Those were the last words he spoke for that night.

* * *

Daddy always kept a spare key under his bedroom window. You had to look for it in the bushes, because it was well hidden, but he knew that it was there. It was his "failsafe key", daddy always said. In case something happens and he will not be home for him, Solo could always use this key. In all of his short years of existence such a thing never happened. But it did now. His daddy left him and didn't return.

He didn't know why he'd come all the way home from his mommy's house. He knew that he will find nothing but the neat lawn on the front yard and the dark windows in the living room. It was already late at night. He wandered the streets until it got dark, the blackness urging him to find shelter. He went to the only place he could think of- home. An empty home.

Tears filled the child's eyes as he placed a muddy hand around the doorknob and slowly turned it open. The door creaked loudly in the dark, sending shivers down his small frame. He was afraid of entering his own home, weary of the dark emptiness inside. He took a few deep breaths before entering the house with shaky steps. His solemn eyes looked ahead into the darkness with a gaze full of awareness. He wasn't used to seeing his house so empty and dark. So... quiet. Usually his daddy would be home to greet him with a wide smile, the warmth shining in his unique violet-blue eyes. He would kneel down to give him a warm hug, no matter how long he was out- merely an hour or a full school day. His daddy would always act like the happiest, silliest daddy in the world when he saw him walk through the door.

How he missed that hug! That smile! That sense of belonging in the arms of the one person who was his whole world. It's not that he didn't love his mommy as much as he loved his father, but there was just something very special when it came to how he felt for his daddy. He didn't really remember living with both his parents. He was very young when they divorced and so he was used to being the center of his father's world, the only one his father saw when he was not working. The only one his father thought of. The only one he fooled around with, bought presents to, told stories and sometimes graced him with a goodnight lullaby, coating him with his warm, honey-like voice before he went to sleep. He loved his daddy's voice, which was both sweet and coarse at the same time, just like honey.

How he longed to hear that voice call his name for dinner as he entered the kitchen. How he wanted to feel warm and gooey inside as he walked into their kitchen to see his daddy standing by the stove- his appearance a total mess after both cocking and work, a smudge of flower on his cheek or nose and a silly large wooden spoon in his hand. He would wear that STUPID apron mommy bought him once and along with his huge grin he would complete a perfect picture of a perfectly silly daddy. His daddy. His one and only in the whole wide world.

And where was that father now? Why was the kitchen dark? Why did it still reek of the dinner they were having nearly three weeks ago? Why was it still lying on the table, mostly untouched and rotting with a foul smell? Why? Because his daddy left. He left in such a hurry that he didn't even let him finish his dinner. He just packed his things and left. Left to see that Hero guy... left and didn't come back...

Silent sniffling filled the dormant kitchen as the sobs slowly worked up the child's throat. He sat heavily in his chair, in front of a moldy dinner, and wept in both sadness and fear. Fear of abandonment, and the sadness of loss. He wished with all his might that this nightmare will be over and his daddy will walk through his bedroom door, his long hair still messy from sleep as he sweetly woke him up with a good morning kiss. A kiss that will assure him that this had all been a bad dream... nothing more than a stupid nightmare.

His crying only increased as a thought struck him and he realized that this morning kiss might never happen... ever again.

* * *

Morning came all too soon. Consciousness pushed the dream aside and slowly began to sip in. Before he was aware if his own heartbeat, of his own existence, there was one thing he felt - warmth. All around him, beneath him and above him. Sweet, blesses warmth that engulfed him completely. Heero's warmth. Heero's body. Warm, still alive.

The joy washed over him like the sun on the icecaps. There was just no describing this feeling that flooded him from the inside, going into his arms and making him draw the source of heat as close as possible. Tears of joy filled his eyes as he drew the limp body closer, burying his face between his neck and shoulder, nuzzling his nose against the steady pulse. His arms held Heero tightly, as if embracing him for the first time. He drew closer to him, pushing himself deeper into the living, yielding, flesh. His lips sought to kiss every spot of warm and tender skin, every nook and cranny on that wonderful body that breathed and pulsed the with rhythm of life.

He was so caught up in his joy, so blinded by this single joyful moment, that it took him a few long moments to realize that the warm body he was kissing, the soft lips he was nibbling with his own, were not moving. Heero lay completely still, unresponsive to any of the stimulations Duo bestowed on his nude body. He only realized this lack of response when he was already on top of his lover, his hands rubbing up and down his slender arms, and his tongue seeking a friend to play with inside the and moist craven.

He'd always dreamt of waking Heero with such a kiss, and he always pictured in his mind how that shy tongue will slowly wake up and join him, while a pair of lovely blue eyes will slowly flutter open and look up at him adoringly. That kiss, however, still remained as nothing but a dream, for the body beneath him continued to lie still, dormant as if caught in an endless and inescapable sleep.

With a short gasp, Duo drew back, rising off his lover by only a few inches. His wide and fearful eyes looked down at Heero's still features, while his heart began to throb painfully... with such anguish to each pulse... that it nearly tore out of his ribcage. Suddenly, it was so, so, painful to live. To keep his heart beating. Like there was no point to it. The meaning of his heartbeats was lost at that moment, the moment he realized that Heero was not waking up. He was not responding to his kiss. His pale and parched lips were swollen from kisses, wet with his saliva, but so utterly still. Lifeless, like he had been kissed by death himself.

Panic washed over him swiftly and he jumped back, afraid and panting. Death himself... he no longer wished to carry that title... he wanted to give life, not death. He wanted to bring hope and not suffering. He wanted his kiss to awaken the sleeping beauty, not to steal the last breath of air out of his lips. He was no longer death damn it!

But despite his will and wishes, fate dealt a completely different hand. Heero's fate was long decided and now it was sealed with a kiss. A kiss of death. He knew in his heart, in his entire being, that no matter how much he will kiss and beg his love to wake, he shall never open his eyes. Yes, he was still breathing and his body was still warm, but not for long. Unconsciousness was just a way for the brain to protect itself from a painful death, right before it is flooded with sweet insulin that will engulf the dying with dreams and illusion that will carry him to a peaceful death. Heero was probably dreaming by now, maybe even truly happy for the first and last time, before he will exhale his last breath.

This is it. He was really going to watch his love die. It's going to happen... all over again. The pain, the grief, the terrible feeling of loss... and the longing! Oh the longing! The longing to touch him again, to see him again... to hear his voice and simply have a nice and quiet conversation. To hear him laugh... he hardly got the chance to see his face lit up with laughter... To feel him and hear him, moaning and moving against him... whispering a silent, honest, confession of "I love you...". There will be no more of that... none. Nothing. There's going to be nothing. An hour... no… a lot less... how long does it take for your body to just shut down and die? For your brain to realize that there is no more supply of oxygen... that it was really going to die..? How long does it take for a person to stop existing? To realize that there is nothing to be done and one must leave his body... there's nothing that could save him... nothing to make him stay... no anchor to keep him attached to his physical being... nothing he can grab onto, no matter how many hands reached for him. There was nothing to be done against it.

Heero... he was going to leave him... He's just lying there on the bed... so still and lifeless and not aware of leaving the one person who needed nothing more in the world than to know that he was there... A man who was willing to give up on everything just to see those blue, blue, eyes once more... A man who was standing there, helpless, frightened as a child, watching his true love slowly depart the world of the living. How could he just lie there and do nothing?! Why was he leaving so soon?! Why was he giving up?! Why?!?!?!?

"Heero..." Duo cried, crawling back onto the bed, onto his lover, grabbing him tightly by his arms and shaking him desperately. "Heero, wake up... don't leave me yet... Heero... we made a promise... we promised to be together... I promised you... didn't I? I promised... let me fulfill that promise... Heero... please... I don't want to let you down anymore... please... let me prove to you... let me show you that I can make you happy... that you make me happy... please Heero... please... wake up…"

He was still lying there, unmoving as a rock... his head trashing from side to side as Duo shook him, but he didn't open his eyes to tell the longhaired man to stop. Tears dropped down Duo's anguished eyes and slid down Heero's bare chest, but he didn't raise his hand to wipe them away... He was so still... so terribly still...

"... wake up..." He begged once more, weeping pathetically as he buried his tear soaked face in Heero's chest. His hands rose up to grab a handful of that soft brown hair, pulling it hard as if the pain will jerk his lover out of death's crushing grip. "Heero..."

But it was to no avail. He could actually hear Heero's heart slow down. The soft throbbing under his ear getting fainter and fainter... like a candle burning out.

"...don't leave..."

He looked up at the still face again, his tearful eyes staring desperately at closed eyelids, as if expecting them to somehow open.

"I was going to make you happy... we were going to be together... I promised... I never lie... right Heero? I never lie..."

He couldn't let it end like this. He just couldn't. He was not going to give his lover away into the hands of death just like that. Not without a fight. Not without a desperate act and desperate measures. He will not be beaten so easily. He will not give Heero away just like that. He refused to even think about it!

His mind was suddenly working on overdrive, a sense of purpose and determination taking over his entire being. He rose off the bed, his movements swift and resolute. He slipped into his pants and then threw a sheet over Heero's nude body. He gently slid his arms underneath the unconscious man, picking him up carefully, as if lifting a precious and fragile jewel. He cradled the limp body in his arms, holding him protectively close. If death will walk through the door right now, he will not be able to pry this man out of his hold. He was there to stay.

His mind unwavering from its current track of thought, he turned on his heels, tightened his embrace around Heero and began marching out of the large room. Some patients actually bothered to lift their aching heads off their pillows, sending a scrutinizing glance towards the determined young marching towards the door, holding Heero in his arms. It wasn't hard to notice that beneath the thin and dirty sheet, the dying man was naked. Long legs and slender arms dangled down lifelessly, swinging from side to side as he was carried away. Some patients snorted in disgust at the sight of the thick white fluid running down the young man's thighs, before they turned back to their beds.

Duo saw none of that. He ignored the world completely as he stalked out of the room and into the hallway. All he was aware of was the weight in his arms and the warmth that tingled at his chest as Heero's head lolled forwards and rested on against his naked torso. He was halfway down the stairwells that lead out of the hospital when he slipped a hand into his back pocket and pulled out his cell phone. Pressing one of the Speed-Dial buttons he pressed the machine to his ear and spoke coldly once he was answered.

"Doc, it's me. I have a donor."

* * *

The suburban streets of L2- V08744 were silent and empty, as the artificial dawn slowly flooded the streets with a faint light. The colony couldn't afford to have wild birds just yet, and even the sound of crickets was rare inside the large metal casing. All was silent as morning welcomed another day, only the early risers making their way down the main roads. The newly grown vegetation that decorated the streets was the only movement seen on Gurewich Ave, as green branches slowly wavered from side to side.

As the light slowly grew in intensity, washing over the cold asphalt road that divided the street in half, the mailman performed his daily route through the street, placing various letters in fancy mailboxes. He dropped a particularly large package at house number 201, moving on quickly. For the two hours that followed, the street was deserted. A few people walked over to pick their mail or newspaper, including one young female officer who went to take the mail for house no. 201, and then retreated back into the house.

The street was silent all through the early morning hours, until a small and lonesome figure slowly walked up the road. Small shoulders were slumped and puffy blue eyes stared sadly at house 201. A quiet sigh escaped small and trembling lips, a worried sigh carrying the sound of a child's heavy heart. It was a few more silent and motionless moments before small feet slowly carried the child up into the house. He hesitated at the door, suddenly attacked with unreasonable fear that he will not be welcomed in that house. That there will be no one there to greet him. That he was forgotten.

It's been a little more than two days since he ran away from that house. Two days he spent hiding in his father's house, in his home, waiting with a heart full of hope that his father will miraculously walk through the door and everything will be as it was before. But such a thing never happened. The only ones to walk into the house were his mommy and the policemen. He hid when they came, hiding under his father's large bed until he was sure that they were gone. He could hear his mommy crying when they left, and his little heart filled with sadness. But he couldn't go just yet. He couldn't leave his home just yet. He had to wait for daddy.

But two nights have past, two nights of being alone and afraid in a large and empty house, and his daddy didn't come. Not even a phone call. He didn't care that he ran away. He wasn't worried. He wasn't there. He just... vanished. Without a trace. Eventually, Solo gave up and left his home. He closed the door and didn't look back as he walked down the street, making the long trip back to his mommy's house.

Now, standing at the doorway, he swallowed his pride and his fears and just accepted being yelled at. He then turned the doorknob open and stepped into the silent house. There was no smiling face or a loving hand to welcome him. Just like in daddy's house. He was almost crying by the time he got to the kitchen, after walking through most of the house and seeing no one. He wanted to call out for his mommy, but his voice failed him. He was overwhelmed with fear, his lips trembling when the sobs began to crawl up his throat.

As he neared the kitchen, he became aware of a sound, finally a sign of life. Someone was crying.

His little heart began to race frantically, fear nearly crushing the young organ. He ran towards the source of the sound- towards the kitchen - his mind racing with fearful thoughts. He came to a quick halt when he reached the kitchen, his six-year-old mind not accepting well the sight of a total stranger rising out of a kitchen chair- his chair no less! - and turning towards him.

Wide and panicked blue eyes turned to scan the room frantically, searching desperately for a familiar face. He ignored the strange lady when she approached him, for some reason speaking into her phone and reporting something that might have had to do with him. He couldn't care less who she was and what she was doing there, because at that moment his searching eyes found his mother sitting at the edge of the kitchen table, her face buried into her palms as she cried. Her back was shaking and she was making such heartrending sobs, that immediately he was crying as well.

"Mommy..?" His small voice whispered as he stepped into the kitchen, and the faltering whisper sounded so loud in the silence of the house. "Mommy... what's wrong..?" He repeated worriedly, slowly walking towards his weeping mother. He placed a small hand on her trembling shoulder, looking up at her with tearful blue eyes. "Mommy... please don't cry... I came back... I'm sorry I ran away... mommy... don't cry... please..?"

His fears grew by tenfold when she let out a heartbroken sob and threw herself around him, scooping him swiftly off the floor and into her arms. She hugged him tightly, pressing his face into her shoulder as she buried her face in his sweet little head and cried even harder.

He was frightened beyond belief, unsure of what to make of the sight of his mother crying. He could hear her rasping out his name over and over between her sobs, and her hold on him was nearly bone crushing.

"He loves you, you know... he loves you so much... Solo... he loves you so much..." She sobbed into his hair, shaking her head from side to side, rubbing her tears against his messy chestnut hair. Her hold on him clenched and unclenched, her whole frame trembling.

"Mommy..." He whispered in compassion, reaching a small hand to pet her hair lovingly. He caressed her gently, trying to calm her as his little fingers ran gently down her face, wiping away her tears. "Mommy... what's wrong..? Don't cry... please don't cry... It's gonna be okay... I'm here... and daddy's gonna come back too... it's gonna be okay..."

For some reason, that only made her cry harder. Maybe because of the words her son said, sounding so much like his father... or maybe because of the small package lying open on the table, containing a brand-new, Special Edition Jinx Stickers Collector's Album, and a short, brief, telegram:

Part 10.

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