Heero walked into their current safe house and was surprised by the lack of noise. He looked around quickly and was further surprised by the lack of a certain long haired pilot. He glanced around again, ascertaining that while the pilot was missing, all his belongings, including his wallet with all his money, were still in the house.
Heero frowned and began a careful circuit of the house again, including the grounds around it. Behind the house he found a small trail with faint footprints on it. ‘Duo, just exactly what is down here?’ he wondered as he followed the trail. Noting the gathering gloom, he wondered whether the other was aware of the perils of being out after dark in this area.
As he walked, he became increasingly aware of a sound unlike the quiet chittering of crickets or hum of the insects. In fact the sound was getting louder as he continued. He finally identified the sound as the gentle lapping of water. The trees and other foliage began to thin, and he began to catch glimpses of the water. Then abruptly the trees ended.
Before him he saw a small lake, but what caught his attention was the small, familiar form sitting on a large flat rock along the shore. Duo turned in silent greeting and motioned for him to join him, then returned his gaze to what had previously held his attention.
Heero seated himself behind Duo, lightly resting his arms around the other’s waist. Duo leaned back, reclining against his lover, though his eyes remained on the horizon. Heero searched the distant horizon trying to understand what held the other’s attention.
"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Duo whispered, as though speaking loudly would break some taboo. He obviously expected the other to respond, but Heero was utterly confused. Duo glanced at him momentarily and smiled. "The sunset," he whispered as he casually waved at the sight before them.
Heero looked at what the other had indicated. The sun was low on the horizon, no longer the small blazing yellow ball that usually occupied the sky. Now it was huge, vibrant, and crimson. The sky surrounding the sun was dusky shades of melon, and the clouds had taken a deep violet hue, edged in dusky rose. The lake reflected the colors of the sun and sky, turning the choppy water into a sea of molten gold.
His gazed dropped back to his partner, who reclined completely enthralled in the sight unfolding before him. Duo reclined, relaxed, and for once the maniacal grin was replaced with a soft smile of pleasure. His eyes glowed, reflecting the light before him. His skin was washed by the coppery light taking on a golden hue. His lips were parted slightly in awe, and occasionally his tongue would dart along their surface, moistening them. His normal priest’s collar was gone, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a small patch of his smooth hairless chest. His chest rose and fell, causing the small cross that rested there to glint in the light. Even Duo’s hair was aglow, its normal chestnut color replaced with a deep auburn.
"Isn’t it beautiful?" Duo repeated as his gaze flitted up to meet Heero’s eyes again.
"Yes, you are," Heero whispered as he placed a light kiss on Duo’s hair, then settled back to watch the sun set over a small lake. There was a slight smile on his face. It didn’t matter when the sun faded from view, nor did it matter when the stars started to make their appearance. All that mattered was that he had the love of his life in his arms, and he vowed that he always would.
* * *