Heero put his coat over the startled boy. Then he sat beside Duo. He handed a mug of coffee to keep the American's hands warm. "Arigatou." He thanked Heero as his hands sought the warmth radiating from the steaming cup & from Heero. He took a tentative sip.

"It's cold why don't you get in?" Heero suddenly asked. His cobalt eyes were gazing from afar. The stars, the snow covered pines, the mountains, & most importantly to the boy beside him. He subtly feel the cold but dismiss it in the far recesses of his mind.

"Being cold is a small sacrifice to see this spectacle view." Duo's smile was enough to warm Heero. The wind was slightly blowing strands of chestnut hair from Duo's face making him more look waif than he already is. "Why are you out here basking in the coldness with me Heero?" he look at the pilot & blushed as he found out that he was the focus of Heero's intense gaze.

Heero felt as if he was burnt he look at the opposite direction & shrug. "I'm going to tell you a secret." He look back at the amethyst orbs full of curiousness. Duo leaned a little for better access to what Heero is going to say. "I really don't know why I'm here."

Duo chuckled. "That's a first." he teased. Heero glared at him but loosing its threatening aura. "What first?" he irately asked. Duo look contemplative for a minute scratching his head. "That's a fist you did something without thinking." Duo smiled showing that his teasing was light hearted. "Don't dwell upon it. I like it when you do that." He wondered how he could easily read the Japanese now when it is very hard to understand him since he shows no emotions.

"Hn. Not like you who always do everything without thinking." Heero snorted. Duo chuckled bearing Heero's teasing? Life is just full of surprises. "That's why I am such a fun guy to be around." Both doesn't feel the chilly wind anymore. Heero smirked.

Duo sidled closer to Heero. "You know Heero, all this time I thought that the best way to win this war is not to doubt what you are doing if it is right or wrong. I guess I am right at a certain angle but when I began to think about it I have proven myself right."

There are certain things that they didn't thought you Heero & it is compassion. It's a good thing his fellow pilot taught him that. He put his arm around Duo. He felt Duo stiffen for a second & then relaxed at his arms. "Because you know what? If you act without regrets it gives you a certain freedom & a certain power. A feeling of happiness that not everything in this world has to be logical.

Heero was appalled at the words Duo uttered. He never thought the braided baka will ever come up with such wise words. Life sure is full of surprises. "Like what we are doing right now. If I hesitate to come closer to you, you wouldn't put your arms around me." Heero's face suddenly felt warm. He was about to put his arms off & push Duo off when Duo stopped him. "See what thinking is making you do? You are going to give up warmth because you thought you look stupid or something." Duo smiled triumphantly. Holding Heero's hands firmly with his own.

Heero sighed warily. "I should stop underestimating people." He massage his temple with his other hand & smile minutely. The American has that effect on people. "You are smarter than what everyone thought."

"I should sock you for that." Duo pouted.

Heero looked back at the horizon. He never noticed how beautiful a sky like this is. & beside the braided beauty the night couldn't get much better. Maybe this is the most painful phase of change. The hurt guilt made. "Are you thinking about them?"

Duo bit his lip & closed his eyes. "Yes...a lot of times." He swallowed a sob. He could feel Heero's own sad eyes in him. "I dreamed about them everytime & it makes the pain more painful. They are the reason I don't want to think this is worth fighting for. I don't think anyone deserve this."

"No one deserve it Duo. Not you, not Wufei, not Quatre, not Trowa."

"Not you." Duo added barely audible. The sky covered the moon casting a shadow all over the place. The thought made them both colder. Heero never felt this helpless in his entire life. Maybe he did he just couldn't remember it. Once conscience take over it will leave you vulnerable to anything. Once you took off your mask it leaves you more open & empty inside, doesn't it?

"Heero I don't want to be sad." Duo's eyes glisten. His eyes were pleading melting something inside that the pilot's undoing from the very first time he met him. He could see the lost boy in Duo not the jester who hides behind his mask. This night he took them all off.

Heero hugged the lithe body, almost melding with him. "Don't think of them Duo. Don't think of them like you tell me too. But don't ever forget about them." He breath in the scent of Duo's hair. Clean as ever. Soft like silk in his fingertips.

Duo clutched at Heero's tanktop desperately as if it is his lifeline. "Don't wanna be alone no more." How could he say he is the perfect soldier when he sees this boy crying in his arms. How could he say he is unbreakable when the sight of this boy desperate for salvation & love was tearing him apart.

"I will never let you be alone Duo. I promise." Heero gaze at the cornflower eyes. Cupping the boy's heart shaped face in his hands. "Promise me you won't leave me too Duo."

"I won't. Your my best friend remember." Duo sniffed & wipe the tears that fall down his smooth face. Heero reminded himself that Duo is his friend. His friend. Why does he felt a pinch in his chest when he remembered that. Heero's arms fall down & stare at the distance once again.

Duo rested his head on Heero's head & closed his eyes. He hummed a little & began to sing something. Heero closed his fist & reluctantly returned his arms around Duo. Duo smile grew wider. He felt the warmth comfort that promises him that he will never be alone in his life. & he could see that he will never let go of that warmth ever again.

Heero suddenly realized that he was in love.