There was that saying, about the rug being pulled out from under one's feet. Duo was feeling that right then, only when the rug was pulled it seemed his equilibrium and strength went with it. His knees trembled for a moment only to collapse completely. He fell backwards, not even noticing how much it hurt to hit the ground that hard.

He couldn't speak. His voice only caught in his throat uselessly. His hands moved over his face, head shaking slowly.

There was nothing he could say.