.01. - Open

[duomaxwell]

He really should have known better. He was the kind of person capable of getting in to trouble just walking across the street, what made him think that going exploring in the castle alone was a good idea?

Well, really, he never thought it was a good idea. It was just an idea. One that he did despite the possible risk of it.

And now he was regretting that.

Having made his way up to a flat, almost roof like area of the castle, he was simply looking around the edges, thinking it was about time to start heading back to his room since there really hadn't been anything of interest around there except for a couple of barrels he couldn't open in another room. He leaned over one of the little ledges that hung over another area below, spotting what looked like train tracks.

Well that was interesting! But not something he wanted to keep to himself. His double would sure as hell want to know about that, right? He kind of wished he'd brought something to draw a map out with, but he knew if he went back now he could recall the path there from memory alone.

He turned to start the trek back, and it was that moment fate decided to remind Duo Maxwell that his luck was good, but never as good as he would have liked it to be.

Loose, crumbling stone fell away from where his right foot was, and his balance was lost. He felt a sickening sensation in the pit of his stomach as he fell backwards. A yelp sounded from him as he grabbed what was left of the ledge, feet dangling high above the stone floor below. If he fell, it was going to hurt. A lot. If it didn't kill him.

"Damnit...!"

Comments

[duomaxwell]

Duo still didn't say anything. Try as he might he just couldn't wrap his mind around the level of destruction, death and chaos that had to have caused. There was a million questions, yet none he could voice without his throat closing up on him.

"I can't--..." was all he managed to get out before his voice cracked and he went silent again.

[stillshinigami]

It was a massacre. All of the people on the colony and then the race of immigrants to outer space. He took in a deep breath and exhaled, trying to focus on other things. Some of the good that has come out of the war despite everything. Despite everything.

"I know." He said, shaking his head. What could he say? They had the same hangups about operation Meteor. They probably made the same decision to go to Earth. There was just nothing he could say to make things right. Maybe...

"Listen." He said, glancing longingly at the bedroom doors on the far side of the room. That corridor that at the moment looked so far away. "I won't say anymore. You don't need to carry that."

[duomaxwell]

"Little late for that, don'tcha think?" Duo grunted, finally lowering his hands. He felt sick, but a harsh swallow kept it down for the time being.

[stillshinigami]

Duo groaned. He didn't want to feel this way, and he didn't think the kid would react so much to the news. Heero hadn't, but then they still had so much to sort through that his news probably didn't feel all that important. That? Duo just didn't want to see himself looking like that.

"Does it matter? It doesn't effect you--! It's done! It happened! And your world is still safe!" Duo paused, looking down at the table.

"And I don't wanna think about it anymore."

[duomaxwell]

But it did matter. He couldn't say how it mattered, though, which was enough to keep him from arguing. Instead he just nodded, getting to his feet. Nausea was working in his stomach now, but he swallowed hard enough to fight it back.

He still didn't know what to say.

[stillshinigami]

Nothing to say? That was fine. That was how things had gone all the last few years. He pushed himself to his feet and walked forward, almost past his double. He patted the boy lightly on the shoulder, trying to get the message across that he did actually understand. Only problem was that he couldn't watch him like that anymore.

"I'm goin' to bed." He said simply, in hopes he could just push it all back into the recesses of his mind.

[duomaxwell]

"... 'kay..." was the only response he'd get upon passing. Duo didn't move, at least not right away.

It would be another few minutes after his other left before he shuffled off to his room, curling up on his bed while staring at the dark wall blankly.