Heero looked up at the crescent moon barely visible in the sky. Obscured by leafy branches and black clouds, it was next to impossible to see the ground ahead of him. Normally he could have run the entire distance within a few minutes, but in such darkness, he was stuck walking along the uneven path and picking his way over fallen tree branches.

Heero didn't smile, but his mood improved a bit as he recalled Duo's voice and the promise of what awaited him at the end of the rough path. Where he was going, they didn't need light. His sneakers trampled weeds and small stones as he picked up speed, running confidently towards the pond and unconsciously avoiding sleeping flowers.

Duo was waiting for him. It was enough to keep him from tripping. Duo seemed to be the first real source of stability Heero could remember, providing him with the sense that no matter what happened, Duo would be there. It was one hell of a comforting though, especially to a soldier without a home. Duo was home.

Duo had looked so nervous at first, fiddling with the end of his braid as usual. Heero knew Duo was a mission risk, he simply communicated too much with his gestures and teases, belying any little shock or thought. A toss of the braid, a quick grin, a wave of his hand...all mission risks.

Mainly because they were so endearing, though. They were distracting the hell out of him, making him take risks he normally wouldn't in every part of his life. Which was why he was running through the woods in the dead of night, risking injury and exposure just to meet up the braided pilot.

Heero had nodded once, betraying no emotion and no care. Duo had grinned, but even Heero had noticed a lack of cheer behind it. Duo was beginning to lose hope of getting Heero to demonstrate any emotional capability whatsoever, beyond irritability and psychotic enthusiasm, of course. But at least Heero had nodded.

Just as he came out of the trees and in view of the pond, the clouds above faded, allowing the moon to light up the area. Duo sat on a large fallen log, leaning against the rest of the tree that still stood. Large mushrooms jutted out around him while closed flowers sprouted out on the decaying tree branch.

"I came," Heero stated.

Duo smiled softly and beckoned for him to come closer. "I knew you would." His gaze never left Heero as the Japanese boy took a seat beside him and waited for Duo to make the first move. Actually, to make all of the moves.

Duo gently put his hands on either side of Heero's face but he didn't lean forward for a kiss. He waited for Heero's instinct to push him away died down and the tense trembling left his muscles. He smiled into Heero's eyes, quietly reassuring him he'd be all right. The only noise that broke the stillness was Heero's breathing, with a few crickets in the background. Once he knew he wouldn't be struck, Duo pulled him close and brushed his lips against Heero's.

"Do you know what night this is?" he whispered, as if he was afraid of being caught.

"No," Heero replied just as quietly.

"It's All Hallow's Eve," Duo murmured. "Just before All Soul's Day."

Heero looked at him blankly.

"It's a night when the dead can live," Duo explained. "When spirits can walk the earth. When a few of the natural rules are reversed." He caressed Heero's cheek with the back of his hand, then ran his fingers through the unruly hair. "When what's gone can return...when what's dormant...can wake up..."

Heero met his eyes with an unflinching stare. "Some things are too far gone to remember. I can't--"

"Shhh..." Duo put one finger over Heero's lips, hushing him. "You can. You will. You're the strongest person I know. You're stronger than anything anyone could do to you." He caught Heero up in a tight embrace, holding him close and sliding his hand down Heero's side. "Not in one night. Not in one kiss. But you will. I asked you here to get your promise that you will."

"Duo..."

"Yes?"

Heero considered all the risks, the unacceptable chances and vulnerabilities that yawned open before him. Either the mission or Duo. But not in one night...

"You'll wait?" he whispered.

Duo smiled. "If you promise."

Heero looked up into his eyes, and saw his own reflection in the violet shade. He nodded once, and then Duo leaned up and pressed his mouth against Heero's. And this time, Heero kissed back.

The End