by AlleyQuat
They had overcome all adversity—survived two wars and the won the struggle to fit in. Growing up, they had become what they had been at fifteen—men. Yet, through it all, they knew how fragile life truly was...and how quickly all they cherished and loved could be taken away. They had all known that this day would come…just not that it would be this soon. Just as they were beginning to taste true happiness, tragedy had overshadowed their young lives once again.
Five friends—together in life, now separated by death. Trowa watched his three friends trudge slowly up the hill…what used to be their hill. This hill held a very special place in all their hearts. Here they had once gathered beneath the giant oak trees, relaxed in their shade, and in each other’s company. Here they had spent many days reminiscing about their youth and had exchanged stories about one another and their families.
This was the place where Quatre and Trowa had formally professed their love for one another before their friends and families as they had exchanged rings of eternity.
This was the place where Wufei had proposed to Sally, pledging their hearts and lives to each other.
This was the place where Duo and Heero had decided to have a child, the final missing piece of their lives.
This was the place that symbolized their friendship—forged in the heat of war and strengthened in the cool of peace.
Now they were coming together to bury one of their own—their youngest brother and the heart of their circle.
Heero reached the top first, his eyes red-rimmed, four shovels balanced on his shoulder. He went to Trowa and pulled him into a one armed embrace. "I’m sorry, Tro. God, I’m so sorry."
Duo crested the hill next, his gaze downcast and sorrowful. He wrapped his arms around Trowa, and sobbed into his chest. "Jesus, Trowa, I can’t…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…" He tightened his grip on his best friend and squeezed him once more.
Trowa nodded stiffly and turned away from them to gaze at the casket that held his husband. They had been married only three short years. He absently twisted the gold wedding band around his finger and blinked back tears.
Wufei was the last to arrive, bearing a simple bouquet of white roses. He slung an arm around Trowa’s neck and sobbed. "I offer to you my most sincere condolences, my friend."
"Thank you, Wufei." Trowa accepted the roses and carefully laid them beneath the tree, away from the dig site. He paused by the casket and reverently touched the polished oak. He picked a shovel and stood by his friends.
"Trowa, you don’t have to do this…" Duo began.
"I want to do this…I have to do this…for him." Trowa lifted the shovel and began to dig.
Heero, Duo, and Wufei exchanged a long glance before also beginning to dig. The four continued in silence, overwhelmed by the severity of their actions.
Finally, they lowered Quatre into his final resting place.