Bathing in Blood

By: Missfortune

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Warning: Dark. Death fic - sorta. Shonen ai.

Notes: Ah what thought I have in the bathtub. Lookin at your wrists in the candlelight gives you interesting ideas. Yes I was upset when I wrote this, no I am not considering this course of action.

The hot water steamed up the windows of the tiny bathroom as it poured into the tub. Duo watched the crystal water as it splashed into the basin. He slowly stripped out of his clothes and dropped them on the floor. He unbound his braid letting the hair fan out around him and smiled sadly. He turned to the small CD player he had brought with him and turned it on. It was on repeat, set to play the same song over and over. He fiddled with the volume getting it just right before he turned back to the bathtub and turned off the water.

Duo lit various candles placed around the bathroom and turned off the lights. He walked over to the tub with its glowing water. He slid into the too hot water and sighed. His hair floated around him swirling in the water. He sunk back into the water soaking his hair and staring at the ceiling. He turned his head and looked at the razor that lay on the edge of the tub. He brought his hand up out of the water and grasped its handle.

He turned it over in his hand inspecting it. Satisfied he brought his other hand up and drew the thin blades from their housing. He lay entranced by the candlelight flickering off their shiny surfaces. Duo let the razor's casing fall on the floor next to the tub. He took one of the blades and brought it up to his wrist. He made a deep cut from wrist to elbow. He hissed at the pain but it melted away in moments leaving behind an odd warmth. Duo did the same to the other wrist and then lay the darkened blade on the edge of the bathtub.

The blood was flowing heavily turning the water pink. Duo turned on his side and stared at the wall. The water swished at his movement, caressing him with its warmth. He watched the golden reflections flicker and dance on the white porcelain tiles. He brought his hand up to touch the image. Red lines traced their way down his wrist. He watched fascinated as individual drops slid lazily down his arms. He brought his other hand to catch a drop. He moved his finger through the blood and then touched the wall leaving behind a dark smudge nearly brown in the candlelight. He did it again making small swirls in time to the music playing in the background.

Slowly Duo's eyes began to drift shut as his body lost its strength along with its blood. He lay there on his side admiring the play of light against his new artwork. His water darkened hair swirled in the small currents caused by his shallow breathing. The now crimson water was slowly turning cold. Duo let his hand rest against the wall and watched as the blood dripped down more slowly like sap from a pine tree. Slowly his eyes drifted shut as the song in the background began again and the candles faded out.

Heero shook himself from his haze. He looked at the clock next to his laptop; it was well past midnight. He stretched popping the kinks from his back and turned to look at the room. Duo wasn't in bed. The braided baka had gone to bathe when Heero had first sat down at the computer. That was hours ago. But Heero could still hear the music coming from the bathroom, the singer mournfully asking 'Why ya gotta be so mean to me?' Heero had tuned that out hours ago but now he came to wonder why Duo was still in there.

He got up from his chair and sighed as his back popped. Slowly he made his way across the room to the bathroom door. He knocked loudly but got no answer. He tried the handle but found it locked. He pulled a key from over the doorframe and unlocked the door. On the other side the only sound was the same song starting again. Heero blinked at the darkness of the room. The room was lit by a single dying candle on the counter. Heero flipped on the lights and froze.

Duo was still in the bathtub, but it wasn't water he was sitting in. Duo lay curled on his side facing away from Heero. Heero could see the smooth curves of his pale body. Creamy white skin that clashed horribly with the crimson water. Heero took in the swirls of blood on the wall. He noted Duo's hand resting against it with trails of dried blood leading to the water. He drank in the site of Duo's beautiful chestnut hair unbound and floating in the water. But he could not bring himself to make that final step towards the bathtub.

His knees collapsed beneath him and he fell heavily to the floor. His harsh landing caused ripples to run through the carmine water. Heero watched in horror as Duo's hand slid from the wall into the water and floated there lifelessly. Duo was like some grim mermaid swimming in a sea of blood hair floating around him. Finally Heero reached out and touched the pale shoulder. It was smooth as white marble and just as cold. His touch caused Duo to turn towards him his body sinking onto his back sending waves through the red ocean. His eyes were closed and a single bead of red water clung to his eyelash like a bloody tear. Heero knew that if he opened those eyes he would see the shroud of death covering them. He just couldn't bring himself to look at those beautiful eyes robbed of their life. As he slid back away from the tub a glint caught his eye. He turned to look at the taunting blades of a razor. They teased him, tempted him and he was under their spell. He slowly reached out for the enchanting blades . . .

Heero shot upright in his bed. He pressed the palms of his hands to his eyelids willing the haunting images to go away. They refused. He glanced at the clock and noted the sun streaming through the window. From the bathroom he heard the telltale splash of a body in the tub. He jumped from his bed and ran into the bathroom without knocking. Duo looked up startled. Heero had a wild look in his eyes. Heero studied Duo carefully.

"Heero?"

"Hn?"

"Is something wrong?" Duo asked.

"Yes," Heero replied.

"What is it?" Duo asked concerned.

"I love you," Heero told him.

"And that's a problem?" Duo asked sadly.

"No," Heero said as he sat down on the edge of the bathtub. He caressed Duo's cheek softly and softened his face enough to give Duo a gentle smile. Duo brought his hand up to touch his face in wonder. Heero caught it and caressed the water-wrinkled palm. "You should get out soon. You're getting wrinkles."

Duo nodded dumbly and stood up. Water ran down his body. Crystal clear rivulets tracing every curve of his body. His wet hair clinging to his skin contrasting dark against light. Heero stood up and grabbed a towel from the towel rack. He held it open for Duo. Duo stepped out of the tub and into the towel. Heero wrapped his arms around him and hugged Duo tightly.

"Ai shiteru Duo," Heero murmured into Duo's wet hair.

"Ai shiteru Heero," Duo whispered back.

"Go get dressed," Heero said gently pushing Duo towards the bedroom. "We need to talk."

Duo nodded and walked back to the bedroom wrapped in his towel. Heero turned to the tub and pulled the plug watching the water swirl down the drain. He picked up the razor sitting on the edge and tossed it into the trash before turning off the light and going to join Duo in the bedroom.

The End

Well that was both depressing and sad and sweet and odd all at the same time.

Once again I would like to say that I am not planning on doing any such thing. You shouldn't either. Suicide never solves anything. It just causes even more pain and lots of guilt.