Path Without Stars [Gundam 00, Allelujah/Setsuna, G]

[palantine.livejournal.com]

Title: Path Without Stars
Author: palantine
Rating: G
Prompt: Gundam00, Allelujah Haptism/Setsuna F. Seiei: Comfort - God is dead, but I'm still here.
Word count: 200 words

In the still night they breathe against each other's skin. Rushing white noise fills their ears, isolates the sounds of memory.

Setsuna had reached his hand towards the explosions in the sky, but now space is dark and calm again. Threat lurks only in the knowledge of tomorrow. Tomorrow they too could disappear, unknown and unsatisfied.

"I'm still here," Allelujah says, and Setsuna allows the crushing hold because he knows Allelujah needs the comfort more. Allelujah lays his cool hand over Setsuna's stinging cheek, and apologizes for everything he didn't do.

"Allelujah," Setsuna says, and Allelujah's body shakes with a gloomy laugh. It sounds like a tiny prayer of relief, like the momentary belief of someone who finds himself alive and grateful. Setsuna knows the same intention created that name, but unlike Allelujah he doesn't believe in giving thanks to a non-existent God.

The Ptolemaios continues to orbit Earth; they recycle the stale air of the corridor. The stars are invisible from where they stand, but Setsuna keeps his eyes wide open. There's nothing for it but to keep searching.

Setsuna loses count of the heartbeats, forgets whether they are moving away or towards the sun.