Heero smiled, but there was some pain in it.

Duo took a hand out of his coat pocket and gripped Heero's arm, stopping him from continuing their walk. Breath smoking in the cold air, autumn leaves littering the sidewalk and the street, it was far too beautiful a morning to have that look on his lover's face.

"Heero, what's wrong?" Duo wanted to know, voice soft and unsure.

Heero put a hand over Duo's, warm and firm, as he replied, "It's Veteran's Day."

Duo snorted. "Oh." and then more thoughtfully, "But that's for old people who've been in wars."

Heero looked even sadder as he replied, "No, I wish it were. It's for everyone, young or old, Duo. It's... for people like us."

Duo's face pinched at memories and then he leaned into Heero and hooked an arm around his waist, pulling him close. He didn't say anything else, and knew that he didn't need to. It was enough to simply be there for each other.