18 April 2002

Today is Matt's and my fourth wedding anniversary. What are we going to do? Well, I'll probably spend most of the evening Halling, because Matt's stuck in Washington until tomorrow. But if I can remember I'll make us some dinner reservations for tomorrow or Saturday.

Y'all think happy thoughts for us, though, please...

Not only is my grandfather's health declining rapidly, but now Matt's grandmother is in the hospital. She had a heart attack a few days ago, and they moved her to a new hospital for tests and an angioplasty (as near as we can tell - the report seems to differ depending on who we talk to).

Really, I'm not trying to be depressing...

I can't remember who I was talking to, that said they felt sorry for Dusk, because Dawn is so jealous he'd make it a problem for Dusk to have a girlfriend. Or something along those lines...

Part of the problem, of course, is that Dusk is more physically attractive - and he's got that "brooding silence" thing down that so many women seem to find appealing. So he gets more girls.

And Dawn's temper sparks fast and burns hot, so it's always easy to tell when he's mad about something.

But they showed me a glimpse last night of the reverse situation. It's not enough to make a whole story - just a scene, really - so I thought I'd put it here, because if I don't write it somewhere, it's going to refuse to leave my brain.

* * * * *

Dawn crept silently into their room, but relaxed as he saw the lamp was still burning, its wick turned low. Dusk was sitting at the table, meticulously copying over some notes into his book. He looked up as his partner came in. {Well?}

Dawndropped gracelessly into the chair opposite Dusk's. "It was wonderful," he said with a foolish grin.

Dusk gave him a smile as he cleaned his pen. {I told you...} He got up and started putting things away, moving quietly to avoid waking their teacher in the room below.

Dawn propped one foot on the table and tipped his chair back on two legs. "Aye," he agreed, "you did. I should've listened to you sooner. I think I'm falling in love."

Dusk raised his eyebrows, then hissed out a short laugh. {She was that good?}

Dawn closed his eyes with a contented sigh. "I'm not joking. I mean, yeah, she was good, but... she's quick, and smart... she's fun." He heard Dusk moving closer, smiling as long fingers slid into his hair. "And she's beautiful, and -" He broke off in surprise as Dusk yanked his head back, his eyes snapping open.

{Not me.} Dusk's face was calm, but his eyes were cold.

"Wh-what?"

{She isn't me. You're not replacing me.} Dusk's speaking hand was trembling, ever so slightly, but the fist wrapped in Dawn's hair was rock-steady.

Dawn tried to shake his head, wincing as it pulled against Dusk's grip. "No, no, I couldn't, I never-"

Dusk pulled harder, tipping Dawn's chair until it teetered on slipping out from under him. {I won't let her take you from me.}

Dawn reached up and wrapped his hand around Dusk's wrist, his temper suddenly flaring past his shock. "What the-? How many fucking girlfriends have you had in the last three years? When have I complained?"

Dusk's eyes narrowed. {I haven't claimed to be in love with any of them. And there was Rain...}

Dawn groaned. "This is revenge for Rain? Damn it, Dusk, that was years ago! I said I was sorry, didn't I? I've kept my damn mouth shut since then, haven't I?"

Abruptly, Dusk shoved, releasing his grip on Dawn as the chair thumped its front legs back onto the floor.

* * * * *

That's it. That's all they gave me. I kind of know how Dawn met this girl, but I don't know her name. I don't know if it takes place before or after their initiation, and I don't know how the argument finished - though I do know Dawn only saw the girl a few more times.

So much for Dusk's long-suffering nature.

--Liz