Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Checkmate

Chapter 17

"Are you sure about this?"

Wufei nodded solemnly. "The first decision is the right decision. The honest decision. Second guessing is weakness of character."

"Hmph."

Wufei narrowed his eyes at his best friend. Through their years of friendship they had experienced exactly two serious arguments which resulted in fistfights. Both times had been because Duo had questioned Wufei's beliefs. Specifically, what he considered weak behavior. He was hoping this would not be one of those times.

"Maxwell…"

Duo waved off the warning and continued looking through his magazine. "Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm supposed to be that little voice in your head. Devil's Advocate if you will."

"Thank you, but I am confident this is the right decision. It's only when Milliardo shows up that things get confusing." Wufei frowned down at his clasped hands.

His friend's agitated state did not go unnoticed so Duo thought better of his sarcastic comment. Ever since Milliardo showed up a week ago, Wufei had been very quiet and withdrawn. Duo managed to get him to talk but he could tell Wufei really didn't want to and that he was just humoring his friend. But ten minutes ago Wufei had walked into the living room, sat down, and declared he'd made his decision about Milliardo. He seemed too confident about it for Duo's taste. And as much as he wanted the Chancellor out of Wufei's life, if Wufei still loved Milliardo….

"But isn't that a sign that maybe----"

"Maxwell."

This time, Wufei left no room for argument with his tone and he saw that Duo understood by the worried look in his eyes. Duo went back to reading and Wufei sat on the sofa, staring at his hands, reassuring himself over and over that he was making the right decision.

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Milliardo,

I write this letter to you as a final farewell. As you would not accept my decision from my own lips, perhaps seeing it in black and white will help you to finally understand. I cannot come back to you. The love we shared has been broken beyond repair and should be given up for lost. We are both to blame for this crime and I hope that you will accept my plea for forgiveness even though I have rejected yours.

If you care for me as you say you do, then you will abide my wishes. If you truly want my happiness, then you will let me go.

Wufei

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Honey, I'm home!" Duo closed the door and put the food bags on the kitchen counter, and then headed into the living room. "'Fei? Hello?"

As Duo made his way down the hallway, the sound of running water came to his attention and he smiled. It must be my lucky day. He didn't bother to be quiet. There was no way Wufei would be able to hear him over the noise of the shower. He walked into Wufei's room and went to the bathroom door which was conveniently open. He leaned against the doorway and admired what he could of his friend's form through the steamy glass walls.

They'd seen each other naked enough through the years working together and showering at Preventors Headquarters. And Duo would never tire of seeing that strong, lean body with the honey-colored skin. He licked his lips and began to chew on a fingernail. He knew it was a nervous habit and Wufei had been trying to break him of it for awhile now. But right now it was keeping him from walking right into that shower and mauling his best friend. He watched as Wufei lifted his face to the water and Duo couldn't help but be jealous of the water rushing down over the man's body. Wufei quickly rinsed off and then he turned off the water.

"You could at least be useful and hand me my towel, Maxwell."

"You…You knew I was here? But how?"

Wufei opened the door and stepped out grabbing his towel, inwardly triumphant at surprising Duo and ruining his surprise. He immediately wrapped the towel around his waist and grabbed another, drying his hair. When he was done, he hung up the extra towel and approached Duo, smirk on his face.

"You darken the door way with the best of them."

"No way! You're lying, 'Fei."

Wufei walked past Duo into his bedroom, with his partner hot on his heels.

"It's just something about you that I can sense, Maxwell."

Duo stopped for a moment and considered his partner's words. He didn't sense any sarcasm, so what did it mean? Is he serious? Does he have some sort of sixth sense when it comes to me? He watched Wufei pulling out various articles of clothing and laying them out, admiring the half naked man for as long as he was allowed. When Wufei turned back to face Duo, he was frowning. Uh, oh. Was I being obvious?

"By the way, what are you doing here? Shirking your responsibilities again?"

"I actually thought I'd be a nice guy and bring my best friend some lunch, but if that's your attitude I'm leaving and taking lunch with me."

Duo stomped out of the room in an apparent huff, glad that Wufei hadn't sensed his true thoughts. Wufei just rolled his eyes at the retreating figure. Why me gods? Why did you allow me to become best friends with such a drama queen? As Wufei turned his attention to the clothes on the bed he heard Duo yell.

"I'll get it!"

Not concerned with whoever was at his door, he grabbed his underwear. But before he could even get one leg in, he heard not only Duo yelling, but it sounded like there was a scuffle. Without thinking, Wufei dropped his underwear, grabbed his gun from the nightstand and ran out to find Duo and Milliardo rolling around on his living room floor, fighting.

"Maxwell!" Wufei aimed the gun at the two men wrestling on the floor. "Both of you, freeze!" He cocked the gun and that served to get both their attention. "I want to see hands in the air and I want you to back away from each other. Slowly." Both men did as they were commanded and stood up to face Wufei. They were both panting, disheveled and showing signs of bruising already. "Now. Maxwell. Calmly tell me what the hell is going on."

Duo took a deep breath and tried not to take the hard onyx eyes aimed at him personally. Wufei was in mission mode right now.

"I answered the door to find this bastard."

Milliardo swung around, speaking through clenched teeth.

"Keep your editing to yourself, you weakling."

"Weakling! I was kickin'---"

"Shut up!"

Both men backed away and faced Wufei once again.

"Why are you here, Milliardo?"

Milliardo had noticed three alarming details in the past few minutes. One, Wufei had emerged wearing only a towel. Two, he called out Duo's name when he saw the fight, not his. And three, the gun was aimed squarely at him.

"I merely came here to see you, Wufei. I was hoping we could talk."

"I don't want to talk to you. I told you---"

Milliardo took a dangerous step forward, willing to gamble with his life at this point, if it meant getting Wufei back.

"I received your letter and I jumped the first transport here." He saw a flicker in the anger and he plunged forward, heedless of the gun and Duo's presence. "Wufei, please don't ask me to give up on you. Remember how happy we were? Remember the long nights of playing chess? Remember how good it felt when we were together in bed?"

Duo had heard enough. He lunged for Milliardo, slamming the man against the wall and following it up with a right hook to the jaw.

"Shut up, you pathetic bastard! Why would he want anything to do with you!" He took another swing at Milliardo, but the man ducked and sent a fist into Duo's stomach. Duo's eyes went wide and Wufei could hear the air escaping his body, even at a distance. He knew exactly how hard Milliardo could hit. Milliardo was now standing over Duo who was down on one knee, trying to breathe.

"Pathetic! You want to talk pathetic, Duo? At least I had the courage to admit to him---"

Duo eyes went wide and he jumped up, grabbing Milliardo around the waist, sending both crashing to the floor. Wufei watched the fight between Duo and Milliardo in a state of shock. Milliardo had made him remember. Yes, he recalled how happy they were and the pleasure they inspired in one another. But he remembered the pain as well. A pain that was playing itself out again right in front of his eyes.

"If you fucked him, Duo, so help me god I'll----"

Milliardo was now straddling Duo's body, about to bring his fist down when Wufei regained his senses.

Wufei abandoned his gun and leapt over the sofa, tackling Milliardo from behind. The pair hit the floor with Wufei landing on top. He righted himself swiftly and brought his fist down on Milliardo over and over again.

"Don't you ever touch him again! Why did you have to come back! Why did you have to make me remember! Why! We'll only hurt each other, Milliardo!"

Duo shook enough of the cobwebs away to see what was happening and he quickly grabbed Wufei, dragging him off a bloodied Milliardo. Wufei didn't fight Duo, he allowed his partner to drag him away, but he quickly yanked himself free. He stood there, panting, ignoring the pain in his side and gazed in shock at what he had done. Milliardo….what have I done? I…I….I'm just like him. How could I…? He looked down at his hands and saw they had smudges of blood. Oh god… Suddenly he found a blanket thrown around his shoulders and he turned to look at Duo, his confusion evident.

"You lost your towel."

Wufei looked down at himself and quickly closed the blanket around himself. Then he turned his attention to Duo's face. He grimaced and brought up a hand to inspect a particularly bad bruise at the corner of Duo's mouth. Duo took a hold of Wufei's hand, bringing it away from his face, but not letting it go.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for the save."

Wufei caught movement out of the corner of his eye and he turned to see Milliardo on his feet, a knowing smile on his face.

"So now you understand, Wufei."

Wufei took a step forward. "Is that why you showed up here? You thought to get in a fight with Maxwell so I would defend him?"

"No, that was not my purpose." He pulled out a handkerchief and started to wipe the blood from his face. "I was actually surprised to see him here. And even more so to see you walking out in a towel." He would have been embarrassed about the flush in his cheeks if Wufei's weren't just as red.

"That is none of your concern."

"Yes it is." Wufei's eyes widened at the emotion in Milliardo's voice. "We are a part of each other, Wufei."

As memories flooded his mind of Milliardo, pale and beautiful under him, Wufei's body began to shake.

"Y-you're right." Wufei looked away, his brow furrowed as if he were in pain. "But I don't know of a single person who likes everything about themselves. Now please, Milliardo….just leave me be."

Duo walked to the front door and opened it, glaring at Milliardo. "You heard the man."

Milliardo hung his head and sighed. He knew there was no sense in staying. It would only cause further damage to all three of them. Physically and emotionally. He walked up to Wufei and gently guided his chin so he could see his face. When the onyx eyes met his own, his heart ached. It ached for the man before him and it ached for the pain he saw within.

"Will you please answer one question for me before I leave?"

Wufei barely heard the silky whisper even though they were standing close. He swallowed hard and answered the question without Milliardo voicing it.

"We didn't."

Milliardo gave a half smile as he closed his eyes, thanking all the gods above and below for that small favor.

"Thank you." Milliardo leaned in and gave Wufei a tender kiss on the cheek, lingering for only a few seconds, before he backed away and looked him in the eyes one more time. "Please understand, Wufei, I cannot give up on you. The day I admit that I've lost you, is the day I too will be lost."

Milliardo left the apartment, completely ignoring Duo's glare and low growl as he passed by. The door slammed quickly after his exit but he still held hope within his heart. He let me kiss him. He didn't flinch away. He's slowly healing and realizing he still loves me. Wufei….I won't give up on you. I can't.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Duo slammed the door shut and turned to see Wufei walking back towards his bedroom. Should I go after him? Maybe he needs some time to digest everything. I'll just---- Duo was shocked to see Wufei returning with a first aid kit. He placed it down on the living room table, walked over, grabbed Duo's hand and led him to the sofa. They sat down and Wufei began to treat Duo's injuries. He was still wrapped in the blanket and he wasn't saying a word. Every now and again he would frown, and then look very sad. But he always quickly recovered and continued with his treatment. Duo watched in silent fascination. What is he thinking? Is he ok? Is he mad at me for getting into that fight? Why does he look sad? Does he still love him? Is it possible? When Wufei was done, he looked Duo in the eyes and that was when Duo saw the answers to his questions.

"I'm sorry I broke my promise to you, Maxwell."

"What promise?"

"I swore I would never hurt you again, and yet here you are, hurt because of my problem."

"Zechs did this, not you. And I probably shouldn't have shoved him up against the wall as soon as I laid eyes on him, but seeing his face….the anger was instant."

"Yes, I know. We've all let our anger control us, haven't we? It's a painful cycle that must be broken. Milliardo doesn't understand that yet."

Wufei had that sad look on his face again and Duo reached out for his hand. He gently wiped the sullen man's hand clean of the blood with an antiseptic wipe, then dried it before putting some liquid Band-Aid on the minor scraps. Duo smiled at Wufei, happy to see the sadness gone from his eyes.

"There, all better. Now come with me."

He stood up and gave Wufei's hand a little tug as he led the way back into the bedroom.

"Get dressed. I'll get lunch set up."

Wufei gazed at his best friend for several moments, one question plaguing his mind. How did I get so lucky to have him in my life?

To be continued…