Disclaimers: I do not own GW.

Warnings: General warnings such as OOCs, shounen ai.

Notes: This is the promised Sequel to A Place to Belong. Not a long story but I hope you like my attempt at 2x6x2 anyway.

Leaving the Past

Chapter Five

"So, why aren't you out there right now?" Hilde asked, watching Duo pace the room.

It was the day of the wedding and minutes away from the actual ceremony. The guests had almost all arrived and were seated in the backyard, where the ceremony, and the subsequent signing of legal documents to render them both legal life partners was going to take place. Milliardo was outside, taking on the role as the host and greeting their guests.

Duo, on the other hand, had decided that a panic attack was in order. He had been ranting about not being worthy of his fiancé and Milliardo was about to leave him at the altar. Hilde had sighed rather loudly and suggested if Duo was so afraid of Milliardo running off, perhaps he should be out there, instead of being in here. That way he could keep tabs on his lover. Duo had looked at her friend like she was insane.

"And watch him walk away from me?" Duo gaped at his friend's simple-mindedness.

"For crying out…" Hilde rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Duo, anyone blind and death can feel the love he has for you. Your cold feet are really getting out of hand." She pulled her friend up from the couch and gave him a push toward the door. "Go, get out there and show off how good you two look together. And make all the girls completely sick of jealousy at the two of you." She droned on again, lamenting about why good-looking guys were invariably gay.

"You think so?" Duo asked, nervously twisting the end of his coal dark suit.

Hilde resisted the urge to scream. She found it doubly amusing that the usually calm and confident Deathscythe pilot could be uncertain when it came to such a simple human emotion such as love. Besides, Milliardo had tried, over and over again since last night to assure his already panicky lover that he did indeed want to go through with the wedding and there was no possible reason that would make him decide against it. After three hours of endless reassuring, Milliardo had gotten annoyed, shoved Duo into Hilde's arms and went to sleep. Milliardo loved Duo, but after three hours of clinging and hand wringing, he had decided to let his lover draw his own conclusions about the wedding. He had woken up refreshed and ready to face the day while Duo still had Hilde held hostage and going on and on about how he was sure Milliardo was on a one way trip to India right now. He had the most hilarious expression when Milliardo came down to make them all some breakfast.

"Aren't you in India?" Duo had asked, gaping. His eyes were round and staring at Milliardo in a way that told Hilde he didn't really believe the tall blond was standing in front of him, flipping pancakes.

Milliarod rolled his eyes in exasperation and looked toward Hilde. "He's still at it?"

Hilde yawned, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "Yes. Since the time you dropped him on my lap. You look bright and chirpy," she groused, jealous that Milliardo got the sleep that she was deprived of. And he was Duo's huggy bunny, not her. There was just no justice in this world.

Duo didn't appear to mind being talked around of, or ignored. He was still too busy processing the fact that Milliardo was still around, and marrying him today. He still hadn't run while he could. Just how stupid was his fiancé anyway? The fact that he had just insulted himself flew right over his befuddled head.

"Hurry up and eat," Milliardo pointed to the plate on the table. "The caterers are coming over in a while."

That had been hours ago. And Duo was still at it. But Hilde was completely adept at tuning her friend out. In fact, it was a necessity rather than a talent. Hilde smiled at the vision they two of them made. Their suits were dark coal, simple and yet elegant. They wore white shirts and deep red roses for corsages. There was nothing fancy about the clothes they wore and yet, something about the way they moved, especially together, drew attention to them.

There was a brief knock on the door and Hilde went to answer it. "I think it might be Relena."

Duo shrugged and resumed digging a small trench on the floor. "It might be someone coming to tell me that the wedding is off and Milliardo is on our private jet to India."

"What is it with you and India?" Hilde yelled, unable to contain her frustration anymore. "Heero!" She gasped, staring at the person just beyond the door. "Wu Fei? Trowa?"

Duo's head snapped up. "Quatre…"

Hilde stepped back while the guys crowded into the room. She stood there, indecisive. She was torn between running for Milliardo and staying there to give support to her friend.

Duo took a deep breath. "Hilde, could we have a moment in private?" He smiled at her, trying to tell her that it was alright, that he can handle it.

"But…" Hilde protested.

Duo nodded. "Please, Hilde. Thank you."

Soon, there was the five of them left within the silence of the room.

"Thank you for coming," Duo started, wishing he felt a little less awkward. He wasn't calm enough to be angry with them or angry enough at this point to be interested in their ganging up on him. "Please enjoy the lovely reception we have prepared. The drinks are served outside." He stressed the last a little.

"Duo, we… I… we…" Quatre started but apparently it led them nowhere.

"Duo, I would like to wish you all the best in your future and congratulations," Trowa stepped for extending his arm.

Duo stood there for a moment, staring down at the outstretched hand and then back up at Trowa. There didn't seem to be any sarcasm in the tone, and Trowa appeared to genuinely want to wish Duo well. He took the other man's hand and shook it for a moment before quickly releasing it.

Quatre bounded up next, encouraged by Duo's easy acceptance of Trowa. "I hope he is good to you," he said, realising at the last second that he said the wrong thing.

Duo's expression froze. "Yes, I know he will. He has been for the past seven years," he said, frostily. 'While you have been ignoring me and believing my lying lover' was the continuation of that sentence not said.

"Duo," Quatre sighed.

Wu Fei stepped forward and Duo stiffened even more. "I have nothing to say except sorry. I understand it is not enough. I have done the unacceptable. And I only hope that one day you would be able to forgive enough for us to be friends again." He wisely moved away, standing behind Heero. He pushed his partner forward a little while Heero, being prodded forward, turned and glared at him.

Duo crossed his arms in front of him, wishing them gone so he could sit and privately torture himself about being left at the altar by Milliardo. There was no way anyone could love him, and if Heero, who understood him so well and was of the same status socially as him could find someone else to love, what was left for him?

"I know we have spoken over the phone," Heero started, a little hesitant. "But please, while I have already admitted it was my fault, I want you to take a small part of the blame." He raised his hand to cut of the protest ready on Duo's lips. "You ran," he looked at Duo, his eyes sad. "You had no faith in our relationship. You didn't fight for me."

Duo turned away, clenching his fists. He could remember that day so well. It had just been the confirmation of his deepest fears. That he had sinned too much in the past and God didn't deem him worthy of something to love. Everyone left him, and every bit of happiness he got was fleeting. Cherish everything, take nothing for granted. That was how he lived his life.

And he wondered when Milliardo would follow Heero's route. When would it be that the former prince would be sick and tired of him? When will he move on?

"There was no reason to fight. It was clear," Duo bit out.

Heero walked around and stood in front of him. It was a little balking that he had to look up at the American. "What was clear?"

"No one could love Duo," Duo said softly. "No one should love Duo." Then his expression hardened. "You made your choice that night. I saw it on your face."

Heero growled in annoyance. Unable to stop himself, he reached out and captured Duo by the arms, shaking him. "You didn't even want to hear an explanation. You just ran with your tail in between your legs as always."

Duo flinched as if he had been slapped. He reacted by pushing Heero away and striding towards the door.

"Running again?" Heero taunted, unable to help himself. Wu Fei hurried over, trying to silence his lover.

Duo swung around, rage burning through him. "Yes, I may run and I may hide but I sure as hell don't sleep with my best friend and then tell the rest of my friends what an ass my lover was by running away. At least I don't lie." He didn't feel the satisfaction of seeing Heero's face fall, or Wu Fei's stricken expression. He had gone out of his way to hurt, and he succeeded but he felt little victory. It didn't matter to him anymore who hurt whom, or who left whom, or who betrayed whom. He wasn't sure why it ceased to be an issue with him after seven years of torturing himself. Perhaps he was flightier that he gave himself credit for?

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair distractedly. "Okay, this has gone far enough. Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I don't want to spoil it by arguing with all of you. I will repeat once again. The celebrations are outside, not here. So please…" He trailed off as Quatre stepped forward. Great, what now?

"I know this probably doesn't mean much to you, at least not now," Quatre said, looking through his inner jacket pocket. "But I want to make it clear why we really thought you left without a word and why we so easily believe Heero." He pulled something out.

Duo stepped back instinctively. He knew Quatre would hurt him purposefully but still, instincts were hard to curb, even after so long. Once a soldier, always a soldier.

Gasps of surprised were heard all round.

"I didn't know you still had that," Heero exclaimed, taking a step toward Quatre, his hand stretched toward a small velvet box resting in Quatre's palm. Wu Fei lay a restraining arm on his lover.

Trowa smiled sadly. "We never threw it away as you asked. Quatre always held a hope that Duo would ceom back one day, eventually. On his own. He wanted Duo to see this."

"No," Heero protested, his jaw tight. "Give it back to me."

Duo frowned, curious. He didn't know what this was, that could provoke such a strong reaction from the normally quite impassive Heero Yuy. This he really had to see. He inched forward. "What is it?"

Quatre extended his hand toward Duo, palm up, with what looked like a ring box resting in the middle. "Heero got this the day after you disapp… left. He didn't have enough money at the time but he said this was what you wanted. I gave him a loan for it. He paid me off, when he knew you would never be returning, and he asked me to destroy it. I didn't."

"Quatre," Heero growled in warning. He really didn't want Duo to see this. It made him look like a lovesick fool. He was, back then.

Duo took the ring box, gingerly opening it. A wordless exclamation passed his lips. He couldn't believe his eyes. Nestled on the velvet pillows inside were two identical rings. There were abstract patterns carved over it and in the middle was a beautiful ruby. He had been ogling the rings for ages and was told by the jeweller that it was unique. It was done by a local craftsman that had passed on a few weeks back. And the price was phenomenal. The jeweller had finally told him that if he wanted the rings, he had better put a deposit on it, since there were other interested party but Duo had shook his head sorrowfully. They were in no position to afford something this extravagant.

He swung surprised eyes to Heero's downcast ones. "You bought it?" He took a step toward Heero. "You actually bought it?"

"It was supposed to be an engagement ring," Wu Fei explained when it was apparent there was no explanation forthcoming from Heero. "He told me about getting it that… night." He winced at bringing that up, half expecting Duo to go insane with rage again.

Instead, Duo dropped his gaze to the twin rings in his hands. "Even after that night, you still wanted to be with me?" He repeated in wonder.

"I did. I told you so," Heero muttered.

Duo didn't really hear much of that. His mind was whirling. Was it possible? That finally, Duo was able to keep someone? To love someone? If he hadn't run, would Heero have wanted to spend forever with him, even if Duo knew Heero would always wonder if Wu Fei and him would ever be happy together?

Had God forgiven him for causing so much death?

But part of him was glad that he ran. His former partner and Wu Fei made an excellent match. And if he hadn't run, he would have never had today. But, the one thought that ran through his mind was: he was worthy. He was worthy of everything. And he was worthy of today. Today, he realised with a start, his wedding day. And he left Milliardo all alone outside. It looked like he was the one doing the abandoning and not Milliardo. As if waking from a trance, he quickly walked past Quatre, pressing the box into his hands and headed toward the door. He stopped just before it.

"Thank you," Duo said softly. "You don't know what you did today. But, I don't think we can be friends… yet." With that he exited the room.

The rest within were slightly confused as to what happened but that didn't stop the slow blossoming of hope at the one word: yet.

For now, it was enough.

XXxxXX

There were guests milling around and Milliardo was hard pressed to greet and entertain them all. He wished Duo was out here, shouldering half the burden but he knew his lover still had issues with himself. Issues that he had to deal with before he was ready to start a new life with him. He just hoped that it would happen before they signed the papers, rendering them legal partners for life. But that was a slim hope.

Milliardo knew that Duo's problems stemmed first from the betrayal Heero had dealt him but it went deeper than that. It was more of Duo's self-worth. There were many times he saw the utter disbelief and wonder in violet eyes when Duo looked at him, touched him, or made love to him. It was as if Duo couldn't comprehend what Milliardo was doing with him, or what he had ever done to deserve such a wonderful partner. He wondered where was the confidence he used to experience when he was around the American. Perhaps it was all a façade that this last event stripped so completely?

Duo was more than confident, to the point of arrogant when it came to work. But when it came to baring his heart and soul to the one he cared about, that was where he was reduced to a child just learning to walk. Like that child, he was afraid to stand and take that first step but knowing he must one day.

He was startled from his thoughts by a warm hand snaking into his own. He looked to his side to find Duo standing next to him, smiling and shaking the hand of his guests, welcoming them. He gaped at the subtle difference in his lover. There was nothing tangible about the change, but changed his lover was. There was something different about him, different about the Duo he knew compared to the Duo that stood beside him. But it was a difference that he liked.

"Here to check if I got on that jet to India?" Milliardo whispered teasingly into Duo's ear.

Duo looked up and his stared pierced Milliardo right to the soul. "As if you would ever leave me. And besides," he smiled impishly. "I would come after you. I will tie you to me for as long as we both shall live."

Milliardo suppressed a surprised gasp. This was the Duo he knew. Duo had forgotten his devilish, slightly maniacal persona. He thought Duo had forgotten, but this person standing next to him… Slowly he smiled, widening into a grin. He finally got to see his Duo pieced together again. He finally got his Duo healed. And with a few minutes to spare before they signed the legal documents, he thought jokingly.

Thank you, he thought silently to whatever deity that brought this about.

You're welcome, my love. Be happy, be well.

"Mill?" Duo asked, concerned.

Milliardo relaxed, gifting Duo with a tender smile, one filled with affection. "I'm alright. I'm perfectly alright."

He looked across the room and spied Trowa and the rest. He noticed that the tension that had beset them when they first came into his home had also decreased significantly. Something happened within that room. He shot them a look of utter gratitude.

"Should we?" Duo tugged Milliardo's hand, indicating the start of the ceremony.

"Meet the rest of our lives?" Milliardo returned, sounding horribly poetic and nauseously sappy.

Duo rolled his eyes. "Yes."

Milliardo gave Duo a quick kiss. "Why not?"

XXxxXX

Duo felt delicious sore as he sat up, stretching his limbs. It was barely dawn and barely an hour since they finally drifted off to bed but Duo felt too energised to remain in slumber. He turned to study his sleeping partner.

Husband.

The word tasted sweet on his tongue. While it was a very odd term for two men; him preferring the word partner or lover; it was still a word he would relish. The ceremony went off without a hitch, except for the parts where Duo overheard Relena and Hilde discussing something about a photo collection for yaoi fangirls. He decided the less he knew, the happier he would be. He didn't speak to the other pilots for the rest of the night but he no longer felt uncomfortable with them around. Perhaps this was what Milliardo meant by closure? But what he had said at the end was true. He might be able to accept them as someone in his life again, but the day might be a long time away.

He stared at his lover again, all golden and sprawled out on their bed, rumpled from vigorous love making. For now, this was his life. And it really was enough.

Milliardo turned in his sleep, reaching toward Duo's side of the bed. When he felt nothing but cooling sheets, he bolted up, and knocked his forehead against Duo's, how was in the act of leaning over.

"Damn it, Mill," Duo cursed, rubbing his aching forehead.

"Ouch!" Milliardo raised his hand to his own abused head. "I thought you left."

Duo smirked, leaning over to tease Milliardo with a soft kiss. "Looks like I am not the only one with issues."

"It really doesn't help your case when you are constantly beset by a pair of really swift feet and the desire to hide," Milliardo shot back.

"Well, do you see me running?" Duo slid his arm down the covers.

Milliardo's breath caught as a hand groped at him. "How about a little riding instead?" He pulled Duo on top of him.

Duo grinned. "My pleasure," he breathed before his lips descended on his lover's.

Perhaps happily ever after was merely an illusion but Duo would like to think this was a close to it as it can get.

The end