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It's raining, pouring even, but it doesn't stop him from stepping inside the church. His rain-soaked shoes dirty the intricate design of the floor, his drenched coat heavy on his shoulders, and his hat completely forgotten as it lays on the doorstep after being flown by the wind.
He quietly walks towards his most trusted informant, his only friend, who was sitting at the back. Franky wore a grey tuxedo and for once, not that Twilight would admit it, but he looked good.
Franky fits among the crowds inside the church, contrary to Twilight who looked like the world dropped in his shoulders. He looked straight ahead, not even moving an inch when Franky nudged him.
"Where the hell have you been? And why are you drenched?"
He shrugged but didn't answer. Franky sighed.
The guests in front of them couldn't take their eyes off of the couple in front who were now exchanging their vows. Then Twilight wondered if his vows were as genuine as the groom's, then he shook his head as he remembered how his vows didn't even feel like vows. They were merely words said out of his desire to complete his disguise...his mission.
"She's getting married."
Franky's words pulled him back to reality. He shifted on his seat and cracked his knuckles.
"I can see that."
His friend shook his head disapprovingly, "And you're okay with that?"
Twilight sighed too, his chest felt heavier every time he breathed. Why can't he breathe properly?
"Why not? She deserves to be happy."
Franky didn't say anything after that.
The ceremony ended even before Twilight realized. He looked away when the priest told the couple that they could now share a kiss as husband and wife. Franky glanced at him.
"Are you okay?"
He could only nod.
Franky drove them to the reception. The place was filled with white and red roses. The seats were neatly arranged. Franky went in first, leaving him outside the venue. He was tempted to light a cigarette just so he could do something other than wait for the bridal car to arrive but the last thing he wants is to get kicked out by the organizers. And so he stood behind a huge plant and waited.
Then finally, the car came. Anya was the first one to come out, her pink dress flowing with the wind. An organizer walked towards her and Anya squealed in delight when she noticed Bond with the ladt. The lady laughed before letting Anya and Bond walk inside the venue. Twilight couldn't help but smile. He can still remember how Anya basically threatened them just to keep Bond. Their home was always in chaos because of the two.
The groom was the next to exit the car. He held out his hand as Twilight's breath hitched as soon as he saw the bride.
Yor.
She looks so exquisite in white. Her wedding dress hugs her curves beautifully, her veil lay atop her raven tresses as it cascades on her back. He always knew she'd look amazing in a wedding dress but he never got to see it until now because he made the mistake of not marrying her for real. Back when they were still together.
Back when she was still in love with him.
She laughed when her husband whispered something in her ear and he wondered if he ever got to make Yor laugh like that. She held his hand as they both made their way inside. Twilight felt like someone punched him in the gut.
He didn't know how long he stood outside. He can hear everything. How the couple thanked the guests. How the master of the ceremony announced that the couple will now share their first dance as husband and wife. He even heard Anya singing. He stood there, not even moving an inch.
It was Franky who pulled him inside.
He joins in the reception. Anya sees him and smiles brightly, her bubblegum hair braided around her head, her green eyes shining, and she runs towards him and shouts, "Papa!"
Some of the guests turned their heads and saw him. Yor turned her head and he felt like the world suddenly stopped revolving. He couldn't take his eyes off of her even as Anya hugged his leg. Yor was beautiful, if that word is even enough to describe her. She was majestic, and even after years of knowing her, his heart still beat fast every time she looked at him.
Yor's eyes softened when their eyes met. She turned to her new husband and squeezed his hand. Her husband nodded and smiled. Yor smiled back before walking towards him. When she stopped a few steps away from him, he knew he stopped breathing.
"Hi," she said softly, her voice as delicate as the flowers in her hair. He did his best to smile back.
"Hi," he said, "Congratulations."
Suddenly, the music changed and he remembers this one. They danced to this several times before, the last time was when he first said he loved her.
Only to leave her the next day.
Yor smiled and offered her hand, "Dance with me?"
Twilight was about to say no, because wouldn't that be awkward? But Anya tugged the hem of his pants and he looked at his daughter, who was now taller than the last time he saw her, how did he fail to notice it?
"Dance with Mama, Papa!"
Before Twilight can protest, Yor pulls him to the dancefloor. She placed her hands on his shoulders, his hand automatically circling her waist tightly but he suddenly remembered that she was no longer his, no longer his partner, no longer his wife, so he made sure there was a respectable amount of space between them, even though he's tempted to bury his face in her hair and inhale her scent. He wondered if she was still using the same shampoo she used to love back when they were still together.
Yor stared at him as if she was thinking what to say to him. Twilight fought the urge to pull her closer, tell her that he still loves her, and apologize.
He never wants this dance to end.
"I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you weren't gonna attend," she said.
He didn't want to if he was being honest. He didn't want to sit and watch the woman he only loved get married to someone else. But this was bound to happen, he knew that as soon as he walked out of their door and left without any warning. He knows that as soon as he and Yor found out about each other's identities. He was compromised. It didn't matter to him, but he knew that if he stayed, they'd be in great danger, Yor and Anya. And he'd rather lose them by leaving than lose them because of death.
He can still remember how his heart dropped when Franky handed him a wedding invitation. He can still remember the pain he felt when he saw Yor's name. Franky told him that he didn't need to go, didn't need to punish himself more, but he wanted to see her. Wanted to make sure that the man she was marrying would love her in the way she deserved and more.
"I'm happy for you, Yor," he smiled but this time, it was real. He really is happy for her. If there's one person who deserves nothing but the perfect life, it's Yor.
"I really am."
To his surprise, Yor's eyes welled with tears.
"Hey," he said softly, his hand softly caressing her cheeks, his thumb catching her tears, "I'm sorry. Don't cry."
Yor shook her head and smiled. She pulled him closer and placed her head on his chest. He hopes she doesn't hear how fast his heart is beating.
"I really did love you, you know that, right?" she whispered, loud enough for him to hear. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against her hair, inhaling her scent. His heart sank when he realized that she was no longer using the shampoo she used to love. Then it hit him; the Yor he was holding right now was no longer the Yor he met. No longer the Yor that he loved. She was now a different Yor. Stronger, greater, and she didn't need him in her life anymore.
"I know, Yor," he said, "And just so you know, I did too. Probably more than you could ever know."
Yor tightened her hold on him, "I know."
They danced, not caring about how the guests were staring at them. He knew one way or another, he had to let go of her.
He opened his eyes and saw her husband watching from afar. Their eyes met and her husband smiled at him. He nodded before reluctantly pulling himself away from Yor.
"Be happy, Yor."
Yor's tears fell once again, but this time, he didn't catch it. It was no longer his job.
He slowly let go of her as soon as her husband stood beside them. Yor looked at him and Twilight's chest ached. Yor turned his attention back to Twilight and smiled.
"Thank you, Loid," she smiled before holding her husband's hand. The two walked to the center of the dancefloor and danced.
Loid walked back to his seat and sat and stared at the happy couple. Anya ran towards her Mama and joined. The three of them danced together happily and his heart warmed. He had never seen them this happy.
He was glad he left them.
His sacrifices were worth it.