Black and White

Plot Summary- Aster and Zane tie the knot, but when anything can go wrong, it tends to.

Disclaimer- I do not own Yu-gi-oh Gx or its characters.

Chapter 1: Kidnapped by the Groomsmen

Note- I've tried to keep my writing in character as much as possible but please keep in mind it's very difficult in this particular story. So if the characters seem out of it, I do apologize and will try better to keep them as such. Thanks and enjoy :)

Zane's POV

Black hadn't always been my color. It just sort of happened over time. It was simple yet, layered. Was black really a symbol of darkness? Or was it one of realism? Was it the color of someone who wanted nothing to do with the world around them? Or the color of someone who had nothing to hide. I didn't know what black was to me—just that was everything I stood for.

I guess it made sense we had settled on a black and white themed wedding. It symbolized Aster and I perfectly. After all, for years he had dressed himself in white and proclaimed to be a great hero. And in a more cliché sort of way, he was the light that made my otherwise dark life interesting.

"Then after asking for objections, provided no one has any, you two will get to recite your vows." Alba Morris, the judge conducting our wedding and my parent's old friend, said. Aster and I were exchanging looks between her and each other as we waited for the end of the rehearsal. We wouldn't have even gone through with it, had my mother not insisted upon it. I guess she was just bent on milking this wedding thing for whatever it was worth. "After the vows—you'll then say your 'I do' and we'll end with the exchanging of the rings. Then I will…actually, I'm not sure how you want to be announced…"

"Just Aster and Zane will be fine—life partners if you want to be poetic about it." I explained quickly. I was too impatient for this. For the past week, I had been so busy getting St. James presentable for our wedding that I barely had the time to speak to my soon to be fiancée—let alone relieve my obvious tensions.

Alba nodded. "Partners it is then…Then you'll wait here for the blessing and since you're having the reception outside…well, just have a great time after that." She smiled warmly as we allowed ourselves to move. We faced the people who would be our primary witnesses. On my side, I had Syrus as my best man (as I had always promised my mother) with Atticus and Alexis standing in as my attendants. On other side, Sartorius was standing as Aster's best man, with Sirena and Larius as his attendants. My mother and father came forward to offer their thanks.

"We can't thank you enough for this, Alba." My mother said politely. I didn't stick around for the conversation. My hand found itself in my fiancée's hand. I was almost certain nobody was paying attention, which gave us the perfect chance for a getaway.

"What are you doing?" He asked when I started pulling him away.

"Shush, you'll let them know we're leaving."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "We are? But…we still have to talk to your parents, go over the vows with Alba and…"

"We can do those things tomorrow." I turned around and kissed him. Putting my desperation, desire, and need behind it. I whispered against his lips. "Right now, I want to love you as my fiancée one last night…"

I could feel the breathless tremble his lips gave—he wanted me as much as I wanted him. I know he had been trying to keep me away physically since he wanted the honeymoon to actually be worth wild—to me, it mattered about as much as the name husband did. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't change how I felt about him, or how I treated him. Really, this was just putting it on paper. Just an assurance of what we already knew; we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

Too bad our friends had to get involved.

"And just what do you think you're doing?" I closed my eyes and heaved back a heavy sigh. Atticus was standing behind Aster with our entire circle around him. Jaden was standing cross-armed next to him and even Sartorius had joined the group (Atticus, Sartorius, Sirena, Alexis, Jaden, Jesse, Syrus, Chazz, Kenzan, Larius, Yusuke, and Jim all in all). Atticus was leaning his elbow against his boyfriend Yusuke's shoulder, who seemed to be the only member of the group who was confused. "You can't spend the night before your fiancée! It's bad luck."

Aster turned around to face everyone as well, looking just as confused as I was. "Besides…you still have your bachelor parties tonight." Jaden threw in, cocking his hips and giving us a mother-like look.

"Bachelor party?" Aster asked in a low, nervous tone. This was the very thing he tried to prevent. We had both agreed that there was no reason for our friends to celebrate 'our last night as single men', when really the whole point would be to get us as embarrassed as possible.

Jesse smiled and took two steps forward. "Yes sir, two separate parties we planned just for you two."

Atticus walked over and wrapped an arm around me. "I planned your party Zaney! And FYI, I wasn't PG about it. So kiss your boyfriend goodbye, because you're staying with Yusuke and me tonight!"

"Um, no…" I removed Atticus's arm from around my neck as I calmly spoke. "Look, I appreciate the thought but Aster and I just wanted to go to our hotel and spend quality time together."

"And that's why your having a bachelor party…It's bad luck for you guys to see each other before the wedding and that will be impossible to avoid if you're staying in the same room." Alexis insisted. "Not to mention, I doubt you'll keep from doing the maritals before your even married…" Damn, she knew me too well.

"So what if we do? It's not like we weren't doing them before." Aster explained in an exasperated voice. "I don't want a bachelor party, Zane doesn't want one, and we want to spend the night before our wedding together, and that's it—you can't talk us out of it."

When I heard Atticus crackle and saw Jaden's smile, my blood turn cold. I realized they were going to do this with or without our permission. "Playing it hard then, huh? Alright then—Groomsmen go!"

Without much more warning, Jesse and Yusuke came forward and grabbed both my arms, while Larius and Jaden made a grab for Aster. I tried to call out for my parents to stop it, but my mother smiled at us. So she was in on it too? I glared at Syrus.

"Mom thought it'd be good for you to party with your friends." My younger brother laughed and followed as I was dragged to the front door. I saw Aster being dragged towards the back door—looking numb with anger and confusion. I was somewhere between angry and impressed. With Jaden and Atticus in charge of this little kidnapping—it went surprising well.

But I wouldn't get a chance to kiss my fiancée goodbye as Atticus claimed—nor did I like the idea of Jaden being in charge of his bachelor party.

()

They (they being Atticus, Yusuke, Jesse, Alexis, Syrus, and Jim) took me to a bar not far from St. James church called Reeds Palace. I had to admit, I kind of like the place. It was a large but homely looking. The counters were glass displays which contained either antique liquor or pictures of celebrities who had been here. The music was an interesting mix of jazz and rock n roll. The place was packed but Atticus had reserved us a table in the back, properly secluded away from most of the other people.

"Not a bad way to send off your freedom huh?" Atticus asked quite proud of himself. At this point, even while looking at the drink list, I was trying my best to be difficult. I didn't like being told what to do; and I certainly didn't like surprises. Atticus laughed and slapped my back. "Come on! You better lighten up before she gets here."

I looked at Atticus and narrowed my eyes. "Before who gets here?" But he was turned away, saying something to Yusuke. Alexis laughed and patted my hand.

"Relax Zane, I've kept an eye on the planning and I didn't let him go crazy." It actually did help to hear her say that. I may not trust anymore than I could throw him, but Alexis was my reasonable friend—she knew what was good for the soul and what would send you to hell.

"Sorry, I'm just really tense. I've been…stressing out about this wedding all week and I really didn't want to make a big deal about…"

"You not being a boyfriend and being a husband instead?" Alexis said. A waiter came and we gave him our drink orders. After he left I addressed her question.

"I am a little concerned about that."

"Well, why wouldn't you? After all, I don't think marriage was ever a part of your big scheme."

I gave her a strange look. "Yeah but…I didn't think I'd be so confused—especially now. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm marrying him and I'm happy about it but…what if things become boring after that? What if I can't manage to keep him around?"

"Why? Because you don't have a family of freaks trying to kill you two anymore?" Syrus added, leaning on his elbows. "Seriously, I think boredom would be some welcomed peace."

"And it's not like you two are completely domestic to begin with… I'm sure the excitement in your lives are far from gone." Alexis said as the waiter appeared with our drinks. I had ordered a Tequila sunrise but Atticus had apparently ordered an abundance of shots. My current conversation was set aside as Atticus stood up; pretending to be sad and raising his apple martini.

"Dearly beloved! We are gathered here to tonight to say goodbye to Zane's single life once and for all." I cracked a smile for the first time; I wasn't really surprised to see Atticus make my party into something dramatic. "Although it was a long and fulfilling life, tomorrow it will be ended tragically, but respectfully by the sacred death we call 'matrimony'."

"In honor of this sadly exciting celebration—we will now do our first shot in honor of Zane." Yusuke helped Atticus pass out the first shots—some kind of weird whisky. After saying a quick 'prayer' we downed the first shot and gave a loud cheer.

First every person stood up and said a few words about my soon-to-be-gone 'single life'. "Zane really wasn't all that much fun when he was single. He'd always want to hang out at home or study." Atticus proclaimed with a disgusted face when the word 'study' came up. "I mean, when you date that boy, he makes up for it in the bedroom, but really this whole marriage will be good for him. Now the rest of us don't have to suffer anymore."

I rolled my eyes and raised my glass. "Yeah, and thank god it wasn't to you. Otherwise, this would really be a funeral."

Alexis was next. "I think the real tragedy here was that Zane never really got to fulfill those dreams he always had. He once told me he wouldn't mind having a threesome with a man and a woman, but unless Aster's really open minded, I doubt that will happen. It's okay though, you can live your sickest fantasies vicariously through me."

"Yeah, I'm sure Sirena would go for that." She elbowed my laughing brother as she sat down. My brother gave his speech next.

"Zane getting engaged was surprising to say the least. But not nearly as surprised as my parents were when they met Aster." I frowned, dear god not that story. Syrus gave me a knowing look and smiled. "Let's just say this, either Zane was trying to warm his hands under Aster's shirt or he was seconds away from tearing off. And now that they're getting married, we can look forward to more awkward moments like that."

I glared my brother down; secretly planning to seek revenge against him. He shrugged confidently; believing in his naive little head that since it was a bachelor party, he was safe. I was surprised when Yusuke stood up to offer a few words. His was probably the tamest one. "I only really knew Zane well during our freshmen year at duel academy. But even then every girl wanted him. We use to joke that when he made it to the pro leagues, girls would throw their underwear at him after he won the duels. Needless to say, hundreds of girls would have killed to marry the very elusive Zane Truesdale."

Atticus brought Yusuke down next to him and smiled. "You know what they say; if you love it, put a ring on it."

"You know," Jesse said standing up. "As a guy who soon will be married himself—I can understand exactly why Zane is willing to give up his bachelorhood. After all; as great as it is to be single and free, nothing can compare to spending the rest of your life with the person you love—and having lots and lots of careless, renewed romance sex! Not that you needed a reason to do it but, it's always nice to have it."

It was just out of character enough for me to look at Jesse with wide-eyes. Had he gotten drunk that quickly? It took me a moment to realize that he wasn't even drinking. This was just Jesse at a crazy party. He smiled. "So cheers to you; and may the loving—physical and emotional, be completely paradise."

I downed what was left of my Tequila Sunrise. Jim has passed to say anything since really he was here more on Jaden and Kenzan's behalf. I gave him a nod of respect and ordered another drink. If I was going to be humiliated, I was going to get good and drunk for it.

After awhile, we lunged into a game of 'Who knows the groom best?' The game had a mix of PG and R questions but by a certain point, I was too inebriated to care. I even found myself laughing at a few of the responses.

I was however, not drunk enough to enjoy her when she finally showed up.

"Truesdale party?" I looked up to see a beautiful woman about my age. Her hair was red as fire as it fell into ringlets around her shoulders. Her skin was bright white like a flash of lighting with eyes shining like brown velvet. Her red lips flexed into a smile as her arms folded above her stomach—opening the top of her robe style black dress enough to show off her generous bust. I wasn't usually so taken by women despite my general disregard for gender (admittedly I usually enjoyed men a bit more), but what could I say? This woman's appearance was difficult for any man to ignore.

Atticus smirked. "Yes ma'am."

It was then I realized—she was here for me. "You didn't…"

Her hands pulled open her dress—underneath, she was wearing a one piece lacy lingerie that matched her heels as well as her dress did. I tried to stand up—unwilling to go through with this. Atticus and Syrus managed to pull be back into my seat (and it was fairly easy considering how many drinks I had). And they bounded my hands together with a pair of handcuffs. She let the dress fall to the ground and took two steps closer, her hand tracing my jaw line.

"So, do you want to take this privately? Or just do it out here?" She said in a sweet tone of voice that…Actually sounded fairly similar to a voice I once knew. I shook my head, hoping to indicate that I didn't want this anywhere—at all. But she shrugged. "Alright, out here it is."

This earned some calls and whistles from my group. She leaned closer and rubbed her hands over my chest. I growled and tried to move my chair away. Some people might have done this at their party, and hey, that works for some people. But I couldn't do this—not when my heart belonged with Aster. Strangers in general just didn't do it for me, but even if I know this girl, my young fiancée mattered too much for me to consider this.

But when she kissed my cheek, a smile forming yet against my face—I was shocked. I did know her.

"Layla?" She chuckled as she pulled away. It had been years since I had seen her—really, not since I had left for duel academy, but my parents had remained friends with her parents. But my greatest memory of her was when we were about ten—when we had given each other our first kiss during a boy-girl party.

"It's great to see you too." She ran a thumb over my face and laughed, her thumb was red. "Sorry, I got some lipstick on you."

Syrus and Atticus uncuffed me while she put her dress back on. So—this was all just a trick conducted by my wedding party? I was too relieved to be mad. "But how did you know?"

"Atticus got the idea, and had me call her up." Syrus said, still laughing at my discomfort. "Actually, she owns this place and offered for us to have the party here when we told her you were getting married in England."

"Well, my husband owns it. Still, one of the many perks of being Mrs. Harvey Reed." Layla clicked her tongue as she threw me a sly smile. "Although, one look at you and I wonder if I should have taken my chances twelve years ago…But I have to say, you're no Harvey."

I laughed. "And Mr. Reed was okay with this?"

"Are you kidding? He thought it was hilarious! He wanted to meet you but got called to one of his other places. It's too bad, I think you would have liked him but…I bought the lingerie to cheer him up." She winked at me and looked around at our party. "Anyone need anything?"

"Some more shots would be awesome." Atticus said, feeling the need to celebrate his great accomplishment. Layla laughed.

"Alright coming right up…And by the way Zane, congratulations. I've seen your boy on T.V….Pretty cute—luckiest man on earth if you ask me."

"Thanks Layla—it was great seeing you. Have me give you directions to the wedding before we go. You and your husband should stop by if you're not busy." I suggested.

"Sounds good; definitely will!" Although I'm not sure the story of how we met again would go over with my parents or Aster.

The party started dying down after awhile and Yusuke drove Atticus and I back to their hotel room. Shortly afterwards, they went off into the shower—presumably to do what drunk lovers did. I was too tipsy to really care. I was just relieved to make it through my party in one piece, and actually kind of glad I got a party. It was great to spend time with my friends and to properly recall my single life. There were some good times— including all the time I spent with Atticus, Aster and even Layla. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I was ready to put the awkward yet crazy world of dating behind me.

My phone buzzed and I looked at the screen. It was a text message from Aster. You wouldn't believe the night I've had tonight!

I smiled and texted back Same here.