So, I am rewriting Katy and Shawn's wedding a little bit. I get why the TV writers did it the way they did, but I don't have to pay for actors so I decided to write it out the way I see it going. Another little thing that's changed in this, is that Maya, Katy and Shawn all dealt with Maya's anxieties about the wedding prior to the actual event.
Part 1:
"I just need another hit, you're the thing I can't quit."
Josh doesn't like to admit it, but he's always been a fan of romantic comedies. Romance in general has a particular hold over him, and it's days like this when it really kicks in. Shawn Hunter is getting married, and he looks so anxiously eager it makes Josh's chest feel light.
All three Matthews brothers make up his groomsmen, but Josh was a little surprised, and a lot honored, when he was initially asked. Eric is radiating warmth, while Cory's eyes are already shining with proud tears.
It's such a wonderful thing, he thinks, that Shawn fell in love with the family that needed him the most. He remembers that Christmas, when Maya and Shawn first met, and remembers the cautious admiration Maya developed. Josh feels his heart ache with affection. He's so painfully happy that Shawn and Katy fell in love.
It might be an even more inspiring love story than Cory and Topanga, in Josh's opinion at least. He's probably bias though, after seeing the way Maya's eyes lit up whenever she talked about the engagement.
When his dad comes in to tell them it's go time, everyone chuckles at the way Shawn's face contorts into an endearing nervous excitement. When he sees Maya, she looks so beautiful Josh is positive there isn't a word for it. His stomach flips so suddenly that when he catches Cory's knowing glance he actually flinches.
Not that he's doing anything wrong, Josh reminds himself firmly, he and Maya are strictly friends with the possibility of...something. Someday. So for now, Josh takes in that soft smile of hers and threads his arm through hers as they follow Riley and Eric down the aisle.
The ceremony goes by quickly, and when Josh sees the cowboy tear up, he swallows a lump in his throat. He can't help but get a little choked up, though, when he sees the way the couple glows as they exchange their vows. When it's all over, and Shawn Hunter is officially a married man, the rooftop seems to shine. Hugs and congratulations are exchanged as the celebration begins, it's not the most traditional wedding, but Josh can't find a single flaw in any of it.
When Cory pulls out a cooler of juice packets and soda rather than alcohol, everyone in attendance laughs a little, but no one complains. Seeing Mr. Feeny suck a juice packet dry is a memory that Josh will treasure for a long, long time. Inevitably, as music plays and people talk, he finds himself gravitating towards Maya.
When he's finally standing next to her, the dark-haired boy finds himself unsure of what to say first. There are so many things he wants to say, it feels like if he opens his mouth there will be a flood.
"Long game?" she asks, looking anywhere except him, and he feels all of the uncertainty evaporate.
Josh grins, and waits until her eyes are on him to nod. "Long game."
Being next to her is relieving, like a weight had been pulled off his shoulders. They'd been texting a lot lately, so it isn't like he'd really missed her or anything, but it's still nice to actually see her.
She clears her throat, "You know, I learn something new about you every time I see you."
He raises an eyebrow, "Oh yeah? What'd you learn this time?"
Maya shrugs, feigning casual even though he can see the glint of humor in her eyes, "You got pretty misty-eyed back there, honey. Seems to me like you're a romantic,"
Josh swallows down a laugh and smirks, "I'm a bit disappointed then."
Her eyebrows pull together, confused, "Why?"
Leaning towards her, though he's careful not to get too close, "Because I hoped you would have noticed that before, Sunshine."
There's something freeing about being able to flirt with Maya like this. He spent so long making sure to keep himself in check, biting his tongue so he wouldn't lead her on, but it's different now. He knows how he feels about her, and she does too.
Her cheeks redden, but the response is quick, "Good to know. I'll be sure to show up at your dorm with a radio and a rose someday."
This time he does laugh, and the conversation continues effortlessly. Maybe they're a bit more flirtatious than they should be, but this is an important day for Maya and Josh might be a little selfish but he wants her to remember him when she remembers this night.
It's not until Zay is already in front of them that Josh sees him coming. His hand is outstretched and his grin is charming, "Can I have this dance, Ms. Hart?"
Maya rolls her eyes, but it's affectionate. When her eyes go come back to him, she's got her lips twisted upwards. "I'll talk to you more later, okay?"
Josh smiles, but it's painful. "Okay. Have fun!"
She slips her hand into Zays, and they both spare another grin in his direction, before making their way to where the couples are holding one another, moving to a song Josh doesn't recognize. He feels like someone has hit him in the stomach with a rock when as he watches how seamlessly they blend in with the other pairs.
Zay's got his arms wrapped around her waist while Maya's are slung comfortably over his neck. Josh watches as someone else gets to make her hold her close, make her laugh, and scolds himself for feeling threatened.
Because he doesn't want to hate this, he wants Maya to get to experience everything she can out of life, and he knows this is part of that. Even as Josh runs through all the reasons, and there are many, that he shouldn't feel so jealous, he can't help it.
Maya isn't his, he tells himself firmly, and if he can't stop the way he feels, then fine. But he's never going to get in her way.
Despite being resolute in his decision, he can't find it in himself to pull his eyes away from the two of them. Maya really does look beautiful when she laughs.
Josh visibly jumps when he hears a voice behind him, "Real subtle, kiddo."
Whipping his head around in surprise, Josh has to stop himself from clutching a hand over his chest. Behind him, stands the groom, and he's got his lips curved into a sly smirk.
He adamantly chooses to ignore Shawn's statement, throwing out an exaggerated, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack at seventeen?" instead.
The older man laughs, "No. Maybe you would have heard me if you weren't so focused burning a hole in the back of that kids head."
Josh really doesn't think he's ever wished for the ground to swallow him whole as much as he does in that moment. He's reminded of the complete mortification he endured through-out his entire middle school career, and it's nothing compared to the anxiety he feels prodding at his skin now. Because he is highly aware of how important Shawn's opinion is to Maya, and he doesn't want to fuck everything up before they even get the chance to have anything.
His response is a delayed, "Um."
Rather than punch him in the face or scurry off to tell Maya how lame he is, and how should like someone cooler, Shawn just laughs louder. "Relax, Josh. I'm not going to get all protective or whatever. It's not really my style, you know? Besides, I've known you forever. I trust you not to do anything wrong."
Josh's response, once again, is delayed. "Oh."
Clearly enjoying this, Shawn gestures back over to where Zay has lifted Maya ballerina style, much to her obvious delight. "I didn't know that was a thing."
"It's not." Josh answers quickly, before taking a deep breath to clarify, "Well. I. It's not a serious thing, I don't think. They're just the two single friends in their group, so, they like keep each other company. Platonically. I think. Not that it like, matters to me. Cause Maya and I are just friends. Right now. I'm not like expecting her to wait for me or anything. We're living our lives and all that. And dating is a part of that. It's just. I don't think they're like a thing. So. I thought I'd like explain. Or whatever."
He's word vomiting, and he knows he is, and Josh wants to sink into the floor more than ever because he's always been an anxious talker, but it hasn't been quite so ridiculous in years. He's pretty sure he used "like" every other word.
All Shawn does in response is shift on his feet uncomfortably, clearly not having expected the rambling that just occurred, and picks up two cans of soda. A few moments pass by, before he says, "You're a really good kid, baby Matthews. Hold onto that."
Josh fumbles with what to say back, and before he has the chance to respond, Shawn is waving the drinks excitedly at his wife, grinning like he's in love.
"Life knows what it's doing, " Shawn concludes, beginning to walk away with a wink. "Remember that, yeah?"
Great, Josh thinks almost bitterly, and here he was thinking Cory was the one with all the suggestive but vague advice.
A few songs go by, and Josh manages to drag his attention away from Maya. He dances with his mom, who spends most of it talking about how he's her baby and she loves him so much. She's almost worked herself up to nostalgia fueled tears by the time she goes back to his dad. A little later he manages to steal Riley away from Lucas for a song, and the dance is filled with playful banter and Riley excitedly telling him about her re-ignited interest in being a cheerleader. The night goes on, and Josh knows this is going to be a memory he'll treasure.
It isn't until he's lifting Auggie and Ava, one child in each arm, so they can see the stars a little bit better that Maya catches his eye again. She's watching him, with a expression of fondness that makes his heart literally flutter.
Auggie follows his gaze and giggles, "Can you put us down, Uncle Josh? I want to dance with Ava."
The little girl matches her friends laugh, and looks infinitely pleased at the idea, so Josh doesn't hesitate in setting the kids down. As he watches his nephew take her hand, he figures there's nothing quite as heartwarming as puppy love.
After he feels an appropriate amount of time has passed, which turns out to be only a few seconds, Josh begins to stride over to where Maya is standing. His heart basically flops around in his chest when he sees the way her eyes light up as she realizes he's coming over.
"Do you want to dance with me?" he blurts out when she's in hearing distance, before giving the blonde what he hopes is his most suave smile.
When she doesn't take her eyes off him, but bites her bottom lip gently, he figures it must have been at least mildly charming.
"I thought you'd never ask," she says, and though the tone is teasing he can hear the honest undertone. She doesn't give him time to think about it too much though, because her hand is on his wrist and she's pulling him softly towards an empty space.
Maya's places her hands almost cautiously on his shoulders, and he makes sure that his hands are resting appropriately high on her waist. They're arm length distance apart, and Josh is pretty sure that if they put their arms down someone could walk between them. He wants to be closer to her, but he knows better.
Instead, he responds to what she'd said, muttering lowly, "I wasn't going to let the entire night pass without at least asking if you wanted to dance,"
Maya doesn't answer, but she blushes prettily and her glossed lips stretch into a wider smile. If Josh pulls her just a little bit closer, well, no one really has to know about it.
The music playing is another song he can't name, but he takes time to remember a few of the lyrics so he can google it when he gets home. Time passes quietly, but the silence is the furthest thing from awkward. It just feels...intimate.
He isn't an artist, but as he stares at Maya with the soft golden lights illuminating her skin, the way she's meeting his gaze without a hint of hesitation, and the faded freckles across the bridge of her nose Josh understands why someone would want to capture the image. But since he can't draw, paint or take a photo, he settles for committing it to memory instead.
"So." she says, and surprisingly the sound of her voice doesn't change the intensity of the air around them, "This is a totally completely platonic compliment, but you look rather nice tonight."
Eyes glittering with amusement he asks, "A platonic compliment?"
Humming a simple "Mhmm." her face is the perfect picture of mock-seriousness.
"In that case, you look nice as well."
It's easy to see she's pleased, at first, but she covers it quickly with a slightly too-high laugh and sarcasm, "Wow, we've gone from gorgeous to nice? Wasn't college supposed to expand your vocabulary?"
Josh feels his cheeks burn as he resists the urge to rub the back of his neck. He almost wants to laugh at himself, finding it a bit ridiculous at how easily Maya turns him sheepish. It takes him a few moments to retort, and he knows his blush only gets darker when he does, "Challenge accepted, Sunshine. Beautiful, stunning, spectacular, breath-taking -"
Maya cuts him off with a high pitched giggle, and he's delighted to see the flush on her face. He notices, quite suddenly, that the original space between them has lessened. They still aren't quite pressed against one another like most of the other pairs dancing, but no one could pass between them either.
"Alright, I take it back. You know plenty of words."
Smirking, he fully intends to give a response, but the words die on his tongue when she gives him the prettiest beam he's ever had directed at him. She looks so genuinely happy that all he can do is let his mouth soften into a smile.
Josh isn't sure if the heartbeat ringing in his ears is his, hers, or both of theirs, but the intensity of it is enough to get him to move his stare to the dark sky instead. Trying to focus on the song playing rather than the thumping in his chest.
After a chorus or two, he finally glances back down at her and she's got her head down and he can just barely see the movement of her lips as she mouths "Someday," and Josh is entirely sure that if it was possible his chest would have burst from sheer affection alone.
Mind scrambling for some sort of outlet, because oh god why is she this lovely, he leans his head down slightly and presses a lasting kiss into her hair. It's innocent and gentle, but it feels a little bit like a promise.
And that was part one, there will be six ( including this one ) parts total. I was originally going to upload this as a one-shot, but then I figured if I made each part it's own chapter I could make them longer. So, I decided to do that^.^ What do you guys think so far? Let me know in the reviews! As always, for updates and such on my writing follow me on tumblr: xoxovenomousvenus
Preview for part two:
"Josh," Maya's voice pours from the speaker, "I'd be so very grateful if you'd put your rigorous study habits aside for just a little while and come pick me up."