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Summary: Famous wedding planner Rangiku Matsumoto never knew when she was going to plan her own wedding until Gin Ichimaru, the man who left her alone without proper closure, comes back to her life with an asshole request. AU
Disclaimer: Bleach, along with its characters, is owned by Kubo Tite and his team.
A/N: might be a little bit OOC
The Wedding
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said as Rangiku shed a tear. This was really happening. He cupped his hands on her cheeks and she longingly closed her eyes while he brushed his lips against hers. Yes, Ise Nanao was actually kissing her long-time boss, or rather long-time boyfriend, Shunsui Kyorakou. Rangiku could feel the hot tears running down her cheeks as her long-time ship sailed in front of her eyes. The crowd rejoiced and everyone felt the romantic vibes spread across the hall. Both the bride and the groom pulled away and faced the audience. Rangiku clapped her hands and cheered non-stop. Her best friend was now a wife, no longer a miss. Nanao looked at Rangiku's direction and smiled at her. It was a smile of gratitude for putting up with all the drama she had with her relationship with her boss. Rangiku never left her. She was always there to back her up whenever something happened. She couldn't even count how many times Rangiku has slapped Shunsui because of complications. She was so lucky that she had Rangiku Matsumoto as her best friend. Shunsui also looked at Rangiku and flashed that goofy smile and waved at her. Rangiku gave a thumbs up to the two and cheered again.
It was yet another magical wedding that Rangiku attended. She's been to several weddings ever since she became a wedding planner but this was by far the most romantic and most magical of them all. Of course, it was her best friend's wedding after all. She wiped her tears away as Nanao and Shunsui walked out of the hall. It was a good thing the reception was right across the street. Everyone was too lazy to hop on in their cars and drive to somewhere far away. Rangiku stayed for a while and waited for the church to be empty. It was a beauty. She looked at the ceilings, the stained glass, and the altar. It was a dream wedding venue, actually. People book here at least 3 years before getting married. She was just too good of a wedding planner that she availed of it 6 months before the wedding. Rangiku inhaled the flower scented air. "Ah, this is just too good for me," she smiled. When she was little, Rangiku loved wedding scenes in movies. She'd rewind to wedding scenes and just marvel at the way the man looked at his wife to be. It was filled with love and longing. It was as if he'd been missing her all his life. She grew up to be a hopeless romantic with a best friend who loved to disappear to nowhere. She'd watch chick flicks while eating a tub of vanilla ice cream and then her best friend would come out of the shower, trickles of water defining his torso, and change the channel and block the way. She was so annoyed when he did that but she loved him anyway.
Yes, she was in love with her best friend back then. He wasn't the most romantic type of person. Actually he wasn't showy when it came to feelings. He just stood there showing off his big grin and teasing her with how she was obsessed with Hollywood actors. Of course she would stand up and try to push him away from the television but he was a strong lad. She's pout and make those puppy eyes and he'd say, "Aww, Ran-chan. You got to do better than that." She would then furrow her brows and push him with all her might. He'd then give in and move away from the television. "Ugh, I missed my favorite scene you jerk!" she shouted as he walked to his room laughing at how cute his best friend was whenever she got mad. She'd then change the channel back and return to her spot, clutching onto a spoon with ice cream. Ah, those were the days. Those were the days of foolishly dreaming of her future with him. She was so sure he was going to be the one waiting for her at the end of the aisle as she walked to him, with a veil on the face. She was so sure.
They went to college together. He took up business while she took up digital advertising. They tipped in their life savings just to get a little one bedroom apartment a few blocks away from their school. They shared a single bed and it was kind of cramped at that. But it was warm. They'd spend the sleepless nights sneaking into the roof and staring at the stars. There wasn't too much since this city was filled with lights. It was a bright city. But she shined brighter than anything else, he always told her. She'd blush a light shade of pink and turn to the sky once again. He'd then look at her with open eyes and mumble words she couldn't understand. She knew those words were three. She knew it in her heart. She'd then look at him and feel the butterflies in her stomach. It was funny. She'd known him all her life but every time she looked into his eyes, she'd feel as if she had just met him the very first time. It was the feeling of meeting a stranger over and over again. And it felt surreal.
She could still remember when he first told her that she was the most beautiful girl in the world. She was 16 then, in high school. They lived in a small town with no decent place to stay in. She was looking at the stars then. She always looked at the stars. And in their town, they shined brightly. The wind was still and they were lying on the grass beside the river. "Ran-chan, what do you want to be in the future?" he asked nonchalantly. She didn't answer. She was actually thinking of a decent answer that he wouldn't laugh at. She finally sat up and said, "I want to be happy." He chuckled. He loved her answer. He loved the way she was spontaneous and unsure of what the future held. She was living in the moment. And at that moment, they were together. "Let's go to college then," he sat up and put his arm on her waist. She looked at him with fear in her eyes. It was the first time he saw her worry like that. "But will we survive?" she looked down at her hands playing with the strands of green grass. "Of course we will. We're Rangiku and Gin," he looked up to the stars. "Of course we will," he mumbled. He didn't know she wasn't asking literally about their survival. She was asking about their relationship. Of course we will. Of course. We will.
They moved to a bigger city when they graduated from high school. It was a rough start but they managed. They were always together and they were both happy. But he was the busier one of the duo. He was a prodigy. He did a lot of things and had lots of credentials. She was talented but people looked at her more because of her looks. She hated it. But she has learned through the years to love it and use it as a tool to climb up the ladder.
It was one Friday night when Gin went home from his part time job. He was sobering up from getting drunk at work. He was expecting her to be crying in front of the television, with ice cream or popcorn in her hand. He closed the door behind him and she looked at him with red eyes. She had been drinking. She have always had a drinking problem. He knew why. "Ran-chan, you're drunk again dear," he snatched away the bottle of beer from her hands. He was annoyed he wasn't snatching away a tub of ice cream. "Drink with me, Gin," she looked up helplessly. He was hesitant of course. Rangiku was drunk and she was a crazy woman when she was drunk. "Na-uh, Ran-chan," he shook his head. He was sober enough to say no. Besides, he's had enough alcohol for the night. "Fine," she stood up and snatched back the beer he took away. He went to his room to change and to his surprise, she followed him to the room. He knew what she wanted. He wanted it as well but there were a million reasons why he must not give in. They ended up just sleeping in. Good thing he was sober.
There were a lot of other times he almost gave in to the temptations but they never really did it until graduation day. They were home early from graduation since they didn't really have the money to spend on fancy dinner. She walked straight him as he closed the door behind him. She tip toed and gave him a hungry kiss. "We survived," she whispered to his nose as she breathed in for air. "Of course we did," he whispered back as he captured her lips as quickly as a snake would devour its prey. "I never thought we'd finally…" she trailed off as they hungrily kissed each other, making way to the couch. He sucked her neck and she moaned into his ears. She was a beauty, a rare one. A lot of men in the university wanted her. There were a lot of confessions that happened and she turned them all down. A brown haired professor even took interest in her and she just turned every one down. She was his. And he was hers. That's how it has been since the beginning. And that's how it's going to be until the end.
Rangiku's heart jumped when she felt a light hand on her shoulder. It was her long-time friend, HItsugaya Toshiro. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking why she was still sitting inside the church. "Oh, Toshiro, whatever are you doing here?" she smiled at him as she stood up and collected herself. "Nanao's been looking for you. And what the hell are you doing here anyway?" he scratched his head. "Just reminiscing I guess," she sighed as they walked together towards the reception venue. She was silent. He wasn't used to her being so. She hummed a happy tune as they crossed the street. "Matsumoto, what's your problem?" Toshiro bluntly stated. "Hmm?" she stopped humming and looked at him with sad eyes. "Nothing. I'm just wondering when I'll be planning my own wedding," she said with a blank face and proceeded into humming. Toshiro was taken aback by her statement. He never thought she'd be wishing herself to get married. She was so good at planning weddings that nobody asked her about her own. She never brought it up anyway. Her love life was a taboo to her friends, especially her college friends. They all knew what happened. Gin left her. He suddenly announced that he'd be going to Japan because a multinational company called him up and he took the offer. He left her. And she was devastated. She never showed it but it was too obvious for the people who knew her all too well. Toshiro didn't know she'd been thinking about her own wedding. And he wished she wasn't thinking of Gin. But she was. She has always been thinking of Gin. Nobody just knew it. She could say she never got over him. Hell yeah she did. But she never forgot about him. Toshiro hated Gin so much. Everyone hated Gin. Well, not really. Actually, every female friend of Rangiku's hated Gin. Oh you know, girlfriends, always looking out for each other. But to his demise, Toshiro hated Gin so much. He was a jerk. A total asshole who left the woman he loved. If he even truly loved her at all.
Rangiku and Toshiro quietly entered the reception hall filled with colleagues and friends. Nanao stood up and hugged Rangiku as soon as the strawberry blonde woman reached the table for the bride and groom. "Where have you been Rangiku?" Nanao tilted her head in wonder. "Oh nothing, I just wanted some fresh air," she waved her hand to reassure the blooming bride. Everyone felt quiet. Rangiku and Nanao looked at the crowd. They were both confused as to why the crowd seemingly lost its voice. "Sorry I'm late, Shunsui, Ise," Rangiku's eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice. That voice. That voice that whispered sweet nothings onto her ears during sleepless nights. That voice that kept on telling her how beautiful she is. That voice that shouted her names as they both came into the night. Yes, Gin Ichimaru. Rangiku turned to Nanao with wide eyes. "I swear Rangiku I did not invite that bastard," she swore. Both ladies turned to Shunsui who shrugged and flashed a sinister smile. "Shunsui," Rangiku breathed fire. Shunsui really could pull tricks up his sleeve and this was by far the most sinister one.
The crowd resumed to its usual activity as the music went louder. "I planned this wedding and he was no way invited," Rangiku growled at Shunsui. "Honey, I'm the groom," he said. Nanao sighed and shut Rangiku up as the blonde was about to slap Shunsui yet again. She looked at her back and saw Gin quickly approaching the table. She composed herself and breathed in and out. "My my, Ran-chan, you're still beautiful as ever," he said as he pecked her cheek. Blood flowed through Rangiku's cheeks at the contact. He body was betraying her. "Stunning," he whispered to her ear. She was wearing a white floor length silk dress which had a plunging neckline which enhanced her breasts. Her hair was gracefully thrown to the side and he full lips wore a shade of bright red. "You actually came to New York to attend Nanao-chan's wedding…" she said in disbelief. "Actually the company moved me to the big apple just three days ago. Guess I'll be seeing you guys around now," he said in a carefree voice. He moved back to New York? Rangiku and Ise couldn't believe what they heard and Shunsui just chuckled. He always knew everything. It was frustrating. "Congratulations on your wedding the both of ya. Now, can I steal Ran-chan for the night?" he said as he gracefully put his arm on her waist and pulled her closer Rangiku's eyes widened as she felt the heat emanating from Gin's body. Still acting like a ladies man. How classic. "Of course," Shunsui laughed as Gin pulled Rangiku and walked away from the newlywed. Rangiku looked back at Nanao with confused eyes. Nanao just nodded at her warning her to be careful. She had to be careful. It was Gin Ichimaru, the man who left her for a high paying job in Japan.
Gin spun Rangiku while still holding onto her waist. Rangiku wanted to walk away but her hands held onto his nape. She couldn't deny how much she missed him. It was a slow dance and time was ticking slowly when Gin opened up the conversation. "I heard you've been makin' quite a fortune out of planning weddings," he casually said. "That's my job, Gin. What's to be talked about?" she said in a cold tone. "My my, why so cold?" he chuckled. "Oh just the air conditioner," she blankly said. "You still make horrible jokes Ran-chan. Leave the jokin' ta me." "So you'll be working in New York now," she changed the topic. She didn't want to talk about herself. Oh how she wanted to know what's happening to his life now. She wanted to know. "Yes, maybe for six months or so or maybe even longer," he nodded. Rangiku wanted to ask him why he really left. She was doubtful regarding the high paying job reason. She knew there was more to it than just that. She wanted to ask a million questions about their past but she was too afraid as well to find out. The dance became livelier as the night changed.
The women were called out for the tradition of throwing the flowers. Nanao threw it as hard as she can Rangiku was uninterested in catching it but funny that her wands were the ones that caught them. It was a sign, she thought. She went back to Ichimaru who was now drinking at the mobile bar. They were actually talking endlessly about safe topics throughout the night. It was more about their career and their friends. They never talked about their romantic lives. It was taboo then. As Rangiku and Gin both drowned in strong alcohol, Gin stood up and pulled Rangiku to stand up as well. She was getting sicker by the moment. She swore she'd never drink again. Oh how many times has she sworn to no avail? She stood up and followed Gin. "W-where are we going?" she slurred. He didn't answer. He just guided her. After 10 minutes of climbing up in heels, both of them reached the roof. Ah the roof, where they shared light kisses and hard ones. The place where he poured out his heart to her, which he rarely did.
"W-why are we here?" she knew she was so drunk. "I just wanted to apologize that I left you," he said as she lost balance and grabbed his neck. "No need to apologize I'm not mad at you, silly," she said in a flirtatious tone. He was getting uneasy. She was too drunk for this. It was like college all over again, with those drunken nights wherein he wanted a serious conversation and all she could give was a kiss. She reached for his lips and he avoided her face. "Gin?" she tried to kiss him again. She couldn't think clearly and sucked on his neck. "Ran-chan we shouldn't," he moved away from her but still supported her. He held her shoulders and sighed. "What's your problem? You leave me suddenly and then pop out of nowhere. I missed you," she said. "Rangiku, we shouldn't be kissing. We're not in a relationship anymore. We're just friends." He said. "Fuck you. We never had closure."
"Then why are you here? To torment me?!" she asked in anger. "I came here to apologize," he said. "You've already apologized now what?" she said in anger. He sighed and inhaled sharply. "I also came here to ask you for a favour," he looked away from her. Rangiku looked up at him in confusion.
"Could you help me plan my wedding?"
A/N: I just can't stop writing about these two amazing people. sandsduenas on twitter btw
