Disclaimer: I don't own MFB
Happily ever after
Kyouya took off his jacket and left it on the sofa. He looked at the living room with surprise. Normally, Ginga should have rushed to greet him. He did it every time Kyouya went home, despite their seven-year relationship.
Already seven years...
Kyouya passed a hand on his neck, embarrassed by this strange, but sweet, nostalgia. It wasn't usual for him to be touched by this kind of feelings, contrary to Ginga. He always moved forward and didn't care what he was leaving behind. If it stayed behind, it couldn't matter–at least not enough to occupy his mind.
Having an idea of where his partner was, Kyouya went to their room. He pushed the door gently. Ginga was leaning towards a table, his honey eyes thoughtfully fixed on a paper. His red hair, not being held by his headband, was more easily ruffled and some strands brushed his forehead. He only wore a cobalt t-shirt and grey jeans. When he heard him entering, he got up and gave him a smile that brightened the room.
"You are home."
Kyouya nodded, even if this statement didn't require an answer. The paper Ginga was focused on was almost completely blackened. There was maybe still space left for one word or two. Kyouya looked at it closer. "What is it?"
"The guest list."
Kyouya froze. He passed his look from Ginga–perfectly calm–to the paper filled with words. He felt a rising horror as he understand his fiancé's words.
"You are going to invite all these... people to our wedding?"
There were too many people.
"It's a wedding, you know. We're supposed to invite people."
Ginga's teasing tone failed to tear Kyouya's attention from the paper. He didn't even think he knew so many people.
Ginga put a hand on his shoulder and leaned back against Kyouya. "This isn't the final list. I was waiting for you to choose our guests, of course."
"Okay," breathed out Kyouya, a bit relieved.
If they were just names that came to Ginga's mind, it explained why there were so numerous. The redhead knew too many people. It didn't mean all of them would be invited to their wedding. Kyouya was relieved. Even though he didn't like the idea of a party, if there were too many guests, he was sure to hate it.
Ginga moved away from Kyouya. He brought the list closer and retrieved his pen. He tapped the first line with the pen. "My parents."
"Both of them?"
"It doesn't hurt to send an invitation."
Kyouya swallowed back the reply burning his lips. Ginga had every right to invite his family, even if he hadn't been able to count on it when he needed them–like all the times he had had to save the world, almost alone.
Ginga elbowed him–slightly, but he elbowed him nevertheless.
"Why did you do that?"
"I'm sure you were thinking something mean."
"Pff. It wasn't mean, it was true."
"It's the same for you."
Ginga kissed his cheek, without repressing his smile, before focusing again on the list. He pointed to the second line.
"Your parents and Kakeru."
"My parents are fine where they are."
"You have something against them?"
"No," Kyouya was forced to admit.
His parents had done nothing to deserve to be excluded from the guest list.
"Then–"
"Can't we just have five guests?"
Ginga cast him an annoyed look. "It wouldn't be a real marriage."
Kyouya crossed his arms. "It wouldn't be a real marriage anyway."
Ginga waved a hand at him. "Yeah, yeah. The laws and all that. But I want to marry and invite the people I love to the party."
For the first time, Kyouya was regretting all those times he had pushed Ginga to be a little more egoist. Look like his lessons were learned... and all of them in time for this stupid marriage! The universe spent its time mocking him.
"I want to remind you that I just wanted to exchange rings and then go on our honeymoon. You are the one who insisted on all this... stuff."
Kyouya would have well done without all that planning and partying–especially without the prospect of a party, to be honest. He would give up if it didn't mean going back on his word–and if Ginga didn't care about it so much. His redhead really wanted to celebrate a marriage.
"Romantic," Ginga commented, his tone edged with sarcasm, before putting his attention back on the paper. "Hyouma, Madoka, Kenta, Benkei, Tsubasa, Yuu–"
Kyouya bristled. "Why Yuu?"
He didn't whine the name but... Yuu of all people?
The universe was truly mocking him.
I should never have said my destiny was to be surrounded by children.
Since that fateful day, at the King Hades Temple, Kyouya had the impression kids had become more annoying and clingy than ever. And he wasn't even mentionning all those times Dynamis and Tsubasa viewed him as a babysitter and entrusted him with Yuu or Tithi or–absolute horror–both of them.
"He was my teammate in the Gan Gan Galaxy and we know him since the Battle Bladers!"
"We know Daidouji that long, too, and I don't think you invited him."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"It's my marriage, too. I have a say, haven't I?"
Ginga laid his hands flat on the table and closed his eyes. "Let's put it another way: do you really think not inviting Yuu will prevent him from coming?"
Kyouya couldn't reply. Rather than admit it, he turned his head and snorted of contempt.
"We agree," said Ginga, despite it being not true. "I also thought of Nile and Damure–"
"I'm sure they have other things to do."
"And I think they will be delighted to attend their captain's wedding." Ginga had insisted heavily on the word, to make him understand he would have preferred to use another. Kyouya didn't give him the pleasure of commenting.
"And?"
"Masamune, King, Zeo and Toby."
"Are you joking?"
"Well... Masamune was also part of the Gan Gan Galaxy and I can't invite him without inviting his closest friends."
The list was growing too long to Kyouya's liking. In addition, the guests would not be the quietest. He couldn't hope to ignore them, noisy as they were.
"Oh? And I was wondering if we could invite Zyro?"
"Who is that?"
"Zyro. You know, the kid who helped me beat Daidouji when..." Ginga interrupted himself. Kyouya immediately understood what he was talking about. His lips turned up in a mocking smile. He thought it wise to finish Ginga's sentence for him.
"When you got foolishly trapped."
Ginga pouted. "That's one way to look at it."
"That's the only way to look at it."
Ginga's pout grew stronger. Kyouya didn't intend to apologize. He was right and he knew it. Besides, he would never have fallen into such a trap.
"Why do you want to invite him?"
"I like him."
That was the worst reason Kyouya had ever heard.
"That's all? We're not going to invite him just for that."
"Why?"
"You like everyoneand I don't want half the planet invited to our wedding."
His remark drew a smile amused from Ginga. "Okay."
Kyouya agreed that Ginga would add the Wang Hu Zhong, the Beylin Temple, the Lovushka, team Excalibur, Tithi, Yuuki, Chris, and Dynamis to the guest list, bringing the number of guests to more than thirty.
"They are too many."
"Look at the bright side! Maybe they are going to be too busy talking to each other to pay attention to you."
Even though Ginga was making fun of him, Kyouya hoped he was right. The less people cared about him, the better off he would be. The day could have been perfect, of course, if he and Ginga spent it only together.
"Are we done?"
"Well... wouldn't you like to invite other people?"
"Don't you think they are enough?"
"Maybe, but you didn't choose many."
"If it were up to me, there would be no one but us."
"I mean it seriously, Kyouya."
Kyouya stepped back to look at him. Ginga was keeping his head down. His hair hid part of his expression but Kyouya saw his pinched lips. All the joy and mischief he had shown so far were gone.
"Are you stressing?"
"Not you?" murmured Ginga, raising his worried eyes towards him.
"Am not."
The redhead nodded slowly. A shy smile appeared on his face. "Of course. You are you." He leaned against Kyouya and buried his face on his shoulder. Kyouya closed an arm around his waist and kissed his forehead. Ginga relaxed against him.
"If it stressed you so much, we can always opt for a ceremony just for us."
Ginga turned to face him. A real smile appeared on his face and shone in his eyes. It was much better.
"Nice try, but no. Let's carry on."
As surprising as it may seem, Kyouya was satisfied with this response which resembled Ginga so much.
"Who will you choose as a witness?"
"Kakeru," replied Kyouya, without hesitation.
His little brother kept bugging him about the whole marriage thing. Maybe he'd calm down if he got an official role.
Ginga nodded enthusiastically. "I choose Hyouma!"
"Really?"
"He's my childhood friend.
Ginga took the pen and surrounded the two names they had just mentioned. He then removed all the names they had not included in the guest list. Kyouya found there were still too many.
"I have an idea of where we could do the wedding."
Even if he didn't see it, Kyouya could hear his smile in his voice. Ginga turned to him. He was shining. He really liked the place he had chosen. Kyouya hoped it wouldn't be something ridiculous like a hamburger restaurant or, worse, a public place where full of unwanted guests and journalists would crash to participate and photograph the event. He and Ginga had only talked about it to those around them to avoid this kind of trouble, but if they and their loved ones met in a public place, they would inevitably attract attention and, in a matter of seconds, the whole world would know about their marriage. They would announce it, of course, but only in their own way and when they were ready.
"Where?"
"Koma. If that suits you."
Kyouya nodded. It was a good choice. The place was familiar to them and away from everything. This choice even had something symbolic: the first time Kyouya went there was to find Ginga and he declared him as his rival there. Only one detail could be problematic.
"Isn't it supposed to be a hidden village?"
Ginga signalled it didn't matter. Yet, it seemed to be a crucial point for Kyouya.
XXX
"The meal is ordered, the place chosen, the date set... All our guests can come... I think everything is ready."
Despite his words, Ginga displayed a worrying expression. He wasn't confident. Perhaps he had forgotten something. He had forgotten something. Of course. How could it be otherwise? Something very important, something without which the wedding would be ruined...
He started pacing again. What could he have forgotten? The meal, the room, the guests... Kyouya and he had their rings, which were waiting for them very wisely in a box. The suits were bought...
"I don't see the point of all this if it puts you in such a state."
Ginga stopped again and turned around. Kyouya was strolling on their sofa. Leaning, his cheek pressed on his hand, he looked at him with detachment. There was not a single ounce of stress in his attitude.
"How can you be so calm?"
"I don't care if it's a success or completely messed up," Kyouya replied calmly.
Ginga stared at him. He was sincere. Ginga remained frozen almost a minute before the anguish exploded again in him. Kyouya thought he had missed something too. He was going to ruin their whole marriage. It would be entirely his fault...
He walked back and forth, holding his head in his hands.
"What could I have forgotten?"
"Ginga."
"I have to find−"
Hands grabbed his wrists. Surprised, Ginga raised his head. He blinked several times. Kyouya was standing in front of him.
"How−?"
"Don't you think you're exaggerating?"
"I just want everything to go well−and−" His lips began to tremble. He pinched them. He would not cry. He wasn't going to break down now. Everything would be fine. They could have a wonderful wedding. There was no reason to break down. Everything would be fine—
A lump formed in his throat. Tears rose in his eyes. "I don't want our marriage to be ruined because of me" He bit his lips. He wouldn't cry.
Kyouya's arms closed on his back. Ginga found himself pinned against his fiancé. Kyouya buried his face against his neck. Ginga felt him warmth and was already soothing. The ease with which Kyouya could influence his emotions and state of mind never ceased to surprise him. He couldn't help but think how nice it was to have a real interaction with him. Not like back when they were rivals and Kyouya did his best to keep him away.
"You worry too much."
Kyouya's hands pressed against his back, without trying to control his strength, and Ginga was all against him. Ginga let his arms run down his body. He barely hesitated before closing them around Kyouya's waist. He put his forehead against Kyouya's shoulder. He took a deep breath.
"Have you calmed down?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Kyouya let him go. Ginga almost protested–he felt so well in his arms–but he swallowed his words.
"Don't worry, all right?"
"But−"
"You have no reason to."
Kyouya was right. However, this wasn't enough to silence the anxiety constantly echoing in him. He really wanted this day to be perfect. It seemed much more difficult than saving the world once again... Besides, maybe Daidouji himself would come and ruin their marriage... or he would take advantage of it to carry out one of his twisted plans.
"Is there a problem?"
Ginga returned to reality. Kyouya was satring at him with curiosity.
"No... I was just thinking... about what could go wrong."
"That doesn't sound like you. What happened to your unbearable optimism?"
Kyouya was right. It wasn't him. So Ginga did what he knew best: he smiled with all his soul. "It hasn't disappeared. Don't worry."
Kyouya frowned his nose. "I'm not worried."
"If you say so." Ginga brushed the wrinkled on his nose and Kyouya pouted. He laughed. Kyouya could pretend to be upset, Ginga knew it wasn't for real. Everything would be fine. He knew it now.
He was even looking forward to their wedding day.
XXX
Ginga was burning with impatience. He was having trouble staying calm. Kyouya was surprised he had resisted until the appointed date. Each passing day, Kyouya expected to see him advance their wedding day date, or even cancelling the planned party to improvise–Kyouya almost hoped for it. But, against all odds, Ginga had resisted. And here they are on the eve of their wedding, with a Ginga struggling to contain his excitement. The only times Kyouya had seen him in such impatience were before their duels. In other words, it didn't happen often and it was surprising to see Ginga react like this for such a... common event.
"I can't wait for us to be here tonight, can you?" Ginga asked, with bright eyes. Such happiness and impatience radiated from him he seemed about to burst.
"I can't wait until tomorrow and this stupid party is over," Kyouya muttered. He couldn't believe that he was going to spend hours with so many people just to make Ginga happy and that he would bend to a whole stupid ceremony for the same reason.
Ginga approached him with a sweet smile on his lips. He stopped when his face was only a few millimeters from Kyouya's. Kyouya's heart missed a beat as he looked into Ginga's special eyes. The redhead raised his hand and caressed his cheek.
"I also look forward to tomorrow."
"It won't change anything."
Ginga pressed his forehead against Kyouya's. "I know. But I can't wait." He leaned over and took Kyouya's mouth with a kiss. Kyouya's heart ran wild as he answered him with passion. Ginga put his lips on his cheek, then on his neck before moving back from him with a smile. "Who are you going to invite tonight?"
It took Kyouya a few seconds to understand his words. He felt annoyed as soon as he did. How Ginga dared ?
"No one. I'm already going to put up with fools tomorrow. I want calm tonight."
"It's a bachelor party–"
"We've been together for seven years. Being bachelors is an old memory. It's too late to do anything about it."
Ginga stared at him, blank, before laughing. Kyouya bristled. "What?!"
"You– you are so... you."
Kyouya frowned. That was his line.
"Anyway. You're not going to spend the evening wandering the streets."
"And why not?"
"That's not how a bachelor party works."
"So what? You can't force me to do anything."
Ginga smiled. "You're right."
Kyouya's instinct told him to be wary. Ginga couldn't capitulate so quickly. It didn't look like him.
Ginga put an arm around his neck and drew him against him. Kyouya remained suspicious. "Thank you for putting up with all this and making all this effort for me."
Ginga kissed him on the cheek. Kyouya relaxed. Ginga wasn't giving up. He simply felt Kyouya had already made a great deal of effort about their marriage and didn't want to ask him more. It was just one of his sweet attentions.
"Nothing says I'm going to stay calm until tomorrow night."
Ginga laughed and held him a little more closely against him. Kyouya pressed his face against his shoulder. He felt so well there.
"Otherwise it wouldn't be you."
The rest of the day passed peacefully. They stayed together until the evening when Ginga left to celebrate his bachelor party. Kyouya wasn't worried. He didn't know what Ginga had planned, but knowing him, it was going to be something light–like Beybattle or a sleepover. Kyouya wasn't thinking of him as a kid, only he knew his fiancé, and what was fun for him and what he liked: spending time with his friends, beyblading, watching the starry sky, eating hamburgers... despite everything Ginga had said, he wouldn't have a more traditional bachelor party than Kyouya.
Kyouya hoped Ginga wouldn't choose to look at the stars with his friends–it had gradually becoming their thing, when all the others had started to leave Beyblade for professional activities and when it seemed there were only them left–or Beyblading against them. A long journey–their honeymoon–was waiting for them. It was the worst moment to damage Pegasus.
Kyouya fell on their bed. He was already missing Ginga. He comforted himself by thinking that tomorrow, after this terrible ceremony, he would have Ginga just for himself. And the next day, they would go on a trip. Alone.
At last.
The doorbell rang. Kyouya sat up, wary. Everyone who knew him knew they shouldn't disturb him. Everyone who knew where they lived only came to see Ginga and had to know Ginga wasn't home tonight. He thought for a moment it could be a trap to force him to party tonight but he quickly rejected this idea: who might be unconscious enough to risk trigging his anger?
He stood up and left his room. He walked through the apartment to the front door. He opened it. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Nile, Benkei and Damure on the landing. He crossed his arms and leaned against the frame. "Why are you here?"
"Good evening to you too," replied Nile.
Kyouya half-closed his eyes. It didn't answer his question.
Benkei hid his face behind an arm and began to cry heartily. "I can't believe you're getting married tomorrow!"
Kyouya rolled his eyes. It was ridiculous. "We'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?"
He stood up straight. As he was about to close the door, Nile walked past him. He remained frozen for a few seconds before realizing what had happed. He glared at him while Damure remained quietly outside and Benkei continued to cry with emotion.
"Can I know what you're doing?"
"Madoka told us to come because she suspected you wouldn't follow the tradition."
"How it is her business?" This marriage was really starting to piss him off. He couldn't wait for it to be over.
"It's not," admitted Nile.
"So what are you doing here?" said Kyouya.
"We came to visit you. Don't worry, we're not planning a party."
Kyouya believed him. Anyway, he struggled to imagine Nile doing anything festive. Already the word 'party' sounded strangely in his mouth...
Kyouya had no other arguments. He sighed and moved from the entrance to let the last two Wild Fangs enter his apartment.
"I can't believe you let Madoka convince you."
"She's not the one who convinced us."
Kyouya waited but Nile didn't bother to clarify his thought. As he closed the door, he heard rushing steps in the stairs. Having a feeling, he opened it and waited it. The steps became closer and closer. Kakeru appeared on the standing. He came towards him, all smiles.
"Hello Aniki."
"Hi."
Kyouya waited until he had came in to close the door. He barely had time to turn to his "guests" that Kakeru held him in his arms. Kyouya patted his back, hoping his brother would let him go quickly.
"I'm so happy for you and Ginga!"
"I know you've been saying that ever since we talked about our wedding."
It was the second time in less than five minutes Kyouya had been congratulated about his marriage. It was getting tiresome. He hoped it wouldn't be as annoying tomorrow. With luck, the guests would rush to talk to Ginga and leave him alone.
Kakeru let him go. "But this is a great news! Ginga and you are made for each other!"
Kyouya stared at him with weariness, without saying anything. As if he were the kind of person to like this... sappy nonsense. Eurg.
Kakeru clapped his hands enthusiastically before taking a seat in the living-room where the Wild Fangs had already settled. He didn't say hello to them, proving what Kyouya already knew: they had met earlier today.
He pointed out at Kakeru to Nile. Horuseus' blader nodded soberly. It was Kakeru's idea to make them come.
Kyouya thought for a moment to lock himself in his room and let them chat among themselves. Finally, he dropped the idea, took a chair in the kitchen and sat down. He looked at Nile and Damure.
"You had nothing better to do than coming?"
"We were not going to miss your wedding," commented Nile, with his usual detachment. He talked about everything with the same calmness.
"What about the bladers you are training?"
Kyouya didn't expect to change their minds, but he wanted to show them how ridiculous they were to stop everything to attend a ceremony that, in the end, only concerned him and Ginga. A ceremony that wasn't even legally recognized!
Why all the people he knew were so weird?
"We left them a list of exercises to do," explained Damure. "They have improved a lot since you last saw them."
Their students already had a good level when he had seen them, though. It didn't surprise Kyouya: his Wild Fangs were excellent bladers. They trained tirelessly. They adapted their training to each of their students and the specificities of their beys. Of course their students improved every day in those conditions.
"Anyway" Nile went on "we have the right to take a break from our work. You are the last who can say the opposite since you take every opportunity to travel."
Kyouya leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "It's to track down Daidouji." This idiot stubbornly wanted to destroy the Beyblade world despite his countless failures and Ginga had to stop him. Of course Kyouya helped his partner–fiancé–as soon as he could.
"It doesn't stop you from having fun."
Kyouya pulled a face. "There's nothing fun about running after this jerk and keeping him from harming." It was getting tiresome. Kyouya started to believe Ginga would never been able to stop Daidouji. Each time, he managed to escape them and Ginga only slew down his projects. Besides, Kyouya was certain he would draw attention soon. He hoped it wouldn't be during their honeymoon. He rarely had the occasion to have Ginga just for himself. He didn't want everything ruined by some moron who couldn't understand his limits.
"Why don't we talk about your future wedding?" Nile cut his thoughts.
Kyouya looked up at his former team-mate. He was speaking seriously.
Kyouya sighed. It was going to be a long, very long, night.
XXX
While Kyouya was greeting–against his will–the former Wild Fangs and his younger brother in their apartment, Ginga met with some of his friends at the B-Pit to plan his bachelor party.
"A bachelor party is a once-in-a-lifetime event," he said in a solemn voice. "We have to celebrate it with dignity, so..."
"So what?"
"We're going to every burger stand of the city!" exclaimed the groom-to-be, jumping with enthusiasm, his fist raised towards the ceiling.
"Yeah!" cried Yuu, Masamune and King, imitating him.
Tsubasa, Kenta and Madoka were so surprised they nearly fell.
"Are you serious?"
"Is that what you want to do?"
"Ginga, you will never change," commented Hyouma.
"Well... there won't be any burgers tomorrow."
"What?" Masamune and Yuu got indignant.
Kyouya had told that, if Ginga was so determined to celebrate a real wedding, they couldn't have burgers for the buffet. Ginga suspected he was revenging for the whole organization of the marriage, as well as for the guest list–which wasn't that long.
"...and, at first, I thought about Beybattled, but Kyouya and I are going on a honeymoon the day after tomorrow and I can't risk damaging Pegasus now."
"What is the link between both events?" murmured Tsubasa.
Madoka beckoned him to ignore what he had just heard. She had long since given up on the idea of understanding Ginga and Kyouya, as well as their relationship.
"You know what else might have been nice?" said Yuu, with a conspirator's smile on his face. "Bothering Yoyo."
"Bothering him?" asked Ginga.
"I mean, teaching him how to party but, you know, it's the same for Yoyo."
"Yuu," Tsubasa reprimanded his friend.
The teenager burst out laughing. Ginga could not help but smile. He wasn't wrong. A lot of things annoyed Kyouya. However–
"We'll leave him alone."
Kyouya had already made many concessions for their marriage and the following festivities. He didn't deserve such treatment.
"Too bad. It would have been a great evening!"
Ginga shook his head and turned to Madoka. "Are you coming with us?" he asked.
"I can't: it's a bachelor party."
"And?" Ginga didn't understand the problem.
"And I am a girl. I can only go to bachelorette parties."
"What are you doing when you'll marry?" Ginga asked in good faith. "Do you know enough girls to throw a party?"
To his knowledge, Madoka was almost always exclusively surrounded by boys.
"Sure! I know Hikaru, Mei-Mei... uh... Lyra... and... and..."
"And?"
"And Sophie! There you go!"
"Are they close friends?"
Apart from Mei-Mei and Hikaru, he didn't remember seeing Madoka befriend them.
"Out."
"Huh?"
"I said, out. Now. You're supposed to enjoy the evening, not just walk by it."
Ginga smiled. "You're right. See you tomorrow!"
"That's it. See you tomorrow."
"Are you guys coming?"
His friends responded enthusiastically. After a last goodbye, he left the B-Pit followed by his group, ready for a fun evening.
XXX
Ginga smoothed his suit. He couldn't believe he was about to marry. Time went by so fast. He felt like he had proposed to Kyouya only yesterday... Seeing him surprised had been fun: Kyouya was used to remain unruffled in front of most events.
Ginga glanced at the mirror. A black headband was holding his hair. He disliked having his hair loose–he spent his time putting his hands in it to put it back in place. He was wearing a black shirt with a white tie and dark grey pants. All he had to do was put on the jacket and it would be perfect.
He turned around, curious, when he heard the door opening. A huge smile appeared on his face and his heart seemed about to burst as Kyouya slipped into the room and closed the door behind him.
"Hello," murmured Ginga.
He could hear affection and love in his own voice. He couldn't help it, even if Kyouya pretended to think this behavior ridiculous–pretended being the important word.
"Hello."
Ginga detailed his fiancé. He was beautiful in his perfectly cut black suit. His green hair was loose to his shoulders and his eyes looked bluer than ever. Ginga loved the blue color and readily admitted the particular hue of Kyouya's eyes was his favorite color.
"Madoka seems to take you for the bride: she wanted to forbid me to come, claiming that it would bring bad luck," Kyouya said with a mocking smile.
"Maybe she's afraid you'll make us late." Even if the idea didn't bother Ginga at all.
Kyouya approached him and put a hand on his cheek. Ginga enjoyed the warmth of his touch. Kyouya pressed his forehead against his own. There were only his ocean eyes left in Ginga's world and it was perfect.
The door opened.
"The ceremony is about to begin," said Madoka.
XXX
"We are gathered together today to celebrate the union of two persons–"
Kyouya refrained from rolling his eyes. It seemed long, far too long... Useless chatter. Anything that annoyed him. He kept his arms by the side of his body despite his desire to cross them. He shouldn't stomp either to express his impatience. He was unaware of the thirty or so people sitting there staring at him and Ginga. They were much less numerous than those who came to attend his Beybattles, in the time he was still participating in tournaments.
The one who had been his rival and whom he had fought so many times was standing in front of him with bright eyes. Ginga sparkled with happiness. Thanks to him.
Kyouya didn't listen the words echoing into the room. All that mattered was Ginga standing in front of him and smiling at him.
Kakeru and Hyouma, as witnesses, stood close to them but, despite everything, they didn't invade their bubble.
The time came to exchange the rings. Kyouya took Ginga's hand with the impression to be alone with him in the world. He put the ring on his finger.. Ginga did the same for him and they were finally allowed to kiss.
When they parted, applause sounded all around them and Ginga radiated happiness. Kyouya didn't remember seeing him so happy before. It was really worth it.
Ginga took his hand and Kyouya let himself be led down the steps. The others, gathered together, were waiting for them. They were so heartily congratulated that Kyouya felt they were all expecting their marriage to be cancelled at the last minute or that one of them would flee or say no at the altar...which would have lead to Ginga's death. Seriously. He wouldn't have put up with all this nonsense for nothing.
"And now it's party time!" cried Ginga.
Everyone agreed with great enthusiasm.
XXX
Ginga didn't know when exactly but he had lost Kyouya during the congratulations. Surrounded by a group of very happy friends, he tried to find him despite the music and the excited people. He ignored the corner of the room filled with dancers–Kyouya would never come near it, under any circumstances. As he walked past the buffet, he couldn't help but look at their cake. Beautiful. Spectacular. With three layers of icing. Instead of the traditional bride and groom figurines, there were two reproductions of beys in sugar. A Storm Pegasus and a Rock Leone. The first beys they used to battle each other.
Ginga was pleasantly moved by it. He felt sweetness at the memory of their first encounter.
The roses of the cake had also been replaced by sugar beys. On the other side of the table, Tsubasa was watched the cake with a false detachment. Ginga pointed to a purple spot on the cake's other side.
"Eagle is here."
"I was only looking," Tsubasa defended himself.
Ginga didn't believe it. As he walked away, he glanced over his shoulder and his suspicion was confirmed: Tsubasa had gone around the table and was watching Eagle's reproduction closely. Yuu whistled at the cake. He looked at it from every angle and cried with joy when he found Libra. Intrigued by all the fuss, Dashan approached in turn. Ginga thought they should be careful in serving the shares.
As he walked away, a hand grabbed his arm–much too small to belong to Kyouya. However, he turned around. A joyful Madoka faced him. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright.
"I can't believe you're the first of us to get married!"
"Why?"
"You are very so slow at the uptake. You needed a lot of time to realize your feelings, but you were quicker to marry."
"We waited seven years anyway."
Madoka needed a moment to think. "That's true. You weren't so fast after all."
She jumped to Tsubasa and Yuu, who were talking in front of the buffet. Ginga looked at her with a smile.
"Ginga?"
He recognized the voice immediately, even though he had heard it so rarely. Without losing his smile, he turned to his mother, who was standing timidly a few steps away from him. He approached her and took her in his arms. She hugged him in return.
"I'm glad you came."
"I wasn't going to miss my only child's wedding."
They split apart. The softness he could see on his mother's face was replaced by a tense and hesitant expression. Ginga took her hand to get back her attention.
"We'll talk later, okay? I have to find Kyouya."
She seemed infinitely relieved. She kissed his cheek. "Right. I'll see you later." On these words she merged with the crowd.
"Ginga?"
The redhead wasn't surprised to hear his father. He turned around and accepted his congratulations with a grin before going back in search of his fiancé–his husband, he corrected himself.
Realizing his thoughts, he had a dreamy smile. There! They were finally married.
Joyful, he finally spotted Kyouya. His husband was standing aside, a flute of champagne in his hand. His somber expression discouraged the others from approaching him. It had no effect on Ginga, who moved quietly towards him even if he had only one desire: to run and throw himself into his arms.
Kyouya's outfit had somewhat changed: he had abandoned his jacket and was no longer wearing his tie. The only thing that really surprised Ginga was that Kyouya's shirt was still buttoned–usually he only buttoned his shirts to the middle of his belly, a habit he didn't complain about. He had thought Kyouya would have jumped on the first opportunity to dress as he liked.
"You are succeeding in staying aside at your own wedding?"
Kyouya glared daggers at him. Ginga was not impressed, although he preferred to see him smile. He brushed his lips with his thumb.
"If you keep sulking, I'll think you regret saying yes."
It was very light but Kyouya's expression softened. He showed a group of guests with his flute. "There are too many people."
"Can you imagine what it would be if I had invited all the people I like?"
A light smile appeared on Kyouya's lips. It was a huge victory for Ginga, as always.
"Far worse."
Ginga then noticed an important detail. Kyouya wasn't wearing his ring anymore. He touched his hand. "You are already tired of your ring?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
Kyouya pulled on his shirt's collar. Ginga lovingly followed the line of his neck and then a chain grazing his collarbone. He noticed the wedding ring was attached to it. Kyouya let go of the fabric taking its original place and stuck to his skin.
Kyouya put his flute on the ground and held out his hand. "Your ring."
"Why?" asked Ginga, taking it off and giving it to Kyouya.
Kyouya took out a silver chain from his pocket and put the ring in it. He approached Ginga and hung the necklace on his neck. Ginga let himself be made, enjoying his touch.
"It will be more practical. You won't risk losing it now
"I don't–"
"Think about your future battles. The forsaken places you'll cross. You'll fight hard, forget the ring, loose it and complain about it. It's so annoying, and it hadn't even happened yet."
Ginga couldn't argue with him even if it was upsetting. On second thought, it was pretty cute. Kyouya was helping him. He lifted the chain to look at his ring. It was a good idea.
"Thank you."
Kyouya shrugged and turned his head. Ginga sat down next to him and let his gaze drift on the room. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. A detail caught his attention. He struck Kyouya in the arm and showed him their cake's table. New bladers were walking around it. Kyouya stared at them, frowning, trying to figure out the why of their behavior.
"What are they doing?"
"They want to find their beys."
"Seriously?"
"I think we have to be careful in serving the shares."
Which would be in a few minutes. It was time to cut and share the cake. He took Kyouya's hand, stood up and dragged him to the buffet. Even though his husband was dragging his feet, he followed him without protest.
They met Madoka who was flickering, her cheeks redder, a glass in her hand. Ginga suspected she had drunk more than necessary.
"I'm sure you and Kyouya are role-playing," she said.
Ginga was so shocked he stopped abruptly. When her words finally reached his mind, he blushed hard. "You shouldn't say that to people!"
Ginga confiscated her glass before she could have another sip of champagne.
"I was sure, you know? Because of your beybattles–well, especially Kyouya: he's so dramatic."
Kyouya raised an eyebrow.
"What are you going to do for your honeymoon?"
"Madoka!"
"What? It'll not be the first time."
Ginga let go of Kyouya and took her arm. "You should get some rest."
"But uh..."
Kyouya leaned towards her with a half-smile. "We can't tell you because we haven't decided yet."
"Kyouya!"
Ginga gave him a disapproving lookthat had no effects. Madoka giggled. Ginga led her to a chair and invited her to sit there. Kyouya followed him.
"When are you going to cut the cake?" asked Yuu.
"Now."
The husbands went to the table. They waited until all the guests were gathered to cut the cake. They served the parts together. Ginga was careful to hand every bey to its rightful owners, even if they were in sugar. Each guest took the time to admire them before eating the cake.
"Thank you Yoyo!"
"Stop calling me that."
Ginga raised his head to Yuu, who was watching his piece of cake with joy. His smile suddenly disappeared. Ginga frowned. Something was wrong.
"It's not Libra," Yuu said, raising his eyes full of disappointment. "It's Striker."
Ginga looked for Masamune and pointed him to Yuu. "Maybe he has Libra."
"Thank you Gingy. It's worth asking."
As Yuu walked towards him, Masamune swallowed the sugar bey and chewed it with enthusiasm. Yuu stopped. "Noooooooooo! He ate Libra!"
Ginga froze. He glanced at Kyouya, who, even though he was not smiling, had an amused glow in his eyes. He shook his head.
"It's my wedding too," Kyouya said in a whisper. "I'm supposed to have fun, amn't I?"
Ginga thought it was the worst excuse ever.
"I'm going to avenge Libra!"
Yuu let go of his plate. With a movement of his arms, he slid his launcher and his bey–the one he wanted to avenge–into his hands. He held out his launcher in front of him and pointed him at Masamune. Exclamations of surprise echoed all around them. Ginga straightened up. Were they going to fight? Now?
"I challenge you!"
"You have no chance of winning," Masamune mocked him.
Yuu showed his teeth. "Really? Prove it!"
"Yuu, now is not the time," Tsubasa tried to calm him down.
Masamune took his launcher and took position, ready to propel Striker into battle. "Whenever you want."
"Do you realize we're at a wedding here?" Madoka asked.
She seemed to have sobered up all at once.
"Three!" cried Yuu.
Ginga turned his head towards Kyouya, who was smiling with satisfaction. He had done it on purpose. He wanted this fight to happen. He had targeted his victims accordingly: bladers who would not care where they were or what people would think of them.
"Two!" replied Masamune.
"So?" mouthed Kyouya.
He was incredible. In every sense of the word.
"One!" said both bladers in chorus.
Ginga grinned. He nodded. That was all that was missing from their marriage.
He took his launcher and saw Kyouya do the same. His smile widened.
"What are you doing?" asked Madoka.
"I don't think we can stop them any other way," said Ginga, without being able to hide his impatience.
All the bladers present exchanged looks. Despite their ceremonial attire, they needed only a few seconds to get their launchers and beysin their hands.
Madoka stared at them one after the other. "You were all prepared to fight at a wedding?"
While some seemed embarrassed, most bladers were focusing on the upcoming Battle Royale.
"Let it riiip!" shouted Yuu and Masamune.
It was the signal: every bladers in the room propelled their beys.
It was nice to not follow tradition too faithfully.
THE END
