Collide
13-Traffic Jam
Dee eyed his reflection in the mirror. "How do I look?"
Ryo stopped buttoning his shirt to take a look. "Spectacular."
"You're so lucky to have such a hot thing for a lover," Dee crooned, giving the mirror a sexy pose.
Ryo rolled his eyes and continued to dress in the rented tux. He found it quite difficult to do so when Dee kept undoing everything he had just finished. He swiped at the hands now trying to undo his pants' button.
"Stop it, Dee!" Ryo struggled out of his grasp and ran to the other side of the room. Dee chuckled to himself and watched his lover complete his attire.
"You look great," Dee complimented. Ryo smiled shyly and blushed profusely. "You're so cute when you blush like that." Ryo's face turned a shade darker. Dee grinned and stated, "Very fuckable." He watched Ryo run into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
When his chestnut-haired beauty disappeared, the anxiety filled his mind. He couldn't believe they were here today. Dee thought for sure the wedding would be cancelled; but here they were, in the hotel getting ready in their groomsmen getups.
Dee strolled around the room impatiently. He checked his watch, deciding it was time for the doom to begin. He walked to the bathroom, informing Ryo that he was going to check on the others to see if they were ready to leave for the church. He heard a mutter of assent and left.
Dee traveled down to the next door on the right, pounding violently on the wood. It opened in a quick swish, revealing a very angry redhead.
"What do you want, Laytner?" Ted growled as he struggled with his bowtie.
"When ya gonna be ready?" Dee asked calmly.
Ted scowled and motion at the fabric around his neck. "I'm done, except for this damned thing."
Dee reached out and, like an expert, tied it perfectly. "Alright, you're done. We've got to round up Kyle, then find JJ, and then get Ryo. We have to be at the church in a half hour," he concluded.
The two of them managed to gather up Kyle, and the three of them went in search for the Best Man. They sauntered through the hallways, ending up in front of JJ's room. Ted knocked, but there was no answer.
"That's strange," Ted expressed, pounding on the door again. "He did say room 207, right?"
"Yeah," Dee confirmed. "Did any of you see him come here after the rehearsal last night?" They shook their heads. "I wonder if he even came here."
"He could've left early," Kyle pointed out.
"Oh, yes, because he's so excited," Dee said sarcastically. He had a bad feeling; he knew JJ was up to something. "I'm going to go get Ryo. You two head downstairs. Check the front desk and see if he even checked in."
Ted and Kyle trudged around the corner and out of view. Dee picked up his lover and told him about the predicament on the way to the lobby.
"So, you think JJ is trying to delay the ceremony?" Ryo questioned.
Dee nodded and continued to walk down the long stretch of the hallway, Ryo tailing shortly behind. They approached the entrance hall, two men in tuxes waiting for them.
"He never checked in," Ted informed as his coworkers stepped in front of him.
"Thought so," Dee said. "Well, let's go."
Drake paced the small room nervously. He kept buttoning and unbuttoning his cuffs, combing his hair over and over, and brushing non-existent dust off his crisp, clean tuxedo. He would light up a smoke right after he drained the old one; he went through three packs of cigarettes just this morning. His four friends watched the apprehension, none of them saying a word.
There was a soft rapt on the door, and Drake finally stopped fidgeting and answered it. He poked his head out and exchanged a few words with the other person. He then firmly shut the door and stared at his friends for some sort of help or relief.
"What's the problem?" Dee asked without concern.
"I can't believe him," Drake murmured.
"Oh, pray tell, what happened?" Dee questioned, knowing very well what had happened.
"JJ--!" Drake hit the wall with his fist. "He is such a…a --UH!" He flung open the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Dee couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. JJ was doing a fine job of delaying the ceremony, and an even better one telling Drake to go fuck himself.
It was currently four o'clock. The ceremony was supposed to start at three. JJ has yet to show up, blaming a severe traffic jam for his tardiness. Although, Dee would bet every cent of his that there was no traffic problem. JJ was probably sitting comfortably at home in his pajamas watching tv and eating ice cream from the container.
"Do we get to go home soon?" Kyle groaned as he slid down into the couch cushions. No one answered him, but all were thinking the same thing. Kyle spoke up again, "Do you think JJ will get his way? Or will this wedding still go on no matter what?"
"I think JJ will get his way," Ryo answered softly. Dee, Ted, and Kyle turned their heads to look at him.
"You do?" Kyle questioned. Ryo looked at him as if surprised by the fact he had to question his feelings.
"Of course. He deserves a better life. And I feel somewhat guilty, being the man Dee ran after instead. It's not fair to have another person taken away from him," Ryo answered. Kyle grunted and buried himself buried further into the soft cushions.
"I know you don't know JJ very well, but," Ryo said, "I have this feeling you want this wedding to happen." Dee furrowed his eyebrows at Ryo's accusation. Kyle finally managed to completely burrow down into the couch, while accusatory eyes defiled him.
Ted, who had been quiet the past hour, finally spoke up. With narrowed eyes, he asked, "Do you want JJ to live a life of pain and misery? And Drake--well, he will too."
Kyle raised his head to gaze at the redhead. "I say, if Drake wants to marry this girl, let him. JJ will find someone better."
"Like you?" Ted sneered. Dee and Ryo stared at their friend in astonishment.
Kyle cleared his throat as he struggled to stand up. "Well, obviously, Drake doesn't want him. So someone else will have to take care of JJ's broken heart." He walked out of the small room, mumbling something about finding the groom.
"Not good," Ted said. "Taking advantage of someone when they're hurt. That guy is a complete…"
"Guy?" Ryo suggested. Ted had to laugh, but Dee scowled and went after the man before he ruined everything.
Dee caught up with Kyle fast enough, trying to stop him on the stairs. Kyle continued to walk faster, attempting to escape the other man who looked angry enough to slaughter him.
"This wasn't part of the plan," Dee yelled after him. He sprinted behind Kyle, waiting for either him to answer or stop. He followed him around the corner, just catching sight of a group of angry, blue bridesmaids. Kyle swerved the huffy women and made a beeline into the bathroom. Closely behind, Dee reached out and grabbed a fist full of white dress shirt.
Kyle was pulled sharply backward, twisted around, and pinned to the bathroom wall. A very enraged face closed into his personal space and breathed fire down his neck.
Exasperated at everything, Kyle breathed, "Look, I didn't mean for it to happen. I just did." He thought about the first night he met JJ. "He captured my heart with one kiss."
"Congrats," Dee snarled. "But, in case you forgot, you were supposed to help getting JJ with Drake, not you."
"Things happen--"
"No!" Dee strengthened his hold on Kyle's shoulders and shoved him harder into the bricks. "You will not fuck this up!"
"JJ is incredible, and I think we'd make a good couple."
Dee growled, "Then you stand alone."
Kyle raised his voice and barked, "Drake is throwing away the best thing in his life, and JJ will need help getting through the pain. I, at least, will be considerate of his feelings. So, let Drake go on pretending he's happy. Someday he'll realize how he can't escape his true emotions. But by then, it'll be too late. He'll have a comfy home with his wife and children by the time he realizes--the only true place he ever belonged was JJ's heart." He shoved Dee away from him. He continued, "If Drake stabs him in the back, which it looks like he's going to do, I'll take good care of JJ."
Dee had to laugh at the turn of events. Although he would rather have Drake and JJ together, he had to admit, "You'll probably treat him better than Drake."
"Damn right I will."
"There's only one problem," Dee stated. "JJ doesn't love you, he loves Drake." He dragged himself out of the bathroom, the clipping of his shoes echoing throughout the desolate room.
Kyle grinned to himself, eyeing the only closed stall. He maneuvered himself in a different position so he could see the feet below the stall door. The shiny, black shoes shuffled helplessly, cueing to Kyle that his suspicions were right.
He called out, "Oi! Drake!" He saw the two feet rise, giving the impression no one was in there. "Don't hide," he chided. He glided over to the 'empty' stall and knocked softly on the metal. He was rewarded with a click of a latch unlocking. Kyle pulled open the door and saw his best friend huddled a top the toilet, his face buried in his hands.
"Ah, Dwakey." Kyle patted his friend's head and ran his fingers languorously through the silky brown locks. He saw that Drake's shoulders were shuddering uncontrollably. He cooed, "Is 'ittle Dwakey crying?" Drake shook his head and held his head up high to show that he was definitely not crying, but actually sported the meanest, angriest expression.
"Ooookay." Kyle raised his hands in surrender. He began to back away as Drake slid off his seat with his eyes burning a hole though Kyle's head.
Kyle was backed up against the same wall Dee just pinned him too. Drake's hands cupped both sides of his face harshly. There was an unfamiliar look inside his brown eyes that Kyle couldn't place with a feeling.
"Would you mind if I gave you a piece of advice?" Drake asked raucously.
"Uh, sure."
A hand slapped him fiercely across the face and a snarling voice said, "Don't you dare touch him. After all this, you'll go back home and never speak to JJ again."
Kyle was completely speechless. That look he saw in Drake's eyes must've been jealousy. Ever since Kyle had gotten into New York City, things started bad and got even worse. He should've never agreed to help Dee out. After the heated moment in JJ's apartment, it didn't end there. JJ had called him up two days later and asked him to come over. Kyle almost wanted to spit out what he and JJ did that night, but feared Drake would kill him; he had a gun after all.
Kyle retorted, "If you don't want him, why can't I?"
"Who says I didn't want him?" Drake spat.
Kyle leered and tugged at Drake's attire. "You're getting married, right?"
"Guess not." Drake shrugged of his jacket and threw it over a dry sink. "I can't do it without JJ."
"You realize he purposefully isn't here? That there is no traffic jam?" Kyle pointed out. Drake chuckled, nodding his head. He undid his bowtie and slid it off his neck, tossing it with his jacket. His hand went to his collar and unfastened a few buttons to feel more comfortable. Drake slithered right up against his high school friend, placing a hand on the brick wall next to Kyle's head.
"Can you do me one favor?" Drake whispered hotly into Kyle's ear.
"Yeah. Of course."
Drake moved in closer, brushing his lips against Kyle's ear, eliciting a gasp. "Kiss me," Drake breathed.
If this wasn't such an important situation, Kyle would have jumped up and down in joy. Ever since high school, Kyle harbored strong feelings for his friend, even after all these years. He longed to touch and do many other things to that body. Even with Drake's breath heavy in his ear and his hands rubbing sensually up and down his arm, Kyle couldn't do it. He quickly pushed Drake away and ran over to the door saying, "Save it for the bride."
He exited, resenting himself for what he just did. He just threw away the perfect opportunity. He miserably trudged through the hallways, spotting the gaggle of bridesmaids that appeared angrier than ever. Kyle attempted to swerve the crowd again; however, this time he was pulled back by the arm. A very pretty woman, even with a scowl, started bolting questions left and right. Kyle listened carefully, but ended up saying he knew nothing and walked off.
He strolled completely out of the church and plopped himself on a bench outside. It was a partially sunny day, with the few clouds that passed threatening to spit water. There was a light wind, barely enough to ruffle the leaves on trees. If it wasn't for the breeze, it would be blistering hot.
Kyle shaded his eyes with his hands and watched the people wait impatiently for a sign to either go home or go back inside. There was several children out on the grass, the older ones playing soccer, the younger toying with insects. He spotted the bride's parents yelling at Drake's parents, probably over the fact that it was nearing two hours that the wedding has been delayed.
He closed his eyes and leaned back, letting the rays of sun heat his face. There was a moment of darkness when something obstructed the sun. Kyle opened on eye slowly, seeing a silhouette standing over him. He opened the other, letting his eyes adjust to the light. Spikey hair, bright blue eyes, and a perfect smile formed before him.
"You decided to show up?" Kyle asked.
"Yeah, well…" JJ scratched behind his head and looked around nervously. "Big traffic jam and all…" he explained.
"Sure…" JJ extended his hand out to the other man who took it lightly. Kyle let JJ pull him to his feet.
"The wedding still on?" JJ asked sadly.
"Never heard otherwise," Kyle answered. He instantly saw the dullness appear in JJ's sapphire eyes and the glisten that proved how upset he was over this nightmare.
As they were walking into the church, they were bombarded by a group of fuming people. Bridesmaids, mothers, fathers, and random victims hit JJ with questions and shouts. JJ didn't even try to defend himself, taking every angry spat they gave him.
Drake had appeared suddenly, spotting his Best Man in a tangle. He pulled him out of the fight and upstairs to safely. When they were safely inside the waiting room, Drake turned to his friend crossly. Before he could get a word out, JJ spoke out, "Shall we get this thing started?"