Long time no see, amirite?
Sorry for the long, long wait with a medium-ish long chapter...merps...
I hope you enjoy though! And I'll try to do better in terms of updating more...:)
Haruka was exhausted. She was glad to finally get into a nice pair of comfy sweat pants and a t-shirt. Trying on the wedding dresses had been fun, but ultimately, draining. She considered herself quite the girly-girl, but even she had a limit. She hoped she wouldn't have to try on another dress for some time. She plopped down on her bed and stretched her arms, eventually letting them hit the bed with a soft thud. She moved her arms around, trying to locate a pillow without wanting to exert the amount of energy it would take to actually see where it was. Eventually a hand felt the corner of the plush object. She sighed, grabbed it, and clenched it close to her chest. She stared at the ceiling, going over what had happened.
Haruka stood with Reiji in front of the large windows. The sun light filled the room, the natural light gave the couple an almost ethereal appearance. He smiled at her, placing a hand on her hip, the other gently grasping her hand, he pulled her close to him. "Don't be so shy, kiddo" Reiji chuckled, his voice soft and low. She could feel how tender and gentle he said his words, like how, she suspected, one would speak to his lover. It gave her butterflies. "You're my bride, after all."
She reached forward, tentatively and cupped the side of his face. She gave him a small smile and tilted her head slightly, "I'm sure you'll make a great husband, Kotobuki-senpai". She chuckled softly when she felt the heat rise to his face.
But before he could say or do anything, Ringo gasped, "Perfect! Hold that pose!"
They stood in silence, holding each other, staring into each other's eyes as the soft sounds of the camera clicked.
"Hmph" Ranmaru grunted, displeased with the scene. He leaned back on the far wall, watching the photo shoot. He folded his arms across his chest, glaring.
"Something the matter?" Camus asked, a smirk on his face.
"It's nothing" Ranmaru replied, irritated with how calm Camus sounded. Ranmaru eyed him. The man was facing the photo shoot, as they all had been, but his eyes were closed. Ranmaru sweat dropped. 'No wonder' He thought. Ranmaru turned to Ai, who's eyes were fixed on Haruka and Ranmaru.
Ai didn't say or do anything. Only stared at the scene before him with the same blank face. To anyone else it would look as though Ai was being his normal self, analyzing what he saw for his data resources, but Ranmaru had known Ai for quite some time. He knew his band mate well by this point and Ranmaru could see the little crease of anger held in the cyborg's brow.
Natsuki chuckled, "Kotobuki-senpai and Haru-chan would make a cute couple". He ignored the glares from the 3/4ths of Quartet Night and continued to watch the scene. Ringo and Tomo were asking the pair to change positions now. Natsuki couldn't tear his eyes away from Haruka. She looked...as any bride should. Her face was a little red from embarrassment, but she had a unmistakable light about her, a joy. Reiji made some sort of joke. Haruka's eyes went wide for a moment before laughter erupted from her lips. She held onto Reiji's shoulders for balance as they laughed together. Reiji pulled her closer, placing her face in the crook of his neck. Ringo and Tomo cheered and ordered them not to move, but they were too busy laughing to notice.
"Ok! That was perfect! Why don't we change into...OH! The lace gown! Camus, why dont you come here and get comfortable by the french doors while Haruka gets changed?" Ringo yelled his orders, sending Tomo off with Haruka to help.
Camus made a small noise of acknowledgement as he walked up. Reiji smirked at his teammate as they passed each other, "Let's see if you can make her laugh like that, Count-sama".
"I'm not a clown and she doesnt need one" Camus replied cooly.
Camus sighed and adjusted his cuffs, waiting as patiently as he could for his turn to take photos with Haruka. He was starting to feel irritated, and anxious, with the wait, but before he could say anything Haruka walked down the steps in a long, gorgeous white lace gown. The dress had long lace sleeves, working almost as gloves, a small clasp holding the end of her sleeves to her middle finger. The train to the dress was incredibly long, also lacey, as Tomo had to walk a ways behind to make sure Haruka didn't trip over the fabric. Tomo had added long, slightly curled hair extensions to Haruka's look. Her hair was tied half up, half down, long locks bouncing slightly as she made her way to him. He felt like he was suddenly at an altar, watching the love of his life, his bride-to-be, glide down the aisle. She stopped directly in front of him, a blush spreading across her face. "Sorry for the wait, Camus-senpai" She said softly, an apologetic smile on her face.
"It was well worth the wait" He replied, his voice softer and more gruff than he intended. He gently took one her hands in his and placed a soft kiss on it. Earning a loud squeal from Ringo and Tomo. Tomo rushed forward and handed Haruka a small bouquet of silver flowers.
Haruka looked at her friend with a confused expression, "Goes with the theme" Tomo shrugged.
"The theme?" Haruka asked.
"Royalty!" Ringo winked, giving a couple jazz-hand-gestures for affect.
"Hey! What was my theme?!" Reiji yelled from across the room.
"Simplicity" Ranmaru replied.
"Idiocy" Camus smirked.
"Divorce" Ai shrugged.
"...Classic" Ringo corrected, hiding a chuckle.
While the other laughed, Haruka poked the flowers in the bouquet. She winced, finding them to be made of a hard metal, the petal pricking her finger. "Are you alright?" Camus asked.
Haruka's eyes widened as she looked up at him, her expression quickly shifting from shock to embarrassment, "I...I was hoping no one saw that" she said, looking away.
He gently cupped her chin and tilted it up, forcing her to look at him. "Silly girl" He smiled, "I'm always looking at you. How could I not?" His hand trailed down from her chin to the side of her neck, down her arm, stopping at her wrist. He grabbed her hand and inspecting it.
"I'm fine, Camus-senpai" Haruka blushed, taking her hand back and taking a small step back. She bowed her head slightly at him. Tomo and Ringo directed them as the other watched.
Reiji smirked, "Camus seems so much like an amateur, huh? Honestly, having to be directed...guess you can't fake chemistry" He joked, folding his arms across his chest.
"What chemistry?" Ranmaru rolled his eyes.
"Didn't you fail chemistry?" Ai replied.
"Ouch..." Reiji whined.
Camus was extremely different from Kotobuki. Kotobuki's photoshoot had been...fun, light hearted, cheerful, much like the man himself. But Camus demanded grace and elegance. Haruka shifted uncomfortably. She tried very hard to match his aura, but the more she tried the more awkward and forced she felt.
"Whats wrong?" Camus asked softly, ignoring the chatter between Ringo and Tomo.
Haruka looked up at Camus and decided it would be best to be honest, "I can't seem to match you, Camus-senpai" she sighed, "maybe we're just not compatible?" She suggested.
"Not compatible...?" Camus raised a brow, "Do you think Reiji is better?"
"I didn't mean that!" Haruka replied quickly, "I just mean...well...I just don't think I can match your intensity. I'm not a professional model or anything after all... Its not like I can change myself to match someone else...that's what I'm...trying to say"
Camus pulled Haruka close, laying her head against his chest. "You don't have to force yourself to match me" He said softly. "and I won't force myself to match you. None of that matters" He continued. She pulled away just enough to look Camus in the eyes. "The only thing that matters is how you feel when you're with me. Do you understand?" He asked tucking her hair behind her ears.
Haruka blushed, "y-yes!" She smiled up at him, her face full of excitement. She felt moved by Camus' words, as though they had actually pushed her in the right direction. The happiness was evident on her face if Camus' chuckle was anything to go by. Before he could say anything else, she stepped onto the tips of her toes and gave Camus' a gentle kiss on the cheek. "thank you, Camus-senpai!"
The icy Count was, for once in his life, completely caught off guard. His expression stunned in shock for merely a moment, before he was able to compose himself. Tomo and Ringo high-fived each other, as Ringo had caught the moment on camera.
Natsuki cocked his head to the side. He knew he liked Haruka. She had always been someone special. She wasn't just an immensely talented song writer...she was also hard working, gentle, and almost unbearably kind. It felt impossible not to care for the little orange-haired woman. Natsuki watched the scene, a lump slowly forming in his stomach, a sudden saddness washing over him. He always thought he loved Haruka to the point of just wanting her to be happy...but watching this scene, watching them play out a wedding, made him sick. It dawned on him that this is what it would look like, what it would feel like to watch her be with someone else forever. Would he feel this way if a member of STARISH married her? Or would it be better if it were a total stranger?
Camus and Haruka eased into a rhythm. With a relaxed Haruka and a natural like Camus the two were just like one song. They seemed to flow, moving with each other effortlessly as if they were in their own world, the cheers and directions of their friends falling to the background as they simply stood and posed together.
"I think we got it!" Ringo smiled, pulling Haruka back. It took a trained eye, but Camus resisted for a split second before letting Haruka get swept away by the pink haired man. She smiled at him and he flashed his usual smug smile.
"That was pretty fun, princess. A little more practice and you may be able to stand by my side for real" He said, trying to bring back his usual air of confidence.
Haruka chuckled, unaffected, "But that doesn't matter right, Senpai? What matters is how you feel when you're with me, ne?" She echoed his words, she touched his arm and slowly moved her hand down to met his, she gave his hand a gentle squeeze before allowing Tomo to take her back to get changed.
"Man, we might turn her into a real man-killer, huh?" Ringo sighed as he folded his arms over his chest. He shook his head from side to side in worry. Ringo looked up for a moment and realized Camus was still standing there, watching his pretend bride leave, in shock. Ringo snapped a quick photo before turning to the group. "Why dont we have a change of pace and go with Natsuki?"
"But I think I was next" Ranmaru said, having already walked halfway across the room.
"Oh dear you'll have a turn later" Ringo smiled.
"...fine" He huffed turning around.
"Yay! Me with Ha-ru-ch-an~" The bespectacled blonde sang as he spun. "I wonder what dress you picked to match me?"
"Oh...ohohoh...you'll see..." Ringo giggled.
Natsuki tilted his head in confusion but chose to ignore whatever Ringo was eluding to. Instead he fidgeted in anticipation for how Haru would look. He immediately imagined Haruka in a chicken costume bouncing happily down the isle. The thought made him laugh.
"What are you laughing at, Shinomiya-kun?" Haruka's gentle, yet entertained voice, snapped him out of his day dream. Natsuki's eyes went wide in shock. Haruka was...she was...more than anything he could ever hope for, anything he could ever dream up himself. The reality was so much more wondrous than his imagination...then again...it always was when he was with her. She wore a shorter wedding dress; the skirt stopped just below her knees. The material was soft, matte, and she wore an extra skirt underneath to give the bottom a nice flared out look. The white was matched well with a striking green, if Natsuki didnt know better he'd say Ringo and Tomo picked the same green as his eyes. The green was blocked down the left side of her skirt, little flowers and decorations gave it a warm, forest-y feel. Her hair was still long, the curls were pushed to one side, a string of peacock feathers adorning her head. The dress had a sweet heart neckline, showing of Haruka's long slender neck and the small diamond necklace Tomo was busy placing around her neck. "Shinomiya-kun?" Haruka asked when Tomo gave her a gentle pat to signal she was done. "Are you OK?"
"Haru-chan..." Natsuki faltered for a second before he forced on his usual chipper smile. "You look really pretty Haru-chan! As always!"
Haruka chuckled, "Why thank you, Shinomiya-kun"
"Well. I'm disappointed..." Ringo mumbled under his breath to Tomo, "Haruka-chan! Since we have a nice wilderness theme, why dont we do these photos on the balcony?"
"Ah, yes, whatever you say Ringo-san!" Haruka smiled running towards the pink haired teacher.
"And this is why I love ya!" Ringo winked at her.
Natuski watched as Ringo opened the balcony doors for Haruka. The wind whipped about her blowing her hair and veil out behind her, the sun shining behind her in ethereal light. Natsuki's heart raced and he felt as though he could just...the tears welled in the corners of his eyes. He walked slowly up to her - as if he was actually going to meet his wife. He reached for her, gently taking her hand in his. "Haru-chan" He said.
She smiled at him, "Shinomiya-kun"
"Under the circumstances, don't you think you should call me by my first name?" Natsuki asked with a wink. He smiled when her face became red with embarrassment. He tried to calm his heart as he watched her fidget under his gaze. Embarrassed and taken aback she avoided his eye-line.
"But its just for fun, Shinoymiya-kun" She said eventually, after she had gathered herself.
"Hmmm" Natsuki hummed, "Then when we get married for real...you'll call me by name?"
[To be continued]
I was gonna write more...but I think this is a decent length? Plus I've been M.I.A for a while - wanted to give y'all a little something ;)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Cause the next one will be similar~ much wedding, dress-up goo :)