Fluffy, marriage, cross-dressing, (implied) half-incest(?), Joshua/Neku

46. Family

For as long as Yoshiya "Joshua" Kiryu could remember, it had always been just him and his mother. As soon as his birth father had impregnated his mother, the man had up and left her on her own to raise him. All through elementary and junior high, and now almost all the way through high school it had been just him and his kind, beautiful, over-worked, under-paid mother.

And now she was getting married.

He stood in the chapel, adjusting his suit for the hundredth or so time. In his opinion the colors chosen for the split-second wedding weren't really the best (a fuchsia and an almost neon teal) and clashed horribly, but it wasn't his wedding to worry about. It was his mother's, and as long as she was happy that's what he cared about.

He looked himself over in the mirror nearby once more, running his pianist fingers through his short silvery ash hair while he stared into his own eyes, a pair of lavender orbs that appeared dull in the artificial lighting.

He probably wouldn't have had such an issue with the wedding had it been something expected. But he'd never heard of this Sakuraba man in his life, nor had she ever mentioned him until earlier this week, when his dear mother announced, "I'm getting married!" And, to add to the issue, his dear new father had a daughter of his own. He had to share his space with a man and his daughter, both who he'd never met before today.

Life was going to suck.

Joshua peeked in on his mother, finding her standing in front of the mirror. He couldn't hold back the small smile that came on his face when he realized how insanely happy she truly was. He stepped inside the room and shut the door behind himself; the click catching his mother's attention. "Oh Joshy," she practically ran to him, almost tripping in the flowing skirt. Like any woman, Joshua knew his mother needed to feel like a princess for at least a day. "Should I really be doing this?" He raised an eyebrow, did all women do this? "I mean, I never bothered introducing you to him, and never got your opinion on him. What if I'm making a mistake?"

"Mom," he pulled her into a hug, holding her tiny form close. "What you need to ask yourself is if he truly makes you happy. If so, then I cannot complain." Joshua pulled again and kissed her on her forehead. "I love you Mom, and that's all I want is for you to be happy."

"Joshy," she practically whined as she pulled him in a hug again, sounding like she was ready to cry. "You're always so sweet!" He rolled his eyes playfully and gather her bouquet. She dabbed at her eyes and took his arm. "You'll walk me down the aisle, won't you?"

He nodded and was answered with a smile that he'd remember forever. His mom truly was everything to him. "Let's go. Don't want to keep your soon-to-be-husband waiting for too long."

The ceremony passed without a hitch, Joshua handing his mother over to the man without a sign of his displeasure. Who was he to truly complain at his mother's happiness. If she found it in this man, he couldn't really throw a fit. The two said their vows and both sides of the family threw bird seed and said their congratulations before heading to the reception.

Joshua was left back at the chapel, undoing his bowtie slightly and glancing at the girl left behind. She had shoulder length orange hair, curled around her face and stunning blue eyes. She wore the customary flower girl dress, despite the fact he knew she was almost his age. He recognized her immediately from his new father's family. "I assume you need a ride to the reception..."

Her bright eyes gave him a quick once over before she nodded. "You're Joshua?" Her voice was soft, timid almost. Joshua had to resist the urge to smile, he'd been told he came across as a creeper occasionally when he smiled. He agreed and she smiled herself, a large grin that lit up the entire room. "I'm Neka," she glanced around, as if surprised it was only the two of them left behind. "Your new sister."

"Well," Joshua drawled, holding out a hand for his adorable little sister, "I wish we could have met under better circumstances –" at this the girl snorted, "But it appears our parents figured we are adult enough to figure this out on our own. To the reception?"

Neka took his hand, he was a bit surprised at the slight callousness on her fingers, and he led his 'sister', she did not feel like a sister at all… more like a love interest of some sort, to his car. He opened the door for her, having been trained since he could walk about chivalry, and she managed a flush as she sat in the passenger seat.

The drive to the reception was quiet, with nothing but the faint sounds of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Dreams of Candlelight trickling through the speakers. Neka was fiddling with the basket, her fingers playing with the rose petals as she hummed along with the song. They pulled into the parking lot of the reception, Joshua letting Neka out just in front of the door. She peered in the rolled down window. "You sure? I could stay with you while you find a parking spot."

Joshua waved her away. "Don't worry Neka, I'll only take a few moments." Her face scrunched together adorably and he placated her. "You could wait right outside the door, if you don't want to enter alone." She seemed to calm at this and nodded. She stepped away from the car and waited for him. Joshua gave her a smile when seeing her stand nervously at the entry, something that made her blush again and look away.

The reception was just as horribly designed as the wedding, with the clashing colors and the lackluster dj. Joshua had half the mind to go and take over the dj booth. Could he play any more dull sounding songs? All it would take is his mp3 player and the reception would get livelier, and that was with the standard classical music as well.

His mother and new father were dancing, an amusing sight at the fact his mother couldn't dance to save her life and Mr. Sakuraba was trying his hardest not to laugh at his wife's worried face. Joshua led Neka to her seat on the dais, and he sat in his, both watching their parents enjoy and make fools of themselves with small smiles on their faces.

Joshua couldn't help but constantly glance in his sibling's direction, and not because they were related now. Her smile made butterflies erupt in his stomach, and the high school senior never felt that way around anyone before. Her eyes met his and she managed a grin, not quite holding back her blush. Joshua noted she liked to blush around him, but for what reason was it?

The newlyweds cut the cake and people all around danced. And when it came time for the new Mrs. Sakuraba to throw the bouquet, Neka was dragged right up front by one of her cousins. Joshua watched with a chuckle as his "dear little sister" caught it with a blush that rivaled her hair color. Mr. Sakuraba tossed the garter almost nonchalantly, an act that sent it right on top of Joshua's head. The teen scowled slightly, resisting the urge to blush as he plucked it out of his hair.

As tradition dictated, Joshua would be required to put the garter onto the woman who caught the bouquet. How awkward it would be, seeing as they were now siblings. Mr. Sakuraba was quick to argue for a rethrow, he didn't want his daughter touched by her new big brother, but everyone else defended the tradition. It wasn't like any romantic feelings were behind it, right?

Neka sat in the chair, nervously tucking her curled hair behind her ears as she focused on the tiled floor. Joshua twirled the lacy garter in his hand slightly before kneeling before her. He couldn't hold back his own blush as he pulled the garter onto her leg, slowly pulling it higher and higher until it was hidden underneath her dress and halfway up her thigh. Neka maintained a bright blush for the entirety as the photographer took pictures. Just before Joshua was about to stand, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Meet me by the fruit punch."

Joshua gave a small nod, meeting her gaze with a wink. Her blush somehow got brighter and Joshua stood. He offered Neka a hand, which she took gingerly and helped her stand. The festivities continued on as if the duos public humiliation hadn't occurred, the newlyweds delightfully eating more cake and accepting dance invites from family members. Joshua and Neka sneaked away towards the punch bowl, where no one bothered heading with the waiters and such getting their drinks for them. The open bar also had a bit of help with that.

"Anything the matter, sis?" Joshua smiled. She rocked back and forth on her Mary Jane's, bright eyes glancing continuously back towards their parents.

She drew in a sharp breath before meeting his gaze. "I'm not a girl."

There was a pause.

"Hm?"

"I'm…" She (or was it he?) began fiddling with the hem of her skirt, "I'm a boy. The name's Neku. I-I'm sorry for leading you on like this." He shifted in his shoes, and began to twirl some of his curled hair around a finger. "I feel more… comfortable in women's clothes." He met Joshua's gaze worriedly, eyes wide and panicked. "I'm sorry, Joshua. But I couldn't.. couldn't…"

Joshua grinned at Neku's nervousness. He took a step closer to his darling little brother, and tilted his head towards his own. "No worries my dear." Neku's flush came back with a vengeance, Joshua chuckling once more. "I still like you just as inappropriately as before." Neku's gaped like a fish as Joshua kissed the tip of his nose.

"But… we're siblings now. Brothers."

"Yes, but only by law, little Neku."

The family began to disperse as the twelfth hour chimed, their parents wishing everyone a fond farewell before leaving to get ready for their honeymoon. Joshua played the perfect host, accepting the rest of his parents' gifts and escorting everyone out to their cars. By two, Joshua and Neku stood outside the hall, gazing upward at the small amount of stars found in the city.

Neku had run his hands through his hair, undoing many of the curls and had wiped the small amount of makeup off his face. Joshua's tie was completely undone and a few of the buttons of his shirt were left open. The two shared a look, Neku's more of curiosity and wonder and Joshua's was something of debauchery. "Ready to go home little brother?"

"Why don't I feel the familial love that should be behind such a statement?"

"Because my love is anything but familial."