A/N: I know my updates have been haphazard lately, but it actually is not my fault. From time to time fanfic (dot) net gets pissy won't let me upload chapters. But just for Requiem for My Heart. Yeah… I don't get it either.

Warning: Awesome-O says that this is GAY. Full of GAY. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I… I gots nothing. Really. Nothing. Sorry.

Summary: Challenge fic. 25 Random Words. The rules? Just use the word in a scene about the pairing. Chapter 12: Tie.

Remember:

"Blah" – Speech

Blah –Thoughts/Emphasis

Blah – Self Explanatory

12. Tie

Shadow was unsure how it happened, but it did. Ike persuaded him to go, so, really, it wasn't that much of a mystery. Still, Shadow felt too out of place. A white wedding was not something Shadow had much faith in. Yet, all the Canadian had to do was bat those pretty little lashes, and Shadow agreed, mind falling into the gutter and his heart hammering. Ike really did not play fair.

Shadow remained stoic, standing off at a pillar in the tiny Catholic Church, and ignoring the ache for a smoke. It was a winter wedding, with tons of white ribbons and pearl colored flowers, and sparkling snowflakes everywhere. Not only that, but there was a dress code. Pale colors, and wintry blues only.

The goth was starting to feel a tension headache building. This event was a sham, a mockery even, and the little blonde bride was simply playing into the entire conforming attitude of sexual slavery and—

"Shadow?"

Shadow glanced down at the mention of his name. Ike was staring at him, waiting.

"Yeah?"

"Its time to sit down, the wedding is about to start," he explained, a smile forming. Shadow grimaced, his eyes flitting about as he noticed the rows filling up and an excited murmur was rushing through the place.

"I lied, Ike, I just can't do this," Shadow suddenly blurted out, pulling at his uncomfortable periwinkle tie. He was becoming overheated for some reason. He couldn't stand it in these clothes. They were too bright; a white button up that was tucked neatly into cream-colored slacks. His black nail polish was all scrubbed away, no eyeliner, no black lips, and Ike only allowed a single piercing on the upper cartilage of Shadow's left ear simply because it was a dangling cross. The shaggy hair that normally obscured his vision from the world was now brushed back, held in place because it dried that way once Shadow was out of the shower. A wisp or two managed to curl on his forehead, but not enough that he felt normal.

Well, that should be rephrased. The problem was that Shadow felt normal. He didn't quite feel like 'Shadow'.

"Can't we just go home?" Shadow begged. His cheeks were quickly heating at how pathetic he sounded. He had to look away. Ike was going to laugh at him any second now. Loud and cruel, to tear into Shadow, Ike realizing how his boyfriend wasn't a good match for him…

The laughter never came. It had been several tense minutes, with Shadow's fist curled and shaking. Ike had cocked his head to one side and was merely staring up at Shadow, eyes dancing. With those piano fingers, Ike fixed the stupid tie, smoothing it. Then, with a mischievous tug, pulled Shadow down, pressing his sweet mouth onto Shadow's.

It didn't help that overheated sensation brewing inside the young man. Before Shadow could properly respond however, there was a sudden fare of music. Ike broke away, grasping Shadow's tie and leading the goth to a pew. This, to say the least, was not what Shadow wanted. He sat through the horrendously long ceremony, glaring at nothing in particular. His little boyfriend, on the other hand, was calm, observing the wedding with a tiny smile. Yet, his fingers were still coyly playing with the end of the tie. Stroking lightly, his nails ghosting the button up shirt every now and then.

Finally, by the time the bride and groom kissed (lucky sons of…), and rushed down the aisle to the car parked just at the curb, Shadow nearly exploded. He grasped Ike by his teasing hand and practically sprinted to his own vehicle. Shadow tossed the poor Canadian in the back, then pounced, feet accidentally hitting the steering wheel, and blaring the horn.

"I-Impatient much?" Ike panted, spread across the backseat, flushing.

"It's your fault…" Shadow growled, "for playing with me like that."

"I couldn't help it. I don't think you know how sexy you are… goth apparel or not," he mumbled. Ike leaned back in the seat, pouting slightly. Shadow smirked, towering over the other boy. He ran a pale hand through neat black locks, mussing them, and then gripping the back of Ike's neck. Pulling clean strands, Ike tilted his head up, hazel-green eyes meeting lusty dark ones.

"How about we make good use of this tie, then?" he suggested in a whisper. Ike readily agreed.

—END?—