Chapter 20
Crashed Ceremony
Author's Note: My internship has just ended so I'll be trying to finish this story as soon as I can while searching and preparing for my University… Thank you for all your patience and my deepest apology for the ridiculously long wait. A lot of things had happened for me and one of my concerns would be a roof over my head since my parents are divorcing. I sincerely thank everyone reading this right now. I'll do my best to complete this series. Now, on with it ^^
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Three days passed in a flash with much commotion and trouble. Planning a wedding has never been a messier event with a certain Rubber Captain involved.
Sanji smacked the rubbery arm reaching for the platter of food for the wedding reception for the fifth time in the hour. "One more time you do that Luffy… I swear I'll kick you to the end of Grand Line!"
Luffy whined pathetically as he was tossed out of the kitchen. Zoro sniggered at the way his lover interacted with the food black hole known as his captain. Luffy melted almost literally at the door that was slammed shut in his face. The impact of being denied food was greater than being chained in sea stone cuffs.
Zoro chuckled and got up. He had been napping when he was awakened by the slamming of the door and a whining Luffy. Deciding to cheer his captain a little he suggested, "Why don't you help Ussop and Franky with the decoration for the wedding? I think they need help with some fitting."
The suggestion received a toothy grin from the rubber boy. "Thanks Zoro! You're a good friend."
In a flash, he was gone. Zoro then rapped the door thrice before entering the cook's safe haven. "Oi."
Sanji didn't even turn around to know that it was a certain moss haired man. "What is it Marimo? I'm busy. If you want sake, it's on the…"
The cook has cut off abruptly mid-sentence when he felt strong bronze arms encircling his waist. A light kiss near his stubble made a tint of red color his otherwise pale cheeks. "What is it?"
Zoro looked at the cook's averted eyes and hummed pleasantly, sending shivers down the cook's spine. "If there's nothing can you leave me at peace? I'm trying to cook here…"
Zoro frowned. His arms did not move despite the light struggling on Sanji's side.
"Hey," Zoro asked out of the blue and Sanji froze momentarily. "Do you think this wedding will be alright?"
Sanji frowned. "Huh? What are you talking about? Of course! Unless you're telling me you have a problem with marriage between two men?" Sanji's leg was raised and poised to kick Zoro's head. Zoro mentally sighed. Sanji was still as insecure about their relationship as when they first started dating.
He moved forward to close the gap between them and planted a kiss on the cook's lips. "The only problem I have with marriage between two men is having the one I like to say yes to it."
Sanji blushed furiously and had Zoro kicked out of the kitchen with the swordsman laughing. A faint "Stupid Marimo" could be heard behind the oak door. A smile graced the harsh features of the swordsman as he walked away.
Xx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Back in the hotel room, Eustass was busy pacing around and Law held onto his nodachi tightly. They were in separate rooms with the girls from the Strawhat crew fussing over the last details of their suits. Eustass refused to wear something so painfully stiff but was forced into it by a very convincing Nami. Law on the other hand reluctantly allowed Robin to put him into a white suit.
Eustass and Law spent a long time arguing about the white and black suits. However, a word from Bepo about Law looking better in white because he wanted to be Law's 'bridesmaid' settled everything.
Eustass secretly gave the bear some of the best honey he bought available in town after the commotion as thanks. Of course, none of these were made known to the Surgeon of Death.
Eustass chuckled at the little memory flashback and grinned. The said Surgeon of Death would look nothing like his name. If anything, he should have been dubbed Angel of Death.
Speaking of such a dreary subject, he was reminded of his limited days with the charming man. A small sad smile graced his sharp features and Nami caught the hint of sadness on the usually tough man's face. Anguish filled her heart.
She patted him gently on his shoulder and gave him the most reassuring smile she could muster and said, "Things would be fine. Luffy won't let anything happen to either of you." She was unaware of the contract but the pure look of sorrow on a man who was going to be wed pains her. Wedding should be happy affairs and that look on Eustass's face was misplaced. Was a wedding between two men such a wrong thing?
Robin was in the other room with Law. She had suspected something off with Law and Eustass so she tried to pry some information from the olive skinned man. Craftily planning her series of questions and leading the man to the answer she wanted, Robin sensed that the man knew of an inevitable future that had no happy endings. Still, Robin could not help but be curious on what would bother the man more than the big occasion today.
"Whatever the future holds is left for the future. If you let what happens in the future bother your happiness today, I think there could only be regret in store for you."
Law looked at the archaeologist and smiled. "You're right."
With that, Law walked out of the door confidently. "I'm going to do this right."
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
As the auspicious hour nears, Luffy was jumping up and down excitedly while Sanji guarded the food like a hawk in case the captain decided to steal some before the ceremony. Zoro could not help but feel uneasy. He had felt the same many times before. It was as if something utterly terrible was going to happen even if verything seemed to go well.
Zoro scanned the crowd. Only three pirate crews were present. What could possibly go wrong? The wedding was set to be held on a ship they rented as well. It was away from town by a good distance. No marines knew about their presence on the island. Everything should be fine and yet the nagging feeling persisted.
Zoro fidgeted and often reached to check if Wado Ichimonji was still tucked safely in his haramaki.
"The grooms are here!" Franky announced. Immediately the commotion ceased and everyone waited with abated breaths as the grooms made their way to the altar in a less elegant fashion.
"Quit shoving!" an embarrassed Law hissed at a highly amused Eustass. Law was carrying a bouquet of roses in his hands and Eustass couldn't help but find that incredibly adorable.
Killer trailed behind his captain and Bepo followed behind his silently. Cat calls echoed as the couple walked down the carpeted path. Zoro watched the couple with a small trace of smile. He was still tensed as the feeling did not fade but the happy moment made him forget about it momentarily.
Luffy had a wide grin on his face as the couple reached the altar in front of Brook who was acting as the priest. Brook smiled even though he had no face to show it. The fact that two of the most fearsome men are getting married out of love made him happy. It filled the hole in his heart from fifty years of isolation. His lover had died, his friends have died and Laboon was left all the way back at the twin peaks. If not for Luffy, he would never have been able to witness such a joyful event and never been able to receive the warmth of having nakama again.
He wiped a tear away and cleared his throat.
"Dearly beloved…"
Before Brook could continue, a flash of pink was hurled at inhumanly high speed straight to the altar where Brook was standing at.
Everyone tensed up and weapons were brandished at the intruder until a low rumble was heard from the broken doorway.
Bonney gasped in pain and Brook fainted from the sight of her panties with a bloodied nose. "Damn you Kaidou…" she hissed.
Kaidou gave a menacing grin and greeted the riled up crews. "Why, what a charming wedding ceremony that I wasn't invited to. Unfortunately I'm going to have to crash it because of a certain thief who stole from me…"
Luffy looked around at the damaged ship. Decorations were torn, food was overturned and the altar was smashed to smithereens but the one that made Luffy the maddest was the downcast looks on the grooms' faces.
"How dare you…" Luffy growled. "How dare you destroy this place… Today was supposed to be an important day and you ruined it all!"
Kaidou barely glanced at Luffy and snorted in a condescending manner. He took a look at Eustass and Law then curled his lips, disgusted by what he saw.
"Oh look, it's just two filthy men tying the knot. What a revolting sight. Unfortunately I hate homosexuals more than petty thieves. I'm afraid I would have to send you straight to hell. Especially the doctor since he could no longer tell the difference between a male and a female's anatomy."
Eustass snarled and snapped. Law felt a sharp hurt in his chest. Luffy saw red. Zoro felt dread.
That was when all hell broke loose.
Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX
Author's Note: The sweet part in front made me sick… and Kaidou's attitude made me angry. I wonder what's wrong with me… In any case, sorry for the long wait. I hope this chapter is satisfactory? ^^ Do let me know what you think of it and what sort of ending you would like to see~
With that, see you next time!