A/N: I am truly sorry! I can't remember when I last wrote. But I am back, isn't it all that matters? Now, I haven't written for a really long time so give me a break on the story structure.

The wedding was a big occasion for Layla's parents, as well as Nabu's. a total of 350 guests were, invited, but 400 showed up. Layla's father took the problem head on, and started ordering everyone around, so that no one would go hungry just because a group of uninvited dates, gate crashers, children, and unknown relatives had shown up. He constantly had a smile on his face, and held his wife's hand, to provide her with support and prevent her from running it continuously through her hair, to the point of looking insane. She just took her other hand, however, and continued to do the same.

"Helen" he warned her. "they're here"

She began to giggle uncontrollably as Nabu's parents approached them. Just as Nabu's father raised his hand to shake the other man's, Layla swooped her mother away, who was still giggling. She could hear her father, calm as always. It sounded like he was making an excuse for his wife. She heard "wedding gown" somewhere in his sentence.

Nabu's father, Kane, laughed loudly and introduced his wife, Mariah. He knew Jarell was only making an excuse, but he seemed so calm. Their children were getting married today! It was not only a big day for the family, but both the kingdoms. A plate breaking in the middle of the celebration would cause as much panic as a tornado. He made polite conversation with his soon-to-be-relative and then inched away. Both men didn't hate each other, they simply weren't comfortable, especially in this tense atmosphere. Bonding could happen later. Layla and Nabu were desperate to get married.

"A little early for those two to get hitched, eh?" asked a blonde, pale man with a disheveled looking Kane, as soon as he had gotten away from the couple. Kane smiled stiffly at him and critically eyed his bad clothes with obvious disapproval. Was he really known to either of their sides? He thought. He smelt a gate crasher. But he would not bother himself with these trivial matters. He walked away.

"What's his problem?" grunted Sky, as Bloom approached him, linking her arm in his. Sky had been grumbling ever since Riven had bought the worn-out suit for him. I should never have asked him and Nabu to buy it for me. Anyway, I understand Riven, but was Nabu so love struck, that he had allowed Riven to pick this disaster for him? He had only come down to the realm of Tides for a day, so he had packed nothing else.

"Come on Sky…it suits you" Bloom crooned. Riven passed by that moment, looking dashing in his jet black suit, a gray inner jacket and white shirt inside, and a pair of long, elegant pants. A three- piece Tuxedo. He cocked his head and gave Sky a mock salute. He looked Bloom up and down, flashed her a dazzling smile, and sauntered off.

Sky bit his lip so hard, it bled. It was all he could do from ripping Riven's Tux off and wearing it himself. Riven never cared how he looked, it was just to annoy him. And he was flirting with Bloom now, the nerve. He only wished that doormat of a girlfriend had kept his secret. Then all this would never have happened.

"The nerve of that jerk!" he growled, under his breath. He looked at Bloom when she didn't respond.

"Uh…yeah…yeah…the nerve!"she repeated weakly, shaking her fists. Sky turned his heel, and stalked off to sulk. Bloom ran after him.

Riven still had the smile on his face, as he saw the dazed expression on Bloom's face, and the rage on his rival's. Maybe this break up was a good thing, after all. Maybe? Heck no! It was. It was a good idea. An excellent one. He remembered that it was Bloom that he'd first had the hots for, not Musa. Musa had just…happened. It was circumstances that brought us together, not choice. He wondered whether Bloom was regretting choosing Sky over him right now. He smirked again. He had bought that Faggot something that suited him. Apparently, Sky didn't think so. He saw the dark mood he was in. it made him happy.

But his happiness was short lived. He saw Jared. And Musa. Together. His smile stayed fixed, but his mind began to boil, bubble, and spill over with hot, red anger. So she was over him already? She had brought a date to the wedding? Riven didn't know why he hadn't thought of that, himself. He could name ten girls at the top of his head, who would come with him, given five minutes' notice. And she was out with this….shrimp? she could do so much better. Well, they deserved each other.

He tried to walk away without causing any trouble, but his feet were glued to the floor. He couldn't take his eyes off them. Jared's head turned, as if in slow motion, and he spotted Riven. A slow smile cracked across his childish face, and his mouth parted, as his eyes focused on him, to utter two dreaded syllables.

"Hey Riven!" he waved.

Riven slapped his hand on his forehead and turned away. But he knew he needed to face them. Or else, Musa might think he wasn't over her. And he was. Of cause.

He turned about and smiled weakly. "Hey you guys," he said. Even he knew his voice sounded totally unlike himself, so fake and enthusiastic.

Musa looked down, at her toes and began to play with her hair, which fell over her shoulders in soft cascades. Riven swallowed. He could almost feel the smooth locks as he remembered the night she had stayed over…she was quiet for a second, and then, she bit her lip, looked up and smiled. "Hi" she croaked. She cleared her throat."R…Riven"

"Nǐ hǎo," he said (hello in Chinese Mandarin)

Jared sounded genuinely enthusiastic, "HHHHHEY! My man..".

He tried to high-five Riven, but he caught Jared's wrists.

"Do you mind?" he hissed. "This is a WEDDING!" He glared at Musa, who refused to make any eye contact with him..

"Tell your date to keep off the liquor till everyone has arrived!"

Jared intervened. "I'm not dr…"

Riven's hand flew up to block his words. "So.. that means you are always like this, huh?" The next words came out before he could stop it. "So you have chosen him to replace me have you?"

"…he's not my date…" Musa interrupted, defensively. "and we haven't touched any booze."

"Well, I can say for sure that you haven't!" Riven barked. All that pent up anger was coming out now. "We all know you can't stand still after one peg."

"Musa can drink anything!" Jared thought he was making the situation better, if he only knew. "In school, we'd sneak into a pub and drink…"

"Water?" Riven scoffed.

Jared blinked. "Um, no."

Musa groaned. She began to pull Jared away. He was embarrassing her. Riven couldn't shake the image of Musa drinking with Jared. "Hey…" he called out, as Musa began to walk away with Jared. "Get her to drink three and she'll hit the sack…with you!"

A strong hand clamped down on his shoulder, and pressed it hard.

"What the hell are you doing?" hissed Nabu. His eyes were furious. "People are staring!" Nabu took him away from the crowd. "And what did you give Sky to wear?" he continued, "It wasn't what we picked the other day…"

It was a good fifteen minutes before Nabu was done. His voice was low, and calm, as always, but there was an edge of nervousness in it. "You are supposed to be the best man!" he repeated, again and again, until Riven actually began to feel guilty. It was him that had broken up with her. He had let her go. There was no point in regretting it now. And nobody, not even a scumbag like Sky, deserved to wear that outfit. And he was ruining his best friend's wedding. Perhaps he had done enough damage?

"Okay," he said,, sincerely. "I'll behave, Nabu."

Nabu smiled. "Well, the outfit does suit Sky," he chuckled, watching the spoilt prince shake off Bloom, who was trying to hold his hand.

She squeezed Jared's hand, as she walked with him. His words rang in her head, over and over, until she felt it was Riven's hand she was holding. She squeezed harder. "Um, muse…?" Jared said, letting out a pained sound.

"What?"

"My hand…" she looked down, then quickly released his hand from her grip.

"It's okay," Jared said, reaching for her hand again. She pushed it away, and started to walk rapidly. He followed.

"Where you going? He asked. There was no response.

Layla ran around fervently, looking for Musa. She was the bridesmaid, for heaven's sake! She wondered why she was doing all the running around, and then realized that the staff was involved in providing for the losers who had gate crashed. If she ever got her hands on them….

She caught a glimpse of Nabu…and Riven. She ran towards them, holding up her long, purple gown.( Layla thinks purple is a better colour for weddings)

"Where's Musa?" she panted, as she approached the two.

"I thought the groom can't see the bride before the …." Riven started saying.

"Save the speech" said Layla. "Where's Musa?" she repeated.

Riven's face wrinkled with disgust when he remembered. "She is with that half-bit, two-pint, flee-bitten scumbag that…"

She pointedly ignored him and looked at Nabu.

"Um, honey, she came in with her friend, Jared, remember? We just saw them around half an hour ago…wow… was it that long?"

"Yeah…we kind of had a…fight," Riven looked away.

"Well, that's dandy, but my maid-of-honor is also singing for our guests today. And father has told them so much about Musa. Where the heck is she?" she stamped her foot.

Stella approached them, slightly tipsy, a glass of wine in one hand and Brandon holding the other and swooning.

"Hey guys…" said Brandon, Stella giggled.

"You guys!" Layla waved her finger at them. "No drinking till after I am married. You promised, remember"

"We….haven't been..drinking," said Stella.

"Yeah…" chimed Brandon, "just tasting….checking if it's not poisoned…don't wanna die on your wedding day, do ya?" he chortled, and Stella joined in with added giggles and snorts.

"and…."Stella continued. "we aren't the only ones. Musa and Jar…"

"Oh no! That's the only place I didn't look!" Layla rushed off. Riven got up grudgingly and followed Nabu, who was chasing Layla.

She saw Layla coming toward her, running. She looked so pretty today, in her purple wedding gown. She had refused to wear white….I never asked why…

"She'll probably say it's the colour of feminism," she told Jared, who was eyeing her cautiously.

"Come on, buddy!" she said, in an extra cheerful voice. "We did this all the time, remember? Who is he to say…." She drowned another gulp.

Jared gulped when he saw the expression on Layla's face. She was furious!

"Musa!" she roared.

Musa stood upright abruptly. "Hey Layla, what…"

"Why are you drinking before your performance"she yelled.

Nabu's hand flew to her shoulder to control her. "Quiet, darling, I'll handle this."

Riven stood silently behind Nabu.

Nabu put his hand on Musa's shoulder. "How much have you had?" he asked calmly.

Jared grinned and stammered, "We shared about…about a whole bottle." He held up a bottle of vodka, which was nearly empty.

Nabu sighed in relief. "It isn't that much. Can you handle it?" he asked Musa. Her eyes riveted over to Riven, who still stood there, looking disapproving. She nodded. "I can," She sounded confident enough, so Nabu looked at Layla. She sighed.

"Okay, I forgive you," she said, "Come with me, we'll get you changed."

She led Musa to the changing room.

How was it? Next chapter half written, will contain song. Soon, this time I promise. Review critically, or not at all.