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Chapter 24
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I love you not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you
I love you not only for what you have made of yourself
But for what you are making me
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
I love you for passing over all my foolish and weak traits,
That you can't help but see
I love you for drawing out into the light my beauty,
That no one else had looked quite far enough to din
I love you.
(I love you, Unknown)
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-
The first thing Yuuki did on the morning of her wedding was stare at the dress hanging on the back of the door. Then she smiled, stretched and got dressed in a pair of old jeans and a sweat shirt. Haruhi was asleep downstairs on the couch and was easy to walk past on the way to the stables. Unlike her husband, Haruhi could sleep when others were awake. Outside, the trees were turning gold but the weather wasn't bitter. It was cool and crisp and fresh. Alive with warm colours to counteract the oncoming winter.
Zero was wearing a light rug and wasn't used to it. Yuuki pulled it off gently and ran a hand over his body. "Hey boy. I'm going to miss you." She cooed. "Yes, you get a ride this morning. But only a light one." The girl tacked up and mounted. She rode around the property. There was a small stream at the bottom and an unobstructed view of the mountains beyond. The sun reached the point where it touched everything with gold. Yuuki stopped. And watched it. It must have been around seven in the morning.
Zero arched his neck proudly and she ran her fingers through his mane. "Yeah...you're pretty. You going to miss me? I won't see you for a month. No. You won't miss me. You'll be performing for Tachi. And you better behave, alright?" The horse shook his neck. "Mm. I want to go back too. I need to have a bath and wash my hair and make myself pretty. We can't all just wake up beautiful like you, can we?" She laughed quietly to herself as a few butterflies made their way from her stomach to her throat. "Okay. Homeward bound." Yuuki pushed for a gallop up the hill to the stable. The wind bit through her hair and made her fingers cold. Zero didn't like being groomed by a set of cold fingers and made it known.
The girl said goodbye to her horse as she let him go for the day. "You be good. Don't throw anyone. Don't fall over. Don't hit a jump. Oh. Don't bite anyone." She closed her arms around his head. Zero's ears went forward as he played their game. He tugged back and up, but she didn't let go. She wanted to hug him for a bit longer. In the end, Zero snorted. Yuuki let go. "Yuck. Thanks for that." The girl decided she really did need a bath and left her oldest friend in the paddock and headed into the house.
Haruhi was awake and in the kitchen. "Morning." She beamed.
"Morning." Yuuki closed the door.
"Nice day for it." The Suoh pointed out. The sky outside was blue as blue could be, not even a cloud. The wind hardly stirred.
"It is."The girl smiled.
"Hungry?" Haruhi offered a bowl of cereal.
"No." Butterflies again. "Not hungry."
"You have to eat something."
"I'm not hungry."
"You'll be bloated if you eat later on."
Yuuki made herself toast. "I'm looking forward to it but it's like there's a colony if insects in my stomach and up my throat."
"Mmm..." The other girl nodded. "I know the feeling."
"It goes away?"
"It gets worse."
"When's the worst?"
"I think you know, and it's not walking down the aisle."
Yuuki exhaled slowly. "Ah..."
"Just relax. I've been there and done that. I felt the same. I even locked myself in the bathroom..."
"Okay. I need to do that. I need to have a long, hot bath."
"Be out by ten."
"Why?"
Haruhi pulled the schedule off the fridge. Yuuki had printed it the night before. "Eleven; make-up artist arrives. Twelve; hair-dresser arrives. Two; put dress on. Three; put shoes on. Three-thirty; arrive. Four..."
"Okay." She breathed. "Okay."
"I'll let Suki in when she arrives. She left her daughter with her husband and they will be at the wedding later. Your brother sends his wishes and is meeting Kyoya at the church." Pause. "Is the reception really in a tent?"
Yuuki smiled. "Yes. Big tent. Very big tent. With an oak tree in it."
"Wow...big tent."
"Like I said." The Cunxin disappeared through the double doors that lead into the hall. The dining room was opposite. There was a bathroom downstairs, but the bath in the one upstairs was bigger. And it had bubble bath. Yuuki tried to relax. It worked for about half an hour. Then she stared to get nervous again. The girl slid under the water and blew bubbles for a little bit. She couldn't wait to get married to him, but she was scared. She was scared of the unknown. Maybe people who get married more than once don't get scared, but she was. She wouldn't get married more than once. It was him or no one. There was no alternative, there never was and never would be.
At nine-thirty the girl climbed out the bath and into a bathrobe. Haruhi was sitting with Suki on the couch in the upstairs lounge, watching plas'. Plas' what Yuuki had named the plasma TV in the lounge. Just because she could.
"There she is!" Suki stood up and opened her arms for a hug. She still glowed like a pregnant woman, even though she'd worked hard to get her old body back. Yuuki let herself get embraced by the old friend and lingered when the hug ended.
"What are you watching?" She asked in a quiet voice.
"No idea." Haruhi stared at the TV with a blank face. "About six people just died and three people had babies, four of them are having affairs and someone just drove off a cliff and lost an eye..."
"Ah...daytime TV. Got to love it." Suki smiled.
"Is anyone getting married?" Yuuki asked.
"No." The older woman said flatly. "Just you."
The girl exhaled. "Okay."
Haruhi smiled sweetly at Yuuki. "Try to relax."
"Yeah."
"Yeah. Not going to happen." Suki said laughing. "I remember my wedding day. I'd spent so much effort on the day I didn't care about it. I was so scared though."
"What about?" Yuuki drummed her fingers on the edge of the couch.
"Hm." Came the answer.
"Oh." Came the understanding.
"You?" Wondering if that was the case.
"Yeah, that's it."
Haruhi laughed quietly. "Me too."
Yuuki sat down and made a small noise of apprehension. It scared her. So, so much. "What if..."
"You won't."
"I didn't even finish." The girl looked at Suki.
"I know. But whatever it was, you won't."
Haruhi put a hand on her friends shoulder. "Relax."
"I'll relax you if you tell me to do it one more time." Yuuki shot back, laughing. She knew she was worrying too much. But she was worrying about something she would never get back and that was defiantly cause for nerves. She was perfectly within her rights to be nervous.
The girls watched a talk show for an hour before the make-up artist arrived. When she did, everyone migrated to the downstairs lounge and watched as Yuuki on a stool refused to wear foundation.
"Well...what will you wear?"
"Um...blush...mascara..."
"Mascara will give you panda eyes."
"Only if you sleep with it on." Pause. "Hold on..."
"Just wash it off."
"When?"
"When you get to your room."
Yuuki closed up. "Ah...ah...um..."
"Oh, for the love of all that is good." Suki stood up and addressed the make-up artist. "Just put the blush, the mascara, the lipstick and avoid the foundation. She doesn't need it." She turned to Yuuki. "Just carry a face wipe and take it off that way. Cleanser and toner in one."
The Cunxin relaxed a bit at her friends outburst. "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Okay. Today isn't about me worrying about one part of it. Today I marry Kyoya." If she looked at the whole picture and what it meant, it wasn't scary at all. If she didn't look at the amount of people coming or the seating arrangement she was fine. If she didn't think about the little chip that only she could see in the paint on her French tip then she would be fine. If she didn't think about eating she would get hungry and not be hungry the whole day and be fine. If she didn't think about the other thing she would be fine.
"Go team!" Suki cheered from her new place on the couch. Yuuki laughed and got a mascara brush in her eye.
An hour later, the hair-dresser arrived and the make-up artist took her leave to attend to a group of girls who had to go to prom. Yuuki wondered how they felt. Maybe the same.
"Now..." Haruhi eyed Suki. "If you move this time, you'll get a burn mark. So don't."
"Oh...thanks..." Yuuki said, slightly annoyed. "I wonder what he's doing..."
As if on cue, her mobile went off. The bride couldn't move, there was a woman attached to a straightener attached to her head. Suki and Haruhi had a small argument over who should read it ; in the end the bridesmaid won.
She gave the phone over with an aw. "Now that is a side to him I didn't know existed."
Yuuki held a hand out for her mobile, Suki was too busy pulling a face. "Yeah. Aw...But it doesn't work with the icy, calculating, manipulative man your marrying."
"What does it say?" The Cunxin asked a little desperately. She hadn't seen him since two days ago and desperately wanted to.
Suki held the phone to her chest and quoted in a dreamy voice. "No one in the world makes me laugh the way you do...See you at the altar."
"Yeah, that's Kyoya." Haruhi said flatly. "Imagine it said with a scheming tone. He doesn't elaborate where he doesn't have to."
Yuuki read the message for herself. "Yes. But I get it." She smiled. She got it. She got him.
-
I promise you
From the bottom of my heart.
I will love you
Til' death do us part.
As a lover and a friend
I will love you like I never love again.
With everything I am.
(I promise you, Backstreet Boys)
-
Kyoya sat on the couch in the Ootori mansion and watched Tamaki and his sister flutter through the house. He closed his phone and smiled; Suki and Haruhi would read it first. Reverse psychology on them, or at least on Suki. Haruhi might be able to imagine him saying it. A minute later he got a reply. XO. The Ootori looked at the symbols for a lingering moment before leaning forward and standing up. It was time to put his suit on.
The same time the day following she would be his. Entirely. Kyoya knew Yuuki would be having a little, private panic attack. Nothing he said to her would prevent that. He was nervous to, but for reasons he couldn't decide on. Maybe it was because of everything they had been though; it was finally happening. They were finally getting married. They were finally, legally and publicly tying themselves officially and for eternity. Other people saw marriage as something they could escape from, but once captivated, Kyoya knew he wouldn't want to. And he knew that Yuuki felt the same. That's why it worked. Because it was mutual. Because it fit perfectly. Because through everything they had gone through, they were still joined. And stronger than ever before.
The wedding was not the beginning of anything significant. It was a significant event to celebrate them but nothing would change. He would keep loving her more. She would keep giving him joy. It wouldn't be Mr and Mrs, it would just be Them. Them. In all the successful cliché and promises of forever. Someone at Hallmark had got it right. Someone knew what they had existed. Everyone knew that it was indescribable and absolutely, utterly, entirely precious. Their only one.
-
From now
Until forever
And ever, my darling
Forever
You will always be the only one...
You will always be the only one...
As long as I shall live
I'll hold you dear
And I will reminisce
Of our love all through the years
If you should ever need me
Unfailingly I will return to your arms
And unburden your heart
And if you should remember
That we belong together
Never be ashamed
Call my name
Tell me I'm the one you treasure
Forever
And ever, my darling
Forever
You will always be the only one...
You will always be the only one...
(Forever, Mariah Carey)
-
Suki decided it was a good time to crank Chris Brown's Forever and dance around the house in her wedding clothes. She wasn't a bridesmaid, but she might as well have been.
"No. No. Stop." Yuuki grabbed her friend by the shoulders. She was all made up but in a bathrobe. "You're going to scuff the floor with your heels."
"Really?" The older woman looked at the floor. "No I'm not."
"Yes you are. Look." Yuuki pointed at a little black mark on the wood. "Right there."
"Where?"
"There."
"Yuuki. It's a wooden floor. There are going to be black marks in some places."
"Yes, but its pale wood. Pale wood doesn't have black on it."
"Yes it does."
"No...gah...Haruhi?"
"Don't bring me into this." The Suoh raised her hands. She'd just put her dress on and had been about to put her shoes on but decided against it.
Yuuki put her hands on her hips and stared at her older friend.
"What?" Suki asked. "You're just nervous. You won't even remember tomorrow." Pause. "Trust me."
"That's like telling Joan of Arc to trust the British."
"Yeah, because that worked really well." Haruhi said as she brushed her hair.
"Like a house on fire."
Yuuki stared at Suki. "That was awful."
"Yes..." The woman scratched the back of her neck. "It was...I apologise." She clapped her hands. "Dress. You. Now."
The Cunxin inhaled slowly and exhaled quickly. "Okay. Okay. Let's do this. Let's stop procrastinating and do this."
Suki dragged her friend upstairs. "You know. I can see you doing this about the thing you're really scared about. It's not the wedding itself. You'll be like 'oh...look...isn't that awful. Someone left a scuff mark on the floor of the room. Oh no wait, that's just the design. Oh and look at this...the window...Do you want to play a board game? Something clean, like Bible Trivia."
"Okay. I get it. Shut up." Yuuki laughed. Her friends were good at helping her relax. They knew exactly how to help her see things from something other than her stressed wedding day perspective.
"Oo...me likes." Suki pulled the dress down. "You trying to look better than me?"
Haruhi laughed from the doorway. "Well..."
The Cunxin sat on a chair in the corner of the room. "Okay." She breathed. "Okay." Pause. "I can dress myself, you know that." Silence. "As in...a little privacy please?"
"Oh. Right." Her friends scurried out the door. On the other side Yuuki heard Plas' being switched on again. The morning had been more like a sleepover than a preparation for her wedding. It was making her go insane. She just wanted to see Kyoya. She missed him.
"Alright..." Yuuki said quietly to herself. "...You're talking to yourself. You must be stressed. Not out of your mind. No way. Stressed, yes." She crossed the room to where the dress hung, took her bathrobe off and unzipped the back of her gown. "Right...left foot in...right foot in..."
She was doing this. She was getting married. She was getting married to a man she loved. The man who had never let her go. The man she wasn't ever whole without. The very person she had been waiting for. That's what made them different from other couples. The waiting. Kyoya and Yuuki had never been complete without the other. They had spent their entire lives without something and when they found each other, that something shaped hole had been filled. When she left, the hole hadn't emptied, but it had been wounded. But he could put it back together again. Because she had trusted him. Without trust there can never be love. What they shared was something so deep, so intimate, no one could imagine it. Not even they could comprehend it. But it was there and it was theirs and it would last for eternity.
You will never know true happiness until you have truly loved, and you will never understand
what pain really is, until you have lost it. They were the couple that came into the world apart, created their own and lasted. It was hard. It hurt. But it was so special and so unique that anyone who experienced it would fight for it.
Yuuki stared at herself, gown unzipped. She smiled as she had when she woke up and scurried to the door. "Zipper."
"Damn." Suki stared at her friend. "Stunning."
The bride let Haruhi pull dress together and attach the veil to her hair. The butterflies never settled in her stomach. They weren't fluttering out of fear anymore though, they danced for joy. They were going to be set free. Ungilded, as they were. Because that's the way they loved and were loved in return. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.
-
Kyoya did his tie up and stared at his reflection. Tamaki was sitting crossed legged on the bed, getting shoe polish on the covers.
"Kyoya?"
"Yes?"
"What are you thinking?"
"Stop asking me that."
"Why?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because. I want to know if it's the same as what I was thinking. Then I could offer advice..."
"Tamaki. Your advice for me won't work. For another, less fortunate soul, yes. And we're probably not thinking the same thing."
"How do you know?"
"I know you." Pause. "And because you're French." He shot back with a small smile.
Tamaki uncrossed his legs and let them hang. "Oh. Just tell me. Please?"
The blonde had been asking all morning. "What do you want to know?"
"Do you wonder what she'll look like?"
"The dress is a secret for a reason."
Not really what he meant, but anyway. "Do you wonder if she'll duck her head and blush or take it with a high chin."
Kyoya smiled. "She'll duck her head and blush. Try to look up. Duck her head. Blush some more. Notice me, try keep a straight face and then not stop smiling."
"Wow. You are an egoist."
"I haven't changed. There's just different pieces of me exposed now because of her."
"You mean...you would have paid for coffee before?"
"No. That's just you being annoying. You owe me, with interest."
Tamaki scowled. "I knew it..."
"Yes. You always did. You know not to push my boundaries."
"But Yuuki does all the time."
"She does it gently. Because she knows where to push and how to do it without driving me insane."
"I drive you insane?"
Kyoya raised an eyebrow at his friend in the mirror and sighed. "No. I don't think I ever told you this. But she was there. That night in the hospital. If I hadn't seen her and known she was waiting, wanting me to come back, then I would have left." Tamaki stared. Kyoya straightened his suit. "I mean that. There was a world I existed in before she came. And then the one after. When she left, that world was completely devastated, but I had you, I had being the heir to the Ootori estate. I could survive. But if death gave me a chance, I was willing to take it."
The blonde looked at his friend. He hadn't known. Kyoya wouldn't have told a soul. Not one except Yuuki's and she hadn't been there at that time. She would have wanted to. "And she came to get you."
"She came to get me." Kyoya sat down on the end of the bed. "My saving grace."
There was a long silence as Tamaki inflated. He finally popped. "That's so ROMANTIC! And I'm French, I would know. And married. But you'll soon know that. Aw...Kyoya. You're actually human! You have a heart that beats with blood, not numbers!" He pumped a fist at his friends chest. "There is meaning to life beyond business Kyoya. There is love! And life! And..."
The Ootori held an arm out and prevented the blonde from latching onto him. "Tamaki. Today is my wedding day. You agree with everything I say, right?"
"Yes. Yes. Yes, I do." Pause. "I do...aw...say it with me 'I do'..."
Kyoya stared at the ceiling for a second. "Tamaki. Shut up."
The blonde did so instantly. Like a loyal golden retriever.
"Good boy!" His friend praised mockingly. "Now...what's the time?"
"Three."
"Time to go."
Tamaki sang. "Goin' to the chapel and we're, guna get mahahaharried..."
Kyoya glared at him. The blonde shut up. The Ootori inhaled and walked out of his room for the last time. All his stuff had been moved to the house. He was no longer the son of an Ootori, he was an Ootori. And he was himself. Thanks to her. Thanks to the person he wanted to be with and was going to be with. There was none of that mushy marriage stuff everyone had heard a thousand times before, but only them and their union. That was all that mattered today and forever. Every single day of forever. Plus one.
-
Remember those walls I built, well baby they tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight, they didn't even make a sound
I found a way to let you in, but I never really had a doubt
Standing in the light of your halo, I got my angel now
It's like I've been awakened, every rule I had you breaking
It's the risk that I'm taking, I ain't never gonna shut you out
Everywhere I'm looking now, I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can feel your halo, you know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more, it's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo, I know it won't fade away
(Halo, Beyonce)
-
Suki left the house and drove to the venue herself. She needed to get a good seat. Tachi arrived as she pulled out of the driveway. He would be the chauffer of the black Austin Martin decked with white ribbon from bonnet to windscreen.
"Hello?" He knocked on the front door and let himself in. "Are we ready to go? It's three."
"Uhuh. Hold on a second." Yuuki's voice carried from upstairs. She was putting her shoes on.
The Cunxin descended the stairs with caution, hoping not to trip. Haruhi held the veil and the back of the dress on the way down, preventing them from snagging on anything. The bride held both bouquets.
"Hi." She breathed at the bottom. "Car?"
Tachi stared. "Yuuki?"
"Yes?"
"Hol..." He wiped his face. "You scrub up well kid."
Haruhi laughed sweetly behind the bride. "It took some convincing, but we got there."
Yuuki smiled and blushed. "Okay. Let's just get me to the church."
"Eager?" The stand-in-father took the arm of his unofficial daughter.
The bride nodded shyly and looked at the sky. It was blue and crisp and new. Haruhi looked up to. "God's wedding gift to you."
The Cunxin smiled at the sky and thanked him. He'd given her a gift to give on her wedding and she'd saved it for that day. Just like he'd saved the weather. Yuuki wondered if God ever got nervous about giving the weather. She was nervous about giving something, that in the grand scheme of things, was a lot smaller. Even so, it was valuable beyond worth. It was a big thing to her, which is why it was special. Hers to give. Like her heart. This is why she worried. Special things take special consideration. Being close to someone had scared her all her life, ever since her mother died. The walls she'd put up didn't like being taken down. Kyoya had taught her not to take them down though, he'd been given the key and opened the gate. Conventional, as always. He was the only one who hadn't tried to break into her, but had waited until she was ready for him to become a very real part of her life. A lasting part of her life. And that in itself was special indeed. The girl closed her eyes and breathed the moment.
There was a soft click as the car door opened. Haruhi climbed in first and helped Yuuki inside. After a small struggle, they managed to shut the door without worrying that they would break or tear anything. Tachi just chuckled to himself as he watched the girls and rounded the car to the driver's seat. "We ready?"
Haruhi said yes. Yuuki just exhaled.
"Tallyho then." The car lurched forward, carrying its cargo to the point of destination.
-
A blue, black shade of love. Sent from above.
My hands are tied, two worlds alone,
And just like clouds, my skin crawls.
It's so divine, the sky it glows with fields of light.
Did you know that I love you?
I love you. You make me feel alive.
And I'll love you, until the end of time.
My hands shake clasped with fear, as you come near
Just like a dove. A peaceful sign.
Stars fall like dust, our lips will touch.
We speak too much.
Did you know that I love you?
Come and lay with me. I love you.
And honesty, I love you .Until the end of time.
(Breathe, Angels and Airwaves)
-
The guests stood outside a giant old church in the country and waited for the groom. He arrived in an Austin Martin, just like the bride would; only he was earlier.
Kyoya climbed out of the car, just behind Tamaki. People started clapping. There were about a hundred outside, which meant that there were a good four hundred inside. Suki appeared through the crowd and smiled warmly at him.
"Kyoya Ootori. You are a lucky, lucky man."
He smiled at the woman. "Thank you. I know."
"Just smile at her. She'll be fine. Tell her you love her, and if necessary, use words." Suki's husband came to stand beside his wife and handed over their daughter.
"Yes." The groom pushed his glasses up slightly.
Tamaki raised his arms and did the best man thing. "HELLO!" He addressed the group outside. "Please, everyone, inside! I just got a call from the maid of honour. AKA; My wife..." There was small laughter from the crowd. Some of which had been at the Suoh wedding. "And they just left. So...to your stations!"
Suki's husband put a hand on the man's raised arm. "Valliant speech."
"Thank you, sir." Tamaki beamed. "You should hear the one I have planned for tonight."
There was a rumbling laughter from the other mans chest. "Yes. Yes. I look forward to it."
The blonde stood beside his best friend. "Ah. Someone's looking forward to my speech."
"Good for you, Tamaki." Kyoya seemed a little distracted.
"What's wrong mon ami?"
The man sighed. "Nothing. Just nerves."
"Why are you nervous? Yuuki is beautiful, smart , fun with a seriousness, lovely, adorable...you have nothing to worry about. She picked you."
"I don't think she did." Kyoya said as the last person disappeared into the church and he followed. "I don't think I even picked her."
Tamaki looked confused.
The Ootori smiled. "I think that, even if we'd tried to avoid it, we would have found each other. I never felt before her. There wasn't even much laugher. No more than calculations. Now there is laughter, calculations and Yuuki."
"And you." Tamaki added.
"Yes." They disappeared into the church. "And me."
The room was magnificent. The pews were decorated with autumn leaves and soft cream ribbon. The altar had a spray of white flowers spewing from a gold vase. There were a few rich red petals mixed amongst the soft yellow that lined the sides of the aisle. It was crisp and clean and enchanting.
"Oo. Who chose this venue?" Tamaki looked around.
"The people at Vogue mentioned it." Kyoya smiled at the photographer. It was the same woman who had taken the shots for their spread. "And I had connections who could make sure it was available."
"Ah. You would." The blonde said as they reached the chaplain.
The elderly man smiled at them. His face crinkled like tissue paper. "Good afternoon. Who has the rings?"
Tamaki fished a black box out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a plain gold wedding band and a feminine one that dipped into a slight V. It fit against the curve of the engagement ring.
"Splendid." The chaplain said. "Everything is ready. We just need the bride."
Kyoya turned and looked over the crowd. All he had ever needed was the bride.
-
You are the beginning of my world and everything in that world. If you weren't there for me, I wouldn't be here...I love you more than anything...
(Vampire Knight)
-
Haruhi appeared beside her husband, bouquet in hand.
"Yuuki isn't going to like all the people." She said quietly in his ear.
Tamaki turned around and embraced her. "She's here?"
The girl nodded, smiled and kissed his cheek before taking her place on the other side of the altar.
Someone in the string quartet must have received the message, because as soon as the door opened the began to play. Canon in D by Pachelbel filled the room as light spilled in from outside. The sound of five hundred people breathing at the same time faltered as they twisted to see the bride of the soon-to-be influential Ootori. Kyoya didn't falter. Not until he saw her.
The sun was filtering through the door and for an instant no one could see those walking through it. He was the first to notice the small halo around the head of the girl. There was a short intake of breath as Yuuki came into view. She ducked her head and blushed. Embarrassed and shy. A murmur arose like the ocean whispering.
"My...beautiful, isn't she? ... Born middle class you know, can't tell. ... The blushing bride. ... oh..."
The Host Club was seated in the front row. Yuuki looked up quickly and smiled when she saw Hunny perched on Mori's shoulders. They were the only recognisable faces she saw. There were so many. She ducked her head again and felt Tachi squeeze her arm. She knew he was smiling at her and didn't look.
"You look beautiful." He said quietly.
This didn't help the scarlet build up in her cheeks. Yuuki breathed and calmed herself. There were so many people looking at her. The girl looked up, straight ahead. Kyoya was smiling at her. She couldn't help but smile back as her heart rate picked up. Yuuki wanted to put on a straight face and not beam like an idiot, but she couldn't wipe the joy off her face. It emanated from her and joined the groom's. It filled the room. Intangible but obviously present.
After what seemed like ages, she finally reached him. Kyoya didn't take her hand like Tamaki did. He didn't notice the people like she did. He just stared at her, happy. Yuuki's hair was up, but a few strands had escaped, on purpose or not, against her cheekbone and a few lingered down her neck. It was so dark against her skin tone. She ducked her head again at his silent approval and blushed deeper. It was happening. They would be married. No vows could override the promises they already had. No promises could override the eternity they had decided. No ceremony could prove the love that only they knew existed. This was a celebration of them. Proof of them to those who didn't believe. The binding to the real world to their own. No explosions to shatter it, no planes to try separate it. None of that worked to break it. It was them and there was nothing else.
"Dearly Beloved..." The chaplain began. "We are gathered here today to witness the union of this man and this woman..."
Yuuki glanced at Kyoya as she faced the front of the church. He was doing the same and smiled a different smile to her than that he smiled at the rest of the world. It was a small moment but so private that no one else caught it. No one else could treasure it and store it away to their memory. The quiet love and encouragement of the groom. The man who had faltered only with her.
The Chaplain asked them to repeat after him, and they did. "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish to death do us part." The words were what they had already agreed to for their world. It was the proof that their world existed. That it was relevant to the real world and not an escape. The only problem was the 'till death do us part' but. Death would never part them. It had tried and failed.
"I do." Were the first words Kyoya heard Yuuki say in two days; they stopped his heart. She was right there, and his. When Yuuki slid the ring onto Kyoya's finger, it was the first time she had touched him in two days. It had been too long. His presence in her life was too undeniable to live without for long.
"You may now kiss the bride." Came the final words.
The bride waited for the groom and smiled when he did what he had been asked, probably, for the first time in his life. She let her hands rest on his chest and kissed him back gently as the crowd began its wave of applause. Kyoya pressed his forehead to hers and lingered, letting her breath mingle with his.
"Hi." She said quietly.
He smiled. "Ready?"
Yuuki nodded and looked at the front row where her friends were sitting. She didn't find it odd that the only people she knew occupied only one small portion of the room and those she didn't occupied most of her life; as long as they were in the front, then that was all that really mattered.
Tamaki decided to burst the moment and wrap his arms around both of their shoulders. "AH!" He exclaimed. "MR AND MRS!"
Kyoya looked at his friend, then at Yuuki. Mr and Mrs didn't fit well for them. Neither did the word wife or husband. Words and stereotypes couldn't describe it. "Yes. You've very observant." The Ootori said, not able to be annoyed.
Yuuki gripped Kyoya's hand as they headed back down the aisle to the door. For some reason, people were giving them a standing ovation. Even the Ootori group. Maybe they finally understood. She doubted it. The afternoon sun spilled through the open doors as the pair exited the building in front of friends and family. Someone, probably the host club, had set up a surprise.
From the orange, pink and yellow trees spewed hundreds of white butterflies. Little ones with little wings carrying little dreams but created such a giant outcome.
Yuuki laughed when she saw Hikaru and Kaoru emerge from behind the branches. They grinned. "Since you depleted our funds, we didn't feel like we had to buy you anything. But we wanted to give you something anyway."
A butterfly landed on Kyoya's shoulder. The girl offered her finger to it and let it climb on her hand. "Ungilded."
"As it should be." Came the familiar voice. The one she couldn't imagine her life without. The Ootori ran his hand over the top of her head and revealed a butterfly that had been sitting in contrast there. Yuuki laughed bashfully and wrapped her arms around him. Kyoya put his fingers below her chin and lifted it so she was looking at him. People in brightly coloured clothes surrounded the simple black and white of their attire and wove amongst the butterflies that were creating a copious amount of joy. They seemed to be physical evidence of what had been radiating from the couple in the church.
-
Submit to love faithfully and it gives a person joy.
It intoxicates, it envelops, it isolates.
It creates fragrance in the air, ardour from coldness,
It beautifies everything around it.
(Leos Janacek)
-
As per usual, someone decided to ruin the moment. It was Hunny with a camera. It made a happy beeping noise and flashed brightly at them. Capturing the moment.
"Nice." Kyoya was getting a little annoyed now. "Really nice."
There was a short tugging on the girl's skirt. She looked down and saw Riki, frowning crossly at her. "You cheated." The child hissed.
"How?" Yuuki asked in reply, noticing that her husband was otherwise engaged with the approaching host club. He still held her near enough that her hair would brush his neck if she leant backwards.
"You didn't give him time to get to know me! You stole him away! You home wrecker!"
"Do you even know what that means?" The woman said with an amused scowl.
"It means you stole my husband."
Tamaki, who loved children, appeared beside Riki, crouched to her height. "Hello princess. Why are you saddened on this happy day?"
The little girl rubbed her eye in annoyance. "Kyoya was my man."
"Oh! Was he?" The blonde laughed softly. "Well, we'll have to find you a better man then."
"There is no better man."
By this time, the Ootori had noticed what was going on and listened, humoured.
"Ah." Tamaki grinned. "But there are many." He leaned close and whispered; his tone loud enough for his friends to hear too. "I'll tell you a secret...Kyoya is really not the guy you want to marry."
"Really?"
"Yes. Really. You want to marry a prince, because you're a princess. Right?"
"Yes..."
"Well, find a prince."
"What's Kyoya?"
"He's a Shadow King. The bad guy."
Riki's eyes went wide with horror at this revelation. "Really?"
"Oh yes..." Tamaki nodded in confirmation. "He doesn't like sweet things and would rather play vampires than horses."
Yuuki stared at the man holding her. "What's wrong with playing horses?"
Kyoya laughed. Riki stared at him, stared at Tamaki, stared at Yuuki and then tried to kiss the blonde. Everyone except Tamaki laughed. Even Haruhi.
"Problem solved." The bride said smiling.
The Suoh didn't push Riki away, but he picked her up and balanced her on his hip. "Now little girl. I'm taken too. But..." He kissed her cheek. "...I will help you find a prince with boys your own age."
The child nodded and disappeared into the crowd with her new best friend/lover to find other toddlers.
"Kyo-Chan and Yuu-Chan!" Hunny clung to Mori's head. "It's time throw the boquet!"
At this cry, a couple hundred girls all mysteriously bunched behind the bride. Yuuki felt overwhelmed. Kyoya turned her back to them and told her to just throw it. She did. Bedlam ensued.
Hikaru and Kaoru made a call for the garter throw. The groom growled at them. They withdrew the call and had to separate the men lining up to catch it. In its place they made the call for those required for photos to leave.
The photographer was leaning against the Austin Martin, waving at the newlyweds. It looked like a good excuse to escape the throng of people and disappear for a few private moments. Ones that they wanted captured for them, not of them.
-
"Oh my gosh. How embarrassing." Yuuki said in the privacy of the car.
"What?"
"All those people..."
"Who love you."
"Because I'm wearing a white dress and marrying you."
"Yes. To a certain extent."
"I could only name people in three rows, let alone the billion others."
"A whole billion?" He pushed his glasses up.
"Yes. A whole billion."
Kyoya let her sulk against him. "This is your day. Enjoy it."
"I will. But not because of the people." Pause. "Because of you."
"Mmm." Him too. "I don't like people either."
"But I'm a people."
The man smiled and ran his fingers down her arm. "No, you're a Yuuki."
"Yuuki is a people. Kyoya is a people too."
"You're acting like..."
"A child I know."
"I was going to say Elmo."
She stared at him. "Well, that's okay. I like Elmo."
"But not children."
Yuuki smiled and leant the top of her head into the curve of his neck. "Don't let me go today." All the people were unnerving her more.
"I won't. Or any other day for that matter."
"Okay."
"Tired?"
"No. Content."
"Mm." Him too.
"I haven't talked to you in two days. It's insane. I missed you."
"Those two days were absolutely abhorrent."
"You saying that is amazing, you know?"
"I know."
"If I ever see another place setting again, I'm going to scream."
"Really?"
"No."
"Didn't think so."
Yuuki laughed lightly. "Wouldn't have had it any other way."
Kyoya squeezed her shoulder, agreeing in his own silent way. His wife twisted against him and stretched her neck to kiss the corner of his mouth. Kyoya turned to her and ran his nose down the side of hers. Little things all the time, not big things every so often. That's what they had both changed. Giving little bits to build up to something greater. Like the butterflies. When you do the little things constantly, the big things flow from them without effort and don't teeter on the relationship but become part of it. To give and not expect in return because just being with that other person was a reward in itself. Knowing they loved you and had made a conscious decision to continue doing so. It's not 'all you need is love' but rather 'all I need from you is love.' From that flowed respect and honour and the ability to argue for a resolve, not to make a point. Helen Hayes once said that 'there is only one terminal dignity – love. And the story of love itself is not important, what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only clips we are permitted of eternity.'
-
"Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."
(Franklin. P. Jones)
-
The newlyweds and the host club arrived at the reception site as the sun began to set. It was in the middle of a field, under a big white tent located on the grounds of an old Japanese estate come country escape. The lights from the building spilled over the grass and guided the way into the party's entrance. Inside, long tables had been set up. Everything was illuminated by small electric lights that wound through a giant oak tree at the far side. Beside this was the head table.
Yuuki was glad to be in the company of friends when they arrived; people started clapping again. Clapping for them. Smiling at them. Congratulating them. She became the blushing bride again and thanked Kyoya for holding her hand the whole way.
"They won't bite." He said in her ear.
"No...but they'll tear down empires, pay a hundred mortgages without batting an eyelid and loose a couple thousand bob on a golf shot. I'd rather be bitten." She said back.
Kyoya laughed and held her. He adored her and didn't care if the world knew. Yuuki closed her eyes and let the moment extinguish the million other surrounding them before allowing herself to be led to the table and begin playing exhibition again.
The first to start the speeches was Tamaki, so that was probably a catalyst. The blonde stood, glass raised, and spoke for a good five minutes about marital bliss, the happy couple and all the embarrassing moments that they had had throughout the time they'd known each other. Tamaki got serious suddenly. "But my most vivid memory is from a tarmac." He turned to the crowd. "You see, there was a point in time where these two were not together. Where they didn't believe they worked. Stupid hey?" Small, slightly confused laughter. "I remember watching Yuuki as she stared out the window of an airplane. She had her whole life on that plane, everything. She had her horse, she had her money, her luggage, her looks...but I'd never seen anyone so empty. She might have had her life, but she didn't have her entirety. Kyoya watched her too. He was there. But he wasn't. I know I wasn't internally involved in the situation, but anyone who was there could see that when she flew away, she flew away with a part of him. You see, before they met they lived. But they did not exist. They were not whole. I've never seen anything like it in all the world." Tamaki sighed. "When they met it was as if the universe had created it. It was as if creation itself had stopped to marvel at something no one but they understood." It was a very Tamaki thing to say and he said it in a very Tamaki way. "I am aware that a lot of you consider them to young, or not equal, or not compatible. A lot of you think this is a marriage of convenience, but it's not a marriage. This pair was married before they met. They knew each other before birth and they will never leave each other even after death. That is what makes them a couple. That is what makes love. It isn't passion or beauty or money, those things have their limitations, those things die." He paused and stared empathetically at the audience, happy smile on his face. "It's them. Because that is all there ever was."
Yuuki listened to him and marvelled at the blondes understanding. She thought no one would ever comprehend what he had said because it could never be spoken into words. But Tamaki had spoken it through emotion. He turned to his best friend and his wife. "To the side of love you helped me understand. I'm French, I should know about romance. But I didn't. If it hadn't been for you, I would have never been able to marry Haruhi. If it hadn't been for you, the world would have missed out on something great." He turned to Kyoya. "Without you, she wouldn't have learned to live." To Yuuki. "Without you, he would have died." There was a short silence as he let that sink in. Then, in true Tamaki style, the blonde beamed and exclaimed happily. "TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!"
The room erupted.
Yuuki ducked her head, embarrassed. "He's a showman."
Kyoya put a hand on her back. "No. He's the best man."
"Yeah..." She sat up straight and laughed, correcting herself. "Yes. I'm sorry. I meant yes."
"Whatever." The Ootori put a hand behind her neck and kissed her deeply.
Haruhi tapped her glass to get everyone's attention again. "Hi." She was a lawyer; public speaking was a strong point. "I'm Haruhi, Tamaki's wife. Unfortunately..." Everyone laughed. Even Tamaki. "I'm also the matron of honour. What my husband said was completely right. To see true love is to see two people sharing one soul. And even though you can see it, you can't comprehend it. You can't explain these two. I'm a scholarship student, I know things, I study things, but if I was ever asked to write an assignment on Kyoya and Yuuki, I couldn't. You just...can't. It's indescribable. And that's why it will work. They didn't marry for the cliché of love, they married because that was their way of showing you a small part of what they share. So...congratulations on doing that. We appreciate it. We don't have to wish you luck and happiness, because you already have it. From each other. And that's the most powerful form any of that comes in."
People started clapping again. Kyoya understood why Yuuki wanted to cut everyone's hands off at the wrist. It didn't do much except create noise. They didn't need the appreciation, it was all for face value.
"Okay. Enough of speeches!" Tamaki stood up beside his wife and opened his arms. "To the dance floor!" He twirled Haruhi and managed to embarrass the bride and groom further.
"Kyoya..." The first dance was for them, under the eyes of everyone else. Not awkward at all. No. No pressure.
He stood and waited for her to stand beside him. "Just close your eyes."
"That's like playing peek-a-boo with a child. Only I'm cognitively developed enough to know that shutting the world from my sight doesn't shut the world out."
"Quiet. Just...dance with me."
"No more cheesy speeches?"
"No more cheesy speeches."
"Promise?"
"Not public ones anyway."
"Okay." She nodded silently and walked with him to the area lit up below the tree. The lights were dimmed down and it was as if a thousand stars had fallen and got caught in the oak branches and along the roof of the tent.
"You alright?"
"Yes." Yuuki looked him in the eye and let nothing else matter. "Are you?"
"With you? Always." Pause. "You're beautiful, you know that? Not just in a wedding dress."
The girl smiled and pressed her face against the curve of his neck and shoulder. "Love you."
"You too." He settled his hand on the small of her back and pulled her close.
---
You Are The Love Of My Life, I knew it right from the start
The moment I looked at you, you found a place in my heart
You Are The Love Of My Life, you give me reason to live
You taught me how to be strong, with you is where I belong
Yuuki loved how he held her when they danced. Like she was Coppelia, the little doll come to life. Like a night at the ballet where you understand the dances as if they were your own. Like he cherished her more than anything he could have ever achieved or worked for. Kyoya loved the way her hand fit into his. Her hands were small in his, with long, elegant fingers and oval nails. And they were soft despite the work they received. Soft despite the abuse of riding and life. Just like her.
No one's ever touched me quite the way you touched me
People search a life time to find what we have
You Are The Love Of My Life, one thing that's good in this life
I'll spend the rest of my days just loving you
You are the heart and soul of my life
Once I was lost and alone, with you at last I am home
You Are The Love Of My Life. You give me reason to live
You give me so much of you, and leave me room to be free
The good thing about their relationship was the freedom to be an individual. She was still Yuuki, he was still Kyoya and in that; they were still them. He could work, do business, open hotels, resorts, hospitals, she could study, ride, train, go to university. He would be himself and she would be herself. And that's why it worked. Because, as themselves, they were compatible. Because every single rough edge locked onto another from the other person and compensated. Yes, it caused stress, worry and bickering; but there is no relationship void of that. To love properly is to be able to fight successfully as well as live for pacifism. Yuuki could touch Kyoya in a way no one else in the universe could. She could reach right into him and she didn't know where that power came from. He could do exactly the same for her, only he drew it off experience. He drew the ability from everything she'd given him. The trials, the suffering, the irrevocable joy. It was part of their lasting journey. Kyoya would suggest Yuuki did things, but she would never do them if she didn't want to or didn't think it right. Yuuki would tell him to do things that he had never done before or wouldn't do, but that didn't mean she loved him less or that he didn't want to. It was subjective to the situation. It was flexible to them. Their love, their little world within reality, was perfected by the acceptance of flaws and defined by the unmistakable and inerasable touch that the other had on their lives
No one's ever touched me quite the way you touched me
People search a life time to find what we have
You Are The Love Of My Life, one thing that's good in this life
And in a world full of change, one thing I'm sure of
That You Are The Love Of My Life, the one thing that makes sense in this world
I'll spend the rest of my days just loving you...
You Are The Love Of My Life
And I thank GOD I'm alive to spend my lifetime with you
You Are The Love Of My Life.
(You are the love of my life, George Benson)
---
The song ended and neither of them moved.
"You smell like sandal wood. And peppermint." Yuuki said into his collar. "I always used to buy those wooden things you put in your closet to make it smell nice because it smelt like you. Like a rogue office."
Kyoya smiled and turned his head so that it was pressed against the top of hers. The next song started and other people filtered onto the floor, surrounding them and giving them privacy through the masses. "You always smell like white musk, but never just that."
"What else?"
"Like jasmine in summer and spring and rose in autumn and winter."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I don't know why."
"Because it's you."
"Mm. I like you."
"I like you too."
"I know. I just wanted to say it anyway."
Kyoya felt a tugging on the back of his jacket and turned. Yuuki opened her eyes and looked over his shoulder. Riki was dancing with a boy near her age with blonde hair and blue eyes. She pulled a tongue at them. The couple laughed.
The man turned back to her. "I can see why you don't want children."
"I don't not want them. Just not yet. Maybe I'll get maternal later. Right now I just want you. We don't need an extension."
"No. We don't."
Yuuki felt the butterflies from that morning wake up again. The blood washed a little from her face as a small wave of fear washed over her.
"What's wrong?" Of course he knew.
Unfortunately. "Nothing."
Before Kyoya could ask again, he was tapped on the shoulder. Yet another disturbance. Tachi stood grinning behind him. "Cutting in." He didn't even say 'may I', he just did.
Yuuki felt the warmth of the Ootori disappear and become replaced by that of her instructor. "Hey." She said in a small voice. She knew the 'baby' talk jitters wouldn't leave her.
"Hey. You look amazing." Tachi said emphatically.
"Oh. Thank you."
"I wish you were mu daughter. Oh...genes to be proud of."
"You have a daughter." She shot back.
"Yes. Yes. And she's beautiful. But she's not old enough to wear a wedding dress, so I'll gush on you a bit."
Yuuki blushed and turned her head.
"Aw..."
"Shut up." She smacked him lightly on the shoulder.
The man twirled her under his arm and wasn't surprised to find his partner exchanged. The bride looked up to find Hikaru and then in another instant Kaoru. By the end of the next two songs, she'd danced with everyone in the host club, even Haruhi. Hunny was unfortunately the last and she felt a bit dizzy. When she finally found Kyoya again, he was dancing with his mother. Yuuki watched him tower over the aging woman. She watched Mrs Ootori smile and talk to him, but not like a family member, like an associate. Kyoya was responding to her as he would a guest at the host club and the bride wondered if it were worse not to have a family or have a family that wasn't.
The groom looked up and saw her and said a curt farewell to the woman he was dancing with and took Yuuki back in his arms. "Have fun?"
"I don't like being transferable." She said lightly, with a smile.
"I won't loan you out again." He teased.
"Oh. Good to know you got some profit from the endeavour...loan my left foot..." The woman pushed his glasses up slightly.
Kyoya smiled. His fingers traced across the skin of her shoulder, just over the short scar. Mako had been there with his wife, but he had kept his distance. He knew that reminding Yuuki of her past when she was so happy in her future wouldn't be fair. They needed a better relationship as siblings before he could do that to her. The groom kissed his wife on the jaw and let her skin absorb his breath. He felt her against him. She didn't stiffen or tremble, she just became smaller in his arms. Like she wanted to vanish, but not away from her fear; rather, into him. It wasn't about performance or passion, it was about expressing love in a different form and finding a different joy through that. Exploring the other and finding new mysteries. Yuuki couldn't grasp that yet, but no one ever would.
"Kyoya?" She said shyly.
"Mm?" He pressed the side of his forehead against her temple and spoke against the tip of her ear.
"I'm..." Yuuki got a little smaller.
"I know." Pause. "Me too." But in a different way. They were different and felt different, even if it was from the same strain of emotion.
The girl twisted her head so that the bridge of her nose rested on the edge of his jaw. She did tremble slightly, but only for an instant. Kyoya let the hand not holding hers stop drifting against the top of her back and settle where her neck became her collarbone.
"I love you." He said privately to her.
Yuuki looked up at him; her cheeks were blushing and her hand shaking ever so slightly in his. "I love you too, until the end of time."
He slid his hand behind her neck, like he had the night in the snow on the balcony and kissed like new.
The girl felt herself melting against him as every part of the last few years poured down to that day. She felt her heart rate increase suddenly, just like the wings of the butterflies in her stomach. But she didn't stop loving him. She didn't pull away.
Kyoya felt the pulse in her throat and pressed his forehead to hers. "Little hummingbird." He smiled down at her.
Not like butterflies. They couldn't endure what they had. They couldn't adapt. A hummingbird could fly backwards and forwards and press through time and snow. "Just like a hummingbird." She said before pressing her lips to his gently. The room faded away and the music dulled down. The stars became real overhead and their love never changed.
-
Did you know that I love you?
Come and lay with me.
I love you.
And honesty, I love you.
You make me feel alive.
And I'll love you,
Until the end of time.
(Breathe, Angels and Airwaves)
-
It was not about sex. It was about being one person with the other. Being so close that all that there is, is just one. No him, no her, just them. An expression of their entirety articulated through a physical bond. There was no expectation of receiving and only thought to giving. To giving one's self in the most personal way possible. Not to break down walls, but use the gate through the trust of the other. Sex was pleasure, making love was pleasurable in that it was not for one's self, but for the other. To express what words and emotion could not. The final frontier in love and understanding. Which is why Yuuki had waited. Why she wanted him to have her untouched. Why she was so scared. She wouldn't lose anything, because he would have it. Like her medal. It was still hers, but in his keeping, his treasure. She wouldn't have all her mysteries revealed; only heightened. Kyoya wouldn't disrespect her. He wouldn't dishonour her. He would keep her and adore her and love her as everything she been to him, only through an alternate form. Through one that they could be one through. They would be the indescribable people described them as. That is what the wedding night meant to both of them. To be completely and utterly, wholly and irrevocably, unified with the person they had promised everything to.
-
If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass. I can't think of anything I need
Making love with you has left me peaceful, warm and tired
What more could I ask; there's nothing left to be desired
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel... sleep
Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe and to love you
All I need is the air that I breathe; yes to love you
Peace came upon me and it leaves me weak
So sleep, silent angel...sleep
(The air that I breathe, Hollies)
-
Kyoya held his wife against him as she slept in his arms. Her skin was like a white peach, pale and soft; the veins almost visible below. She was warm and gentle, even in sleep. Like a dove.
He'd left the cage open, and she'd flown right back to him. Back into his arms.
Yuuki had her face pressed neatly against his neck, curved against the underside of his jaw so that when she breathed, it washed over his throat, into the small curve below his ear and pooled at his collarbone. Her body was tucked against his, perfectly aligned and fitting like a puzzle piece. Her one hand was closed lightly at the base of her throat, just as it would have been if her necklace had been there, the other was in the same place, but on him. Spread across his skin.
Kyoya cradled Yuuki against him; he'd woken up feeling her against him, it felt unusual, but right. Feeling her form wrapped against his. Feeling her pulse through beat her chest and into his. Everywhere they touched was electric, tingling; like secrets. Small sparks that danced under the covers. He had one arm wrapped under her and around her waist and another over her and entwined through the dark hair that spilled across the pillow. Kyoya embraced her as if she was the most precious thing on earth, and she was to him. He smelled her hair, it was like lily and white tea, her body smelt like musk and rose. Always musk and rose. Just like the snow and balconies. She was breathtaking, stunning, captivating; to him, she was everything she'd ever wanted to be. To her, he was a giant angel, wrapping her in a love so big she couldn't comprehend it.
Yuuki shifted slightly, her face turned up so that her nose pressed against the underside of her husband's chin and then returned to where it had been before. She sighed softly. Her body moved faintly against his, her form gently pressing deeper as if to be absorbed against him. And then she was still again.
Kyoya stroked her hair quietly. He was glad he woke up. He was glad for a lot of things, but he was glad he had woken up. She would wake up to his sleeping structure in the morning and would marvel at his conjecture; but at that moment, all he wanted was to hold her as he slept. It was such a simple desire, but one that encapsulated so many things. He didn't miss her when she was asleep, but he missed her, missed her little gestures and actions, the unconscious motions of love, when he was asleep. And he loved her enough to not want to miss those things; they made it so he could do the same in return.
-
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Well, every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
(Don't want to miss a thing, Aerosmith)
-
Yuuki opened her eyes to the morning. It filtered through an open window. It smelled like sandal wood and peppermint. Every morning would forever smell like sandal wood and peppermint. Kyoya was asleep against her. Deeply asleep. She wondered what he was dreaming about as she lay still in his arms. He breathed so deep, it brushed against the top of her head and seeped into her scalp.
Yuuki smiled happily and turned her head so that she could see him. For someone who was a demon when he woke up, Kyoya looked very peaceful asleep. The girl freed her hand from its place against her chest and drew a line over his hair, moving it tenderly out of his face.
His heart was beating under her fingertips, strong and steady and mysterious. Just like him. And he was warm. Something few people knew. Right from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, he was warm and comfortable. And he fit against her perfectly, not just emotionally. They were completely compatible. Physically and mentally. They might not appear so on the outside, but they knew it was true and that was all that really mattered. Yuuki traced the lines of his face curiously, knowing she would never memorise them like she had his expressions. But she was going to try. Time aged a face but it did not age the way it was used.
The girl wondered if heaven was like him. Personal and unique and loving and deep; something that cannot be described but that can be experienced. She didn't know, but she thanked God for her husband with every breath. The form that held her safely and contentedly in his arms and venerated her with every moment. No one could have ever asked for more.
Kyoya stirred and arched his neck so that his face pointed down. He inhaled deeply and his wife fluttered her hand to her chest shyly. Kyoya didn't wake up automatically, but eventually his eyes opened, blinked a few times and adjusted to the light. Yuuki couldn't see his face; she pressed her own into his neck again and squeezed her eyes shut diffidently. Her husband made a small, wake up noise that sounded like a cross between a low growl and a sigh. But for the first time in his life, he woke up properly first go. And he had no objections. Not when there was something to wake up to.
"Hi." Yuuki said quietly, letting him know she was awake to. Not really a surprise, but anyway.
Kyoya let his hand trace from where it rested against her neck, down the ridges of her spine to her waist. "Good morning." His voice was so familiar, it washed through the room.
"I love you." She said softly. Gently articulating what they already knew, in full.
The man sighed deeply and pulled her closer. "I love you too. Honestly. Until the end of time."
No more needed to be said. She was completely and irretrievably his. Still totally pure against him because it belonged to him. She had the key to his heart, to the gate into it. He didn't give her a sledge hammer or a bulldozer, just the key; his permission, his love. Yuuki turned her face up and kissed the bottom of his chin. Kyoya let her linger there for a moment before kissing her lovingly on the mouth. She was warm and adoring. He gave her the perfect tool to work him out. Now they just needed time. And that was something they had, something they looked forward to spending. Together. Perfect with all its flaws. Just them and their world within reality.
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"Falling in love is continuous as the journey of your eternity with them. It isn't always going to be easy... Anger... tears... laughter... But it's when you want to be together despite it all that you know that what you have is indescribably, uncontainable; you have to share it with the other person and become enveloped by them. Everything they are. That's when you truly love another. I'm sure of it."
(Unknown)
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Okay. Now that was difficult to write. I've not really a romantic or anything...haha. Longest chapter yet. I wanted it to be perfect and not like 'mush, mush, gush, mush, brain-dead reading...'. I hope it was interesting and thought provoking and enjoyable for you. Yes, I was blushing the whole way through. As you can imagine. I finally got the whole 'it' thing out and explained in the terms relevant to them. (With much difficulty) It's not the same for everyone, I'm aware of the fact, but that's how it is for the story. It was so awkward to write. I don't write smut. At all. So don't expect that. This ffic is rated T because it has themes in it and not M because it doesn't have the extension of those themes in it. That is most defiantly not what this story is about and I hope that your all mature enough to have been able to grasp the concepts within. I was typing and going 'Hm...I think I'll go...hide...' So...the last three pages took the longest to write. Haha.
A lot of you have sent comments about a HaruxTama baby and a KyoxYuu baby. *taps nose*
THE PLOT WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THE WEDDING. As I have said. Weddings never gave me closure. I always found stories that finished with a wedding to be annoying. But that's just me.
If you want me to write another, please suggest things to write and I'll take them into consideration. I never actually expected to finish this story but your support has been so amazing. Thank you. I'll probably do a question answer segment. Anything you want to ask about this story, future stories, about the characters, about various events, about me...just go for it; but be sure to tell me that it's for the segment and not just a general question, or I'll just answer it. :)
So...please do review, tell me what you thought. Tell me what you liked, didn't like...whatever. Please, it really helps.
Blessings and I hope you all have a very happy Easter!
-pp