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“Sir?”
Keito blinked, looking up to meet the eyes of the young florist. “What?”
“Was there something in particular you were looking for?” The girl smiled gently, gesturing to the wide variety of blooms in the shop. “I’d be happy to help you out. Did you know flowers have meanings?”
Keito frowned, hating the feeling of being talked down to. “Yes.”
“Oh, wonderful!” The shop assistant chirped, “So you know that there’s all kinds of flowers for love, for example. Are you looking to create a bouquet?”
“No, I…”
He paused. Western ceremonies did usually have bouquets, didn’t they? Though they’d usually be carried by the bride…
“Yes,” he said at last. “Here are the flowers I’d like…”
A six-year anniversary was nothing to sneeze at, though he hadn’t expected Eichi’s impulsive request of ‘let’s get married again, Keito~’ at the breakfast table a mere few weeks ago.
Hardly enough time to plan a wedding, though by mobilizing the vast power of the Tenshouin’s resources, there was really nothing that couldn’t bend to Eichi’s will.
Including Keito, who had acquiesced despite his misgivings.
The mansion from then on had become a whirlwind of activity, servants and planners and assistants flitting about like spring robins, all talking at once about every detail of the ceremony.
It seemed that Eichi had decided that he wanted a modern ceremony this time, with carefully planned decorations around theme colors of sunny yellow and deep green, with a guest list that Keito thought might rival the population of the prefecture itself.
He supposed he couldn’t blame his husband, though. Their true wedding was a small, quiet affair taking place at his family’s temple where they had met for the first time. Though the guest list included both their families and friends, when they had exchanged vows it had felt as if they were the only two people in the world.
In retrospect, such a ceremony must have reflected poorly on Eichi’s social standing- not many high-society types had been invited with the exceptions of the ones with children Eichi knew personally, and the pictures taken at the venue were less than grand. The temple backdrop and traditional clothing gave the wedding photos an air of antiquity despite the sharp image and rich colors.
The traditional world has faded
, he reflected,
though not entirely for the worst.
The bouquet in his hand did bring him some joy- he had remembered the flowers he had wanted to give Eichi all those years ago during the flower festival. They had quarrelled over something- another failure in communication, it all seemed so silly now- and he had ended up passing the carefully crafted present to someone else.
Even after pouring over a book on hanakotoba for hours on end.
White roses. Innocence, devotion, reverence. I am worthy of you.
Forget-me-nots. Memories and true love.
Lenten roses. Difficult friendships, cherished people, aiding with worries, and comforting hearts.
This time, they’d be able to understand each other.
The day of the ceremony approached quickly, and the house steadily became more chaotic as caterers adjusted menus, decorators strew silk around their workspaces like caution tape, and everyone argued with each other over minute issues to an incessant degree.
Keito presided over the top of the staircase, observing the foyer from on high with a frown on his face and dressed in his tuxedo. It had been picked out for him by Eichi, of course- rich black wool and fine white linen, accentuated in certain areas with silk in the theme color of forest green. Despite the beauty of the garment, he felt awkward in it. It was much too fine for a temple master’s son like him, even if he was married to the richest man in Japan.
He felt arms snake around his waist, and soft breath tickled his ear.
“It’s so lively, isn’t it?” Eichi murmured against his neck, holding him in place when Keito tried to whip around. “No, don’t turn- don’t you know it’s bad luck to see me before the wedding?”
Keito huffed. “Then why did you come out?”
Eichi laughed lightly, nuzzling against his back. “I wanted to see you, of course.”
Keito tsked, pretending not to be pleased by this show of affection. “We’re riding in the same car. Speaking of that- if you’re ready, we should go.”
“You’re no fun,” Eichi hummed, finally withdrawing his arms from his husband’s waist. “I suppose you can look, then. Well?”
Eichi spread his arms, allowing Keito a look at his perfectly-tailored ensemble. The suit matched his, though the accents were yellow. Despite that, Keito thought the outfit looked much better on Eichi.
That wasn’t a surprise, though, everything did. Luckily he wasn’t a vain man.
“Well? How do I look?” Eichi’s eyes twinkled mischievously, and he made a show of twirling around.
“...You’re…” Keito scrambled for words, something to say in response to his radiant beauty. “Breathtaking. You’re beautiful,” he mumbled, heat rising in his face. Romantic words never were his strong suit.
Eichi merely chuckled, taking Keito’s face in his hands. “So are you,” he whispered, before abruptly pulling him down the stairs and towards the limo that would serve as their transportation.
The ride was short and uneventful, and yet Keito found himself unable to stop drumming his fingers against the fine leather seat. It was foolish to be nervous about a vow renewal, he knew- they were already married, weren’t they? And yet the vows he had prepared felt like they were burning a hole in his pocket.
The limo slowed to a stop in front of the venue, a gigantic and ornate western-style wedding hall used by the upper echelons of society. Once again, he felt out of place. This was not the world he belonged in, as he well knew.
Still, he pushed the feelings aside as Eichi squeezed his hand, leading him into the hall with a gentle smile. The guests inside the hall, at least, had some familiar faces- he could see many of his companions from ES as well as his own family’s faces in his section. Eichi’s section was overcrowded with Tenshouin branch families and business partners, most of whom Keito had only seen the faces of in passing.
The hall was splendidly decorated with flowers and silks in the themed colors, but perhaps the most splendid thing in the hall stood behind the altar, wildflowers woven into his long blue braid. Wataru’s suit sparkled slightly when the shining thread of the embroidery caught the light from the crystal chandeliers, but his smile when he saw the couple outshone the sun itself.
He’s upstaging us,
Keito thought grimly, but Eichi seemed overcome with almost childlike glee.
No matter, then. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, only to find himself tugged once again by Eichi’s excited footsteps. He wanted to tell him to slow down, that he needed to mind his heart rate, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he smiled softly, letting himself be dragged up to the pulpit. It wasn’t a true church- just something made to look like it. Rich people did love their facades.
“My dears,” Wataru’s voice echoed through the hall, immediately commanding attention. “We are gathered here today to join these dear friends of mine together in holy matrimony.”
He reached out to place Keito’s hand in Eichi’s, who squeezed it gently.
“Does the couple have vows prepared?” their officiant asked, looking at them expectantly. Of course, he had no credentials to speak of, either. Vows renewals were not legally significant, and thus anyone could conduct the ceremony. In Eichi’s opinion, Wataru had been the only choice.
Keito fumbled for the paper in his pocket, feeling the thousand eyes on him from behind. He had to calm himself, he knew- but words of love never came easily to him, especially in a public place.
“I do,” Eichi spoke up, snapping Keito out of his stupor. Had he prepared something, as well? Somehow, the thought hadn’t occurred to him until now.
Even now, I’m still trying to take on his burdens.
Eichi cupped Keito’s face in his hand and began to speak in a soft voice, not bothering to project his voice to fill the hall and inform each and every guest of his feelings. Instead, he whispered as if he were speaking of secrets.
“Don’t try to do everything by yourself, my Keito. You know how much I hate it when you ignore me,” he chuckled, though there was no malice in his voice. “You don’t seem to understand it yet, so I’ll say it as many times as I need to.”
He leaned in close, speaking even more softly. Wataru, to his credit, resisted the urge to lean in.
“I love you. I adore you. I married you because I wanted to, and I’ll never regret that choice.”
He felt Eichi’s lips brush against his- a clear break from tradition, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. He allowed himself to shut the world out for a moment, to melt into his husband’s love.
“Until death do us part,” Eichi murmured against his mouth, and he knew then he must be the most fortunate man alive.