( CLOSED ) it's better with you

[lifeprice]

WHO: Aki Hayakawa, Tsurumaru Kuninaga and friends
WHAT: An elopement!
WHERE: The public park in Neo Tokyo
WHEN: Late January
WARNINGS: N/A

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[ It's not a dramatic thing.

When they had been planning it, so many months before now, with false memories layering their minds and daydreams setting out the future for them, Aki had dreamed of something bigger. A wide, open venue, with various chairs for the many people that would need to be invited. Decorations in soft hues of white and blue and gold, pretty and sweet to echo their relationship. His brother at his side, his parents waiting for him...

If they would come. If Taiyo was healthy. Even in a dream world, nothing was perfect.

It's different, back in Neo Tokyo. Aki had told Tsurumaru he didn't want all of those plans, for some picture perfect version of himself that no longer exists, that isn't real. There is no Aki who grew up with loving parents and a brother who wasn't ill, no more than there was whatever fantasy Tsurumaru they made for him. None of it was right, and so they had to do something for themselves, instead; something better. Something more.

Finding their way to the park is easy; it feels like the obvious choice. He can remember, more than a year ago now, sneaking away in the middle of the night to be with Tsurumaru, enjoying the simplicity of being together. There are dozens, hundreds of moments that bind them together now, that prove that they have chosen a path with one another - with tears, and envy, and jealousy, but so much love and so much warmth, too.

This is real love, and it is deeply special. Aki had chosen to live before, but now he is choosing to live in joy, rather than expectation. To be content, to be excited, to be surpirsed and even, at times, to be boring, too. This is the future they're going to walk together, and it's more than enough for him. At heart, he remains a simple man.

For a wedding, it's almost painfully simple. Ereshkigal officiates and reads them through the proper, official rites, and both Aki and Tsurumaru are dressed for the occassion - Aki in black, Tsurumaru in white, almost funny in how they settle into their natural colours. Their kimono match all the same, and as they share their vows, it feels like coming home.

Rings are exchanged. A kiss happens.

Then there's a party.

In the garden, there's a set-up little picnic for the newlyweds and their family, with traditional Japanese food set out for them to take part in. Vash made a cake... Or an attempt at a cake. Eventually, Aki and Tsurumaru have a reservation to get to, but before then? There's time for speeches, to spend time with their loved ones, and to bask in the joy of choosing one another for the rest of their lives. ]