synflux | ( CLOSED ) it's better with you

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

code

[ 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. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

( Predictably he spends most of the ceremony crying.

They're not the usual insincere crocodile tears he likes to deploy, but the kind that are silent and swift and genuinely full of love for the people around him. He's just so happy. Tsurumaru has always been kind to him, had patted him on the head once and cemented himself as an ally immediately, and Aki is there whenever Vash looks for him, a quiet bastion steadiness. They've been through a lot. Vash loves them, he loves their family, he's so glad they get to cement it as they deserve.

He wears a kimono like Aki had suggested, using the sleeve to mop up the abundance of tears when they kiss at the end. Vash whoops with delight when it's all said and done, catching whoever's beside him in a crushing hug. He likes the time after too, though he does hover if someone is too close to his ... cake.

It's strawberry, and he tried, and it's much better than it would have been considering Bakugo stepped in to help. ) I think it's meant to be falling down on that one side.

( Haha.

Also he bought a gift. It's a handmade wooden trinket box. The top is carved with their names, the date, several different flowers blooming along the edges. Inside he's bundled up a blanket a forget-me-not stitched in the corner and wrapped in pale gold ribbon. He'll leave it for the newlyweds to find somewhere, he's bad at giving in person. But he'll spend the little get-together flitting around each of his friends, sidling up with bright joy and a dreamy sigh. ) That was really nice, right?

( Or he'll offer to share the booze from his flask - it's a wedding, that's how they go, right? )

( If everything in life goes exactly as planned, life becomes too boring to be worth living. So when their plans suddenly change, he feels alive. There's barely time to send out messages, just enough time to make arrangements for things like food and drink, and then the moment finally arrives...)

❀ BEFORE

(The atmosphere is contagious and Tsurumaru can't help but get caught up in it. It's the beginning of the year and plum blossoms haven't even bloomed yet. However, everyone can find cherry blossom petals (and curiously, white feathers) on the ground. For those with a knack for the supernatural, they can probably sense some spiritual energy coming from them. It feels slightly "divine" like something from a lesser sacred spirit (a kami, to be exact).

The source? Tsurumaru, who seems to manifest both in the air around him. He's in good spirits and he's practically flying around the area, greeting their small party of guests.)

You're here!

( He sounds excited and he'll zoom over to ruffle hair or to adjust their clothes slightly so they look more presentable. He might straighten a collar or smooth out the front of their clothes. )

❀ AFTER

(After the vows are exchanged, it's time to really celebrate. There's food to eat and most importantly, drinks to be had but before anyone can start... they have to have a toast.)

Right, right... these things usually have speeches.

( Fortunately, there aren't many of them so this won't take too long. But who is going to make the first speech? )

❀ WILDCARD

Bring your own prompt or hit me up for a customer starter~~

( It's a curious mix of tradition and modern practices. They wear traditional kimono but there's no long procession or any of the long, specific rituals that would be associated with a more traditional wedding. Later, they'll face each other and exchange rings but first, they have to say their vows.

When Tsurumaru turns to face Aki properly, there's a moment of surprise that flashes across his face and then he laughs lightly with a smile,)

Is there something in your eyes?

( They look bright. Like he might cry. It's so cute and Tsurumaru wants to tease but even his throat feels tight right now. He's always been able to control his emotions well but right now, he feels like everything is overflowing and spilling over. If Aki cries, he might too, he thinks.

How embarrassing. He's too proud to cry in front of others easily and while he knows Aki isn't the same, that doesn't stop him from trying to help him. He reaches out to take Aki's hands in his own and gives them a squeeze. )

( He finds the box among all the other items that have been brought. There are lunchboxes, picnic baskets and bottles of various drinks to be had and it's just a convenient place to also leave some of the gifts and offerings.

Tsurumaru is immediately drawn to the box. Maybe it's because he's the spirit of something that is crafted. When he opens it, he's even more charmed and he unfolds the blanket carefully to get a look at it. He loves it and he immediately calls out to Vash who is nearby, )

Vash-kun, look at this. Isn't it lovely?

( Did he see Vash arrive with it? Maybe not? Or maybe he did and he's pretending he didn't see at all. )

And look at what it came in, too. ( Folding the blanket delicately over his arm, he reaches to trace the edges of the box with his fingers.) This will make a fine treasure box.

( He laughs but it's high and a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that does not do anything to keep the act up. Still, Tsurumaru gets one of his bright smiles, happy that he's happy. ) Oh, yeah? It looks nice.

( He really tried with the stitching, though he found the box easier to work with. More used to fixing his clothes than trying anything intricate. )

It's kind of traditional where I'm from to give someone something they could use in their home? ( ... ) Maybe it's the same for whoever left that!

( Anyway. )

You looked really happy, Tsurumaru. Congratulations.

[ It's emotional, of course it is - Aki never expected that he would be here. He never dared to think that he would have the chance to fall in love, to be a partner, to be a lover; the notion of marriage had never even crossed his mind. Even when he had first met Tsurumaru, he would never have considered the idea that the two of them would end up like this.

Looking at Tsurumaru, cheeks flushed, eyes damp, all he can do is laugh softly, leaning closer. It's to whisper to him; no one else needs to hear any of this.

This is just for them. ]

No. I'm just happy.

[ Lifting his hands, he takes Tsurumaru's hands into his own, thumb brushing over his knuckles, seeing the spot where the ring is going to go. His ring. ]

I love you. So much.

[ Aki waits until he's done with his brief, private moment with Tsurumaru after the ceremony to approach Vash. He's glad the other man came, that he dressed up so nicely, that he looks so happy: before coming here and being settled and comfortable with Denji and Power, he had never imagined that he could have a home like this. Now he has a family, he has good friends, he has a place he belongs.

Vash is part of that. He might not say it, but he might be the closest friend he has outside of his family circle. ]

Are you done crying?

[ He's smiling, though. ]

No.

( The answer is an immediate blubbery mess, and while Vash doesn't know if Aki is a hugger he comes closer anyway, arms outstretched. )

Come on, we gotta. I'm so happy for you, Aki. You both looked so happy, and you're gonna be happy, and it's so good, you deserve it. ( It's all punctuated with a wah of sound, he really is a cry baby. ) You're married!

Vash...

[ He's so fond, though. ]

I am happy. It's still strange to think. [ He looks at his hand, and the new ring there, and feels a surge of warmth and affection that he's sure Tsurumaru can feel with their tracker rings. ] I can't believe it.

Party!

[ Power is dressed in a fancy kimono, and her cat, MJ, is perched on her shoulder like a parrot, and is wearing an appropriately fancy bowtie for the occasion. She mostly lingers on the sidelines of the party, hoarding appetizers onto a plate, and occasionally passing morsels up to the cat. ]

... We should eat the rest of the cake, before it falls over!

[ Is she speaking to you, or the cat? It's hard to tell! ]

Speech!

[ Power hadn't been planning on giving a speech, until Denji gave one himself, and, well... Power ain't gonna let herself be outdone! Her speech is, uh... considerably shorter and less emotional than Denji's, though: ]

... Aki deserves to be happy. Tsurumaru makes him happy. I suppose that Tsurumaru deserves happiness as well. And if anyone should try to take that happiness away, we shall kill them!

[ SPEECH OVER! Power doesn't do a mic drop, but she looks very pleased with herself as she steps away. ]

Wildcard!

[ Anything goes! Come at me! ]

( CLOSED ) it's better with you

vash the stampede ( everlight. )

tsurumaru kuninaga

(CLOSED) Aki-kun

gift finding!!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

power!!