The day of the wedding, the skies are fresh and blue. Not your own, of course. You'd tied the knot impulsively as soon as you were able, driving away with a "just married" plate clacking on the back. These two had waited, but not too long; even before marriage, they'd always acted like newlyweds. At times it got a little sickening, but you were genuinely happy for them. Ichigo was one of your best friends, after all. You know your wife would share a similar sentiment.
A smile pulls itself wry across your face. Your wife, huh... If you turn, amongst the bustle, you might spot her chatting with Kaede, animated as ever. You can't blame her for being excited, seeing how long it's been since you spent time with everyone. As adults, you'd naturally gone your separate ways, but that doesn't mean you never got lonely. If anything, you found yourself reminiscing even more. That was always a fault of yours, from the time you'd first entered Starlight. Burying things under quilts and leaving them for the dust and moths doesn't solve them.
Feeling a little on edge for reasons you can't quite place, you step outside for some air and space to breathe. The breeze is slightly cool against your bare arms, and you sigh. The crowds, maybe? They've never been your cup of tea. Performing for them, sure, but not mingling in them. You prefer smaller groups if you're to be entirely honest.
"Oh? The beautiful blade is sighing, now that's something special." You turn at the familiar voice to see a playful smile and a camera. Subtle relief eases the tension in your shoulders, and a wry expression pulls your face.
"Save that for the ceremony." You know for a fact that she'd saved up to get a better camera to get top quality shots of the wedding. You can relate, to some extent. As fellow members of Soleil, even inactive, you're friends til the very end. For that reason, you smile rather than breathe another sigh. She grins in response.
"The day has finally come, huh?"
"You said that at my wedding too, didn't you?"
"Well yeah, but..."
You understand. Ichigo was your leader and center, keeping the three of you there by her gravitational pull. Calling you Soleil wasn't a far reach at all when you revolved around a genuine star. You understand why she's getting married and you wouldn't object, but it always has made her feel awfully far away. As friends, though, you support each other, and for all you know, they might've felt the same about you and Yurika. You don't regret a second of that, though.
Aoi doesn't say anything more, and neither do you, and eventually you go back inside to the stifling air and bubbling conversation. It isn't a missed opportunity, because you're sure your feelings reached her, and vice versa. For friends as close as you are—not two, but three—that much is natural. You spot Ichigo in the center of the room, talking to her parents and showing off in her dress. If you squint, you can see sparkles and a faint star pattern. Matching motifs, talk about cheesy.
You suddenly become aware of a pressure and warmth on your hand, and you turn to find your wife, looking slightly annoyed. "I was looking all over for you! N-Not that I wasn't not worried, but..." Ah. You're smiling again. That's something she's always able to do, no matter how worried or stressed you might be. You suppose you're just that fond of her.
"Sorry about that, Yurika. I just stepped outside for a few minutes; I should've let you know." Your eyes meet, her own teal ones shining, and she blushes. Sometimes you can't believe you've been married for over a year. Clearly embarrassed, she accepts your apology, but refuses to leave your side from that point. You can't say you hate when she's clingy, even if she gets defensive about it. It's awfully cute.
The ceremony stretches on unbearably, yet passes by in the blink of an eye. You only remember "I do"s exchanged before it erupted and you all dispersed in the direction of appetizers and drinks. What was supposed to be the highlight of a very important night became a vague blur of "it happened" in your memory, almost reminiscent of Ichigo's own reactions to significant events, if you indulge yourself and think back a bit. More than anything, though, you're happy for her. As her longtime friend and as a former member of Soleil, you couldn't be happier for her than you are at this moment. It's just slightly, twingingly lonely, something you're sure Aoi is also feeling at that very moment.
Before you know it, Yurika's on your arm again, dragging you off to try something or other, but you're just glad to see her so excited. Every time she smiles, a warm feeling spreads throughout your chest, as almost nauseatingly cheesy that is to put to thought. If you do nothing else tonight, you'll spend time with her and dance and lose yourself, falling even further into her angelic voice and touch. Hair down or not.
But your wife, sharp as she is, won't have it. "Something's off with you, n-not that I'm not not worried or anything." She masks it with a fumbling double negative, but she's seen through your cover as she always does. It makes you all the fonder of her even through your discomfort at being exposed. She tucks a lock of white-blonde hair behind her ear.
"I guess so," you agree, expression softer than usual. "Thank you for worrying about me." You expect an embarrassed retort about how she absolutely wasn't worried, she just said so! Were you even listening? And such, but it never comes.
"Aren't you going to tell me what it is? I can't just have you moping all night. If you don't tell me, I'll suck your blood!" Her firm look softens into a tender smile uncharacteristic of her words, but suiting Yurika herself perfectly. For her to bring out her old catchphrase at a time like this must mean she's genuinely concerned, and you have no choice but to answer. There's no point in lying about it now.
You sip your drink, and sigh. "I guess I'm just feeling kinda lonely, now that Ichigo's married. Aoi and Shion will probably do that sooner or later too, and then we'll all be apart... Of course I'm happy for her. I guess it's a pretty selfish thought to have, huh?" You don't remember the taste of it being this bitter; whoever's making the drinks must not be very good at it, you decide. Yurika's expression doesn't shift.
"Remember when you three brought Soleil back together again, and you had the same worries? That it wouldn't work, you'd grown too far apart, you wouldn't have time. And to begin with, you didn't, and you lost to WM. But..." She sips her own drink, undisturbed by the flavor. She must have tastebuds of steel. "You worked hard and made time, didn't you? And went on that tour. I can't say I know what goes on between the three of you, but I'm sure that something as simple as marriage won't keep you apart, if you work at it."
Ah, that's right. It's an obvious thing to bring up, yet you'd forgotten about that time entirely. You feel much more at ease suddenly. "Thank you, Yurika." More than your falling for her or the attraction, what really made Yurika your wife was how she always managed to make you see past the fog. You don't know what you'd do without her, and you don't much feel like imagining it. After all, she's more important to you than any other single person (or vampire). You stand up.
"Ran-san?" she says, looking slightly confused. You give a genuine smile.
"I'm going to go congratulate them."
"Be back soon, okay? Or I'll definitely suck your blood."
"I promise!"
