Unrequited

Chapter Nine

Even though it resembled more of a funeral to him, Tamaki has to admit the wedding is beautiful. The room is swathed in black fabric, hanging from the walls and ceilings, giving the room a haunted feel. The windows are shuttered, causing the room to only be lit by the candles on every table and lining the aisle. Sitting next to Tamaki in Hunny's lap, Usagi cries frantically- scared of the dark- and Hunny too has tears in his eyes as he attempts to comfort his daughter, the cutest host not fond of the dark either. Mori looks angry at the stress to his husband and daughter, casting a shadow over the general mood of the table. Hikaru- who would usually attempt to lighten the mood- sits with Haruhi, holding Hana (or maybe Kaede?) in his lap, trying to keep the infant asleep through Usagi's sobs, looking just as tired and stressed as his fiancee- who is trying to keep the other twin asleep. Kaoru is the best man and is back preparing Kyoya to walk down the aisle, leaving his brother and fiancee to care for the twins. Tamaki himself feels nothing but dread at the prospect of seeing the grooms and can't bring himself to do anything but pout.

"Tamaki seriously, you're not doing anyone any favors sitting there looking like that. At least pretend to be happy for him," Hikaru snaps, bouncing his fussing baby.

"I can't and I won't. I said I would be here for him and I am but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about his decision," Tamaki says childishly.

"Tamaki senpai, I swear I can't handle three babies right now," Haruhi says angrily, bouncing her respective twin. Tamaki sighs and turns to look at the door where the grooms will enter.

Suddenly, music starts. Tamaki recognizes the wedding march and feels his stomach drop. He can't hear anything but the music pounding in his ears, even Usagi's crying is drowned out. He sees Kirimi and Emiko, the two flower girls, enter first, politely taking turns spreading the flowers on the aisle. They reach the front and run to their respective adults- Kirimi jumping in her father's lap and Emiko standing politely and with only minor fidgeting next to her grandfather Yoshio. After the flower girls come the best men- Kaoru walking side by side with some man presumably from the Dark Magic club. Last come the grooms, arm in arm. Nekozawa's suit is black, as befits him, his long blonde hair flowing freely in the dark room, a single black rose pinned to his lapel. Kyoya is stunning in a pure white suit, a purple rose pinned to his lapel, and his hair styled back. He looks prepared to make a business deal, much unlike the messy haired Kyoya Tamaki knows and loves. Tamaki thinks he looks far too much like his father with his hair styled that way.

When the grooms reach the altar the music stops and the ceremony begins. With each passing word Tamaki's stomach sinks. The vows pass quickly with a few general words about love and staying by each other's side through thick and thin. The pastor looks up at the audience attending.

"If there are no objections...?" he asks, trailing off into silence to allow others to speak. Yoshio Ohtori glares around the room as though daring anyone to say anything. Tamaki gulps, his heart pounding, everything in him screaming to object.

"You may now kiss-"

"Wait!" Tamaki yells, surprising even himself. The room falls deathly silent- even Usagi stops crying as she senses the change in atmosphere. Kyoya looks at Tamaki cooly, his gaze emotionless and calm. Nekozawa appears angry. "I object. I object to this union."

"How dare you-" Yoshio starts.

"I love him, more than anything! I can't let him marry a man he doesn't love! Even if he doesn't love me, he can't marry this- this- witch!" Tamaki shouts, feeling slightly more confident in himself. Kyoya's father opens his mouth to argue again but is cut off by Kyoya raising a single and in the air dismissively.

"While this interruption was quite rude it was also expected. Umehito you owe me 100 yen," Kyoya says, putting his hand out for the money. Nekozawa curses, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out 100 yen to slap in Kyoya's hand.

"What just happened?" Hikaru asks, shocked, fussy baby forgotten.

"That, my dear Hikaru, was a commoner's bet. They wanted to bet more but I suggested they play this way. You know how I love commoners' things," Kaoru teases, winking at Haruhi who rolls her eyes.

"Wait you- you planned- you planned for this?" Tamaki says, previous confidence forgotten.

"Not just planned for dear, I counted on it. I didn't want to marry Umehito but I knew you wouldn't do anything unless you were given a push. Don't look at me like that, I was mad at you at first, but I soon realized I could get what I wanted if I just tried. This way I either ended up with the man I loved or married a man who was good for my family. Either way I won," Kyoya says confidently. "Thank you for your participation Umehito. Considering your feelings for Tamaki it must have been difficult."

"I'll survive. Honestly Kyoya, how you can stand such an idiot is beyond me. I've quite fallen out of interest with him," Umehito says with an evil grin.

"What? How? Who?" Tamaki sputters, unable to get any words out.

"Easy. He understands me, he's passionate, he's caring, he-"

"We get it Kyoya, you love him, now go comfort him before he floats away in confusion," Kaoru says, grinning. Kyoya smiles, walking up to Tamaki and kissing him. It's not like anything Tamaki has ever felt before- nothing like kissing Haruhi or any of his other lovers. It's hard and passionate, just like Kyoya himself. Tamaki finds himself breathless when the kiss ends, eyes only for Kyoya.

"I love you. I mean it," Tamaki whispers, caressing Kyoya's face softly. Kyoya leans into the touch.

"I know. I love you too."

"Ew!" Emiko shrieks, covering her eyes. Kyoya laughs jovially, turning to his niece with mischief in his gaze.

"What, was that gross?" he asks, walking over to her. She nods firmly. "Then what about... this!" He scoops her up into his arms and coats her face in kisses, causing her to giggle uncontrollably and whine for him to stop. Yoshio looks disgusted at all of the displays of affection, but is clearly trying to pick his battles for he says nothing.

"So does this mean the wedding is cancelled?" Nekozawa's father asks, clearly confused.

"Yes. Yes it does," Kyoya says, bringing Emiko over to Tamaki.

"Are you my new step-daddy?" Emiko asks Tamaki.

"I suppose I am, in a way," Tamaki tells her, pulling her away from Kyoya into his arms. And somehow, with this little girl and Kyoya by his side, he's never been happier.