Omake!

Ohtori stared straight ahead as the priest began the ceremony. His bowtie felt like it was strangling him; it was just like the rehearsal yesterday, only worse. A million times worse. Gods, he was really getting married! To a woman he could never love, with the only man he ever would love standing by his side, oblivious.

He glanced at Meiko, and she looked radiantly happy. Well, at least one of them was going to look back on this day with fondness. It was her wedding, really... he just happened to be an important part of it. He hoped, for her sake, that this time he wasn't going to interrupt the vows by being sick. Especially since this time, with all the people between him and the exit, chances were he'd end up being sick on her.

The priest was still speaking, and somehow he wrenched his attention back to it. He didn't want to miss his lines again like he had yesterday. "If there is anyone present who knows of a reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

There was the usual nervous hush through the audience. Nobody ever did make an objection outside the movies, of course, but there was always the fear than someone would try to make a joke of it and ruin the ceremony. Ohtori found himself praying someone would object, would come up with a valid reason for him not to have to go through with this. Beside him he though he heard Shishido make a small noise, almost like he was in pain.

It seemed like his prayers had gone unheard as the priest drew breath to continue. Before he could say anything, however, a harsh whisper cut clearly across the silent air of the church. "Jirou! Wake UP stupid, you're gonna miss your chance!"

"Wha... uh?" Ohtori heard the familiar sound of the sleepy former singles player waking up. Disbelieving even Mukahi would play a prank like this - or that Jirou of all people would go along with it - Ohtori turned. Everyone else in the wedding party, hell, pretty much everyone in the church, turned to stare with him.

Jirou blinked back at them all hazily as Mukahi continued to try to prod him into awareness, and then realization flooded into his eyes. "OH! Is it time?" In one of his characteristic lightning changes, Jirou bounced to his feet, as energized as if Atobe had just offered to play a game with him. "I object!" he announced happily, grinning at a stunned Ohtori.

"Jirou?" Ohtori was utterly confused. What on earth could Jirou possibly have to object to? "Why are you..."

"Hey, it's not just him," Mukahi interjected. "He just wanted to be the first to say it, and he beat me at jan-ken-pon so I had to let him. I object too!"

"What the hell are you two playing at?" Shishido growled from beside him. Around the church people were murmuring in confusion and horror. Meiko was wringing her bouquet in her hands, twisting the stems until they were all bent out of shape.

"I must also add my objection," Oshitari drawled, his slow Kansai speech cutting clearly across the rising babble. Totally bewildered now, Ohtori stared as Hiyoshi and even Taki stood and added their objections. The babble among the wedding guests was almost a roar now, and the priest looked as stunned as Ohtori felt.

Finally the only former members of the Hyoutei team who hadn't added their objections were Shishido, Atobe and Kabaji. Ohtori turned to look at his groomsmen, and Atobe gave a dramatic sigh. "Well, this is somewhat more uncouth than what I had planned to interrupt the ceremony with, but since they're already doing it... I add my objection as well. Right, Kabaji?" And with the responding 'usu', the entire team had put in their two cents - except for Shishido.

"Don't look at me!" his partner exclaimed when Ohtori turned to him with wide eyes. Shishido looked no less confused than Ohtori. "I don't know what the fuck is going on!"

"Someone explain, please," the minister shouted over the babbling. "This is highly irregular. Quiet, everyone! I want to hear this explanation."

"Well, it's so simple," Jirou explained as the noise slowly died off. Apparently the priest wasn't the only one who wanted the explanation. Yawning, Jirou gestured at Ohtori. "He's in love with him..." his pointing finger trailed over to a gaping Shishido. "And he loves him back. So why is he marrying her?" The new gesture was clearly aimed at Meiko, who looked like she thought fainting a second time in two days might be a good option.

Into the stunned silence, Ohtori's and Shishido's voices jumbled together in frantic denials.

"Don't be stupid Jirou, there's no way he could ever..."

"Jirou, you can't say things like that, he would never..."

"Oi, listen to yourselves!" Mukahi interrupted them with a smug smirk. " 'He couldn't', 'He would never'... not 'I don't'. I can't believe in all this time you two idiots never clued in!"

Slowly, almost painfully, hope expanded in Ohtori's chest. "Shi... Ryou?" he murmured, and the look Shishido gave him at the sound of his name almost made him believe. "Ryou, is it true? Do you... love me back?"

"Back?" Deep blue eyes stared back at him, and in them Ohtori thought he could see the same terrifying mix of emotions he was feeling. "Love you back? Gods... are you an idiot? Of course I love you, I've loved you forever! How could I not? But I thought..."

Ohtori cut him off with a fierce kiss, hardly even hearing it as the wedding guests broke out in shouting. Shishido kissed him back just as passionately, and Ohtori was reminded of the kiss he'd thought he'd dreamed about asking for.

Behind and around them, over the yelling and shouting, the former Hyoutei members had started chanting. "Shishido! Ohtori! Shishido! Ohtori!" Even Atobe had joined in from next to them.

Pulling away enough to let him stare down into Shishido's eyes, Ohtori gave him a brilliant smile. "I love you, Shishido Ryou. In sickness and in health, till death do us part, and all the other vows I am not saying today!"

Two Days Left One Day Left The Big Day Omake!

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