Shades of the Past

Shades of the Past

Chapter Seven

~*~

A few months later, Seto paced his dressing room, his little brother trying to calm him down. In a few minutes, he was making the biggest commitment of his life. Ever.

~*~

Jou wasn't much better off. He was practically hyperventilating as he ran a hand through his tousled hair in his own dressing room. Dressed in an impecatively-tailored white tuxedo, with soft blue highlights--in place of a wedding dress, he blushed--he paced back and forth. His friends were in the audience, Yugi, his best man, trying to soothe him.

"Jou, you look great! You're marrying someone you love, someone who loves you back..so why the pacing that's making me dizzy?" he asked, watching the blond move back and forth.

"I'm scared as all get out, Yuug..what if I screw up..forget my vows..forget the special ones that me and Seto are s'posed to make? What if I klutz out? What if I--"

Yuugi laughed. "Jou, none of that is going to happen! You're going to do fine, you're just jittery, t
Ryu soshite Koinu...Zutto.. says:
that's all!"

"I feel like I'm gonna keel over.."

Yuugi's eyes widened. Dressed in his little black tuxedo, he dashed over to his best friend and patted his back. "Deep breaths, Jou...no passing out on your own wedding!"

Even Jou had to laugh at that, and Yuugi smiled.

~*~

"Seto, calm down! You'll do fine..." Mokuba urged

"What if--"

"No."

"And what if--"

"No."

"But what if--"

"NO! Listen, 'nii-sama, you look great, and you love Jou, thats ALL that matters, now go out there and get me a brother-in-law." Mokuba stuck his tongue out at him.

Seto couldn't help but laugh and hug the smaller boy.

~*~

Twirling the ring on his finger absently, Jou took a deep breath to calm himself as he headed out with Yuugi.

"Are you ready?"

Jou blushed and nodded, swallowing the heart that was trying to beat out of his throat. "H-hai...I'm ready.." He sighed. "Wish Shizuka could see this.."

Yuugi patted his shoulder sympathetically. The only low spot in what was to come...Jou's mother hadn't supported a same-sex marriage and had refused letting Shizuka come to it. " We'll send her a video of it all for her.." he replied softly, hugging him.

"Thanks, Yuug..."

Seto was already at the alter, his little brother, being his best man, at his side. He was breathing heavily, scared out of his mind, still.

"Don't forget to breathe!" Yuugi replied, handing him a small boquet laced with white roses, red roses, and baby's breath.

Jou smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Yuugi."

"Anytime." Yuugi smiled, then preceded him down the aisle, Jou following nervously after him.

Seto was sweating, lightly, wanting to pace so badly. He was still breathing heavily, and he was rocking back and forth on his feet.

Jou swallowed hard, feeling as if he could just scream from nervousness, but at the sight of Seto...all the nervousness just seemed to fade away. This was the man he was getting married to. The one he loved, in any life. He tripped a little from staring at how good he looked, but caught himself, blushing and smiling brilliantly at him.

Seto smiled, and every ounce of nervousness seemed to die. He stared at the beautiful man he was going to marry and his eyes sparkled.

The blond blushed even more under his gaze and floated to his side, reaching his hand out for his.

Seto took his hand as the minister began to speak.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to the these two souls in holy matrimony, under God and all of you fine people. If there is anyone who has just cause that these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace." The minister replied.

Jou scowled. "No one better have just cause, or I'll strangle 'em.."

Mai giggled, and whispered in a stage whisper from the front, "Aw, does that mean I can't jump up and say you can't wed 'cause I'm having your love child--ow!!" She pouted as Anzu grinned innocently after smacking her arm.

Seto rolled his eyes. He knew it'd been a bad idea to invite those two, but he'd do anything for his koinu.

Jou rolled his eyes as well, as the minister quirked a brow, then shook his head. "Marriage should not be entered into lightly. You have a new responsibility, a new life. What happens here, let no man or woman tear asunder. I understand that you two have your own vows to say before the giving of rings?"

Seto nodded and ta bra breath, "Alright, Jounouchi, we've known and loved each other...for...a long...time...and all I have to say is that...you changed me...made me someone could count on...someone you could count on...you saw through everything that everyone else didn't even try to...you gave me a life, and you loved you, and for that, I thank you.”

Jou blushed and smiled at him, squeezing his hand. "You're welcome, but I have to say thank you, as well. Seto, I know that...we always haven't gotten along, but through thick and thin, you've been there, even when we were yelling at each other, instead of..erm.."blusblushed brighter. "...other things....you don't know how much that means to me. To always have your presence, to know that you would never leave me, that means the world to me. To know that you love someone like me, someone so...totally unlike you..means more. I guess it's true what they say about opposites attracting, and I'm glad of that. Otherwise, I wouldn't have found my reason for living...again...and even in arguing...the world would sure be a lonely place without you. And I can never say thank you enough for being in my life. I love you.." He beamed up at him, his dark eyes trained on him and him alone.

He heard a couple of sniffles from the audience, but that sort of faded into the background.

Seto was close to tears himself, "Y-your welcome...I love you too..." He murmured.

As Jou smiled more and twined his fingers with his, the minister smiled.

"After such heartfelt vows, the love you two share is heartfelt and goes beyond words and rings. It will stay with you always, the ring is just a symbol of that connection. If you will produce them?"

Mokuba, who was also ring bearer, gave them their respected rings to put on the other.

Jou smiled as he took his, tousling Mokuba's hair affectionately.

"Seto, if you will place the ring on Jounouchi's finger and repeat after me.." the minister murmured.

Seto placed the ring on Jou's finger and waited for further instructions.

"I SKaibKaiba, do take you, Jounouchi Katsuya, as my lawfully wedded husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, from this day forward, until death do us part."

Jou blushed, smiling at Seto. He *still* couldn't believe this was happening..he was marrying Seto, and his heart was turning somersaults in his chest. He was sure he was grinning like an idiot.

"I Seto Kaiba, do take you, Jounouchi Katsuya, as my lawfully wedded husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, from this day forward, until death do us part." Seto murmured.

Jou gazed down at the wedding band joining the garnet engagement ring, then smiled up at him adoringly.

The minister smiled. "Your turn, Jounouchi." he reminded, chucg. g.

"Oh! Oh, yeah, right." Jou blushed, nodding as he slid the golden band onto the hand he held in his.

"I Jounouchi Katsuya , do take you, Seto Kaiba, as my lawfully wedded husband, for better, for worse, for richer, for poor

poorer, in sickness and health, from this day forward, until death do us part." he replied softly after the minister.

Seto smiled, also staring at the gold band on his hand.

"By the power vested in me, and under the eyes of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I now pronouce you lifemates for life." The minister smiled. "Let's see a kiss, "
"

Seto leaned foreward, locking lips with his, now, lifelong lover, and wrapping his arms, firmly, around him.

Jou melted against him, wrapping his arms around his neck as he absently heard the audience burst into cheering and applauding, but he was too wrapped up in Seto at the moment to care.

Seto smiled into the kiss. Now, they had each other. Forever.

One hand reached down to Seto's chest, drawing a heart against him with a fingertip. In the heart, he wrote, SK-JK 4-ever, then laid his hand against that section of his chest.

Seto smiled. And smiled. And smiled. In fact, he couldn't think of anything to do but smile.

Jou had to breathe, and he reluctantly pulled back from the sweet sensation of his husband's lips, smiling at him, the smile spreading from ear to ear. "I love you.." he whispered. "Forever and for always."

"And I love you..." Seto murmured, "...forever and always."

Jou smiled at him and hugged him tightly. "And this time, nothing's gonna separate us."

"Damn straight." Seto grinned, and hugged him back, "Damn straight..."

~*~

Setos Little Kitten: This is the last chapter, so R/R and make Dee-chan and I very happy authoress-es!!!

Jeshika Yah yah yah!!!

Deantra: *sniffles* Anyone have a tissue? So...sweet..

Moonchild DJ: *grins and hands her a tissue* Sappy, ne? Well, we like it that way. Hope you do, too! Tell us whatcha think!