The dress was a princess style gown with spaghetti straps and a long flowing skirt. A mixture of small and large fabric flowers had been sewn onto the hem and train making it appear that the otherwise white dress was embellished with its own pale pink meadow. The colour gently faded to white as the flowers became scattered and fewer as they made their way up the skirt. Eiko did not embellish her look with too much jewellery, just wore a simple pink collar about her neck and pearl earrings. She looked very radiant and Hideaki's eyes softly watered. He had fallen in love with the omega woman all over again. The happy couple exchanged vows in the small registry office, with very few friends and relatives serving as witnesses, but that did not matter to them as they clearly had eyes only for each other. Eiko blushed softly as the minister announced them husband and wife and indicated that Hideaki ought to kiss his bride, which he did with much enthusiasm. The ceremony was very beautiful. As he sat close to where the groom was standing, Yori felt hot eyes pierce him every so often and eventually when the man could stand it no longer, he turned to face the person sitting beside him. Ryota did not seem fazed that he had been caught staring and simply smiled warmly, watching with some delight as the colour rose in Yori's cheeks. Yori snapped his head back around and tried to concentrate on the rest of the ceremony, but he could still feel those eyes upon him, feeling as if his skin was being caressed by his glances. The guests trickled out of the registry office and were thanked by the bride and groom, who asked them if they would stay for a few photos before making their way to the small pub hall that Eiko's cousins had hired for them, in lieu of a gift. They made their way to the pretty park across the street, which many newly wedded couples used to commemorate their big day. Hideaki covered Eiko's bare shoulders with a warm faux fur shrug and curled his arm about her waist as they followed their guests. However the photographer was feeling lazy, more so that he had been forced by his boss to attend this small omega's wedding. He should have been taking shots of that alpha's new daughter, dammit! How was he supposed to gain exposure like this? Ryota, who had been peering over his shoulder, showed him his card and advised him that if he ever wanted to continue to remain employed, he ought to retake the photographs and do a better job this time. Ryota had many contacts, especially in the wedding industry in order to advertise his hotel to potential couples. The photographer's work improved dramatically, he took several beautiful shots, including one of the hotel manager and his date. The small pub hall was nothing to write home about, however Eiko's family had decorated it quite nicely. Eiko didn't have much family. She had been raised by her grandmother after her ungrateful daughter abandoned her with the woman and took off with her boyfriend. When the old woman died, she had left Eiko her shop. Eiko's two uncles had been blessed with several children between them despite being beta or married to beta's. Because Eiko had been born an omega, they honestly never thought that they would see this day and were very, very happy for her. Throwing this reception for her was their way of showing it. They sat down to eat a simple buffet, only the bride and groom were served, everyone else happily made do. The best man took to his feet, slightly drunk, to give his speech. The alpha male was Hideaki's best friend from university and had stuck by him despite all the difficulties he had experienced in the last thirteen years. When Hideaki had introduced him to Yori, the man had actually been willing to step down and let his best friend's brother take his place. But Yori had refused him. He was grateful, but he and Hideaki were not all that close yet. Better to let the person who was retain the role. Hideaki thanked Justin wryly for his slurred speech and then offered his own thanks to the guests for coming. He then introduced everybody at once to his long lost brother, who blushed furiously under the scrutiny. Hideaki thanked Yori for giving him the chance to a big brother once again. And lastly he thanked Eiko for being his wife. After the meal, the tables were pushed to once side by the guests and many of the chairs were stacked away to allow for a first dance in the small hall. The couple swayed to the romantic music and after a while, other couples slowly poured into the centre of the room to join them. Yori was captured by a bowing Ryota, who held out his hand. "Would you grant me this dance?" Yori felt as if the temperature of his skin was never going to be normal again, but despite the pink staining his face, he nodded and took the offered hand. Ryota's body was hot, he felt, hot and large. He felt both nervous and utterly protected as he was held close, with just a breath of air separating them. He glanced up to find himself staring into Ryota's eyes and felt as if he was dissolving into a soft puddle while caught by his warm smile. At the end of their dance, Ryota stole a kiss and excused himself for a moment, leaving Yori to stare wistfully at his departing back. Justin came to sit beside him, the alcohol on his breath quite strong. He brought with him a couple of Hideaki's other close friends, who introduced themselves as Long Guang and Henry. "Ah, Hideaki looks sooooo happy!" Justin said in a voice that sounded half complaint and half cheerful. "I want a bride too!" "Perhaps you should change that list of requirements you have!" Henry teased him. Long Guang nodded in agreement. The list was quite extensive and had grown over the years as if their friend was in pursuit of an elusive ideal rather than an actual partner. "Yes!" Justin agreed, his head bobbing up and down as if it were loose upon his neck. "But that person should still be pretty." "Alright," Henry replied, not really paying attention as he waved to a someone who had just appeared, as they had been unable to attend the wedding for reasons. "And kind and nice," Justin went on, "a good figure and clean and be able to spell correctly.." Long Guang began to snicker at this. Yori became a little curious, wondering why he had decided to add that requirement to his list. "...and laugh at my jokes..." "Well there goes most of the population," Henry joked, but Justin just ignored him and continued with his list. "And... pretty," he said after another minute. "Ah, you already said pretty," Yori murmured with a small smile. Justin squinted at him through unfocused eyes for a moment and then blushed. "You are pretty," he said suddenly, startling Yori and catching the attention of Justin's friends. "And you are an omega? I could marry you!" He lunged forward, only to be dragged back by Long Guang. "Sorry, Yori," the man said, as Justin turned to cling to him instead. "Justin gets a little touchy feely when he has had too much to drink." "It's alright," Yori answered, though his heart was beating rapidly in his chest and he felt a little shaken. It would not be the first time he had experienced others struggling to maintain boundaries, but this was definitely the first time someone had tried to attack him. Even if Justin did not mean it, even if it was the alcohol speaking, Yori did not like it. A warm arm fell over his shoulders and Yori found himself leaning into the welcome heat. "Sorry I took so long," Ryota spoke softly, his voice calming the man he embraced. Yori smiled at him in thanks. Ryota turned to look at Justin and Long Guang. "I think you ought to get that man a coffee," he suggested in a low voice. Hideaki's friends nodded in startled agreement and dragged their drunk friend away. "Are you sure you are alright?" Ryota asked Yori. Yori nodded. "Yes, I'm fine now." He blushed as he realised just how much he was nestling into Ryota's hold. He was becoming far too comfortable in the man's presence, but he really didn't want to pull away. "Dance with me again?" Ryota asked. "Yes," Yori agreed. "But I just want to give Hideaki and Eiko my gift first." Ryota grinned and let him go. The man weaved his way through the many people to the happy couple at the main table. Ryota watched, his eyes trailing over Yori's body in the tailored suit that emphasised his willowy structure without making him look thin or weak. In fact it made Ryota long to strip it off and view the beautiful creature beneath the wrappings. His throat suddenly felt quite dry and he shuffled in his seat with a sigh. That this man could cause him such burning discomfort on a whim. He tried to calm himself watching as Hideaki and Eiko looked shocked as they opened the card with their gift. Tears of happiness formed in Eiko's eyes even and Hideaki tried to refuse, but finally relented under Yori's gentle reassurance. Hideaki enveloped him in a bear hug. Ryota had to hold himself back from ripping Yori from his hold, reminding himself that Hideaki was Yori's brother and just married! Finally Yori returned to him, to his embrace where he belonged and Ryota used the dance as an excuse to hold him even closer to his person. Yori practically melted into his hold, causing Ryota great satisfaction. But then Yori became aware of something, something hard which pressed against his hip quite boldly, causing Yori to pause and redden once more. "Sorry," Ryota apologised, leaning his forehead upon Yori's shoulder. "I can't help it, when I am with you... no even when I am not with you, but I am thinking about you, I am often like this." He did not want Yori to think that his body was reacting only to this omega's delicious scent. Yori did not say anything for a moment, but allowed Ryota to continue to move him in their swaying dance. He swallowed his nerves and finally whispered into Ryota's collarbone; "M-me too." A finger slipped beneath his chin and urged his face upward that two lips might descend upon his mouth and steal his breath away. The force and the passion of this kiss completely blew apart the memories of their previous exchanges, causing Yori to gasp. Ryota took advantage as his teeth parted and his tongue delved inside to taste the depths. Yori's tongue moved to prevent the invasion only to curl as the other stroked along it and could only submit to Ryota's skill. Their lips parted and eyes opened, glassy and only containing vision of the other. "I want you," Ryota's raspy voice confessed. Yori found himself shyly nodding, before he was whisked completely away.