Chapter Text
Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.
Raindrops fell from the sky, dark and cloudy, only adding to the dreariness of the moment. Puddles formed on the ground with no children to play in them and people ducked inside their homes in hopes of not getting wet. Two red eyes watched the drops fall from behind a foggy window, full of dread and anxiety. Fukase tried to focus on the sounds of the falling rain, something that always calmed him, but he couldn’t manage to drown out the commotion of his parents rushing to get ready and the shouting of the town crier, who despite the fact that he was soaked from head to toe, was screaming out the exact news he was dreading.
Wedding rehearsal this. Wedding rehearsal that. Doesn’t he have anything more interesting to report?
Fukase hated the constant reminder of what was to come, trying his best to savor the last moments of peace he had, but failing miserably. He shifted his focus to the drawing of a moth in front of him. They were creatures regarded as pests by most, but Fukase rather liked them, despite what others thought. They kind of reminded him of himself. Judged by others before he even is given the chance to speak. Though, perhaps he was just surrounded by people who didn't have the ears to listen.
“Fukase! Hurry up! We’re going to be late!” Meiko called from downstairs, impatience clear in her voice.
“Coming!” He called back, gathering the papers full of drawings that were strewn across his desk and shoving them into his bag. His footsteps were heavy as he ran, but they paused right before he passed the threshold of the door. He didn’t want to have to face his parents almost as much as he didn’t want to get in that carriage. He wasn't quite sure how he would react upon seeing their faces. He loved his parents, he really did, but right now, he felt utterly betrayed. He hated the idea that they would sell him off to some man just for money and recognition. The thought hurt.
“FUKASE!” Meiko screamed once again, so loud that Fukase was sure his ears would be ringing if he had been standing right next to her.
“I’m coming!” He responded. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Fukase tried his best to reassure himself that everything would be alright.
It’ll be okay. He’ll be a nice man. Your parents would never force you to marry a man you don’t like. They know you’ll like him, right?
Fukase opened his eyes again, full of newfound determination and rushed down the stairs where his parents were waiting.
“Took you long enough.” Meiko scoffed, turning out the door and toward the carriage. “Now come on! We can’t be late for this.”
Fukase simply nodded as he followed her steps out of the comfort of his own home and into uncharted territory.
“Watch the puddles! We can’t enter the Kagamine manor with mud on our feet.” Meiko stepped into the carriage, her long red dress dragging in the wind behind her. When Fukase peeked inside, he saw his father already sitting there, who waved at him happily.
“Are you excited, Fukase?” Kaito asked. Fukase took a seat next to his mother and looked up at Kaito with nervous eyes.
“I’m not sure…” He answered, choosing his words carefully. “How can I be sure that I’ll like him? I’ve never even met him.”
“I’m sure you will, Fukase. That Kagamine boy is said to be very kind and caring. Maybe even a little shy at times.” Kaito reassured him.
“And he’s adorable!” Meiko added. “How could you not love a boy like that?”
“I guess…”
Fukase looked out the window at the falling drops. The window was foggy and cold. If it got any colder, it would probably begin snowing. The snow was prettier than the rain in his opinion, but the pattering of the rain hitting the windows always beat out the shimmering of snow. Through the drops he could see a large building coming into view. It towered higher than most buildings in town and was wider than any house Fukase had ever seen. He hadn’t even met his to-be-husband and yet he already felt intimidated.
Kaito got out of the carriage first and shielded Meiko from the rain as she ascended the steps to the mansion. Fukase followed close behind, nervously. He couldn’t avoid a run in with the Kagamine boy any longer, it seemed.
He felt like he was watching his mother ring the doorbell in slow motion. He was praying and hoping for that door to stay shut. That no one would ever answer and they could just go home with an “Oh well. We tried!” Of course, Fukase wasn’t that fortunate. A butler answered the door, and his mother seemed pleased, no doubt envisioning what her life would be like once she owned that butler as well. Fukase supposed it would be nice to have someone attending to your every need, but he just couldn’t feel eager about it the way his mother did. Sure, a butler would be nice, but it didn’t feel worth his freedom and individuality.
“Welcome!” Ms. Kagamine called, greeting them as they walked through the door. "It's so nice to see you again, Meiko!"
The pink haired woman cleared her throat and elbowed the man with long purple hair who stood next to her.
"Ah! Yes! Nice to see you." He greeted.
"Your place is wonderful, Luka!" Meiko remarked. "Quite stunning!"
"Thank you. Thank you. We try our best." Ms. Kagamine responded with a wide smile. "Our Len is still getting ready I'm afraid, but he'll be down to meet you shortly. He's quite excited!"
"And who wouldn't be? My Fukase is such a sweetheart." Meiko laughed, pinching Fukase's cheeks.
"Mom, stop!" He protested, trying his best to swat her away.
Ms. Kagamine chuckled. "I'm sure he is. Now we must be going! The rehearsal will be starting the second Len is ready and you must see the room we've set up. It's gorgeous and I'm sure you'll agree!"
Fukase watched his parents follow the Kagamines to the room she spoke of, not even stealing a glance back at Fukase as they left. They didn't even bother to take him with them, not that he wanted to go. The longer he stayed away the better.
Fukase turned his sights toward a lone table in the corner of the room and made himself comfy. The smallness of the table in such a large, open room was unsettling, but Fukase didn't have room to be picky. He took out the papers he had shoved into his bag earlier and uncapped a bottle of ink. He removed a long feather from the bag and gently dipped it, letting black engulf its nib. He dragged the tip across the paper, letting the ink flow into whatever shapes and sizes his heart desired. He ended up drawing a tree, its thin branches covered in snow from a long, cold night. As he drew, he hummed a quiet tune, which got gradually louder and louder as he got more lost in his own world, until eventually, he was quietly singing to himself. He was too caught up in the strokes of the tree and the tune of his song to notice the quiet footsteps that approached him from behind.
“Excuse me?”
Fukase’s song immediately came to a halt and he cringed at the long, thick stroke of ink that had made its way through the center of his drawing. This was why he never drew in public. This always happened when he was disturbed.
“You’re Fukase, right?” A kind voice asked.
When Fukase turned around, he saw a boy with long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail and a gentle smile on his face. His entire look felt very official. Very… royal. Fukase wasn’t sure how much he liked it. It made him feel small and weak in comparison to someone so bright.
“Ah, um… Yes.” Fukase stuttered. “I mean- uhm, yes, that’s me.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Fukase. You can call me Len.”
“Ah, mhm… nice to meet you…Len…” Fukase mumbled. He couldn’t manage to make eye contact with the blonde, as hard as he tried. He was just too nervous. He hadn’t had time to prepare himself!
"Are you nervous for the rehearsal?” Len asked. “I am too. I've never been married before."
"I would hope not." Fukase responded on impulse.
Len just laughed in response. Fukase felt relieved that Len hadn't taken offense to his statement. He seemed… nice enough, he supposed.
“What were you singing?” Len asked him.
“Oh, uhm, just a song I made up. I haven’t named it yet.”
“It was pretty!” Len complimented. “I hope I get to hear more of it later on!”
“Thank you…”
“I like singing too. It’s fun.”
“It is.” Fukase agreed.
Fukase tried his best to decide what he thought of Len. There was so much to consider and not enough time. Len seemed nice. He seemed to like the things Fukase did too. And he was blonde, which was definitely a plus, though Fukase wouldn’t admit it. So really, he should be happy about marrying Len. He was his type and they seemed so compatible, but… something about Len just threw Fukase off. Every word he said… it seemed so forced. Though, Fukase supposed he was forcing himself to speak as well. Maybe Len was just nervous, just like himself. Maybe he had a whole script in his head in a desperate attempt to make a good impression. Fukase could relate to that.
He let himself relax.
It’s okay. Len is a good person. You have a lot in common. This won’t be as bad as you thought. You were stressing over nothing just like you always do.
“I’m looking forward to our marriage, Len.” Fukase stated with a polite smile. He wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince, Len, or himself, but he wasn’t sure that it was working on either of them.
“As am I, Fukase.”
The doors behind them creaked open with a loud booming sound and the echoing of their parent’s voices returned.
“Ah! Len is finally ready! And it seems you two have met already! How perfect!” Ms. Kagamine sung. “It’s almost time now boys! Chop chop!”
“Coming, mother!” Len called following behind her with light, graceful steps. It was yet another way Fukase felt out of place in a mansion like that. Fukase scrambled to gather his things and turned around to see everyone but his father had left. Fukase ran across the room to Kaito who stood with his arms folded, leaning against the doorframe.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I’m ready to go now.” Fukase apologized.
Kaito smiled at him. “It’s okay. I can tell you’re nervous. You gonna be alright?”
“Mhm.” Fukase nodded his head.
“Great!” Kaito grabbed Fukase’s tie and readjusted it. “He’s already head over heels for you! Just look at that pep in his step.”
Fukase giggled. “Thanks dad.”
“Of course. Ready to go?”
Fukase took a deep breath and nodded.
It was okay. He could do this.