Episode 106 - A Celebration

"I can't believe you made us separate before tonight," Amari muttered, sitting on a chair in the bathroom as Ziggy faded the sides of his head. "Technically we're already married, which you know, since you were a witness."

Brushing away the tiny specks of shaved hair from his shoulders and neck, his friend chuckled. "It is tradition, tsé?" He gave Amari a light kiss on the cheek, then a hard slap to the head. "You refused to do anything else traditional for this 'wedding,' so I at least want to have the night and day before to myself." With a sigh, he tapped a shoulder to let him know he was finished. "Ah... I knew this would happen, hein? I said that soon you would be leaving me, going off into wedded bliss. You thought I was crazy, hein, yet here we are!"

Amari smiled and stood, hugging his friend tight. "Zig, it's not like I'm going anywhere or anything's changing. I signed a few pieces of paper and changed my last name, but everything else's the same."

"Ben là! Mon chéri isn't even Scotty anymore!" Ziggy slouched dramatically, his arms wrapped tightly around Amari's waist. "How is that not changing?"

"I've no desire to keep my father's name." Amari pat his back, letting Ziggy hang on him like a pouty child. "But you can call me whatever you want. And I still live here. It'll be forever before we can afford our own place."

"Coudon, just let this old man have this." There was something unexpectedly desperate in those words, so Amari stayed quiet. After another long sigh, Ziggy pushed Amari back. "Antèka, you're all groomed. Get in the shower and I'll grab your clothes, hein?"

Amari groaned, pulling off his shirt, and turned the water on. "I can't believe you talked me into wearing a suit vest and tie. I've never worn a suit in my life. Or a tie. Or anything dressier than a button-down shirt."

"Oui, j'le' sais, which is exactly why you're wearing it!" Ziggy was already in the hallway, shouting back at him. "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean the rest of us don't want to, tsé?"

"Yeah, okay," Amari said, waving his hand as he stepped into the shower. "Whatever you want, Zig."

He couldn't stop an idiotic grin from covering his face as he washed. Even though everything really was the same, it still felt different. After the push and pull, and the childish, anxious games they had played with each other over the past year and a half, they were married.

He and Yangyang had a late night discussion and, to the disappointment of most of their friends and family, they agreed to forgo any kind of traditional wedding. Amari didn't like the idea of formal vows or a ceremony. They had committed to each other so many times in so many ways. It seemed silly to say it in front of someone they didn't know, in a ritual that didn't mean much to them. In sickness and in health, for better or for worse - they had already made those promises and would continue to reassure each other many more times in the future.

Instead, they quickly got their marriage license, found a friend of a friend who could legally officiate, dragged Ziggy and Cate to a random park on a Thursday afternoon, signed the required paperwork, and like that, they were married. Ziggy wasn't thrilled, complaining that the 'father-of-the-bride' should be allowed some say in the wedding, but Amari just smiled and kissed him on the cheek, and there were no more arguments.

Tonight was a casual, family event, where they were free to celebrate in their own way. No stress, no formalities - just a good time with the people they loved, and a lot of food and music.

"Are you done in there yet?" Ziggy called from the hallway. Amari finished toweling off his hair and opened the door to find him waiting impatiently, then found himself quickly dragged by the wrist to his bedroom.

"Here. Underwear. Jeans."

Since everyone insisted they should look more dressed up than usual, Amari and Yangyang had only a partial say in their outfits. They compromised on jeans, a light dress shirt, a casual suit vest, and a red tie, for a little Chinese luck and happiness. Ziggy picked out Amari's clothes - a medium-blue jean, black belt, dark grey vest, and light grey dress shirt. The description sounded nice, he supposed, but Amari couldn't see it. As long as the old man was happy, he didn't care. Aside from the fact that they were all fitted and not nearly as comfortable as his sweaters and sweatshirts.

"Jesus, these're all so tight," he grumbled as Ziggy finished the knot in his tie and buttoned up his vest.

"Don't you want to look sexy for your husband?" His friend chuckled playfully, smoothing out his clothes a final time. "Ah, oui, and you look damn sexy. It fits your slim little body à la perfection."

Amari sighed, scratching at the side of his head. "It feels strange."

"Of course it does. It's called fashion, hein?" Ziggy snatched away Amari's phone and earbuds. "I am keeping these for you. Everyone you know will be there and it will ruin your lines."

He was pushed down the hall, then handed his heavy overcoat and black dress shoes. "Aweille! Come on, or we'll be late. Which would be ridiculous, since we are only walking to the basement of this building, tsé?"

His arms were barely through the sleeves of his coat before he was dragged out the door, down the stairs, and to the street. It was cold outside, but Amari's cheeks felt warm as he finally realized what was happening. Eloping during the week was so informal, he hadn't really thought much about it. Now he was as dressed up as he would ever be, heading toward a room full of family, to celebrate becoming a husband and a father.

"Are you okay?" Ziggy asked, squeezing his arm and slowing his pace down the sidewalk. "You went a little stiff on me, tsé?"

"I think... I'm nervous..." His friend chuckled and gave him a gentle pat on the back, and he let out a breath to calm himself. What was there to be nervous about?

He was led down the stairs and through the ticketing area to the main floor. It had been cleared out, the long table set up for food, and everyone was clustered around the bar. From the stage, the traditional 'here comes the bride' wedding march played and Amari flushed, immediately turning back toward the exit.

"Oh no you don't, hein?" Ziggy spun him back around, pushing him forward.

"Trying to leave me already?" teased his favorite voice, playful and sweet.

He felt instantly comforted, grinning toward the tall figure, and Yangyang lifted him into his arms. Automatically wrapping himself around his neck and waist, Amari gave him a long kiss.

"I missed you," Yangyang said after moving his head back. "I can't believe I let Ziggy steal you away for a whole day."

Tapping him on the back, Amari softened his smile. "Put me down. You're gonna wrinkle my fancy clothes."

Yangyang placed him on his feet and straightened out his vest, then leaned down to kiss him on the neck. "You look so hot right now, I just want to ditch this and carry you back to the apartment."

Amari responded with a swift punch in the chest and Ziggy joined them, hands waving them apart.

"Alright, alright, break it up, hein? You have your entire lives to be like that." Amari blushed at the thought. "Look at you, all red. Ah, c'est cute." Ziggy chuckled as his expression changed from embarrassed grin to embarrassed frown. "And since you can't see him, I'll just tell you that your husband looks très sexy right now. Black jeans, off-white dress shirt, brown herringbone vest... All of it tight enough to see that body... Ah, si beau. Damn fine."

Amari pushed Ziggy away with a huff, Yangyang chuckling at the comment, but he couldn't help putting his hands on Yangyang's biceps and run them down his chest.

"A Li. Are you feeling me up in public? In front of our family?" His voice was playful, resting his arms over Amari's shoulders.

"It isn't fair that the perv gets to see and I don't." Yangyang leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, and he sighed in defeat. "C'mon. Let's join everyone else."

Pulling Yangyang over to the bar, he found a little figure sitting on the edge, his legs dangling happily toward the floor.

"Li gēge! Oh, no. Li ba!" Taitai giggled at his mistake and Amari reached out to put a hand on his head. "Li ba, my hair is just like ba. You like it?" It was long enough to easily put part of it up into a ponytail and it felt exactly like Yangyang's.

Amari nodded. "You're becoming more and more like your ba," he said with a smile. Moving his hand to Taitai's arm, then his side, he felt his outfit. He also had on a dress shirt and vest and Amari smiled wider. "You even dressed up like him."

"Xiao Li!" Yinyi exclaimed, throwing an arm around him from behind. "You clean up so nice! You should dress like this all the time. Look at that body. Very sexy."

Amari shook his head as he tugged on his tie. "Hell no. I'll take comfort, thanks."

"I think if you could see the way Xiao Yang is looking at you, you would change your mind..."

Her voice trailed off as Yangyang chased her away.

"Hella sexy," Minwoo agreed through a giggle, taking her place at his side. "Hyung, that fit is snatched!"

"Snatched!" Taitai shouted, joyfully copying his friend, and Minwoo snorted out a laugh.

Yangyang cleared his throat awkwardly when he returned, having successfully rid himself of his overbearing sister, but Amari only smiled sweetly, leaning his back up against the bar. He didn't need to see the way Yangyang looked at him to know how he felt. It was clear in his voice, or the way he touched, and the times it wasn't, he knew Yangyang would say it himself.

After mingling with everyone, Yangyang took Amari's hand and led him toward the stage. Ren and some of his band had been playing instrumental music as everyone chatted, but Yangyang was ready to start the show, jumping onto the stage and grabbing the mic. Amari lifted himself up next to him and Yangyang's arm hung comfortably over his shoulder as he spoke.