The Knot (A start of an adventure?)

It was the middle of the night in Planeptune. I was in my room in a apartment dressed in a regular shirt and boxers with hearts on them. I was browsing on the internet with my laptop watching some videos I remembered years ago & going to various sites. Beside my laptop was an envelope that had a letter inside which was the invitation to me & Nepgear's wedding that I photocopied & sent to her friends along with the major CPUs & their oracles.

A depressing thought hit me though as I was typing something: Nepgear is a deity who I would safely assume would live an eternity whereas I am just a regular man who lost 1/4th of his life that will eventually expire. But why am I thinking about this?! I'm still young so if I think about nothing but my death, I'm not going to look good at the wedding & when the pictures get taken, they'll think I didn't want to marry her!

I turned off the laptop & climbed into my bed, trying not to let negative thoughts get the best of me. I set my alarm to wake up in the morning, turned off the lamp, & went to sleep. It was remarkably quiet outside with nothing but the frogs croaking & the crickets chirping which helped me fall asleep easier.

* * *

It was now morning in Planeptune and the sun's ray passed to my head while my alarm went off at the same time. I yawned & then hit the 'Off' button of the alarm.

I took off my clothes & hopped in the shower to clean up for the big day. Once that was done, I dried off, grabbed another pair of heart boxers, & grabbed parts of my tuxedo out of my closet. I buttoned up the white shirt, then I put on the black pants, the black jacket which also got buttoned up, the socks, & the black bow tie. I strapped a belt around my waist so my pants wouldn't fall.

"Smooth." I said to myself at the mirror.

I then left the bathroom & slipped my shoes on. Just as I got my room key card & was about to leave, the telephone on the lamp desk ringed.

"Uhh...hello?" I said with the phone picked up.

"Onii-Chan!!!" The girl's voice shouts. It was Nepgear.

"Oh, Nepgear!" I said. Finally something for me to think about that isn't negative thoughts.

"Are you ready for our wedding? The day is here." She asks.

"Yeah, I was just about ready to leave my apartment." I answered.

"Great! I'll be waiting for you outside. Talk to you later when you get here." She said.

"All right, bye." I said before hanging up.

After leaving my apartment room, I went to the lobby & went outside to be greeted by the clear weather & a pink-haired girl in a bride's wedding outfit.

"Hey!" She calls out to me. It was Nepgear again.

I waved & walked to her, amazed at how she looked in a wedding gown.

"You look handsome." Nepgear comments.

"Thanks. Although I wished I had a necktie instead of a bow tie..." I said.

"Don't worry about how you look, besides you would still look nice either way." Nepgear said.

I then had the mental thought of a man being hanged by his red necktie.

"...ey! Are you OK?" Nepgear asks with a worried look.

"Not really." I answered truthfully. "Just want to get the deal done with so I don't have to be reminded of something grim."

"Whats wrong?" She asks me and wonders if I'll really be OK at the wedding.

"I'm not a public person & I feel so negative of things..." I answered again.

"Well don't worry too much, I'll hold your hand if thats all right with you." Nepgear extends her right hand.

I reached my left hand & grabbed her hand. I felt a little better having her gentle hand touch mine.

"Guess we should go to the Basilicom, they're probably at the finishing touches." I said while trying not to sound negative.

We moved on to the chapel where the event would soon unfold.

* * *

While the organ was being played & the couple was singing with the player, the crowd was muttering. An old man in a priest uniform was quietly reciting lines for when the bride & groom arrived.

"They should be coming in now." Blanc says.

"I can't wait to throw the rice at my sister & her husband!" Neptune says.

"You just want an excuse to tease both Gear and her newly wed husband without getting in trouble." Noire says.

"Looks like I got another target besides Gear to play with." Vert thinks to herself.

The chapel door opens & reveals me along with Nepgear. The crowd stopped muttering but the music continued playing.

We both moved forward on the carpet with our hands still held together & I tried to focus on the old man while trying not to get scared of the eyes from the crowd. As soon as we stepped near the old man, the music finished playing & we let our hands go.

The old man begins to look at his book & talk.

"Nepgear, please face him and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you."

We both did as instructed.

The old man resumes.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. hese are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you."

'Sheesh, hope he has a drink of water after that.' I thought.

"Sir, please hold Nepgear's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go."

'Theres that bad thought again. Letting her go when my time is up...' I thought, almost wanting to shake in fear.

"These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized."

The old man turns a page in his book.

"God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May Nepgear and this man see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen."

We then let go of our hands & the old man looks at Nepgear.

"Nepgear, CPU candidate of Planeptune...do you take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest looks at her.

"I do." Nepgear says as she smiles at me.

I felt nervous from the crowd watching & Nepgear helping me keep my cool, but I must not panic.

The priest turned to face me & said "And do you sir...take Nepgear to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

I shifted a look from the crowd, to Nepgear, then the priest. I tried not to let my nervousness get to me.

"I...do." I said.

Shortly after, two little girls came up me & Gear's side, each with a wedding ring in their hand.

"If, for any reason, these two should not be joined in union, then speak now or forever hold your peace."

Nobody in the crowd spoke.

"You may now kiss the bride." The priest said, closing his book.

We both put on the rings the little girls gave us, I pulled Gear towards me, & I delivered the kiss with my eyes closed so I could pretend for a moment its just the two of us. The crowd cheered & gave their applause at us. I then opened my eyes & pulled myself away from Gear followed by a sigh. I then tried to smile & wave, Nepgear picked up what I did & mimicked.

"Congratulations, Junior!!!" Neptune shouts.

"Its almost over, Onii-Chan. Just need our pictures taken & we're finished!" Nepgear tells me, taking my hand again.

I shuddered at her calling me that, even if the crowd didn't hear it.

* * *

By the time we finished the wedding, it was sunset & the moon was getting ready to rise.

"Hey there, brother of the house!" Neptune walks over to me & Nepgear.

"H-how'd I do?" I asked Nepgear.

"You did wonderful, & not just from the kiss, but you managed to stay calm!" She answers.

"I guess..." I said.

"Well what're ya gonna do now that you two lovebirds are officially together? You gonna make sure Nep Jr. here gets playful teases? Maybe make some pudding to celebrate?" Neptune asks me.

"Umm..." I didn't know what to say.

"Aw don't sweat it, its cool! But you should pay a visit to your older sister once in a while!" Neptune chuckles.

"We're not staying at at my place." I said.

"Huh?" Nepgear was confused.

"I mean...isn't yours better?" I asked.

"That would be sweet! We'll play 3 player games all together & have fun!" Neptune says in delight.

I sighed. Suddenly, an angry feminine voice from the distance shouted. "NEPTUUUUUUUUNNNEEE!!!"

I jumped & saw a floating book chase after Neptune.

"Zoinks! Well, I'll catch you two later, Histy is gonna book me!" She runs away.

'Histy huh?' I wondered.

It was now just the two of us together in the sunset like the ending to a romantic film.

And then I had another mental thought where I drowned in a ocean & a mermaid-like figure was orbiting to me.

"Onii-Chan!"

In reality. Nepgrar was rubbing her head onto my face.

"Shave! Shave! You're so nice when you shave your hair."

I gave her a slight push which made her stop.

"So Onii-Chan, feeling better now that we're finished with the wedding?" Nepgear asks.

"Yeah, better now that we're not in front the crowd." I responded. "But I'm still feeling negative though..."

"I will do anything for my Onii-Chan!" She smiles at me.

I felt her support which pierced my heart.

"Will you help me think & act more positively?" I asked her.

"Of course! We just got married, now we both have to take responsibility & support one another." She tells me.

We both walked over to my apartment & she waited for me to get my stuff ready for moving in to her place. After a bit, I carried my bag of stuff with my right shoulder & walked with Gear to her place.

"So what helps you cheer up?" Nepgear tells me.

"...Monster girls." I answer.

"And why is that?" She asks.

"Because...well, they look gross being a hybrid of a monster & a human on the outside but on the inside, they're still nice." I say.

"So if I made some potions that temporarily changed me into whatever monster you like, will that help?" She asks again.

"Yes." I answered.

We entered the lobby and then took the elevator up to Neptune's floor...

Well, this wedding was quite exotic for someone like me. I held hands with Gear so much & we both pledged our promise to help each other out, if only I didn't have a ring stuck on my finger...ah whatever, complaining about it at this point is meaningless because it acts as the contract for not only Nepgear, but myself. It'll be an interesting path for me to have a CPU Candidate be by my side, but I worry on how I'll look many years down the line & the inevitable time for when I kick the bucket. I wish there was a way of living forever with Nepgear but alas, there is nothing...but if I lived forever & I went senile, I couldn't spare myself by committing suicide.

Nepgear, I hope you'll able to get me thinking more positively...