#zee this is the red tie au we both deserve

[njessie]

Joke and Aran have never really spoken alone, just when they're all together as a group. But when Aran comes over one day and asks to speak to him, Joke finds himself relating to Aran. (Or, the one where Aran convinces Joke to let him plan their wedding).

(G, post-canon, 960 words. Joke + Aran, with a sprinkle of Jack/Joke)

Joke's clearing the table from dinner when he hears the gate creak. He hadn't gotten around to closing it fully yet, so when he looks over and sees Aran poking his head in, he waves him inside. Aran's alone, which is unexpected. He's usually with Tattoo, so Joke's a little a surprised to see him shuffling in awkwardly, looking around.

"Aran? Is everything okay?"

Aran doesn't answer right away, just looks around the room as he scratches the pad of his thumb with his index finger. He seems to want to ask something, so Joke gives him a minute.

"Is P'Jack here?"

"He's upstairs with Ama, I can go get him if you want." Joke starts to move towards the stairs, but Aran stops him.

"No, no that's fine. I actually wanted to speak to you."

Joke can't possibly imagine what Aran would want to speak to him about. They've never really spoken individually, their interactions limited to when they're all together. Not that Joke has anything against speaking to Aran alone, just that it has never come up. He goes to sit on the wooden bed by gate and waves Aran over, who comes to sit next to him, still awkward.

"Do you want something to drink? Or eat? We just finished dinner so the food should still be warm," Joke says to break the silence.

"No, that's okay, I've eaten. Actually...I wanted to speak to you about something."

Aran hesitates, looking down at his hands. His shoulders are slumped and he's worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Well...you know. You were at that fashion show I did, weren't you?"

Joke gives him a sheepish look and nods.

"I was never really good at it. I just had the money and people did what I wanted because of that. But now...I don't have anything. I don't know what I'm doing, most of the time. But I want to try. I want to maybe see what I could be good at."

Aran looks up at him then and Joke thinks he can see where Aran is coming from. Joke certainly knows what it feels like to not feel good enough, to not know what to pursue when you're not good at academics. In this new life they've both found themselves in, Joke thinks he can understand why Aran's struggling to find a place for himself, because he's felt the same. The only difference is that Joke has Jack to ground him, to reassure him, and to encourage him to figure things out for himself. He's not sure Aran's ever had anyone like that. He thinks Tattoo could become that for him, but they're clearly too early in their relationship. Joke's not even sure if the both of them have realized their feelings for each other.

"So...I was wondering if you and P'Jack would let me plan your wedding. Maybe that's something I could be good at. I promise I won't mess things up! I'll make it really perfect for you...really. I'll try my best." Aran had straightened his spine while talking, but he slouches again, as if getting all the words out deflated any confidence he felt.

Joke wasn't expecting that. Sure, they've been engaged for a couple weeks now, but neither of them have thought about an actual wedding ceremony, at least not anytime soon. They don't have the money for anything big and Joke is fairly certain Jack wouldn't want anything ostentatious. Neither of them are the type. When Joke does let himself think about it, he imagines something small and intimate, just their close family and friends. He'll need to discuss it with Jack, but he doesn't see the harm in letting Aran help out, especially if it helps give him some direction.

"We haven't really thought about the actual wedding much," Joke says.

Aran seems to deflate even further, so Joke backtracks a little.

"We haven't thought about it yet, and I'd have to speak to Jack but I don't see why not."

Aran lights up at that.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, like I said. I'll talk to Jack but I don't think he'd have a problem with it. Just...keep it reigned in," Joke laughs. "We don't have a lot of money."

"Of course! I'll make it perfect! Don't worry, it'll be amazing, P'Joke!"

The honorific is a bit of a surprise, but Aran's quick hug is even more of a surprise. Aran jumps up, already moving towards the gate.

"I need to start looking into venues. And suits, flowers...and a caterer! You'll wear white of course, since P'Jack is always wearing black. And red ties for you both, I think," Aran looks back at him. "I'm going to start planning right away. It'll be so good, just wait."

Aran's turned past the gate before Joke can register what just happen, but he quickly pops his head back in.

"I'm going to make it perfect, I promise. Thank you!"

Aran's gone before Joke can say anything else, or even get to telling him that they weren't planning on having the ceremony any time soon. He wonders if he's made a mistake.

Jack finds him like that, still sitting on the bed.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

Joke looks up at him and scratches the back of his neck.

"I just agreed to let Aran plan our wedding, so I hope you're ready to get married sooner rather than later."

They both stare at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing. Jack comes and sits behind Joke, pulling him onto his lap. He presses his face against the back of his neck, hugging Joke close.

"Yeah, okay," Jack says. "Let's get married sooner rather than later."