Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με.
Kyrie, Iesou Christe, huie tou theou, eleēson me
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
Aramaic (Classical Syriac):
ܡܪܝ ܝܫܘܥ ܡܫܝܚܐ، ܒܪܗ ܕܐܠܗܐ، ܐܬܪܚܡ ܥܠܝ ܚܛܝܐ. ܐܡܝܢ.
Mar Ieshu Mesiha, bara Illaha, yitraḥemni a'khataw. Amayn
Lord Jesus Messiah, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.
English:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me.
Greek (repeated):
Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱὲ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με.
Kyrie, Iesou Christe, huie tou theou, eleēson me
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.
— John Tavener & Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Prayer of the Heart
Tavener’s Song for Athene was originally written in memory of a friend of the composer and was later sung at the funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Westminster Abbey. The text comes from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and from the Orthodox funeral service.
Alleluia
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Alleluia
Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.
Author's Note: Partially inspired by "Satisfied" from Hamilton
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The rain drizzles down on the pavement outside of your father's house. It's the light kind of spring rain that once it passes, it casts a beautiful hue that makes the green trees and grass their most vibrant shade. But instead of paying attention to the emerald green landscape, you look up at the murky, cloudy, sky and selfishly hope that it doesn't stop raining. After all, today is the day. Today is Rick Flag and June Moone's wonderful wedding. Today is the day you lose Rick for good.
It's springtime in DC and everything is in full bloom, including the flowers that Rick had sent you. He had sent you a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses with a 'thank you' card attached. What for, you don't know. Maybe to thank you for agreeing to give a speech? Attend his wedding? But then again, he wouldn't send flowers to just anyone. Despite the beautiful arrangement on the stand, you only seem to note the thick thorns that stick out from the green stem.
Gently, you pick one of the roses up, inspecting it from every angle. The flower itself it beautiful; it's bright yellow petals wrapped delicately around each other in a tight hug as you twirl it around, getting lost in your thoughts.
"Are you ready?" You accidentally drop the flower on the floor and turn around to see your brother standing in the doorway with his suit jacket laying on his arm. "It's time to go."
"Do I have to?" You make your way over to John who offers you a sentimental smile.
"I don't like her either, but she makes him happy. And that's it. Let's just do our thing, socialize, and then leave. Deal?" He extends his unused arm for you to take to which you immediately loop your arm through his.
"Deal."
The venue is beautiful. Except for the daffodils that decorate every table. You don't know what June was thinking when she chose daffodils as her accessory flower, but you do know that Rick hates them. You take one of the flowers into the palm of your hand and crush it between your fist before dropping it onto the ground beneath you.
"Wow, someone must have gotten you angry," Alice comments, handing you a flute of champagne as she takes a place by your side, eyeing everyone in range, probably looking for John.
"What gave it away?" She motions down to the crushed flower as you let out a sigh before downing your drink, thankful for the alcohol. "I don't want to be here."
"Hey, it's Rick's wedding. He specifically asked you to be here. Try to act ok? I know this is hard, but try for Rick?" She raises her glass as you tap yours against it.
"For Rick."
----------
Everybody is seated by the time Rick walks down the aisle with John at his side, quietly talking amongst themselves. The pair stop at the top of the altar and turn around, both standing in similar stances and if it wasn't for the scenario, you would have thought it humorous.
You can tell Rick is nervous by the way he stands. Whenever he gets nervous, his posture is always a tight militant stance and he looks like a shiny new solider straight out of the Academy. You manage to catch his gaze and offer him a quick thumbs up to which he responds with the corner of his mouth quirking upwards into a smile as the band starts playing.
The whole group of people collectively stand up in unison and face the rear, waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle, except you. You don't care what June looks like, hell you don't want to know what June looks like. All you want right now is to be the one walking down the aisle towards Rick. Glancing back to where Rick stands, you desperately want him to catch your gaze but instead he's stoic, not daring to move a single inch and it makes you wonder, does he really want this?
----------
Dinner is served by rows, the first obviously being June and Rick, and you watch in a certain sadness the way she laughs and clings onto him, her eyes shining under the string light as her best friend tells tales from their youth about all the trouble the would get into. Rick plays along with the charade; keeping a polite smile, throwing in the occasional chuckle, and holding June to his side and it pains you to see it.
"Alright, I believe (Y/N) Tavner has a speech for the man of the hour. (Y/N), why don't you come up here?" You gulp thickly and look over to your brother by Rick's side who gives you a slight nod while Alice's hand squeezes your arm in comfort.
"You got this, honey."
"Thanks," you return the gesture before making your way through the crowd of people with your heart thumping in your ears. The man on the stage helps you up and toward the microphone, giving you the floor. Setting your bag down, you shakily take the microphone and reposition yourself to stand in direct view of the bride and groom. Taking a deep breath, your hands itch toward the note you have in your pocket, feeling the weight of the words dragging you down. You had written a lovely speech about love and cherishing one another, but you know it's all fake, that the speech didn't come from you and Rick would know it.
"First of all, I would like to thank the Moone family for throwing this lovely wedding. How about a round of applause for the bride's family?" The crowd claps in tandem as June's parents brush it off. Once it quiets down, you continue again. "Second of all, thank you Rick for choosing me to be your speech person. Out of everyone you know, you chose me. And I don't think I will forgive you for this," everyone laughs at your joke, though you and Rick know it's not a joke.
"Anyways, when I first met Rick at the Academy, I thought 'no way in hell is this guy getting married'. Rick was a studious, dedicated, loyal, and stubborn cadet, traits he carries with him to this very day. It's these traits in Rick that I think June sees as well and realizes 'hey, if he's a dedicated and a loyal soldier, he would probably be those things as a husband too' and while I'll never get to experience it, I know Rick will pull through. Never in my life have I met anyone like Rick. Sure, he has his flaws, but those flaws make him him. Expect for the fact that he doesn't like olives, or daffodils, or even cats. I mean who doesn't like cats?"
"Alright, Tavner, lets move along," Rick calls out from his spot at the table and your heart begins to race again. Thoughts come rushing in as you see June and Rick cuddling together and dotting on one another and you can't handle it.
"Right, ehm. Sorry. June, you don't realize how lucky you are right now to have Rick as your husband. He is protective, loyal, supportive, loving, generous, kind and more. Everything a husband needs, Rick has and it makes it impossible to not fall in lo-" you catch yourself before it's too late, but with all your words, it's very obvious where it was heading.
The courtyard is filled with an awkward silence and in the distance you can see June fuming and Rick clenching his jaw. Taking a quick peek over to your brother, you see him shaking his head in denial and everything floods in.
Dropping the microphone, you bolt off the stage and into the garden, unaware of Rick leaving his table and following you.
"(Y/N)! Wait! Wait up!" You skid in your tracks and face him, tears welling in your eyes. "What the fuck was that back there?"
"I'm sorry, Rick. I didn't mean for me to say that. It just slipped out."
"No, I don't care about what happened. I care about your words. What do you mean 'impossible not to fall in love'. What do you mean, (Y/N)?"
"It's nothing. I think it's best if I leave," you move to walk away but his hand grabs your arm and keeps no in place.
"No, you're not running away. Tell me what you mean."
"I love you Rick. I've always loved you, and it slipped out. Happy?"
Rick hangs his head while placing his hands on his hips. "Why'd you never say anything? All this time?"
"Because you would never accept it, Rick. You always thought of me as your best friend, nothing mo-,"
"Shut up, you have no clue what you're talking about," Rick shouts more loud than he intends to before he lowers his. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Then tell me?"
"I love you, (Y/N). I really do. I just wish you would've said something sooner," he steps closer to you, remaining a comfortable distance away.
"Run away with me, Rick. We can move down to New Orleans for your job. We can start a life there. Start over if you'd want."
"I can't. I'm married to June."
"But do you love her?" Silence. "Do you love her, Richard?"
"I'm married to her. She's my wife," his response doesn't answer your question and you know in that moment, he doesn't love June Moone, he loves you. June and John appear from around the corner as do some other guests, eager to know what's going on.
"Everything ok over here?" June gives you a slight glare but turns her focus onto Rick. "Are you ok, baby?"
"Yeah honey, I'm fine. Right Tavner?" You nod, taking a place next to your brother who wraps an arm around your waist, giving you a light squeeze.
"Yeah, everything is fine. Sorry for my slip up, had one too many drinks." June turns to John without looking at you.
"Control your drunk of a sister before she ruins my wedding more."
"June, that's not nice."
"I don't care, Rick. She almost ruined my wedding."
"You mean, our wedding." June rolls her eyes and drags Rick by the arm.
"Let's go back before more people raise speculations," June shoves right past you and Rick quickly offers you an apology before putting on a happy face and wrapping his arm around June while you and John watch.
"Well, that's bullshit." You look over to your brother's taut face and nod, breaking away from his hold.
"I think I'm just going to leave. I already caused enough distress. I have to get ready for that mission anyways."
"You're never gonna be satisfied, (Y/N)." You look back and offer a small smile.
"He'll never be satisfied."
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