I Will Be Your Wine

[vicvandead]

Name: Victor Van Dort Age: 31 Height: 5′11 Pronouns: He/Him Sexuality: Bisexual Occupation: Piano teacher/Aspiring artist Zodiac: Pisces sun, Cancer moon, Libra rising Faceclaim: Adam Dimarco

Description

Victor was always misunderstood growing up. He was an only child and a complete outsider from his family. His parents were always very serious and focused on money and their appearance, their main focus on their business and increasing their wealth and social status. Victor never had any interest in the family business, and he seemed to be the only artistic person in the Van Dort household. He was sketching from the moment he was able to hold a pencil in his hand, his first talent that really helped his personality shine through his shy and awkward demeanor. He is also an excellent pianist, a talent that he didn't discover until his mother made him take lessons as a child. At first, he didn't expect it to be something he enjoyed, but it turned into a second passion of his alongside art.

Although he never really felt like he made his parents proud between his awkwardness and his disinterest in the family business and wealth, there was one thing that he knew his parents were happy about: his friendship with Victoria Everglot. They were childhood friends, and her parents were very wealthy and well-connected. Victor's parents wanted them together for a long time, and Victor truly did have feelings for her. Unfortunately, after a misunderstanding with Victoria and a missed chance at finally taking the next step with the girl he loved, Victoria married to another man and built a new life for herself without him. Victor had made a fool of himself when finally confessing his love at the altar, too late to stop her and unsure if their friendship would ever be the same again. Victor left the wedding flustered, heartbroken and confused, which lead to him accidentally stepping into a marriage of his own as he confessed his love to a corpse in the nearby woods. Now, Victoria isn't the only one married. He genuinely thought the marriage to Emily was a crazy dream at first, assuming that he was traumatized after embarrassing himself in front of his and Victoria's family, but now he must face reality.

Headcanons

Victor is extremely clumsy and awkward but always means well. Although his parents are harsh and cold, Victor has a warm and kind aura to him. He lacks self-confidence too, which could be a big reason why he and Victoria didn't quite work out.

Despite being generally nervous, he does have his moments of bravery, like when he confessed his love to Victoria at the altar.

Victor really wants to become an artist, though he does love being a piano teacher. For some reason, his parents disapproved of him trying to pursue art as a career, but they didn't mind his interest in the piano after paying for his lessons for so many years.

Had a childhood dog named Scraps that Victor remembers seeing in his vivid dream with his corpse bride, though it was more just a skeleton than his actual dog.

His family are local fish merchants. He's the first Van Dort to not follow in the family footsteps with the company

INFP

[ccrpsemily]

Her excitement overpowered her ability to realize that he wasn’t hugging her in return. Instead, Emily focused solely on the fact that she was now touching Victor, the heat of his own flesh radiating off against her much colder one, a newfound sensation in which the corpse hadn’t felt in so many years. It made her want to hold him even together, for her to be much closer to him, but before she could even attempt to do so, he pulled away. But not without uttering her name. Undeterred, she merely smiled and stared back into his gaze. “Yes, Victor?”

His eyes still held that same brokenness she noticed from back when they first met, but this time it was overwhelmed by confusion, likely due to her sudden presences. Oh, if she could have given him an earlier warning of her arrival, she would have, but there wasn’t exactly a way for one to communicate between the living and the dead. They were two separate realms for a reason. “A good surprise, I hope?” Emily inquired, nodding her head at the suggestion for them to move things inside. Yes, this was exactly what she was hoping for. Maybe soon she could even propose the idea of her living with him as well, she thought as the apartment door closed behind them. They migrated to his couch, and without needing to be encouraged, the corpse sat besides her husband, their knees pressing against one another with how close she sat.

“I did not expect to see you again so soon either.” She confessed, allowing the later half of her words to go unsaid. Despite her complete jubilance of being here, she could understand his confusion over the sight of her. After all, she was meant to be dead and yet here she was, as if she had a real bleeding heart to her. But despite her appearance, Emily wasn’t all that alive. At least, not yet. “Ask me anything, and I’ll respond honestly.” The former actress then stated. “I’m sure you’re curious to know how I got here or why I don’t look like the undead woman you met prior.” 

[vicvandead]

Though Emily did look more alive and even felt more alive as she hugged him, there was still a coldness to her skin that gave it away that she only appeared so. She seemed completely oblivious that Victor was hesitating and still processing this whole situation, her smile never faltering. Victor left her question unanswered, practically speechless for a moment. Instead, he took that moment’s pause to let her inside and lead her to the couch. She sat closer to Victor than he had expected, almost flinching as her knee touched his. A subtle shiver went up his spine.

What was he to say? She was so elated to see him, and being honest may very well crush her high spirits. While she thought he was surprised to see her so soon, the truth was he was surprised to see her ever again, having assumed she was all in his head and none of the experience had been real. Unless he’d somehow stumbled into another dream, reality was beginning to weigh heavy on him.

Ask me anything, she offered, but despite all the thoughts running through his head, Victor was drawing a blank. His heart was racing with anxiety and he was in pure shock. Ever since the wedding, his life has felt completely foreign to him. Thankfully, she suggested some starter questions that brought him back to focus. “Well…. Yes, you can start there,” he agreed, because he was curious to know how she got there and why she appeared different. He suddenly realized as he responded how dry his mouth was. “Where are my manners? I’m sorry.. Would you like anything to drink first?” He asked as he shifted his knee away from hers, preparing to stand until he added afterwards, “…. Can you drink anything? Considering you’re…” he didn’t finish the last thought, leaving the word dead unsaid.

[ccrpsemily]

It seemed that despite her attempts of reassurance, the corpse was unable to calm her husband down. Or rather, he wasn’t spazzing about like he had been when he had woken up, but rather it was the sound of disbelief that escaped his lips that informed Emily of Victor still not being alright with this entire situation. The undead woman slightly frowned. Did he believe he was no longer alive?

“You aren’t dead.” The former actress once again spoke, hoping that by helping him see that he was very much alive could help calm this situation entirely. “See?” Without much thinking, Emily leaned over and gently placed her hand against his chest. Although she no longer had a pulse that could be felt through the palm of her own hand, she was able to feel to slightly erratic beating of his very own heart beat against her bony fingers. “I can feel your heart beat against my hand” She remarked. “—can you not feel it yourself?” Certainly, he would be able to feel his own heart bleed and beat against his chest, would he not? 

For what felt like hours yet had only been a few minutes, Emily eventually pulled away. “You are very much alive and you won’t be dying” —yet, is the one word that almost escaped her lips, however she kept to herself. She didn’t want to scare him again, especially when she has yet to know what will come of her husband now that they were newly wedded. They most likely might need to speak with Elder Gutknecht soon. However for now, her main concern was to keep reassuring her husband. “Feeling any better now?” 

[vicvandead]

You aren't dead. Victor found that hard to believe. He'd gone through so much within the last 24 hours — dying after all of it seemed to make the most logical sense, especially as he was literally conversing with a corpse. His wife. He was still processing all of it.

Before he could argue with her, she placed her hand against his chest, causing him to freeze momentarily. His breath hitched, pausing his breathing as if waiting to see what would happen. The pause helped him become more aware of his body, suddenly focusing on the heart still inside his chest, still beating. He exhaled in relief. "I can now," he admitted with a nervous chuckle.

She pulled her hand away, and Victor felt his tense body relax. Though he was now reassured he was alive, he wasn't reassured in other aspects. He was alive, but she clearly wasn't... He could sense that she wanted him to feel better, being rather attentive to his emotions despite hardly knowing each other, but how could he feel better when there was so much uncertainty right now? He cleared his throat. "Not entirely..." he trailed off, still unsure where to begin until a thought crossed his mind. "I don't even know your name..."

[ccrpsemily]

Not long after she brushed her fingers against his hair, the mortal’s eyes shot open. Startled, Emily pulled her hand back and away from him as if not to scare him, however, she did not move from her position. “You’re awake!” She claimed with slight surprise. Soon, the undead bride became elated, as though she had enjoyed watching him while he slept for sleep was not needed when living within the Land of the Dead— now that he was awake meant the chance for the two of them to formally get to know one another! He sat up within the bed, panic evident on his face, and yet once her husbands gaze found her own, Emily smiled at him.  “It’s okay, you are fine and you are safe.” She gently reassured, expecting this sort of reaction.

Emily waited for him to say or do something next instead, so for his first question to be if they actually got married, her smile grew and the undead woman nodded. “We did.” She confirmed, only for her to lift up her hand to his view. There, surrounding her boney finger was a wedding ring— his grandmother’s wedding ring. "With this ring, I ask you to be mine.” Emily then recited, confirming the fact that she had overheard his vows, the tone of her voice so soft and airy, almost like she could not believe herself that this had came true. Yet, the ring sitting against her wedding finger indicated that this was very much that. She gazed at the ring. If the bride still had a beating heart and blood flowing through her body, her face could’ve been flushed with how enamored she was currently. “You are the one and who I’ve been waiting so long for.” She softy spoke, without explanation of what she meant.

Instead, with one last smile at the ring, she glanced back at him. “Did you have a pleasant sleep? My apologies if the bed wasn’t so comfortable, it’s normally used for visual and metaphoric purposes rather than literal. Plus, as you can see? I'm mainly of bones, so everything feels hard and stiff for me to decipher.” 

[vicvandead]

The newlyweds were both surprised as he awoke, and Victor was still getting familiar with their surroundings as his body and mind were catching up on waking up. He smiled nervously before rubbing his tired eyes for a moment, able to slightly relax. You are fine and you are safe was a relief to hear considering the circumstances. He was still trying to process. 

Despite his panic and confusion ( and sleepiness ), the corpse bride still seemed greatly excited to see him. Victor’s eyes followed to her hand as she showed off her ring, the ring which belonged to his grandmother. It now belonged to her. It was the reminder that the woman was in fact deceased, the shiny ring contrasting against her undead bony finger, that reality was hitting Victor — not only was she wearing his grandmother’s ring, solidifying their marriage, but she kissed him and caused him to faint …. Perhaps he did more than just faint. Was it, perhaps, the kiss of death?

He hardly heard the rest of what she said as Victor exhaled in disbelief, “Dead…” Convinced that she wasn’t the only deceased one in the room, Victor chuckled at the irony. He assumed the corpse was just being kind and pretending he was still alive, answering her question with one of his own. “Comfort doesn’t matter now that I've kicked the bucket, does it?"

[ccrpsemily]

She had not known what to expect once he had opened the door. Ideally, the intended response she would have liked for when he caught sight of her was for her husband to be thrilled. Thrilled that she was not only back, but also that there was currently nothing keeping them separated as a couple, unlike before where she knew she couldn’t keep him in the Land of the Dead with her. At least, for now. The logistics of how Emily is able to stay at The Land of the Living could be explained much later once she was settled, however, she would first need for him to agree in allowing her to stay for that to happen. But he would be fine with having her live with him, would he not?

Unfortunately, thrilled at the sight of her wasn’t the response Emily had received. Instead, her husband stared at her with shock and confusion, before blurting out about her being “real.” Such a response did not deter the old actress, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she happily smiled at him. “Yes, I’m very much real.” Emily responded, eyes softening as she truly could not believe she was actually here with him.

“And for good!” The undead woman continued before she extended out her arm and pinching the flesh with the tip of her fingers. “See! I even have flesh so I can blend in with you and the rest of the living— isn’t that wonderful?” The sound of her voice was truly ecstatic, and Emily was in such a great mood that despite her husband being frozen in place, the former bride made no haste in reaching over and hugging him. “Now we can be together again.” 

[vicvandead]

Reality hit for Victor as he saw the familiar woman’s eyes soften and a laugh escaped her lips, as if something he said was amusing. Memories of the night he met the corpse, Emily as he recalled her name, flooded his mind as she excitedly announced her new flesh — solidifying that his dream hadn’t been a dream at all. Victor was frozen in place as she hugged him, stiff as a board but trying his hardest to get himself to move. React. Something! He cleared his throat, forcing himself back to reality.

“Emily…” he trailed off, pulling himself out of the hug and meeting the corpse’s gaze. She did look quite real, beautiful even... He felt that trance again, similar to when he first saw her. Despite his hesitance and shock, her smile never seemed to falter. “Wow... I’m sorry, I’m just — surprised. Uh, maybe you should ... come inside so we can talk?” She was already practically inside as she had hugged him, so it only took a few extra steps for both of them to be fully inside his apartment. He shut the door and led her to his couch, taking a seat and leaving room for her to sit beside him.

Victor really was at a loss of what to say next; this was a lot to process. How was he to confess that he didn’t believe what happened to be true, but simply a dream? He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, seeing as she was in such high spirits to see him… “I really didn’t expect to see you again,” he finally confessed, meeting her gaze hesitantly. “I’ve got so many questions, I’m not sure where to start…”

[thefluffersblog]

Adam DiMarco

[ccrpsemily]

Being sucked in down to the ground, the now newly wedded couple had found themselves within the Land of the Dead. Or more precisely, Emily’s home. Though her soul was bounded by the tree due to her grave and the vow she had made upon her death, it wasn’t as if her entire undead life revolved around her spirit waiting besides her tree. No, upon her death, the former actress had discover that there was truly a plane beyond life. The Land of the Dead. It was the place where souls find themselves in once they passed from life. But it was also the place where a soul would go when they still have unfinished business left within the human world and could not move on in peace.

Evidently, one could guess the correct answer as to why Emily was there.

For centuries, she familiarized herself with as many lost souls as she could, some who had came and passed, other’s whom lived there longer than she has— all the while as she waited for the day in where she finally met her true love. And now that she had, a soft and gentle smile forming onto her undead face as she watched the sleeping figure of her now husband whom she placed against her bed, she could not wait to continue living her undead life with him. Or perhaps, move on with him by her side. For an hour, the bride had allowed her still humanly breathing husband slumber, aware that once she woke him up, that he would prone back into shock as he had been earlier. But alas, Emily couldn’t allow him to keep sleeping for so long. “He does look rather dashing in his sleep…” She commented in a whisper, enchanted as for the past hour, she has been doing nothing more but stare at him as he slept. Then out of a sudden urge, the undead woman reached over and attempted to gently caress him by the hair, not expecting for the feel of her boney fingers to be the cause in waking him up.

[vicvandead]

Am I dead or am I dreaming?

Victor couldn’t pinpoint what was real and what was his imagination anymore. He’d just experienced a quite traumatic day — any chances with Victoria were now permanently squished, he completely embarrassed himself at her wedding, and now there was a chance that he was married? To a dead stranger at that? Peacefully unconscious though, none of these thoughts would surface until he slowly awoke to a familiar voice. He does look rather dashing in his sleep, he heard softly beside him. Her voice was soothing despite the confusion that began to surface. It wasn’t until he felt the cold, bony touch of her fingers in his hair that his breath hitched, eyes opening suddenly.

There she was, kneeling beside the bed and waiting for him to wake up. She looked so at peace despite Victor’s sudden panic. He didn’t mean to startle her as he sat up, looking around at his unfamiliar surroundings before meeting her gaze again. He didn’t want to fear her, the more he took in her features the more she seemed harmless ( besides the undead part, of course ), but he couldn’t help his anxiety. Victor had so many questions that he wasn’t even sure where to start. He cleared his throat, his voice still sounding distant from the sleepiness that lingered. “Hi .. I um, don’t mean to sound insensitive, but … Did we actually get married?”

[ccrpsemily]

As soon as those words escaped her lips, the undead bride began to reach for him. She needed to know for certain that this was real. That after decades of waiting and nearly falling out of hope, that none of this was yet a cruel nightmare against her. The weight of the ring now sitting against her finger felt very much like reality, but Emily needed to feel him in order to know for sure that he was as well.

But as soon as her arms extended out towards him, he let out a scream, and began to run away. Stunned, the corpse pulled her arm back. She then watched from where she stood over her grave as he attempted to moved further and further away from her. His reaction had been enough for her to believe that this indeed was all true, and yet, rather than any feelings of dismay over him suddenly leaving her after bestowing Emily her ring, the corner of her lips had tugged and the undead bride smiled to herself. This was real. He was real.

Invigorated, she began to follow right after him. 

He was the one! He had to be! Even now, as she neared him, Emily started to feel a pull towards him. Was this the bond that appeared within a newly formed marriage? The one thing she had been missing even after she and Barkis had “married”. Or perhaps, the two of them never had been married after all? Not even on his end. For so long, she believed that had been the case as even those who eventually passed on into the Land of the Dead and caught wind over the truth of what had truly happened to her, they would say that Barkis claimed the two had been husband and wife right before her passing. That infuriated Emily to no ends, but also one she could not do much about. And yet she never felt like her marriage to him was ever a true one. Not only because Barkis had murdered her, but also quite possibly because she never wanted to be so near a person the same way she did at this very moment.

The moment he tripped over a branch had granted Emily enough time to catch up to him, and once she did, she reached for him. As he stood, her boney fingers was able to grasp against his arms, and the bride turned him over to stare back at her. Again, she looked deeply into his eyes— fear now mixing with the hurt and hopelessness he emitted from before. Slipping her arms up around his shoulders, the corps leaned in closer and closer to him while whispering the words "You may kiss the bride" at him before she slowly closed her eyes. Internally, she made another vow to herself, one where she would do whatever it takes to free him of those feelings, and how now as his wife, she would grant him better days from that there on.

With her cold blue lips hovering over his own, Emily took one final took at him before closing her eyes and sealing her vow—and their marriage—with a kiss. 

[vicvandead]

Victor could feel the corpse ganging up on him, practically floating with ease in his direction with an obvious longing to touch him. Grab him. He saw the smile on her face, the yearning for any sort of contact. Was it useless to even run? If he truly was married to her now ... Did til death do us part not apply in this case?

No matter how hard he tried to convince himself he was dreaming, his racing heart and uneven breath as he ran told him otherwise. He'd never had a dream feel this real in all his life. He couldn't be married, especially not after the Victoria fiasco. He just had to run home, run to what was familar and maybe he'd wake from this nightmare.

He was a goner the moment he tripped. Even if he had a moments chance to run as the corpse bride hovered over him, there was something about her that kept him put. He was in a trance of some sort, stumbling as he stood up on his own two feet. He could feel the bones of her fingers grasp his arm as she held him in place, and he finally was able to completely gaze into her eyes. He was horrified, but also intrigued.. Her eyes were beautiful and felt as if they were calling to him. He didn't squirm or fight. He focused on catching his breath as he never broke his gaze from hers, and the moment she whispered You may kiss the bride, a heavy chill ran up his spine. Without anymore time to react, the bride was leaning in and pressing her cold lips to his. There was something both beautiful and terrifying about the kiss, but Victor was unable to react. He fainted on the spot, falling to the ground once more and not awoken again until Emily brought him to the land of the dead.

[ccrpsemily]

Stepping in front of the doorway, Emily exhaled. Even now, with her body looking more human and alive rather than cold and dead, there wasn’t a need for her to breath. But now she had the option to do if she so desired, and if her plans on staying at the Land of the Living for a good while were to rang true, acting like she needed to breath was a role she had to take seriously. The part of playing alive needed to be taken seriously. It was a good thing she was a formable actress who knew how to play her parts well then, because now that she finally found where he was, there was no possible chance of the undead woman leaving anytime soon. She had spent hours upon hours, walking around the familiar yet not so familiar land of this isle, hoping to catch sight of her husband’s face and inform him of the wonderful news of how she’s been granted the chance to stay with him. Unfortunately, it would only be temporary, and Elder Gutknecht had warned her about there being conditions that she would have to abide by. And there was also one other thing she had to make come into fruition. A choice would have to be made, but one that had to be done by him. Emily wasn’t looking forward to having that conversation, but she knew for certain that once he realizes that she was back, that conversation would have to be explored.

But for now, she would rather focus on the fact that she finally found Victor again. And by that familiar pull she felt back when they first met, she didn’t even have to question on whether he was home or not. He was. Therefore, taking in a deep breath, she rang the doorbell and waited. And as soon as the door opened and her gaze his own, Emily smiled. Oh how she missed him dearly since they last parted.

“I’m back!” ( @vicvandead )

[vicvandead]

Ever since the wedding, followed by the strange dream that came right after, Victor had been staying home for the most part and trying to forget. Move on. He wasn't even sure whether he and Victoria were on good terms anymore, and now that the wedding had passed ... Now what? Vic was feeling lost, disappointed, but he didn't want to worry anyone. He was okay, really, he just .. never thought he'd be here, so misguided... What he didn't realize what that his life was about to change, as he was about to face the fact that his strange dream was never really a dream at all.

He had been home much more recently since the wedding. Having just finished the dishes in the kitchen, he dried his hands with a dish towel before making his way to the door. He had no idea who to expect, his first thought being that it was probably his parents finally checking in on him. Instead, as he opened the door, he was met with ... her. The girl from his dream.

At first, he thought he might be mistaken, for she didn't look exactly like the corpse bride. She was ... alive, or at least she appeared to be. There was no mistaking her, though, between her eyes and her voice, her smile. He froze in place, blinking as if ensuring that he was truly seeing her. "You're .... You're ...." he stuttered, struggling to get his thoughts out in the open. He had so many thoughts, so many questions, but all that he managed to ask initially was, "You're real?"

[dailyflicks]

CORPSE BRIDE 2005 | dir. Tim Burton, Mike Johnson

[gbcnt-blog]

[ccrpsemily]

Death was a peculiar feeling. 

The thought of it alone is often regarded as terrifying to most. It’s the notion of not knowing what occurs when life comes to an end, or on whether there even was an after once death was near. It was an unstoppable force— and enigma, and the one thing that will occur in life no matter what. To simply put, death was a way of life. 

However, if one were to have questioned Emily on what her thoughts on death were back when she had still been alive, she would’ve answered how she never pondered too much over it. It had never been a need for her to do so, for the woman had always believed that when it came to her own life, she would go on to live a fruitful and long one. That way, once death does arrive, there wouldn’t be the need to fear it for she would’ve been at peace with what she had done throughout her time in the world of the living. 

And for the most part, she hadn’t been wrong. Emily had been living a fruitful life— one in which led her into the spot light and in the eyes of many people as a beloved actress. She had been seen on the screen, captured by many, and eventually became a household name. Everyone had been at awe with her and adored her to pieces, and it all was done within a short span of a few years. She had a bright path ahead of her, and yet no matter how bright that path was, Emily felt like something had been missing. Love. She was adored by many—yes—and even had multiple suitors who had asked for her hand, but Emily herself had never fallen for another. That is, not until Barkis came along. Meeting him had practically been love at first sight for Emily, and she had truly believed he had loved her in return. However, it was falling for him is what sealed her fate in cutting her life shorter than expected.

Charmed yet manipulated by the man into secretly marrying him, what should have been the most memorable day of her life, became the day in where she had her last breath. Never did Emily imagine that being murdered is how things would end for her—not by the hands of the one she loved, and yet that is exactly what had happened to her. She had been betrayed and then attacked, internally bleeding from where he instilled his wound, soaking her gown from white to red as she slowly began to lose her breath. Emily couldn’t fathom why he would have done this to her, but then one look into his eyes and seeing how cold and unfeeling they were when staring back at hers, the woman felt a deeper wound than the one inflicted. Heartbreak. She had loved with him all her heart, and had been ready to spend the rest of her future with him, but he had never loved her the same. And now her life had ceased to exist. 

But her death did not come without a cost. Just before everything had fallen into darkness, Emily made a vow. She vowed to bound her soul under the oak three where she had passed, waiting for the day where her true love would appear and ask her hand in marriage. Only then, would her soul be set free and she could truly move on from life. 

For years to come, Emily waited. Haunted by the feelings of betrayal and hurt that stayed within her now un-beating heart. Yet she still had hope that one day someone will come. And in some ways, some did. Most who had gone by her tree don’t often notice her presences, but a few would sense her being there before going off on their merry way. Only two living beings seemed to truly notice Emily being here, and yet neither could be the one to help her. And so the bride continued to wait. And Wait. Until— 

“—I’m in love with you…..” She heard his voice. Muffled but coherent enough, similar like with others before. But unlike them, this time seemed different, for he continued on. “I’ve always loved you…” So honest and so genuine, she could not recall the last time she heard anyone alive speak in such a way. But for as honest as he sounds, there was also a hint of despair evident within his tone— a feeling of loss despite such heartfelt words he was emitting. As if he was equally as hopeless as he was in love. And then it happened. The feeling of something slipping through her finger, she heard him speak that oh so familiar words she had literally died to hear. “With this ring, I ask you to be mine.” 

And just like that, it’s as if Emily had truly awaken. Slowly rising from her grave, her vail at first covered her perception of him, making it her unable to see. But then as she lifted an undead hand to push the vail away from her eyes, her gaze locked within his. There, she stared deeply into his eyes. So much life could be seen within them, but also so much emotion as well. It’s true he was in love, but the hopelessness was equally the same. There was also a familiar sense of hurt within his eyes as well— and with that, she made her decision. 

Leaning in closer to him, Emily spoke the one line she never got to say until now.

"I do."

[vicvandead]

Victor wasn't sure what took over him as he stood there, staring at the ring that was now resting on the branch that resembled a hand. There was something that was keeping him frozen in place, but as soon as there was any sense of movement, a gasp escaped his lips as he practically fell back, watching as the branch's fingers moved and a body rose up from the ground below it.

There was a small bit of space between Vic and the corpse, now scrambling to straighten himself back up so he could run if necessary. But even if he was scared, he couldn't find it in himself to run just yet. He was frozen in fear, brushing the dirt off his pants now as the veiled corpse stood across from him.

There was the sound of crows cawing and circling the two of them from above as the corpse lifted her veil, revealing a sight that Victor had never experienced in his life. She was .... dead, but strangely beautiful at the same time. Broken. They were both hurting from circumstances out of their control.. but that didn't mean that Victor wanted to marry her. Whoever she was .. he'd almost forgotten that the ring was on her finger, suddenly recognizing the wedding gown and veil she wore as she said I do.

Suddenly, Victor's eyes widened as he pieced together what was happening. Did he just marry himself to a corpse?

Screaming, he began to back away further before running in the opposite direction entirely. This could not be happening. It couldn't be! His first thought was that he needed to find Victoria, but what use would that be? He just had to convince himself he was dreaming this. A terrible, crazy dream! Finding out Victoria was married to someone else manifested into a nightmare of himself marrying a corpse — he tried his best to convince himself of this despite his racing heart as he ran, tripping over some branches along the way. He could feel the corpse bride following behind him as he tried to get up again, catching his breath.

[vicvandead]

After Victor left Victoria, still in her wedding dress and still at the wedding venue, he decided he should get some fresh air. To clear his head.

He hadn't been sure what to expect out of today, but it certainly wasn't this... All his friends had been fully supportive in Victor's actions, had hyped him up enough for him to think that there was no way of screwing this up. And yet, he still felt like a fool.

She was married. Victoria was married. Still, Victor didn't lose hope entirely with that in mind. His main goal had been to prevent Victoria from getting hurt and, they somehow did succeed in that. Only, Victoria had to marry someone else to accomplish this.... She had found a way to escape, and it wasn't with him.

He had done his best to hide the heartbreak he was feeling, though it was impossible to hide his shock. The more he thought it over as he wandered the nearby woods though, the more his heart grew heavy. He thought he was fighting for Victoria, for her love, but maybe he had been right all long about it being a lost cause. Really, this day couldn't get any worse. He couldn't bother to show his face to his friends and family yet, not ready to face any of them. Instead, he continued to wander the woods, thinking about how beautiful Victoria looked despite the outcome of the wedding.

Vic stuck his hand in his pocket, remembering the special gift he had initially brought for Victoria — a ring, one that had belonged to his grandmother. It wasn't for a marriage proposal, of course, but to show her how much she meant to him. He had forgotten all about it once he heard the news, and now he was alone, the cold ring resting in his palm.

"It really shouldn't be that difficult," Victor shook his head as he stared at the ring. Surely, he was crazy now — talking to himself in the middle of nowhere, but in a strange, comforting way, he didn't really feel alone. "Victoria, I'm in love with you..." he repeated, just as he had said in front of everyone at the altar. "I've always loved you..." he continued, twirling the ring in his hand as he stepped forward, noticing a branch close-by that somewhat resembled a hand. He thought about what could have been, what could have been different had he been honest sooner. As he stared at the branch in front of him, he thought about love — how even if you did all that you could, sometimes it still wasn't enough... Yet, Victor could still dream, imagining the hand in front of him did belong to his love, a love who would love him back, for his flaws and all.

He wasn't sure what compelled him to say more, but he felt entranced as he slid the ring on the branch, just where a ring finger would be resting. "With this ring, I ask you to be mine." @ccrpsemily

[this-boys]

Adam DiMarco for W Magazine.