The Wedding
There's idle chatter in the air. Wind blows through the trees. The officiant stands in front, a plain black suit. Fabric flowers wrap around the white chairs, blue orchids mixing with red roses on green vines.
There's a path in the middle, separating the group. One side is larger, with a full family from birth, mixed in with found family. Two children play with toys as time passes, the language barrier not stopping them. There's a look of discomfort on one face, as he keeps an eye on a pair of people. They're all dressed nicely, some more out of the ordinary than others. The other side has five people. One keeps his dark sunglasses on, hiding his bandages. A woman holds his hand, as they talk with the others. A musical cue starts, and the chatter stops. A young girl starts down the center path, dressed in a red princess dress. Ruby. She bounces as she walks down the aisle, throwing petals on everyone she can reach. She reaches the end, basket well empty. A pair follows after, dressed in match black suits. Mare and Marvin. Mare's traditional look is replaced by eyeliner. He's stiff in his suit, arm linked with Marvin's. Marvin's eyes are lined in black, mask nowhere in sight. Ruby goes to Mare when they reach the end. The musical cue shifts, and everyone stands. The next pair starts at separate sides. They walk to the aisle, holding hands as they turn to the front. Henrik and Phantom. Henrik hums, walking in a dark red suit. He faces front, focusing on getting to where they're walking to. Phantom keeps glancing at Henrik, dressed up in blue. They reach the front, hands held tightly together. Their other hands link together, as they look at each other, focusing on nothing else. The officiant starts, words in the background about love and forever. Henrik focuses more, as Phantom completely zones them out. It's when Henrik focuses back on him, that Phantom pays attention. Henrik smiles, squeezing Phantom's hands. His blue eyes shine, as he shifts in place for a moment. "I call you my star, because when my life is darkest, you bring the light that I need. I call you my dove, because even in the midst of chaos, you are the calming force I need. Though it hasn't been easy, through headaches and heartbreaks and half-meant lies, you have been with me, and I with you, through the night and the day, through the fire and ice, through the losses and gains. And with the day, with our families here, I promise that I will be with you through all of that and more." Phantom smiles, wiping his tears away. Henrik smiles back, curling his lips as grabs Phantom's hand again. "I love you. All the world's languages could never express that as much as I do. I could say it all day, every single day, and it would never be enough. You are my love, my healer, my fire. You've changed me, made me better. You've made me want to be a better person. I promise to you that I'll keep going to be better. Until maybe one day I feel worthy of you. I will love you and be with you, for as long as our forever lasts." The officiant smiles, looking between them. "The rings please." Mare and Marvin step forward, each giving their own brothers their rings. They're simple, plain, platinum bands on the outside. A date and an infinity symbol are engraved inside each of them. "Henrik, if you would repeat after me. I, Henrik." "I, Henrik." "I, Phantom." "Give you this ring." "Give you this ring." "As a symbol of my love." "As a symbol of my love." "And as my commitment to you." "And as my commitment to you." It's when the rings are on the fingers, that Phantom's tears start to fall. There's a declaration of them as husbands, and the world falls away. Phantom steps forward, reaching up to cup Henrik's face. He smiles, leaning forward to kiss Henrik. The first kiss is soft, as they focus on the other. Hands move and they're pulled away to their own world. They come back to clapping, hands grabbing at hands again. They face their families, their friends, and their future.
