wedding episode

“Psst! Reck!”

Reck turned his head on the alter. He was feeling nervous already, and had been picking at his fingers. His little brother, Tack, was right behind him as his best man. Tack showed him how to straighten his back. Right.

Reck had a black suit on, and a red rose in his jacket. It was fancy, but with Reck’s total ineptitude for anything gaudy you could still tell he was a farmin’ boy. The ceremony was just a couple of lawn chairs with Player’s family, his crew, and a father that he hadn’t known of or met until recently. They’d never wanted this much, but after all the shit they’d been through together, they decided to have something to remember throughout their old years.

And even though he was absolutely certain that Player was the man he loved the most in the world, he was still nervous. About how it’ll go, on whether the love of his life got cold feet, and how their life will move forward from here. And even with his completely stoic and seemingly emotionless expression, the audience could tell.

That is, until Player’s brother switched on the music from an old record player, and Jr started skipping down the aisle.

Jr had a basket full of flowers and was lugging them at anyone in range. Que had to guard Monet from the commotion, but it was otherwise silly and fun.

“Remember to leave some on the ground, Jr.” Reck whispered from the aisle. Jr sighed loudly, now at the end, and turned around to throw some flowers on the ground, too. Reck gave him a hesitant thumbs up, and jr skipped to his seat beside his great grandparents.

Player came walking down the aisle next, with his own best man beside him. He held a small bunch of flowers that jr picked out in his hand. Reck’s eyes widened as he watched him come down, and for the first time relief and joy burst through his face. Reck smiled wide, and Player snickered at the big man as he watched him bounce on his feet. It was clear that Reck was resisting the urge to meet him in the middle.

When Player got to the altar, he giggled at his fiance.

“You’re crooked there, sweetheart.” Player said, and bit the stalks of his flowers so that he could straighten his tie with both hands, and fix the lapels of his jacket. Reck’s face got a little red.

“Oh.” Reck mumbled, quiet. Player’s smile was sweet as he held Reck’s hands.

The officiant started opening remarks. It was clear that Reck wasn’t even paying attention. He was distracted by the feeling of Player’s hands in his. When it was time for Player’s vows, however, he paid close attention.

Player talked his head off, telling story after story of how the two met. Reck sniffed, watching him talk with love in his eye.

“Something about you always clicked in my little head. Whenever I was incapacitated you took care of Jr. He saw you as a father before we even got together.” Reck’s smile grew. Player grinned at it. “I remember the exact moment that I knew you were my big ol’ teddy bear.”

“You were up late at night, and I went looking for you. You couldn’t sleep, but god, you looked so tired. I had to walk you back home and tuck you into bed myself.” Reck huffed through his smile, looking a little embarrassed.

“I took care of you. And when I needed you the most up there, you took care of me. I didn’t realize how much I needed someone to love me that much.” Player looked down at Reck’s hands, and how their fingers intertwined. “I was so excited to wake up alive in that hospital, because I knew that you could keep the promise you made.” And when he looked back up to Reck, there were tears in the short man’s eyes. “I can’t wait to put your ring on. Your turn, boobear.”

Reck was blinking a little more than usual. He smiled, sniffed, and started talking.

“Um…” Reck said, looking at Player. All of a sudden, his eyes are wet. “Uh…” And just like that, he burst into tears. Player reached up and brushed some of his tears away.

“Hey…! Hey, it’s okay.” Player said, giving him a reassuring smile. Reck laughed softly through his tears. Reck let go of Player’s hand, and began to sign instead.

‘Tadashi,’ reck signed. ‘I love you more than anything. I remember feeling warm the night you tucked me in for the first time in a while. You blessed me.’

Player giggled, watching him sign with a blush.

‘I want nothing more than to carry you through the door.’ Reck signed. ‘I love you.’

Player held his hands again. They exchanged wedding rings, and stared into each other’s eyes as the ceremony finished.

“You may now kiss the groom!”

Reck grabbed his new husband by the waist and hoisted him into the air. Player laughed, kicking in the air while Reck stabilized him, grabbed his face, and kissed him square on the lips. They were both grinning madly during their kiss, so they made the excuse to kiss again and again and again. The crowd cheered and clapped.

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The bunch of flowers were thrown into Loreli’s lap - who, the entire time, had sat with her legs crossed and her shades on.

Reck and Player cut their little cake together, and each somehow got frosting on their suits. It didn’t matter, though. They went home happy.