Infuriating :: KAVETHAM/HAIKAVEH

38

The ceremony had been beautiful. Neuvillette stood at the front, officiating Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding with a calm composure that masked the subtle whirlwind of emotions brewing inside him. As the day unfolded, his eyes naturally drifted to the crowd, where Wriothesley sat, watching the ceremony unfold with a smile that made Neuvillette's heart race. Something about seeing him there, amidst the joy of others, stirred feelings Neuvillette couldn't quite put into words.

---

Flashback – Earlier that day

Before the ceremony, Wriothesley had made his way over to Kaveh and Alhaitham. Both were busy with last-minute preparations, but they greeted him warmly.

"Wriothesley!" Kaveh beamed, pulling him into a quick, friendly embrace. "How are things in Fontaine? It's been a while."

"Busy as ever," Wriothesley replied, his smile polite but a little nervous. "Actually, I... wanted to ask you both something."

Alhaitham raised an eyebrow at the unusual hesitance in Wriothesley's voice. "Go on," he said, his tone encouraging but measured.

"So... I've been thinking about this for a while now," Wriothesley began, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "And it's okay if you say no! I completely understand if it's too much, but... I was wondering if I could propose to Neuvillette during your wedding."

Kaveh blinked, clearly taken aback by the request. His thoughts raced as he considered the gravity of it. Would it take away from their day? Would people remember this moment more than his and Alhaitham's?

Wriothesley quickly added, "I mean, it's your special day, and I don't want to overshadow anything. I just thought... it feels right, somehow. But, really, if you don't want me to, I won't."

Before Kaveh could respond, Alhaitham, ever the pragmatist, spoke up. "I think it's a great idea."

Kaveh looked at him in surprise, but Alhaitham's thoughtful expression calmed his initial hesitation.

"At the bouquet toss," Alhaitham continued, "you could give the bouquet to Neuvillette instead of throwing it. That would be Wriothesley's moment to propose. Simple, yet impactful."

Wriothesley's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? You'd be okay with that?"

Kaveh glanced at Alhaitham, who nodded subtly. Then, with a smile, Kaveh turned back to Wriothesley. "Yeah, I think it could be amazing. Plus, Neuvillette deserves something as special as this. Let's do it."

Wriothesley let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you. Thank you both. I promise I won't let it overshadow anything. It'll be your day first and foremost."

Kaveh grinned. "Don't worry about it. I think it's romantic. And besides, weddings are all about love, right?"

---

As the speeches and formalities came to an end, the atmosphere was alive with joy and celebration. The time for the bouquet toss arrived, and the crowd gathered eagerly. Navia, standing near the front with Clorinde, was buzzing with excitement. She was fully prepared to catch the bouquet and give Clorinde a not-so-subtle hint about her own desires for the future.

Kaveh stood with the bouquet in his hands, smiling warmly as the crowd anticipated the toss. But instead of preparing to throw it, he walked directly over to Neuvillette, who stood near the front with a look of quiet curiosity on his face.

As Kaveh handed Neuvillette the bouquet, the Iudex blinked in confusion. "I thought you were supposed to toss it?"

Kaveh smiled, his eyes flicking toward Wriothesley, who was slowly making his way forward. "Not this time," Kaveh said softly, stepping back to give Wriothesley the space he needed.

Neuvillette's gaze shifted, and his breath hitched as he saw Wriothesley standing before him, dropping to one knee with a ring box in his hands. The small, blue velvet box opened, revealing a gleaming ring that caught the light, sparkling just enough to match the emotions flooding the moment.

"Iudex Neuvillette," Wriothesley began, his voice strong but carrying the weight of his nervousness. "I've wanted to ask you this for a long time, but I couldn't think of a better moment than this, surrounded by the love of our friends and family. Will you marry me?"

Neuvillette's eyes widened, his usually composed demeanor slipping as the realization hit him. The bouquet trembled slightly in his hands, his heart racing. They had been together for years, their bond steady and strong, but the idea of marriage hadn't been something Neuvillette thought Wriothesley would act on so soon.

The Iudex, usually so articulate and measured, found himself at a loss for words. He could only nod, his emotions overwhelming him as tears welled up in his eyes.

Wriothesley's shoulders visibly relaxed in relief as Neuvillette nodded. He stood up quickly, and before either of them could say anything more, Neuvillette threw his arms around Wriothesley, hugging him tightly as tears slipped down his usually stoic face.

The crowd around them erupted in applause and cheers, and Neuvillette whispered, "Yes. Of course, yes."

Wriothesley, his own eyes shining with unshed tears, pulled back just enough to look at Neuvillette's face, his hand reaching up to gently wipe away the tears that had fallen. "I didn't mean to make you cry," he said softly, his tone full of love.

Neuvillette shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him through the tears. "You didn't. I... I just wasn't expecting this. You always manage to surprise me."

Wriothesley smiled, his hand cupping Neuvillette's cheek. "I'll keep doing that, if you let me."

Neuvillette chuckled softly, his hands resting on Wriothesley's chest as he leaned in closer. "I would be honored to be surprised by you for the rest of my life."

With that, Wriothesley pulled Neuvillette into a deep, loving kiss. The crowd roared with approval, the warmth of the moment palpable as their lips met. Neuvillette's hands tightened around Wriothesley's shoulders, and for a moment, it felt like the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of them standing there, hearts full and future intertwined.

When they finally broke apart, both of them breathless, Wriothesley slipped the ring onto Neuvillette's finger. The ring fit perfectly, gleaming in the soft evening light, a symbol of the bond they had always shared but now made official.

Navia, who had been eagerly anticipating the bouquet toss, found herself laughing and wiping away her own tears. "That was way better than catching the bouquet," she murmured to Clorinde, who nodded in agreement, her usual serious expression softened by the moment.

The celebration resumed, but now there was a new reason for joy. Neuvillette and Wriothesley stood side by side, their fingers intertwined as they basked in the glow of their engagement, surrounded by the cheers of their friends.

Kaveh, standing nearby with Alhaitham, leaned over and whispered, "I think we just made this wedding legendary."

Alhaitham smiled, his hand resting on Kaveh's back. "I wouldn't have it any other way."