Lest I Forget

Matching Tuxedos

Flashback //

It was the big day. Everything was absolutely perfect and in place. There were orchids everywhere, because that was her favorite color. It was a beautiful wedding in an elegant garden, so there wasn't much decorating that needed to be done. Nature was beautiful already, and she decorated the venue with her own vines and would even dance with the breeze. Today was the day that two people would confess their love in front of their family in friends. They would create a permanent bond that they would have for years to come, and it couldn't be more beautiful.

"Hey, I know we just met and all, but there's this wedding tonight and I don't want to go alone." Scott poked his head in once more, finding Mitch staring happily at the piano. He had yet another encounter with his mysteriously forgetful boy and was still on the high he received from meeting him. Of course, Scott only saw him as just sitting there, soaking up the music he'd just played. Little did he know...

"Well," Mitch hesitated. He wasn't much for weddings. They were either too showy or flashy and he felt they hid the actual marriage and only flaunted how much money was offered to set it up. It was definitely a time for the couple to express how creative they were and not as much a time to cherish an everlasting relationship. But, with the perfect expression on the blonde's face he almost couldn't refuse. He looked so excited. So genuinely happy for the events to come. "I'll go with you. Who's getting married?"

"I can't believe Avi didn't tell me his sister was getting married. Some best friend, huh?" Mitch smirked, watching as Scott pulled into a parking spot near the venue. "How do you know the couple?"

"Esther always comes into RCA. She's a manager for the new A Capella band that RCA just signed. Their name slips my mind, but they're fantastic. But, anyway, she always comes in and brings such great joy in my life. I had no idea she was engaged until today, which makes me such a terrible friend but, hey, sometimes you forget things." He shrugged, brushing it off like it was nothing. Mitch sat there, confused if he should find that last statement funny or sad. "But Ben told me about it this morning. I figured, hey, why not? So, you know Avi?"

"Yeah, I do!" Mitch opened the door and stepped out, brushing off his suit, making sure he looked good before walking around the truck and waiting for the blonde to lock the doors. "He's my best friend. I've been friends with him ever since I moved here. He's the one that got me on at RCA, so I owe him my life. I guess the least I can do is go to his sister's wedding, you know?" He laughed and walked side by side with the blonde, Scott being cautious of his strides so Mitch could keep up. Mitch noticed this, knowing from previous encounters that for every step Scott takes Mitch has to take one and a half.

They walk into the venue and Scott looks around, taking in his ability to see over everyone's heads. "Hey, I've only met Avi a few times. He's got a big beard and has his hair pulled back, right?"

"That's my lumberjack!" Mitch jumped up twice, trying to see over the crowd. "Your height comes in handy for me sometimes, skyscraper." Mitch patted Scott on the back and he followed him through the crowd, reaching Avi as he stood off to the side. The ceremony hadn't started yet, nor had anyone gone to their seats. They had arrived a bit earlier and everyone was crowded around and was catching up.

"Hey, I didn't exp--oh my god, Mitch, I forgot to tell you about this!" Avi smacked his forehead and pulled him in tight. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Mitch grinned and after they pulled away he motioned to Scott. "I've heard that you've met before, but just in case, this is my friend, Scott Hoying." Mitch watched as the two shook hands, admiring the strong handshake between the two.

"We've met once or twice before. Nice to see you again," Avi said. "I've got to get going, but before I go... y'all are dressed like Groomsmen. Want to come stand up there with me?" Avi chuckled and elbowed Mitch, simply only playing.

"What? I rarely go to weddings so I wasn't sure the proper attire, and Scott here looks good in a suit, so don't deprive him of his privilege." He shrugged, eyeing Scott and receiving a precious blush in the blonde's cheeks. "Go on. Go be a groomsman. We'll see you in the after party thing."

"The reception?"

"Yeah... that." He put his hands on his hips and turned towards Scott once Avi disappeared. "So, should we go find our seats?"

"We shall." Scott grinned and held out his arm, every indication for Mitch to link it as they walked forward. Mitch took the chance, admiring yet another gentlemanly moment for Scott Hoying. They found two seats in the garden, just underneath the prettiest trees, draping their leaves over their heads for some shade. It was getting close to nighttime, just enough for the sun to be setting as the vows were being shared, casting the perfect array of colors. Scott was absolutely awestruck, in love with the ambiance and everything about this wedding. He'd honestly dreamed of what his wedding would look like from when he was younger. He and his groom would wear matching tuxedos with Pokemon cuff links (this is still true to this day) and their colors would be light blue and a pastel shade of red. These were cheesy colors, but blue was his favorite color and red was his mother's, and he'd want to do it for her. She promoted it, of course, and even suggested for red flowers. This was always a debatable situation.

Mitch, however, preferred to have a wedding in a courthouse. It didn't need to be flashy. He didn't need all of the fancy things. None of that was important. But he'd go to support his friends, of course. He'd always be there for them on their happy day. He just had a different level of happy.

The crowd finally sat down and it was about time for the beautiful, elegant Esther Kaplan to walk down the aisle, basking in her last moments as a Kaplan. The pianist was preparing themselves at the piano, making sure all of her papers were in order before she could play. Scott leaned in towards Mitch, whispering quietly, not wanting to make a scene in case she began playing. "Wanna know my favorite part about a wedding?"

"What's that?" Mitch responded, staring off at the back, waiting for Esther to appear.

"You know how everyone is always watching the bride whenever she comes in? I take that time to look at the groom... because if that isn't the most powerful statement of love, I don't know what is. That's the moment when he is staring at the one he loves, the one he wants to be with for the rest of his life, and despite the fact that he might have a goofy expression, that's an expression of pure passion. That is my favorite moment." Mitch took a moment to look at Scott, thinking he was honestly silly for thinking that. It wasn't until Esther appeared that he watched Scott's face turn towards Darien in the front. His eyes widened and he had the widest smile on his face, and so did Scott. He was smiling so bright, embracing the most sincere, most intricate moment in someone's life. And Mitch didn't notice it until he, too, looked up at Darien. He had tears in his eyes, so blissfully happy and in awe at his beautiful bride. And what a beautiful bride she was. He was so, so happy. And, in this moment, Mitch felt tears to his own eyes.

He looked down, feeling pressure on his hand. Scott had intertwined his fingers with Mitch's. A perfect stranger and he was able to share something as small as hand holding with him. In that moment Mitch realized a few things.

A wedding is actually a beautiful thing. Sure, there are all of these fancy attributes about it, but the idea of confessing your love in front of others, being completely exposed and showing everyone how much you care... that's beauty. 

Another thing he learned was to always look at the groom's face. In a silly way he imagined what Scott would look like at the end of the aisle, waiting for the love of his life to meet him at the alter. It wasn't until he turned his head to look at Mitch, to see what he was thinking, to see it in his eyes... that he did. He saw that face. He saw the tears in his eyes.

Falling for someone is a scary thing, but it makes it a whole lot better when someone is holding your hand through it all.