Confession

Forever

Mike was anxious.

He and Chester had agreed they would not see each other again after breakfast until the moment they met at the waterfall, and the anticipation was overwhelming. They'd spent the past four days with their friends, enjoying the freedom of not bring on tour and being with each other, hiking and sailing, swimming in the ocean and the pool, playing golf, eating way too much food, constantly laughing. It had been a week of happiness and excitement, and now his stomach was in knots as he prepared for the wedding ceremony. Not because he was unsure, but because he couldn't wait to be with Chester again. It had been a long time since they had spent more than a few hours apart.

When he had opened his eyes that morning, Chester was laying next to him, curled on his side, gazing at him though sleepy eyes. They lay for a moment, just looking at each other, the gravity of the day not lost on either of them... there was no need for good mornings, or for talking at all, as their eyes said everything that needed to be said. It was Chester who finally closed the space between them, pressing his body against Mike's, bringing their lips together sweetly as their legs entwined, their hands softly stroking over each other's back and arm. The kiss was warm and wet, tender and unhurried, loving and hopeful. When it broke their lips hovered, unwilling to give up the contact completely, breathing each other in and savoring the warm closeness. Mike could feel the electricity between their lips, the twist of desire in the pit of his stomach, as Chester's face hovered so close to his own, until he felt Chester's lips tip into a soft smile and he opened his eyes.

"I've been laying here, thinking, I can't believe it... I'm marrying you today," Chester whispered, sounding as amazed as Mike felt in that moment.

"Believe it," Mike breathed, feathering his lips over Chester's again, then gently pressing his back into the pillow, kissing down his jaw to gently bite his ear. "You're gonna be mine, forever..."

"I'm already yours... and now everyone will know. Just the way you wanted. Everyone in the fuckin' world will know it," Chester gasped as he felt Mike's teeth graze along his earlobe. "Mikey... you know we can't do this now, this morning... it's like... anti-traditional or something."

Mike chuckled as he hovered over Chester, their bodies barely touching. "Oh, I know, Ches... trust me... though we are sonot traditional." He gently placed a last kiss on Chester's parted lips before he pushed away, grinning at the whine he heard from the vocalist. "Let's go eat breakfast before we have to separate," he said, holding his hand out for Chester to grab. Pulling him from the bed, he wrapped his arms around Chester and hugged him tightly. "This is the best day of my life, Ches."

As he buttoned his gold cufflinks, Mike smiled over the memory of the morning, of the last moments they'd shared before retreating into separate rooms to get ready. He was sure at this point that Chester had already left the beach house, but he had to wait until he was told all was clear to leave for the waterfall. He didn't want to ruin the surprise. A few more restless minutes passed while he reached for and started tying his necktie.

"Are you ready?" Brad's head poked into the room he shared with his wife, where Mike had been carefully getting dressed, in time to see him tightening the knot on his tie. Grinning, he let out a low whistle and said, "damn, Shinoda! Lookin' good!"

"Calm down, Delson, he's taken," Joe said as he slid into the room first, leaving Brad in the doorway. The deejay halted halfway into the bedroom and appraised Mike critically. "Though I guess you're right. You're looking pretty fine, man."

Mike turned back to the mirror and smoothed his hands down his light tan vest, buttoned over his crisp white shirt that was tucked into matching tan pants, before he tucked the end of his tan and forest green diagonally striped tie down into his vest. His hair was perfectly gelled into place, his facial hair neatly trimmed, and he'd already brushed his teeth. All that was left was the dark brown lace up dress shoes Chester had chosen to complete their matching suits, and he would be ready.