GerUk/GerEng Collection

Wedding Bells Part 2

   Arthur's heart raced as he looked between the door, Francis and his groomsmen, Alfred, his three brothers, and Matthew. This was it. Ludwig would be coming through those doors any minute now and the ceremony would begin.

     "You need to chill dude," Alfred exclaimed from beside the fidgeting Brit.

     "Easier said than done," Arthur huffed rolling his eyes, "There are so many people."

     "Well duh? I invited all your former colonies. You had a lot." This earned a snicker from his older brother Allister and Francis.

     "I don't need any jabs today," Arthur scowled at them.

     Alfred put his hands up defensively "Sorry, but still..."

     Arthur, choosing to ignore his younger brother, turned his attention back to the door of the manor. He adjusted his collar, beginning to feel very hot with the sun beating down on him and his (basically) black suit and his nerves came back.

     The doors opened to reveal Feliciano in a light blue suit, holding a bouquet of white roses and cornflowers. Kiku, Rodriech, and Elizabeta followed suit. Arthur felt his throat go dry as he knew what came next.

     Then, Arthur felt his breath get knocked out of him when he finally laid his eyes on the love of his life. Ludwig walked, arm and arm with his brother Gilbert, shyly making his way towards Arthur. Despite his uneasiness, Ludwig had a small smile on his lips. He looked breathtaking in his pristine white tux and (for once) non-slicked back hair.

     "You look beautiful love," Arthur whispered as Ludwig took his place in front of him.

     "Danke. So do you."

     Francis cut in, "though I would love for you to continue this sweet moment. We should get started."

     The two men joined hands, not taking their eyes off the other.

     "Friends, family, we are gathered here today, not as nations, but as people to witness the union between these two men. Whoever thought we'd get here huh? No yelling, no fighting, just love." Small laughs erupted from the crowd at the last line. Francis pushed on "I'm sure I can speak for both of them, saying that it means a lot having you all here. Even if a certain Brit won't admit it."

     Arthur scoffed, but the look in his partner's eyes stopped him from saying anything else.

     "So, life has thrown a lot at you two, but here we are."

     Ludwig gripped Arthur's hand a little tighter. Arthur placed a light kiss on his knuckles hoping to soothe him and distract him from the bad memories he guessed were crawling into his partner's headspace.

     "Anyway. That's all done now and you obviously have a bright future ahead. Before this gets too long, would you like to begin your vows?"

     Both men nodded in agreement. Ludwig was the first to speak. "I am the luckiest man alive to be standing here with you, like this. You've always been there for me and I don't know if I would be where I am today without you. You've seen me at my worst and you still loved me. I was broken and you picked up the pieces so delicately and carefully. Back then and you know when, I felt I didn't deserve you. If I'm being honest, I sometimes still feel that way." Ludwig felt his throat grow tight as he laid out how he felt. Arthur only squeezed his hands tighter, his green eyes glossy as tears threatened to fall. Ludwig took a breath and continued, "regardless of that, I will never abandon you, just as you never abandoned me. I made mistakes, but I'm improving and I want to continue to grow with you for the rest of our lives. England, Arthur, I love you so much, there are no words that can describe it. I will dedicate my whole life to making you happy."

     Arthur wiped his eyes with his sleeve. He usually would hate to display this kind of vulnerability in front of all these people (and part of him did feel slightly embarrassed), but, for the most part, he could care less. As far as he was aware, it was only himself and Ludwig. After composing himself a bit, he started his own vows, "If you told me in 1914 the stern, but sweet German soldier I absolutely smashed in a Christmas football game would become the most important person in my life, I would have made some sarcastic remark doubting it. But here we are. For the longest time, I thought I was unlovable." Arthur sniffed, fighting back a new round of tears, "God you made this so hard love...Everyone I ever cared for eventually left me. I tried to act like it didn't bother me, but deep down it hurt. It hurt so much. Then I met you. I didn't think much of you at first, but soon, I felt drawn to you. After that Christmas in 1914, I couldn't stop thinking about you. At that moment we connected and we both were willing to take this to a level more than colleagues and friends. I didn't expect much from it at first. It was enjoyable, don't get me wrong, but I was scared you would leave too. And you almost did. Not by your own accord, but it almost happened. But life finally decided to be nice to me and gave you back to me. At that moment I refused to let go. I vowed I would show you every part of me, no matter how scared I was. After all, nothing could have been worse than that dark time. Clearly, I made the right decision. I'm sorry if this is a little long, but there is so much I want to say, but so little time. I'll make this simple, you are the love of my life and I could not imagine a life without you. Let us go together towards a bright and loving future."

     "May we have the rings please? Francis asked, gesturing to Peter. The child skipped up the aisle, towards them. The two men took the rings.

     "Now repeat after me Arthur: With this ring, I bewed."

     "With this ring I bewed." He slipped the ring onto Ludwig's finger, grinning like a fool.

     "Now Ludwig, with this ring I bewed."

     Ludwig took another breath, "with this ring I bewed." He slipped the ring on Arthur's hand, a smile growing across his face to match the other man's.

     "With the power vested in me as the nation of love, I am happy to pronounce you as husband and husband you may now kiss!"

     Both paused for a second, waiting for the other to make the first move. Arthur, being the more impatient one out of the two, took it upon himself to grab Ludwig's collar and pull him down into a hard kiss.