To Forsake Tradition

Promises Made

The time of the ceremony arrives quicker than Yuuri anticipated, so quick that he and Victor were nearly late to their own wedding. When they had realized the time slipped by them, they sprinted back to the palace and climbed back into the window, dusting sand and bark off their clothes as they went their separate ways and snuck back into their rooms. Then, almost an instant later, a servant fetched him to begin the ceremony.

They're in the cathedral now, where the ceremony is being held. Victor and Yuuri stand at the altar as guests shuffle in, trying to maintain an air of solemn reverence. But everytime they catch each other's eye, they smile and nearly burst into childish laughter. Their escapade to the beach is still fresh in Yuuri's mind. It almost feels like they're a pair of trouble-making kids who share a secret no one else has the privilege of knowing.

A quick glance into the crowd reveals all of Yuuri's family and friends, smiling encouragingly at him. Nearby, he spots an old balding man and a grouchy teenager, and he recognizes them from Victor's photo. He even sees Phichit in the back, not so subtly taking about a thousand selfies.

An old man takes his place behind the podium at the altar. A heavy hush sweeps over the crowd, and the ceremony begins.

The man drones on and on, preaching about the sanctity of marriage or something or another, but Yuuri doesn't really pay attention. His focus is entirely stolen by the way the light gleams through the stained glass windows and shimmers in Victor's eyes. Whatever the old man is saying means nothing to Yuuri, especially when Victor smiles at him.

Then comes the vows. Yuuri has spent months memorizing them; they're traditional vows that have been recited by generations and generations of Victor's family. They're long and flowery and mostly nonsensical, but Yuuri has managed to commit each word to memory. Victor will repeat the same words his forefathers had uttered to their spouses, and then Yuuri will reciprocate.

Only, when Victor begins to speak, it's not the traditional, practiced vows that he says.

"I can hardly believe where we are right now. I've been waiting for you for a long time, and now that we're here, it almost feels like a dream."

"I know we haven't had the chance to experience much of each other. I may not know everything you have to offer, but I know what you are. You are thoughtful. You are brave. You are intelligent. You are so many wonderful things that I couldn't begin to name them all."

"But most importantly, you are the one that suits me. You are my soulmate, my better half, and my dream come true. It is destiny now that I become the one for you."

...Yuuri honestly can't believe his ears. Did he seriously just go off script?! Now?! A stunned hush has fallen over the guests as they take in Victor's words. Victor is beaming like a proud puppy dog who just brought Yuuri the world's biggest stick, and not at all like a man who had decided to throw tradition in the wind not once, but twice in one day.

Yuuri could be a lot more upset about Victor throwing him under the bus with these off-the-cuff, heartfelt vows. Instead, he plays them over in his head again. It is destiny now that I become the one for you. With these words singing in his mind, he opens his mouth and allows his heart to do the talking.

"I've been waiting for you too, Victor. I've been waiting so long that I still can't believe this is really happening."

"But I'm glad that it is. I'm glad that I get this opportunity to get to know you—the real you. As proud as I am to be King Victor's spouse, I am even more proud to be Just Victor's spouse."

"There's no telling what our future together will look like. I don't know what I will do or where I will in this life, but I do know this—I will go where you go. You say that it is destiny for you to become mine, so all I ask is that you stay close to me."

He reaches the end of his impromptu vows and takes a deep breath. Everything that he just poured out was honest and raw, and he's still reeling from the emotions of it all. Perhaps it's a little ridiculous to feel so strongly for a person after having only one real conversation with them, but Yuuri can't help himself. There's something about Victor that draws him in and brings out the craziest parts of him.

Victor seems to be just as affected, smiling at him with tears shining in his eyes. Yuuri can't help but return his smile.

The next thing Yuuri hears are wedding bells.