They stood there at the front of the church, in front of all their friends. Zack was on Sephiroth's right and Tifa next to him. Sephiroth's mouth was open wide at his lover, he looked so gorgeous, the dress was so perfect. He had never imagined anything could make Vincent more beautiful, but it did...

Slowly, hands shaking, he lifted Vincent's veil, to reveal his lover's familiar pale face and ruby-red eyes. He managed a smile, trying to feign confidence, but each knew the other was nervous.

Sephiroth took Vincent's human hand in his and the ceremony commenced.

It went by in a blur, so they must have managed it all without making mistakes, then they reached the rings. Zack handed them over solemnly, the tail wagging furiously behind him spoiling his demeanour only slightly.

Lifting Vincent's hand Sephiroth slipped the ring onto his fourth finger next to the first one, the one he had slid onto that finger only a few short months before. This one was different, a band of plain silver, burnished bright, with three stones set on the top. An emerald with a diamond either side. Vincent's eyes widened as he stared down at it, tears springing to his eyes as he looked back at Sephiroth, who smiled.

Shaking slightly, overwhelmed by the emotions, Vincent slid his ring onto Sephiroth's finger, a ruby with a black opal either side, set in gold like his claw. Now it was Sephiroth's turn to have a wobbly moment. They joined both hands, holding onto each other tightly for reassurance. They were together, truly together, forever.

Now it was the vows. Knowing that their circumstances were hardly typical, they had written their own vows. Sephiroth cleared his throat in the hushed silence and began.

"I, Sephiroth, General of Shinra, SOLDIER first class, child of Hojo and Lucrecia Crescent hereby renounce my past in favour of a future with you. Vincent Valentine, from my first moment you have guided my steps along the rocky road of life. Henceforth let us walk together along that road, guiding each other and facing all obstacles hand in hand. I do solemnly swear to you, before all who are gathered here, that I will protect you at all times and in all places. My sword and my body are yours, all that I am and have ever been I hereby give to you. Let us be bonded in marriage from this day forth to spend eternity together."

Vincent's mouth fell open and diamond tears sparkled once more in his crimson eyes. He stared deep into Sephiroth's emerald orbs as he shakily began his own vow. He had never imagined that this would be possible, once, long ago, he had dreamed of marrying Lucrecia, after she had rejected him he had never imagined marriage at all, especially not after what they had done to him, but now he had what he had never thought to have again – love.

"I, Vincent Valentine, formerly of the Turks hereby renounce my nightmares for an eternity of dreams with you. I have known and loved you all your life, though I never thought that anyone could feel love for me again. You taught me how to love once more and healed all hurt ever dealt to me. Now together we can learn the lessons life has to offer us. I do solemnly swear to you, before all those gathered here, that I will protect you at all times and in all places. You have my body my soul and I hereby pledge to you my undying and eternal love and devotion. Let us be bonded in marriage henceforth to spend eternity together."

The rest of the ceremony went quickly and it seemed almost immediately after that that Sephiroth kissed his lover and they claimed each other's hands, lips and hearts before their friends.

The cheers could have raised the roof.

Sephiroth was so busy kissing Vincent, lost in the sensations, that Zack poked him several times before finally resorting to elbowing him in the ribs to point out that it was time for the reception. Sephiroth sighed longingly and managed a grin and a wink at his new husband before he took his hand to lead him down the aisle and out of the church. Their first steps together as a married couple.