It is so strange- this story has finally reached it's end. I just can not believe this took over two years (and 11 pages of edits that never made it into the finished product)
But regardless, here's the epilogue as promised! Now with 58% more Spamano because goddamn, gotta love them.
Thank you all again for favoriting and reviewing and following. Everytime I see a notification I dance around. I can't wait to start my next story (or continue Anima Crystallus now that this is outta the way!)
Romano fiddled with the cufflinks on his suit, threading them in and out of the button hole. He didn't know why he was jittery.
Maybe it was the feeling that, holy fucking shit the wedding was actually happening. Maybe it was the nagging fear that Lucentio was still at large; a constant threat above his head. Maybe it was Veneziano, who had yet to stop moving around the room.
Romano watched as he went from the dress to the mirror to drinking his water in small frantic sips. His vibrated at such a frequency he half expected him to burn a hole in the carpet. It was the hundredth time that he reached for the hairbrush that Romano snapped, tearing the brush out of his hand with a shout of "your hair is fine!"
Veneziano stopped bopping around a moment, the ecstatic look on his face contagious. "How much longer?"
"Two minutes" Romano said. "It don't see why you're so jumpy. Aren't you worried about Lucentio making a reappearance? What about those damn second players?"
Veneziano's smile waxed a little, no doubt unhappy of the reminder that his perfect day had been tainted more than it ever should of been. "I know, but can we just not talk about it now? Please? I'm getting married"
Romano sighed, but he gave in. He didn't really want to discuss the problem either. "Fine." Silence reigned for a brief second before the elation of what was about to happen hit Veneziano in a full rush. His smiled grew ten folds and Romano just had to roll his eyes. "Stop looking so happy, you're only getting married."
"But it's actually happening!" Veneziano gushed. "I can't believe this. I'm just so happy!" Veneziano sprung for Romano's hands, entrapping them in his own. "Are you happy for me, Lovino?"
"Tch" Romano chided. "Of course I am. I've just still coming to terms with the fact I'm rooting for the wedding. It's an odd feeling, I'll tell you that." Veneziano squeezed his hands tight before he threw himself at Romano, almost knocking them both over with the force of the hug.
"Thank you"
"You're going to rumple my suit." Romano snapped, wiggling around uselessly. Veneziano loosened his hold a fraction, but didn't let go. Romano looked at him in irritation before his traitorous lips turned up into a smile. "I think I hear the music"
"Oh no!" Veneziano cried, breaking away from the embrace to start tittering about again. "Do I look okay? I forgot how to walk down the aisle. What do I say? What if I forget the vows and I won't be allowed to get married?"
"You'll be fine" Romano said. He offered an arm, waiting for Veneziano to link his through. "Now the last thing I want to do is be late"
"Right!" Veneziano agreed, threading his arm through. He nodded at the guards stationed at the church doors to open them wide.
The swell of music began full force, introducing a church decked in white. Romano tried not to look as friends and strangers alike all turned to look at him, an unofficial world meeting held at a wedding. He occupied himself by watching the armed guards at the doors. No one in their right mind would interrupt this wedding. Not even him.
Slowly, Romano began to walk, almost dragging Veneziano before his pre-wedding jitters abandoned him. He saw a lot of faces as they walked by. France nodded at the both of them, thankfully understanding appropriate wedding behavior. It might of helped to have Seychelles sitting next to him, keeping him in check.
They passed Poland and Lithuania next. Romano mouthed a quick thank you on behalf of Veneziano, who was too preoccupied to remember such trivial things like his good friends. More and more faces passed by, none of whom Romano was very close with. He tried to keep a pleasant facade anyway.
As they neared the altar, Spain gave him a thumbs up from the very first pew. God, he hoped he would
see him waiting at the end of the aisle one day. The thought had his stomach wild with butterflies and his face aflame. Eager for a distraction, Romano glanced away from Spain to Germany. The stiff country looked like he had downed a whole love potion again. The way he looked at Veneziano- it was the stuff of fairy tales.
It made Romano gag.
Slowly, ever so slowly the two walked toward the altar. As they neared the steps, Veneziano's grip turned to iron. Romano grunted, trying to ignore the lack of blood the appendage was getting. Just a few more seconds…
And then Veneziano was letting go of his arm. The relief lasted for the briefest second before Romano realized that it was the last time it would ever be just them, just the two Italies. Without consciously thinking about it, Romano reached out for his brothers hand, yanking him close and whispering in his ear.
"I'm proud of you, little brother."
Veneziano smiled at him. "I love you too"
Carefully, he let his hand go and turned back toward the altar. Romano followed, albeit to the side, taking his place as the best man.
[=]
The service dragged on forever. An eternity Romano spent trying to stand as regal as he can, before making faces back at a teasing Spain. Before he knew it, they were saying the vows.
"Do you, Germany, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do"
"And do you, Italy Veneziano take Germany as your lawfully wedded husband"
"I do"
"Then I pronounce" The best said, with no small amount of relief to finally be able to say his part, "you two a couple in the eyes of God. You may kiss the groom."
The two stood looking at each other for a second before Veneziano threw his arms around Germany's neck, kissing him for all he was worth. Romano tried to make a face, but he realized too late that he was crying. Damn feelings, damn ceremony, damn stupid little brother who looked so infectiously happy that they made him cry.
The somewhere off to the left the music started up again and Germany took Veneziano by the hand, leading him off the altar and down the aisle. Romano watched as they were showered in congratulations and rice. It seemed no one was willing to wait until they actually left the church to start throwing things.
He moved to follow, but Spain's voice stopped him. "You look beautiful today"
Romano to turned toward him. He wondered when he had joined him on the altar. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing" Spain said. "I was just thinking that the entire ceremony and thought I should tell you."
"Oh. Okay" Romano responded dumbly. He raised a hand, probably to wipe the lingering tears out of his eyes, but Spain caught it in the same motion.
"You're not still crying, are you?"
"What? Who said I was crying? I wasn't crying. The great Southern Italy never cries, especially at his little brother's wedding."
Spain smiled. "Sure"
Standing there, with his hand held tight, Romano struggled to find the courage to move away. It was nice, he realized. "You know," he muttered, almost to himself. "I say we should get married."
"Hum?" Spain hummed, turning his head to the side like he didn't hear him. "You mean like right now?"
Romano tsked. "No way. I've had enough weddings for the year. Let's elope sometime next century, I'll be ready then."
"You know," Spain said. "You can't exactly get married without a ring."
"What?" Romano asked. "I was just joking-" His breath caught in his throat however, when he felt cool metal slide onto his ring finger. "Oh my god." His mouth open and closed on its own accord, unable to function the right words. "You can't be serious." He finally manged.
"I'm as serious as sin" Spain declared.
Romano felt hysteria rise but he managed to choke out, "Sin is pretty serious." Spain watched him expectantly, waiting for an answer. Romano battled with himself. Say yes, he coached. Say yes, say yes, say yes, say-
"Three meals. And a nap, with pasta. And if you ever leave me, I swear I'll-"
Romano's words were cut short with lips on his. Perhaps, Romano thought, weddings weren't so bad.