Hi I can't weddings!

Day 26 - Getting Married

The scene was set. Guests had all arrived, and had all sat down, waiting for it to begin. However, for Chris, it wasn't such a grand fairytale that he had painted this whole scene to be. As much as he was reluctant to admit it, he was getting cold feet about this whole situation. It wasn't because he didn't love his fiancé anymore, or any of the other reasons that people gave when it came to these situations. He was worried about whether or not he would be good enough as a husband. After all, he wasn't the most open or loving person, which was part of being a good husband. In fact, he was kind of an asshole. How did Kaito manage? The more he thought about it, the more he depressed himself. The simple solution was to not think. But that was impossible when he had around half an hour left before he had to go out there. He wasn't a coward however; he would not run.

When his father had found him with his head buried in his arms. He was simply thinking. Plus, like this, Chris could pretend that this wasn't happening, and he wasn't scared, and that the wedding jitters weren't eating him alive. He could stop remembering for just a moment that he could screw up another person's life in a rather large way, just for a minute. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed his father was there for a few minutes, and had called his name a couple of times. He hadn't expected the hand on his shoulder, and instead bolted up, turning to face his 'attacker'. The moment he recognised the familiarity of Byron, he calmed down.

"Father, I didn't think you would be so early," Chris muttered. It was somewhat shameful to be seen acting in this manner. He felt somewhat pathetic, but there wasn't much he could have done. Other than man up, but that felt incredibly unlikely.
"Are you having second thoughts?" Byron asked in a rather soft, caring voice. The question startled Chris. That's what it seemed like, wasn't it? He pretty much was, though.
"I guess you could say that." He sat up with a sigh. "What if I'm about to ruin his life? I know it sounds idiotic, but-"
Byron shook his head, and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "That boy loves you with all of his heart."
"I understand that," he said.
"Then where is the issue?" his father asked, not fully understanding.
"He could be making a mistake."

Without another word uttered, Byron tightly embraced Chris. His eyes widened slightly and he breathed in a small gasp, but returned the hug anyway. It was almost like an anchor pulling him back to Earth, and somehow, he felt better. Perhaps he had simply needed the reassurance, or the hug, or even both. Regardless, he welcomed both of them. It made him think clearer, and about how dumb he was acting. After a few minutes, he broke away from the hug, determined and certain about his choice.

"Alright," Chris nodded, making his way to the door already. "Let's do this."

The awkwardness was unavoidable as Chris linked arms with his father. Kaito had insisted that it wouldn't be him, partially because he wouldn't really have anyone to walk with; Haruto was still a little too young. Instead, Chris had the lovely honour of walking down, with Byron, the nerves settling back in. Though, most of all, he felt a joy coming from all of this. He couldn't help but let a small smile show through his otherwise emotionless face.

When they had arrived at the front, Byron had let go of Chris, stepping back. No matter how close the two were, it still took a lot to be able to hold hands. In a child-like manner, Kaito grabbed Chris' hand and squeezed it lightly, in an assuring manner.

"I was expecting you to run," Kaito admitted.
"I'm not a coward. I have nowhere to run where you wouldn't go after me, anyway," he replied.

The rest of their nerves had melted like ice cubes in the sun; gradually, yet fast enough to enjoy the rest of the ceremony. There was no way they would ever split, anyway.