The day was kind of a blur for him. He knew he was physically there for it all. But mentally, he realized he must have withdrawn into himself at times. Enough to only recall moments that stood out to him instead of the entire ceremony leading to the reception.
One memorable moment was standing beside Sebastian as they waited for Myra. He found it hard not to smirk at Sebastian tugging at his tie and sweating a lot. It wasn't usual to see his partner expressing such typical signs of nervousness. But he guessed that even Sebastian Castellanos could be brought to such upon realizing his bride would be coming through the door any minute.
"You'll be fine." Joseph whispered softly to his friend. "Just act like a more composed less foul-mouthed version of yourself and you'll do great."
Sebastian's glare and snort were worth the comment.
Even with the desire to blend back into the crowd and not up with the other few groomsmen, he was able to witness Myra's expression at the vows and remembered it well. Seeing her eyes become vibrant and warm and aiming that gaze at Sebastian made Joseph's chest warm a bit. He couldn't help but smile. It was easy to imagine Sebastian with a similar look on his face. The happiness was radiating off them.
Seeing a married couple's love up close made him contemplate for once what that would be like for himself. Would he ever find such for himself? What kind of person would he experience that kind of love with? Was this the kind of love that lasted for years, or that kind that-No, he wasn't going to jinx the couple to an early divorce. Not when both of them were his friends.
The feelings of such a what if for himself lingered throughout the whole day. He realized his memories spun as quickly as a fast-forwarded movie after the married couple were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Castellanos. Probably because heading towards where the photos were being taken and having to pose for what felt like hours was not something he cared much for. Sure, he didn't complain or purposefully grimace in the wedding photos. His preference to not be photographed was no excuse for ruining Sebastian and Myra's photographs. Just still wasn't pleasant.
So honestly it was a relief to finally be seated at the table with the other groomsmen and bridesmaids. However, it was a short-lived feeling. Because now that he found himself once more aware of the present, he realized he might be expected to actually make conversation. Sure Connelly wouldn't be bad to talk to since he worked with the beat cop often. But besides him, Joseph only vaguely knew the other people seated around the table.
"So you're Sebastian's work partner?" Someone asked him. Joseph tensed and looked over to see a woman looking at him. He furrowed her eyebrows. Her name was Lisa right? Myra's younger sister? No, one of her co-workers at the police force? He hated how his mind was drawing a blank.
"Yes, I am." He quickly got an answer out of him before any of the people at the table could think he was ignoring her.
"What is it like to work with him? Myra has always made him sound like he was quite good at his job, but that you better not get on his bad side." A man commented before chuckling. "Guess she never got on his bad side since they were working together until they got together and all."
Now who was this one? He glanced at Connelly who wasn't looking at him. Dammit he couldn't try the tactic of getting Connelly slip up on the name or who they were. He took a deep breath before sighing. "It can be difficult at times." He answered with a slight scowl. "He isn't quite one for paperwork and sometimes has a huge mess on his desk. He also likes to play bad cop and that doesn't always go well." He rubbed his temple. "And he isn't always one for the rulebook which has gotten us a bit in hot water a few times these past few months."
Joseph could quickly recall Sebastian breaking and entering into a suspect's place when they didn't answer when he and Sebastian could clearly hear someone inside the house. He wondered if they were just lucky for getting off with just a warning. "But even with all of that, he is someone that truly cares about his job." He smiled even as he realized the group was staring at him. He forced himself not to swallow at the unexpected, and seemingly, intense staring. "He is willing to go to great lengths to solve cases and does care for the victims." He could go on about his partner's empathic actions or determination.
The first time he really took note of it was on a case related to a kidnapped kid. It had taken weeks and many misleading and dead ends to find her. But even when some of the force figured the child was long dead, Sebastian hadn't given up. Joseph had considered briefly dissuading his partner. Thankfully he didn't as the two had cracked the case with a lead that luckily lead them to the child. The poor boy had been mistreated during those weeks. They were lucky to find the starving victim alive.
He had watched Sebastian approach the child carefully. His partner had crouched down some feet in front of the kid, giving the victim a way to run around him and not feel caged. All Sebastian had done was offer his hand and start talking gently and softly to the child. It had felt like eternity, but probably had been a few minutes before the kid started to bawl and just run towards Sebastian. The poor kid had learned in those weeks not to trust anyone. Sebastian had found a way to breech through that gained mistrust long enough to get the kid out of there and to the medical team to help him.
He especially couldn't forget the smile on Sebastian's face as his partner said that helping victims like that kid and bettering Krimson City was what he lived for.
"He is an exemplary detective and his wife is too I'm sure. Though I have not had the personal pleasure of working with her." Joseph added on before noticing the food starting to be served. "You could always ask them yourself though how it is to work with them. They might be able to give you a better picture than me." He gripped the water in front of him and quickly started to take a swig.
Just as he put the glass down, he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Sebastian with an grin on his face. "You all talking about us now? Better be good stuff. Am I right Joseph?"
Joseph look up at Sebastian and chuckled. "As good as being honest would allow, Sebastian."
Sebastian snorted. "Yeah yeah." He patted Joseph on his shoulder before Myra approached the table as well.
"We do thank you all for coming and being part of the wedding party. We really do appreciate it. We hope you enjoy the food." Myra smiled politely before tugging Sebastian away and towards another table.
"They sure do look like a lovely couple." Connelly said with a grin before lifting his glass of water. "To the married couple!"
Joseph opened his mouth to say it was too early for toasts. But he found himself just shaking his head and lifting his glass as well.
"To their happiness." He added on as the glasses clinked. As he set his glass down and looked over at the married couple visiting another table, he knew he meant every word.
