The morning greets Adam with beautiful sunlight filling the bedroom. It's early. A quick glance at the clock confirms the fact. Next to him, Zachariah is still sleeping. Adam never exactly fell asleep the whole night.

Today is the day.

It will be over soon. The promise ring will be exchanged for a wedding band today. Soon, a few hours later, they will be walking out of that church arm in arm and laughing together. Soon, they will be one by law too. Soon, Adam will have a family. So today is a good day. He is happy. Happy and excited a little. That's why he couldn't really sleep. That's why he is feeling this strange thing in his stomach and the one in his chest. He is excited. That's what it all is. He is about to step into a new life, one he deserves with someone who deserves him. He won't ever be alone again. They will have pets here, maybe a dog. Zachariah said he will help Adam build a house for the dog in the garden. They will take it for walks together. They will play with it on the grass on summer days together. A flash in his mind brings an image of dark fur and motherly barks. A hellhound. Adam feels the corner of his lips tilting upwards with a silent chuckle. Juliet. She- No. Adam will get a white dog. His mouth forms a thin line again. No. They are behind him now. That life, every aspect of it, is behind him. He won't keep any reminders around.

He tilts his head on the pillow to look at the two suits hung in the walk in closet. Today, they will wear those. They will look great together. All the guests will look at them with wonder. Everyone will laugh and dance and drink. It will be a beautiful night. They will be leaving tomorrow morning. They will go all around and have the time of their lives. Adam wants that. He wants it all. He wants this new life.

With a deep breath, he moves closer to Zachariah placing his head on his chest and the man puts an arm around him in his sleep.

This is it. This is what he wants. Someone here to hold him. Someone to love him and share this life with him. This is it. Adam is happy.

He is.

For sure.

The house is empty. Michael wants to rip his own hair out as he reads the estate agent's banner hanging from the second floor balcony again and again. For sale. Of course. Of course that old douche changed his address immediately. He knew Adam wasn't easy prey no matter what the young man was living through. He knew Adam wouldn't just be abandoned by his family and friends to this fate. He knew someone would come after Adam to get him out of there. So-

Michael punches the wheel so hard his entire forearm throbs with pain. "What do we do now?" He asks more to himself than to Benny. The other man huffs thoughtfully and closes his eyes for a moment to think. Michael leans back on the seat too. They are truly stuck now. How are they supposed to find this man and Adam? How will they save him? How- They are already running out of time. Adam is about to throw himself in Hell. What if they are already late? What if they don't make it? What if- Because of his mistake-

"The street. I think I remember the street.-" Benny is suddenly muttering to himself. Michael gives him a questioning look and asks the man to speak louder. "-I peeked at the file as Crowley was writing the address. There was another one there, a second house." The two hold each other's gazes for a second before Michael starts the engine again.

He prays they will find Adam there. He still has apologies and amends to make.

"The luggages are ready. The car is finished too. The florist did an awesome job with it. All that's left is us.-" Zachariah leans in close to kiss him as Adam ties the bathrobe. "The hairdresser's team will be here at eleven. The masseur should come before them. The photographers want to take a few shots of us in the garden with the car before we leave for the church. The garden will be completely ready with the buffet and all by the time we return. The orchestra and the servers from the catering company should arrive right after we leave. My assistant will take care of everything. It will be perfect, okay?" Adam nods and smiles. It falls off his lips as soon as Zachariah turns around to get a towel to help him dry his hair. He sits on the edge of the bed and stays still for the older man working cheerfully.

This is it.

In a few minutes only, there will be many people here. They will push Adam around between them to get him perfectly ready for- for his wedding. They will put that white suit on him, do his hair and everything else from a manicure to a shave. They will hand him those fake roses and put him in ridiculous poses under the sun with flashes blinding him. Before his eyes will have a chance to rest, he will be in the white Cadillac with the top open and the flowers over the car leaving petals on the roads they pass. They will be in the church with the huge crowd of business people and everyone else Zachariah invited. On Adam's part, there will be no one. No one other than his future husband holding his hand. He has no family, no friends to invite there. Even the best men, the ring bearers and the flower girls were arranged by the organisators. Adam will pretend to know all of them and look perfect there. He will throw the bouquet then come back here with the car horns following them from the guests' cars behind. There will be music, dancing, drinks, laughter…

Why doesn't Adam feel like laughing at all today?

"Are we in the right street? Are you sure it's here?" Michael asks as they both look around at the buildings. The neighbourhood is nice with children playing out in the sun and its middle sized, clean looking houses. Still, the area is nowhere close to the previous place. Where the other house was clearly expensive and luxurious, one of these here could easily be afforded by young families without much to their name. So Michael doesn't really believe one of the houses here could be the new place someone like that Zachariah moved with Adam. Still, it seems as if they have nothing else other than this fragment of hope.

"I guess we will have to walk around. Maybe ask someone for directions to Zachariah's house, ask if there was a house sold recently or straight up describe Adam and Zachariah. As a couple, I am pretty sure they must have drawn attention to themselves." Benny talks as if mentally checking an invisible list. Though he is right. They only have this place to start. "We better start then."

With that, they both open the doors.

When they are all finished, everyone in the bedroom steps aside to let Adam stand in front of the mirror. Adam obliges for the lack of anything else to do now. He stands and silently looks at his reflection. The white suit and the eggshell shirt underneath look beautiful hugging his frame in all the right places. The tie and the matching handkerchief in his pocket are both elaborate with fine handmade needlework in silver thread. The white converse shoes make his attire younger by at least a couple of years but Adam really doesn't feel like squeezing his feet into those uncomfortable shiny shoes today so he will go with this. He looks old enough with the tired gaze of his eyes anyway. He faces his reflection and decides that much as he inspects his hair styled back and shining like it never did with the expensive products afterwards.

A woman, the make up artist who was hired in vain to only apply some highlighter and lip balm which Adam could easily do himself, comes forth with the last piece. The fake white roses he will have to carry around for a few hours at least. "You look amazing, Mr. Milligan. White really is your color." Adam weakly smiles at her through the mirror as he holds the bouquet in front of himself to see the final look. He takes a deep breath, pushes out his chest and raises his chin. Through the open window, he can hear Zachariah's voice instructing the photographer and his assistant. He closes his eyes and tries to imagine it. His new life.

He imagines all the days and nights that will be spent in this house together. He imagines the pictures that will slowly cover all the walls. He imagines the doghouse they will build together. The excited pets greeting them at the door, the evenings spent by the pool with a barbecue and a few neighbours over, the nights on the plush cushions in front of the fireplace downstairs with old dusty books and hot chocolate, the lazy mornings on the king sized bed behind him with breakfast on bed trays… He imagines it all and takes another deep breath as he opens his eyes slowly. This is it, he tells himself. The day of his wedding. Today, he is leaving everything behind. Every man who pushed him around after using him, every person looking down on him throughout his lonely life, every night he cried himself to sleep, every insult thrown his way… Today, he will get rid of it all. He will have a family, a warm home where he won't ever have to be alone nor afraid again. From now on, he will be an ordinary person and nothing less with everything he deserves in this life at his will. He will be happy.

With a quick move of his hand, he throws the bouquet on the vanity table and rushes to the joined bathroom. As soon as he slams the door after himself, murmurs start on the other side. Poor thing, he must be terrified. God knows why he is doing it. Adam swallows thickly and leans back against the door. Then remembering the white suit jacket, he takes a step forward. Even for that much money, I wouldn't want Milton. Who knows what the boy's going through. He pushes his palms against his ears. Without a reason, his eyes fill with tears. So young and handsome too. What kind of parent would let his child do this? His mom's face flashes in his mind. And that man who spoke the last part is right. His mom would die again before she would- But it's not like that. It's not that simple. He doesn't have his mom. He doesn't have anyone else. That's why all those things happened to him. It's why Adam is like this. And Zachariah… loves him. For the first time ever, someone wants to be here for him with everything. Someone wants to literally share his life. Someone wants to be his family. And Adam wants that too. He wants this more than everything. They are, these people outside the door are, all wrong. They don't know anything about him, about his life. Today Adam is happy.

When he opens the door and steps back into the bedroom, he makes sure to have a big grin on his face. He stands tall and walks with graceful steps that make his hips sway in that specific way that got every man who saw him left with a racing heart. As he walks back in front of the mirror, he picks up the bouquet again then nonchalantly throws it. The hairdresser skips on his feet to catch the fake flowers. Adam turns to face them all right then. They are all puzzled now, obviously reevaluating their previous assumptions. "Get me the florist please. I want fresh flowers. A colorful arrangement. Those roses look like paper." He speaks in a high, cheerful tone and watches the makeup artist's eyes widening.

Soon, they all walk out of the bedroom whispering among each other how the fake bouquet costs almost a month's pay and how the young groom must be out of his mind. Guess we got it wrong. He wasn't getting cold feet after all. Adam walks to the window to look outside once he hears that. No reason to listen anymore. He proved it to them. He is happy.

From now on, his life will be beautiful.

"I never saw him here, sorry.-" The old woman shakes her head before Benny thrusts his phone in Michael's hand with a frustrated sigh. This is already the seventh person they asked Zachariah's name and showed Adam's photo. Both of them are getting increasingly impatient and angry. Michael wishes he could punch someone. And he sees Benny isn't in any better state. The other man is nice, probably way too kind too as Michael gathered in the last couple days he has known him. So to see Benny losing that shine in his small eyes makes his chest clench with something he hates to feel. Desperation. Hopelessness. "-Oh, but I know Miltons. Their house is at the end of the street. The three-story, grey house with the big garden. It's a lot nicer than the rest. I'm sure you will see it. Though I can't guarantee you will find Zachariah there. I heard him and Naomi got a divorce pretty recently. I didn't know they had a nephew over either. Your young friend should have given the address better when he invited you. Evening, boys."

The woman walks into her house with a bright smile at the 'handsome boys' who helped with her grocery bags. Michael tilts his head down at the phone in his hand then looks at Benny. The other man nods once. And in the blink of an eye, both of them are hurrying back to the car. They have talked about this. They might need to make a hasty exit with the car if they convince Adam to come with them.

Only when he has already strapped himself in the driver's seat and started the engine does Michael notice the photo of Adam smiling with a steaming cup raised in front of him on Benny's phone was the wallpaper. He doesn't know what to make of it. He doesn't have the time to question this Benny's true relationship with Adam too. Not now. Not before they safely get the younger man. So he focuses on the road in front of him.

The photographer finishes with the last pose he planned beforehand. A young girl from the florist's shop arrives with the new flowers Adam asked for and with that, they are completely ready to drive over to the church.

In front of the car, Adam playfully holds out his palm and Zachariah drops the keys in it with a chuckle. So Adam drives in a comfortable speed, not too fast or slow. The wind feels nice. The soft music from the raido is uplifting. Zachariah almost drops the bouquet he is holding for Adam, he sees how the older man scrambles back on the passenger seat to catch it then they both laugh the rest of the way.

Soon, they see cars of every color and shape lined up in front of the church. The guests are already here, another team of photographers are waiting to snap pictures as they get out of the car. Everyone outside starts clapping as Zachariah gets out first then opens the door for Adam before handing his flowers back. Adam hooks his own arm in Zachariah's and faces all the people.

His stomach drops and suddenly, he is nauseous.

This is it. They will give a few poses here too, the guests will go inside and the ceremony will start. All in less than an hour from now. Adam will be a married man after this. He will have a family, a lover, a home, a future, a whole life. He wants it. He wants it so bad. And finally, he is everything he has been yearning for. So why-

Why does he feel like this?

A red-haired woman of about twenty five or so opens the door. Michael knows something is wrong the moment he sees her. She looks them up and down and raises a questioning eyebrow. "We are looking for Zachariah Milton. We are Adam's friends." He says it as it is and instantly, the woman's face darkens with outright anger.

"That sly serpent has nothing to do with us. My father, the bastard he is, left us for him. They got their oh so glorious, new, fancy house. Didn't your friend tell you? Leave. Go look for him there." Michael's eyes widen. This woman is-

Zachariah's daughter.

Obviouly older than Adam. That- That old goat is- Does Adam even know about this woman and her mother? Did he ever see them? Was he there during the divorce process? Benny said- It has been weeks, months, since Adam quitted his job. For Zachariah. A man of almost sixty. Married with an adult daughter older than Adam. Did he know? Was this an unpleasant surprise? Why did he accept- This family got torn apart too. All because of the decision Adam made while in an unstable state after- after-

Michael remembers that night they fought. How Adam was only trying to help him. How Adam was shocked himself, almost broken, in pain for Michael. How Adam was trusting their friendship to tell him the truth he knew. How Michael didn't believe him. And as if that wasn't painful enough- He is also guilty in this case of this woman and her mother too, isn't he? If he didn't hurt Adam that bad back then, if only he controlled himself, if only…

The woman sharply tries to shut the door and Benny stops her. Michael realizes the other man has been trying to convince the young woman while he was in a daze in his thoughts. The woman threathens them with calling the police and Benny finally draws his hand back. He looks at Michael with a lost expression on his face. He too doesn't know what they will do now. How will they-

"Anna go back inside. I will handle this.-" Another woman, one older with dyed hair and laugh lines on her face, appears from behind. At first the younger woman, Anna, struggles not to go but quickly gives up at the stern expression she gets. Once she is out of view, the other woman turns to them. "-That boy doesn't know what he is throwing himself in. Zachariah is everything you should protect yourselves from in life. He is an abuser to the core. He will lure his prey in with sweet words and pretense of care. He will spoil them and act all in love with them. He will stop at nothing to obtain them. But once he does, he will want to own them. He will turn violent. He will cheat on them. He will hurt them. He will trap them. Only once, I gathered enough courage to try to get a divorce. He didn't let me. He made me regret it in every way possible. So when he found that Adam and sent me the divorce papers, I as relieved. I accepted all of his terms and severed the ties. Anna was in college. I made sure she didn't know the worst of what her father did to me throughout her life. But now… I wanted to help that boy too. I was too scared to get anywhere close to Zachariah after the divorce. Now, at least this much is what I have to do. I got this from a mutual friend. Go save him. Hurry, both of you."

Right in front of his eyes, the woman hands Benny a fairly sized card. Michael knows what it is. Once, he and Dean were picking out a design for themselves. A wedding invitation. Benny furrows his brows and turns his eyes at Michael. There is fear in the blue orbs. "It's today. In- In an hour." Michael's heart sinks.

Without even properly thanking the woman, they run to the car.

It is starting. Adam is outside the double doors. He can hear people chattering on the other side. The priest already entered. Zachariah is there too. He must have taken his place at the altar by now. Like everyone else, he too is waiting for Adam. And Adam is right here, ready for the music to start playing any time now. The doors will open and he will walk all on his own because he has no one to give him off. All the guests will turn and look at him with awe. He knows they will. He knows how good he looks, it was a must with his previous job anyway. Adam is used to having eyes on him. He won't stumble or trip or make any other mistake. He will be out there with a small smile, graceful as a swan and Zachariah will be waiting for him with shining eyes. Then they will say their vows. They have been practising for days. everything will go smoothly. It will be perfect. He will be married in no more than a few minutes.

He will be happy.

As he wanted.

Though-

Does he want it with Zachariah?

Right where he stands, Adam thinks over everything that has happened in the last few weeks. How fast it all has been. How he couldn't ever seem to catch up. How he made major changes in his life in a matter of days. How he let someone close for the first time in years. How everyone he knows were so against it. Just this morning in the bedroom-

No.

This isn't right. Adam doesn't feel that way. He is just stressed. He is- The preparations have been hard in this short of a period. There was the problems that were haunting him too. He was trying to live through a trauma. He is just tired. He is about to found a new life for himself. He wants this. He wants to live like, to be loved like, a person. He wants to save himself. He wants to love someone. He wants a family. He wants pets. He wants kids. He wants a home. He wants peace. He is about to get it all. Now, he can't let anything confuse him. He is in his suit in the church. His future is waiting just on the other side of these doors.

And as if on cue, the music starts. The doors give way in two seconds. With a deep breath, Adam starts to walk.

All the eyes are on him. The photographers are snapping pictures from every possible angle. The priest is waiting. The guests are watching. Zachariah is there, clearly impatient. For Adam. This man can't wait to hold his hands. Adam walks a little faster. He focuses on his breathing and his steps. His heart is beating fast. His chest is so tight he almost can't breathe. This is it. His happiness. He is so close now. Three more steps and he will be met with his new family.

A step before he reaches Zachariah, the doors burst open with loud bang.

Adam turns to look at the intruder with everyone else. The intruders.

Benny.

Michael.

How? Why? Adam knows he didn't invite Benny and- How did the two even meet? Where did they find each other? Why? Why are they together? Why are they here? Adam notices Michael is shouting.

"-away from him! Don't do it to yourself! Adam, please come here. Let's talk. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I hurt you. Let me fix it. You aren't- I never saw you as less than what you are. I never wanted to- You were right. I saw it with my own two eyes. Please, Adam. Give me a chance. Don't do this."

Michael saw what? Adam doesn't understand for a second. Then it dawns on him. Dean. Michael saw Dean. Michael knows now. Michael is here to apologize. Michael found him, came here, interrupted a wedding to- A wedding. His wedding.

God.

What the hell is he even doing?

What is he doing in a church with a white suit and flowers? What is he doing with a man almost three times his age? What is he doing getting married at twenty? What is he doing with an ex-client who obviously wants to make him his personal toy? Why are the thoughts and questions pouring out now? How could he never see this before? How could he lie to himself so much? And for what?

He remembers that night he left Michael's flat with tears. He remembers the disappointment and the feeling of betrayal. Yet Michael is here now. He believes Adam now. He fianlly knows the truth. He is apologizing now. Michael is… here.

Without knowing how, Adam is walking to Michael. In the background, the guests are still gasping and some are snapping photos. Of course. There are reporters here too. Everyone is watching. Adam is still going to Michael. They both can't talk any words. Not now. Not with their gazes locked like this.

Suddenly, Adam is being pulled back.

"The hell do you think you are doing you slut!? You're marrying me! Right here, right now! Where is security!? Did you think you could just walk away? Did you think your boyfriend can kidnap you? No! You are mine! Did you hear!? I own you, you whore!" Zachariah shouts and shouts. Adam can't do anything but to look at the man's face and try to process the words.

All this time- He too... Zachariah was disguising himself. To pull Adam in and to never let him escape. He is trapping you, Adam. That man is over fifty. You are twenty yet. It's not gonna work out, brother. Even if you were in love which you aren't, it wouldn't be good. The man wants to shoo the wife away and immediately tie you to himself before you get away. How right Benny was that day. This man is sshowing his true colors now. He is pulling Adam by the arm and shouting at him with an almost monstrous roar. Benny was right. Kevin was right. Crowley was right. Even that nameless makeup artist from this morning was right. This man is-

disgusting.

How could Adam not see it before?

Why can't he do anything now? Why aren't his limbs moving? Why-

Zachariah's hand raises and swiftly moves towards Adam's face.

The slap never lands.

Adam notices he screwed his eyes shut and opens them to see Zachariah struggling to free his wrist from the strong fingers pinning his hand in the air.

Michael caught him.

Michael is-

The last thing Adam sees before he is hastily dragged out of the hall is Benny holding Zachariah back and all the guests loudly gasping and shouting things at them. He runs alongside Michael.

Between them, their hands are still clasped.