CHAPTER 94:

A tie not easy to break

Not even Jay himself understood how he'd managed to walk down the aisle without tripping over. His legs were as steady as a house of cards. At least they were outside, with fresh air, which would help him cool down. But the moment he saw Kai waiting for him inside the mandap, dressed in the same sort of attire, Jay physically felt half of his agitation abandon him.

Suddenly he didn't feel as heavy anymore, although he appreciated being able to sit again when he reached the stage. Kai looked tremendously handsome. Jay's heart skipped a beat when he saw him up close. All those jewels and gems around the turban, ears, neck, hands! They made Kai look like a gift from the Gods, all sparkly and radiant that, for a moment, Jay was surprised to realize the boy was probably even more nervous than himself.

Jay tried to follow the priest's words as he didn't want to mess up the ceremony, but he found himself getting distracted every few seconds. There was simply too much to take around, the mandap was beautiful, full of colors, flowers, scents, and sheer fabrics. And of course, there were all these even more precious people around them. He locked gazes with Lloyd a few times, the young boy was just as excited as him and gave Jay a thumbs up on the sly. Edna, too, would warmly smile back whenever Jay looked to his right.

Concentrate, he told himself. You can admire all of this later.

However, the boy that sat next to him didn't make it that easy. Kai reached a hand out, rubbing the side of Jay's own that rested on the couch. He responded, opening his palm and lacing fingers with the Maharaja. A sense of home washing over Jay at the physical contact.

After the introduction, the music started again, chants were added along with the melody. Jay muttered them along with everyone else, failing to remember some of the words. He'd been studying them for the past days, but he was too excited to recite them all correctly. At least he wasn't the only one struggling with that. Kai's tongue constantly slipped and the boy needed a solid second to pull himself together whenever their eyes met.

The priest thanked the musicians and all the attendees for the participation then went on with the next part of his speech.

"True marriage is more than simply joining two persons together through the holy bonds of matrimony. It is the union of two hearts and souls. It is the blending of two families. True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. It takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting."

The man walked back to his previous spot behind the two grooms. Jay straightened when the priest touched his and Kai's backs, making sure to look as graceful as possible.

"Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends. Today marks the start of your journey to a future of togetherness and mutual understanding."

Kai and Jay shared another look, both boys smiling stupidly at each other.

"And now," said the priest. A slightly different joy could be sensed in his voice. "I will admit that I am delightfully pleased to pronounce the following words; may the parents come closer, please?" He gestured at the Walkers.

Ed and Edna did as they were asked. The priest brought a vessel along with a pitcher full of water that had been blessed by the man himself previously, and gave them the items. They kneeled next to the boys, placing the plate on the floor. The priest let them know they could ask for his assistance at any moment. The Walkers though said they would manage —Jay wasn't fully convinced, however.

"We, Ed and Edna, approve the union of our son, Jay, with Kai. And with this holy water, we give them our blessings and best wishes which shall accompany and protect their love from now on."

Edna took the pitcher and started to pour some of the clear liquid on Kai's hands while her husband washed them gently. Once done, they exchanged roles and Edna took care of her son.

"It's a good thing that you already took a thorough bath this morning, ain't it, Jaybird? Otherwise, this might have taken longer-"

"Mom!" Jay cried out at both the badly-timed comment and the childish nickname.

Kai laughed though, which quickly relieved Jay. It was the first time he'd heard the boy's laughter that day, which sounded like heavenly music to Jay's ears.

After the small care from the parents, Ed and Edna placed Jay's hands in Kai's palms, as a symbol of their respect and acceptance towards their marriage.

"May these hands always be held by one another." The priest declared behind them. "May they have the strength to hold on through the storms of stress and the darkness of disillusionment. May they be tender and gentle as they nurture each other in love."

Jay's chest filled with butterflies at the chants, painful to some degree, taking away his breath. His heart fluttered with anticipation as Kai's eyes once again found him.

Jay looked back in time to when they first met. His memories of the slave market were fuzzy, but he did remember that strange dream he had before being met with Kai's eyes. Their past together might be bittersweet, but the boy had to admit that during those first seconds upon encountering the Maharaja's gaze up close, he'd felt at ease. Kai's beautiful eyes held a special warmth, a sense of protectiveness whenever he stared at Jay. That hadn't changed one bit in all these months.

"These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future together. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever."

Jay unconsciously squeezed his fingers, and Kai reciprocated right after.

Upon finishing those verses, the priest addressed the Walker progenitors again.

"Thank you for your participation."

Ed and Edna bowed their heads softly. The old woman leaned closer to the couple.

"We are truly happy that you guys have found each other," she murmured. " You two are so adorable together."

Jay suppressed a groan, although he had no effective way to prevent his cheeks from going full tomato mode. Kai let out another chuckle. His face, too, gaining a bit more rosiness than usual.

"Thank you, Edna. And you too, Ed," the Maharaja spoke back with a low voice as well. "I promise you your son is in good hands."

"Worry not, we know that already," Ed assured promptly.

There was not one bit of hesitation in his remark, and it was quite understandable. Not only were they aware of the couple's complicated history. After living with them for two weeks, the Walkers had learned a lot more about Kai and Jay's relationships, and while their dynamic was still a bit chaotic, the old couple had faith in them, for their love had been proved strong enough to surpass many harsh obstacles.

Ed and Edna went back to the couch with Cole. The priest then proceeded to feed the holy fire with some powder, making it burn with avidity in the center of the altar.

"Marriage is about giving and taking; kissing and loving, and pushing and shoving. It is caring and sharing, and screaming and... swearing, much to my distress." He sighed.

A spontaneous wave of laughter erupted all around. Jay had had his doubts, but he was liking this man more and more every minute. He now understood why Kai had been so insistent in having him officiate the ceremony, the man was different than most of his religious peers.

"It is about being together whatever the weather," he resumed. "About being driven to your limits, about sweetness, wisdom, and kindness. It's about being strong when you're feeling weak-spirited. It's about being wrong when you know you are right. It's about giving in before there's a severe fight.

"When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. Such is an impossibility, and even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is what many of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern, as they share their common journey.

"Now, please, may the grooms stand up."

Jay and Kai followed the orders.

"It is time for you to pronounce your vows and walk around the sacred fire," informed the priest.

The two boys nodded before turning to face each other.

"Do you remember your part?" Kai whispered as low as possible.

"I… I don't know," Jay confessed.

Over the prior days, he'd been working on his vows with Zane's help, and even though they had reached a middle point between poor simplicity and an overly complex and long speech, Jay was having trouble remembering every sentence now.

"It's okay, I can't either." Kai giggled. "Guess we'll have to improvise. Do you want me to go first?"

"Please…"

The Maharaja stole a quick glance at the priest and waited for the man's confirmation that they could start. Kai took a deep breath and held Jay's hands tight but without applying too much pressure. He was so nervous Jay couldn't help but snicker lowly at the king's adorableness.

"Jay," Kai finally started. His voice was shaky at first, but soon it regained the usual tone the Maharaja would always use during formal speeches. "As your husband, from this day forward, I promise to be honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you have placed in me, to love and respect you in your success but also in your failures. I… I cannot say that being with me will be a bed of roses, for we both know I can get a bit... intense sometimes."

"Hothead…" Cole coughed low but still clear enough for Lloyd to hear him from the other side and burst out laughing. Jay, too, snorted at his friend's remark.

Kai comically glared at his spouses while Zane scolded the two boys with a look. The Maharaja did his best to regain focus.

"But I trust you will be patient with me, and that you will also know when to put me in my place," Kai said.

Jay couldn't help but giggle a bit.

The Maharaja squeezed Jay's hands a fraction tighter and fixed his gaze on the boy's irises as he spoke the following words.

"Jay, you have given me so much in exchange for so little. No matter what, I will always be in debt with you. You will forever have my complete loyalty. I promise to make you laugh and to be there for you when you cry. I will care for you in sickness and in health. And I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."

A collective "Aww" sounded all around. Jay blushed even harder than before and ducked his head unconsciously —as if that would ever shield him from all the attention.

"Didn't mean to bother you," Kai apologized softly.

"No, it's fine. I liked it. It was beautiful," Jay responded almost out of breath.

The priest addressed the couple again.

"It's your turn, Jay."

The boy started to sweat. He was doing his best to remember the words but to no avail. There were too many emotions inside of him at those moments, he could only remember bits and pieces of what he had planned to say. Looking over Kai's shoulder, he locked gazes with Zane for a moment. The blond had a peaceful smile on his face and raised a hand to tap the left side of his chest, hinting at Jay to just speak from his heart.

"Don't worry, you'll do great," Kai encouraged.

Perhaps. Or maybe Kai just had too much faith in his almost-spouse, he surely possessed a lot more refined vocabulary than Jay and was used to speaking in public.

The freckled boy closed his eyes and decided to take a deep breath too, trying to clear his mind from any worries and clear the path for his heart to speak whatever it desired.

"Kai... I promise to always be there for you, to shelter and hold your love as the most precious gift in my life… I..."

Jay lost his train of thought for a second when Kai rubbed his palms and prompted the boy to look him in the eyes.

"You… You say you're in debt with me, but I'd rather say we both have done so much for one another. I wouldn't be as happy as I am this day hadn't we met... You made me realize things about myself that I never dared to speak or even consider in the privacy of my own thoughts, and I think that meeting you has helped me grow and evolve as a person."

Kai smiled. "The feeling is mutual."

Jay laughed nervously.

"Sorry, please go on."

"I… I can't offer you much besides my ever-lasting love and my endless strength and support, which you're free to take whenever you feel weak or lost." Some of the words he'd prepared with Zane started to come back with more clarity, and Jay decided to use them for a more emotive end. "I'll be your days and nights when you need them filled, your spark of life in the darkness, your hope when you're down and out... Come what may I will love you until my dying day."

Another round of tender cries rose over the heads of the attendees.

Kai bit his lip and leaned forward, resting his forehead on Jay's. His eyes sparkled with the threat of imminent tears.

"Thank you, baby," he muttered so close to Jay's lips that the boy almost lost it and kissed him right then and there, but somehow, they both managed to stay calm and not make a scene —yet.

"That was marvelous, very heart-felt. My congratulations to the both of you for gifting us all such a tender moment," the officiant praised the boys. "Will the princess join us now, please?"

Nya grabbed a pot of rice next to her and walked towards the couple, then poured some of the grain on their hands.

"Dear friends and family, I ask you for your support now as well. Let us all come together to pray and wish for the happiness and healthy life of the couple."

Jay watched as everyone in the row of seats ahead linked their arms or hands. Inside the mandap, Lloyd and Zane did the same, just like Cole with Ed and Edna.

Kai pulled at Jay's free hand softly and led him around the altar several times while together they offered the rice to the holy fire. The priest guided the audience in their silent blessings.

"May the fire be in your thoughts, making them true, good, and just.

"May the fire be on your lips, so that you speak the truth in kindness. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, and to also share those moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done.

"May the fire be in your arms and hands so that you always need one another; not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness.

"May you want one another; not out of lack, but to feel the warmth of their touch. May you embrace one another; not to encircle one another, but to give comfort.

"May the fire be in our whole being, in your legs and in your feet, so that you walk in the ways of goodness and truth upon earth.

"May you succeed in all important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and always find love, in the pursuit of loving one another.

"And may the fire protect you from all evil, gossip, and from things that harm and break down families."

Kai and Jay finished the last round just in time with the priest's chants. Following suit, the man grabbed two wreaths made of beautiful huge purple flowers and handed one to each of the grooms.

"Do not deceive, do not despise each other anywhere. Do not be angry nor bear secret resentments. Cherish goodwill right and left, early and late, and without hindrance, without stint, be free of hate and envy.

"You will now confirm the marriage upon garlanding your partner."

Almost done! Jay cried out internally.

Jay and Kai faced each other once more. The Maharaja leaned his head forward, eagerly waiting for Jay to slip the band onto him. The boy didn't make him wait, for he, too, desired this with all his heart.

Kai then proceeded to do the same, gently dropping the flowers on Jay's shoulder. The priest smiled contentedly.

"You are now bound to-"

"Wait!" Kai stopped the wise man. "I… I have a request."

The priest arched an eyebrow. "Breaking another tradition again, dear?"

"Uh, I'm afraid so, sir," Kai replied with an awkward giggle.

"Go ahead." The other shook his head in defeat, but the beam on his face gave away the amusement that the innovative king caused on him.

Kai cupped Jay's cheeks and brought the boy's ear close to his lips.

"Do you mind if…"

Jay listened carefully, his eyes opening with surprise at Kai's idea —a pleasant surprise. He gave the other boy the okay and watched happily as Kai's joy only went even higher that day.

"Cole, Lloyd, Zane, can you please come here with us?" The Maharaja asked his lovers.

The three young men got up from their seats and walked up to the protagonists of the day, curious as ever to know what new crazy idea might have crossed their husband's mind.

Kai cleared his throat.

"All four of you are important to me. Even when you're all so different from each other, I consider you all equal where my devotion is concerned. I love you all with the same passion and strength. I want you all to be aware that we are married as a whole. You are my spouses just as much as you are to one another."

The boys grinned with a variety of embarrassment, tenderness, and joy.

"We are aware of that, love," Zane commented cordially, although still not completely understanding what Kai was getting at. Jay, on the contrary, beamed with anticipation and exchanged a playful look with the king before the boy made his announcement.

"I want to make it official though."

Kai grabbed both Jay and Lloyd's hands, the ginger then reached for Cole on the other side. Zane followed along and took Lloyds's free one.

"Will you guys please walk around the fire with me and Jay one more time?"

Their eyes opened wide with surprise, but not even a second later Lloyd bounced and let out an effusive "Yes!"

Kai and Jay chuckled at their friend's enthusiasm. When the shock wore off, Cole and Zane agreed to Kai's request as well.

Kai checked with the priest one more time for good measure. The man didn't oppose.

Zane took the lead, and one after the other, every boy followed the blond's steps. They paced slowly around the altar, not only holding hands but gazes as well. Jay felt tremendously happy, excited, moved by a little action that not everyone might fully understand, but that for these boys had a very special meaning.

They made it back to the starting points. Cole, Zane, and Lloyd looked most overjoyed, especially the latter.

Jeez, how could have Jay ever found Lloyd annoying at some point?!

"May I resume now, Your Majesty?" The priest asked. "I mean, I don't mind working extra hours but I think some of you are really looking forward to getting this done." He chuckled.

"Yes, please, continue! I won't interrupt anymore."

Family and friends all giggled equally.

As most everyone was already standing, the priest asked for the rest of the attendees to do the same. Nya came closer to Zane and Lloyd, whereas Cole let Ed and Edna stand next to their son.

"As I was saying earlier." The officiant regained his serene, ceremonial tone and addressed the grooms. "Now you are bound one to the other with a tie not easy to break. But remember to be respectful, kind. Take the time to bond, to learn what you need to know, to grow in both wisdom and love. With those things, your marriage will be strong. With those things, your love will last in this life and beyond. You may now go as spouse and spouse."

As if struck by a lightning bolt Jay shook from head to toe. The tremors and jitters that installed in his insides were pleasant, however.

Finally.

After so many ups and downs. He'd become Kai's, and Kai had become his. Their hearts, souls, and bodies belonged to each other.

He looked at the other boy, who was all smiles, grinning delightedly from ear to ear. Kai's arms softly went around Jay. It took no genius to know what would be his next move. Despite being under a considerable amount of vigilant eyes, Jay leaned forward, finding Kai's lips midway and letting the boy's warm aura absorb him completely for a moment.

Some of the guests gasped with surprise, others surely more accustomed to the Maharaja's lack of shyness just cackled tenderly.

Tittering on the edges between the real world and the paradise Kai currently had him trapped in, Jay's senses still registered his parents' coos and the joyful cries of the rest of the family around them, congratulating them.

When Kai pulled away, the boy remained close to Jay, eyes fixed on him.

"I love you so much, bluebell," he murmured, rubbing his nose against Jay's.

The boy giggled.

"I like that one."

Author's Notes:

I had to google wedding speeches 'cause I literally have no idea how all of that works x'D

So if you've read anything similar in other places, that's why.