It was a lonely night for the demonic duo. Of all of the traditions, this was the most unpleasant thus far. Ordinarily, the bride and the groom are not to be together on the night before the wedding, but no one really knew how that would translate when both spouses are of the same sex. Still, the duo stayed in separate rooms, getting a miniscule amount of sleep due to the discomfort of sleeping alone.
However, this arrangement had its perks, as they were able to get dressed without the other seeing their outfits before the ceremony, timing it so that they left at different intervals. It was quite the pain to endure, having to separate from each other for the entire day. The wedding would take place at sundown in order to accommodate vampiric guests, so the duo were not in contact the entire time. It was almost unbearable, as the pair were both almost unable to contain their excitement.
Fortunately, they had plenty of distractions, since their fashion consultants each had them busy. Elizabeth was busy trying to fix Ciel's hair while Kristopherson made sure that Alois' wardrobe stayed in pristine condition. Not one speck of dirt made it onto that white suit under the watchful eye of Kristopherson Miles. The only break Alois got from him was when the faux-blonde left in order to get himself ready. He enjoyed it immensely, trying to fluff his hair up to his own standards and wrinkling his nose at all of the product in it. Soon, however, he jumped when the door swung open again, quickly forcing his hands to his sides so that he wasn't touching anything before turning to face the intruder.
"It's almost time!" Elizabeth said as she stampeded into the room. "You need to get in position!"
"H-huh?!" nervously barked the menace, his face heating up. He wasn't able to say another word before the woman quickly grabbed his hand and started tugging him out the door.
"Just do what you did in rehearsals!" the Hellsing reassured. "Don't worry, you'll be fine!"
"U-uh bu-but—"
"No buts! You've been waiting so long for this, and Ciel has tried so hard to help you both get here." Elizabeth said, dragging the man through the church. "Don't you dare try to back out and throw that away. If you do, I'll never forgive you."
"I-I'm not going to!" protested Alois. "I'm just nervous!"
"What is there to be nervous about? You've rehearsed this!"
"So?! What if something goes wrong? What if I cry during the ceremony? What if Ciel doesn't like the way I'm dressed—"
Alois was cut off as the two of them came to an abrupt stop. To his surprise, Elizabeth turned around to face him, looking at him directly in the eyes with determination. He was even more surprised when the woman stabbed him in the chest with her finger.
"There is no way that Ciel won't love it." She declared. "I am one-thousand percent sure, so I promise you without an ounce of uncertainty that Ciel is not going to be disappointed. Don't you dare doubt yourself today." Elizabeth ordered, jabbing him again. "Not. To. Day. Today is supposed to be happy. Just go to him, Alois. He's determined to make you his husband. An outfit is not going to shake his resolve in something so important."
"O-okay…" bashfully nodded the menace.
"Good!" grinned Elizabeth, slinking behind the man in order to nudge him along. "Now go get in position. It's just around the corner, like always. I have to get to my seat!"
"Oh. Okay?"
"Break a leg!" the woman said as she made her exit. She gave the man a thumbs up before turning to leave. Alois watched after her for a few moments before finally snapping back to attention.
"Oh yeah!" he said before quickly jogging through the hallway. He tried his best not to trip as he hastily rounded the corner to the spot where he was supposed to enter with his spouse, and somehow in all of this, he forgot that Ciel was supposed to be there.
"C-Ciel?" the blonde let out before he nearly wiped out from not paying attention, only to be speedily caught by the bluenette. He looked up, finding that he was in his lover's arms, and his face immediately flushed. "Wow…"
The Watchdog swiftly helped the man to his feet, still neglecting to release him, however. His eye scanned Alois, taking in his appearance as his breath was stolen from him. Instinctively, he reached up to cup Alois' cheek as the blonde rested his palms on his chest.
"You look absolutely incredible…" he said, his voice soft. A genuine smile graced his face as he looked into the blonde's eyes, only to have it returned as the blonde did his best to hold back from crying again.
"So do you." Alois answered, leaning into his beau's touch. "You look fantastic."
Smiling, Ciel pressed leaned in close to the menace, pursing his lips. His eye closed, only to snap open when he didn't feel Alois' lips, but rather, his fingers as the other man stopped him.
"Not yet." The menace said. "Just a few more minutes." With those few words, Ciel's shock subsided and he pulled back again to look at his beau.
"I'll be counting the seconds." He answered, causing the other demon to giggle. It was around then that the duo was yanked from their amourous exchange by the sound of an organ.
"Oh shit! It's starting!" Alois said, grabbing the bluenette's arm and pulling him along. They reached the door just as it cracked open and sorted themselves; the blonde taking the bluenette's arm as they made sure that they were standing on the correct sides that they had rehearsed with. Once the door was fully opened, they made their first steps down the aisle.
All was not calm in the Gehenna church on that day. H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. agents and supernaturals alike clapped and cheered when the duo walked out. The Gehenna Police department sat in full formal ansembles while rejoicing for the demons, as did critical members of the H.E.L.L.S.N.G. organization. Even Sir Integra herself clapped while her grandmother stood up in her seat. Seras Victoria joined them, and so did Audrey Baines, wearing his signature hat with his formal uniform. He behaved boorishly along with the rest of the seven, now joined by Pratricia Ramirez, who was seated next to the smiling Travis Sullivan. Miranda Ackerman sat with the rest of the Research department, while Captain Debra Harland sat with BRAVO team, applauding.
Their family was there as well, much to the delight of the duo. Sebastian held Luka as he stood up so that he could see over the heads of the crowd and wave at his brother, causing both grooms to wave back conspicuously.
Key members of Gehenna sat in the audience and cheered as well, including those from the Wolf's Glen and the Gehenna Public Library. Alois waved to them as some of the police blew their whistles, uncharacteristically led by Revy Macken, who often times believed himself to be above such acts of celebration, but the blonde still maintained his grip on Ciel the entire time. He would look up at the Watchdog, who would look back at him and grin widely. It was obviously taking all that Ciel had not to kiss his beau, and Alois was loving it.
Both of them, however, felt their nerves returning to them as they made it to the altar. Once Baldassare ended the song on the organ, the crowd grew quiet again, shushing each other. Chuckling rumbled from the crowd when both grooms accidentally took a breath to calm down at the same time, but it was quickly silenced as Sister Dorothy prepared to speak.
"Welcome." The nun greeted to the audience. "We are gathered here today to for the joining in bond of matrimony Ciel and Jim. The contract of marriage is one not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities it entails. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundation of a happy home. No tie is more important or tender."
Both men continued to smile as they listened, occasionally sneaking glances at the other until it was time to face their spouse. Both men were smiling so widely that it was almost painful, their cheeks pink as they eagerly awaited their chance to kiss the one another and embrace them. The anticipation was killing them. In truth, they wanted the ceremony to be over as quickly as possible so that they would no longer have to wait. They would soon get their wish as Sister Dorothy continued.
"Do you, Ciel, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" she questioned.
"I do." The Watchdog proudly declared without the slightest bit of hesitation, looking the blonde straight in the eyes as he did.
"And do you promise to keep him, love and comfort, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse and to be faithful until death do you part?"
"Even after that." Ciel answered, causing his spouse's cheeks to darken as the church cooed.
"And do you, Jim, take Ciel to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the nun inquired, now facing the other demon.
"I do." The menace said, his tone sincere, despite the deep breaths that he needed to take in order to remain calm.
"Do you have rings?" Dorothy asked, tuning to Ciel.
"Yes." Answered the Watchdog, producing them from his pocket. He handed one to the menace while keeping the other, if only for a moment. Gently taking Alois' hand, he slid the band onto his spouse's finger.
"Jim," he began, taking in the blonde's features as he spoke, and smiling reassuringly as he spoke. His voice took on a much gentler tone—one that was seldom heard in public. "I give you this ring, in token of my commitment and love."
Then, it was Alois' turn, taking another breath in order to remain calm, despite the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. Taking Ciel's hand, he held it for a moment, before beginning to slip the ring on the Watchdog's finger. It took him a few seconds longer to speak, but he did.
"Ciel, I do the same for you." He said, his voice sounding confident enough to embolden himself. "I give you this ring, in token of my commitment and my love." It was with that, that a tear did fall, but Alois smiled all the same. He was overflowing with happiness at that moment, and the bluenette couldn't help but clasp his hands, unable to stick to the script upon seeing that face.
"It is now with great pleasure that I pronounce you spouses for life." Declared the nun, smiling along with them. "You may now seal your vows with a kiss."
It was then that the demons practically jumped into each other's arms, embracing each other tightly and securely as they kissed. Alois cupped both of his husband's cheeks as he smiled into the kiss, allowing his tears to fall freely as the other demons wrapped one arm around him while gripping the back of his head with the other, unable to remain stoic when joyously overflowing with love.
The pair stayed like that for a few moments. It was long enough to hold them both over until later, but short enough that it wasn't inappropriate. Either way, it elicited the same hooting and hollering from their friends as the rest of the crowd cheered. The pair separated, limiting themselves to simply holding hands as they stepped down from the altar, only looking away from each other in order to look as to where they were going. Once they were finally on the floor, they looked back to each other, unable to hold anything in.
Ciel reached up in order to wipe the blonde's tears with his thumb as their friends, family, and coworkers approached them in order to bid their congratulations, but the duo were more focused on each other. They each put an arm around the other as they faced the others and conversed, sneaking glances at each other often. They couldn't help it. From this day on, they would be husbands. That was an exciting feat within itself. Afterward, life would go on as the demonic duo became Sir and Mister Phantomhive.
