Tallon barely slept, he kept leaning over the side of the top bunk to check on Hector-but of course his boyfriend remained unconscious the rest of the night. When morning came, Tallon was up first and waiting Hector's side for him to wake up. His boyfriend was stubborn, this whole not telling when something was wrong thing was something they needed work on. Hector had been stabbed in the side, no one had idea when or how when they'd been in a blackout for twenty minutes. He hadn't looked injured before, and showed no signs of pain during, but after Tallon hugged him it was plain to see. Tallon sighed as he held his boyfriend's hand, stroking the top slightly.
"Still hasn't woken up yet?" Evan asked now.
"No, and I watched him most of the night to see if he would then but didn't." Tallon replied calmly. Hector began to groan slightly and move his head back and forth. "Babe?" Tallon asked holding his hand again.
"Tal..." Hector asked slowly.
"It's me, my love. Right over here, it's okay." Tallon said softly. Hector's eyes opened slowly, blinking as he tried to focus on the faces around him. Tallon's being the closest, "There you are," Tallon smiled softly. "Take it slow. Had a long night babe," Tallon told him.
"Yeah...I remember winning, pain, and nothing after that..." Hector said.
"You passed out after Tallon hugged your from the victory. Why didn't you say you'd been hurt?" Drew asked slowly.
"What happened, when did you even get hurt? There was a dagger in your side, Hector," Tallon asked.
"I think I want to hear this too," came Caleb's voice entering the barrack now.
"It happened when that soldier pinned me down, he got me in the side. I just...didn't react to it because my focus was on the attack. I just...wanted to end it before someone got hurt...or killed...I didn't feel a thing until Tallon hugged me and then I just blacked out. My chest and side were hurting, it just overwhelmed me is all," Hector explained.
"Stubborn ass. You're gonna get yourself killed one of these days because you don't speak up," Tallon sighed heavily then kissed Hector's knuckles. "How do you feel?"
"I'm okay right now baby. Barely feel it..." Hector smiled as he heard squeaking, he saw Fang climbing up the side of his sleeve. "Hey there, Fang..." Hector giggled when Fang started licking his cheek, squeaking happily.
"He slept on your pillow all night, he's been worried too." one of the girls smiled.
"Awe, I'm okay, lil guy." Hector rubbed under his chin some.
"You did real well last night, Haddock. You got some scary and questionable tactics, but they work. I trust all your judgments and plans from now on. But-ya know...maybe we sit down and talk about some of them so I know what they are. I'm sure the others you worked with knew but, here in Afghanistan...I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them. If we're going to be working together here, I think we should get to know some of the formations and plans you use," Caleb told him.
"That's fine with me. We can have a meeting about it later on," Hector nodded.
"Just come find me whenever you're ready," Caleb shook his hand and left the barrack. Hector relaxed a little as Fang was lying comfortably on his shoulder, Hector picked him up in his palm and got up slowly-wincing a bit then placing Fang back in his small area of the closet. Hector got him a new package of crackers that were broken into smaller pieces, new water too before checking his side. Least he wasn't bleeding through. Hector moved to the bathroom-it was always a first wake up thing for him, but it was for most others too. He came back out and kissed Tallon with a smile.
"Love you," Hector said as he sat in Tallon's lap with his arms around his neck and smiling. Tallon kissed him back with his hands on his hips.
"I love you more. You're putting yourself in a position to be assaulted with neck kisses, you're aware right?" Tallon grinned moving Hector's collar a bit as he blushed deeply.
"B-but...everyone is...watching. I don't want a repeat of that," Hector said remembering the day he and Tallon were about to get one another off but Hector's family and friends showed up unexpectedly.
"Well, at least this time...I'm only kissing your neck and my hand isn't down your pants with you begging for more." Tallon whispered in his ear as Hector's face lit up like a Christmas tree from embarrassment at what he said. "Everyone's eyes are on you, Love... and you're blushing like mad," he added. Hector buried his face in the spot between Tallon's neck and shoulder trying to hide his face.
"What did you say to the poor guy?" Jessie blinked in confusion.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Tallon stated calmly with his eyes closed, then he lifted Hector's chin a little and Hector felt Tallon's lips against his in a passionate, deep kiss. He melted into instantly as the room seemed to quiet down and watch the two. Everyone could see how in love they were with one another. The friendship, the jokes, the loyalty, the concern, protection, smiles, the love. It was always there-never faltering to show those around how deep it ran. Tallon reached into his pocket as the others covered their mouths to keep from gasping out loud. He was gonna do it! Tallon was gonna propose to him right now! Tallon opened box with the one hand as he smiled and broke the kiss while keeping it hidden still, "Gods, is it bad that I have the constant feeling like I'm dreaming when we're together,"
"Does that dream feeling include me asking you to marry me?" Tallon asked.
"Only a million times over have I had that dream," Hector responded with a slight giggle.
"Will you marry me?" Tallon asked him-but he hadn't raised the ring yet, he just wanted to see what Hector would say.
"I said I've had dreams where you ask me and I'm very much awake right now, don't tea-" he stopped short when Tallon sighed heavily and had Hector get off his lap, then he stood up in front of him-lifting the opened ring box.
"Hector, just shut up and say yes," Tallon said calmly as he held one of Hector's hands with his free one, Hector's eyes widened a bit. "I'm not teasing you, I'm actually asking you to marry me. I love you with everything I am, and all that I have. You were my first friend, and still are my best friend. You have saved me so many times: when my parents were too busy to see me on that first tour and you let me stay with you. The time that you came running at my distress call because my Dad was likely going to kill me if you hadn't, and you refused to let me out of your sight. You've pushed me out of the way of bullets and gotten yourself hit in my place. You're my best friend, and my boyfriend. I have...loved this last year with you but now I want more with you. I want to be your husband, so will you, Hector Haddock the Third, marry me?" Tallon pulled the ring from the box now and held his left hand ring finger but didn't slip it on yet.
"Y-you really want to spend your life...with me?" Hector asked as the tears formed in his eyes.
"If I didn't, do you think I would be standing in this barrack at 6:30am while we're stationed in Afghanistan, a war zone, on deployment asking you to become my husband, Hector? Technically-I'm already your fiance according to the medical files. You trust me with your very life, and I trust you with mine. You say we're already engaged, so why don't we just make that official? Say yes, and marry me..."
Hector's eyes shimmered from the tears the finally fell from his eyes, he smiled and nodded his head. "Yes...YES!" Hector practically yelled. The room burst into applause as Tallon slipped the ring on Hector's finger, then pulled him in close, cupped his cheek and kissed him deeply. Hector couldn't believe this, Tallon proposed to him-they were officially engaged! He couldn't believe how random it came on too. How...long had he been planning this? They only just hit a year about a week ago! He even had the ring with him-and Gods was he ever smooth about it.
"I love you so much," Tallon whispered against his lips.
"I love you too, Tallon," Hector replied as they kissed again. "Please tell me someone has that on video?" he asked while leaning against Tallon's chest as he wiped his eyes and smiled wide-he was so happy.
"We all did. That was wicked spur of the moment, Tal. Nice work," Thaxter and Tallon connected wrists.
"Saw the opening, had to take it." Tallon shrugged with a smile.
"Only thing that would make this random as fuck would be you just getting hitched now," Trent chuckled.
"Oh if there was a way, I likely would." Tallon smiled as Hector glanced up at him. "What babe, we're basically married already. We live together, we're never apart, we share all our bills, we're madly in love and that will never change. You have your ring, I have mine in the box still. It's over there in the closet, matching set yours and mine are." he informed his now fiance.
"Well when ya put it like that, I suppose I can't disagree. If there was a way to get married now, I would." Hector giggled a bit.
"What if I knew a way you could?" Darius mentioned as both of them arched a brow in curiosity now, "There's online licensing program for becoming a minister for any island in the Archipelago. And the Berk Hall website has all the forms you need to apply for a marriage license and shit. You can fax it back and forth, could have you married by dinner tonight if you really wanted,"
Both Hector and Tallon looked at one another a moment, then smiled. "Do it," they said together. The room went silent now.
"Y-you're...being serious, you really want to get married, today!?" Darius asked.
"Yeah, why not. We're gonna do it eventually anyway, so why not just do it now?" Tallon said.
"Um...the family isn't here. No tuxes, cake, food, music, officiant-you know...all the things that go into a wedding?" Darius reminded Hector.
"We have our ACU-that's formal enough to get married in. Pretty sure the girls could whip up a cake, or cupcakes at best, there's always plenty of food in the chow tent, I have my laptop and speakers for music, and you just said you could do the course online," Hector stated.
"And Mom, Dad, Heather, Aunts, Uncles?" Skylar asked, obviously referring to Hector's and Darius's mom and dad.
"We'll just throw together a celebration when we go home on leave. Or we'll tell them that we're still engaged, re-say the vows, and no one knows a thing..." Tallon suggested with a shrug. "Come on, Darius...take the honor of marrying your little brother to the man he loves, the one who loves him back the same."
"You...really want to get married right now?" Darius asked, the others looked at him like he was crazy. Was he really going to do it? Go through with becoming an officiant and marrying Hector and Tallon today?
"We do," Tallon and Hector said together smiling.
"I cannot believe I'm going to say this but...alright. Give me your laptop, Hector." Darius sighed, Hector got it for him along with the charger and a small, portable printer that had a wire to hook up with. Darius got right to work, first thing he had to do was take the online course for becoming an officiant. This didn't take him long, an hour at best. Then he got to work getting the forms they'd need as well, printing out his minister's license. Hector and Tallon also couldn't believe they were doing this. By the end of today, they'd be a married couple. The girls were excited, they were already getting ready to head to the chow tent and see what they could do about a cake. Tallon was going to have Thaxter be his best man, and Hector was shockingly enough was having Jessie be his. Hector also had his ring off for now-as per tradition that on wedding day, the rings weren't worn because they'd be placed on during ring vows.
Darius printed the marriage license application which Hector and Tallon filled out with all the information they needed and then with permission from Caleb, they got to use the fax machine in his office to send it back and have it be approved, it was sent back to them because Darius, Thaxter, and Jessie would have to sign it. The Berk officials said to mail back the signed version because it wouldn't be official without the Berk seal, and then they would fax back a copy of the marriage license once it was processed. With that settled, they moved on to working with Darius on the vows and ring vows. This literally turned into an all day affair. There wasn't a guest list. Everyone would be in the chow tent for dinner tonight anyway. Well, Nightwave and Destroyer companies would be alone with Caleb and a few others. Caleb already knew what was going on-he didn't mind. He thought it was cute that they didn't want to wait to get married, who would when you were that in love? The girls managed to make a cake-it wasn't big but it would work for sure.
When dinner time hit at 5:30pm-everyone was just acting normal. No one outside Dragon platoon knew about the engagement or the wedding that was about to take place in the chow tent-it was going to shock everyone. Last minute, Tallon and Hector decided to wear their Class A uniforms, allowed by Caleb for the occasion but they had to be back in ACU as soon as the ceremony was over just in case of attacks. The only thing they weren't allowed to do-was consummate their marriage and for obvious reasons. But that was fine, they'd wait until they were both back home. It didn't make the marriage any less legal just because the couldn't have sex that night. So here they were, gathered in the chow tent for dinner and Caleb was going to make the announcement about the small ceremony they all got to witness.
"Alright soldiers so tonight before you all eat, there's going to be a little...ceremony that two people wanted share with all of you. You'll notice there's a buffet of food, and even a cake made by the lovely ladies of Dragon platoon in the Nightwave company. So without wasting a moment more, we're gonna get this thing started. Darius, you ready?" Caleb asked as Darius got up from his seat and took the microphone.
"So here's the deal. My little brother, Hector and his boyfriend got engaged this morning at like 0645 hours right after he woke up from last night's attack. And we all joked about the fact they're basically married already, that wouldn't it be funny if they just got married today. Well, stupid me made them aware that you can become an official minister for any island in the Archipelago with just a simple online course. And guess who go roped into becoming an officiant in order to marry his brother to his fiance tonight. That's right, good ole me. So in case you didn't figure it out, you're all invited to their wedding. Taking place in about five minutes, right here in the chow tent!" Darius announced. Nightwave up-roared with joy and the Americans clapped also.
After Darius was done, Tallon stood up-already in his Class A. Thaxter stood beside him, he was holding the rings in his hand. Jessie poked his head in the tent and nodded to them, then he walked inside and stood opposite of Thaxter. Hector came in with a soft smile, there was no music for this but that didn't matter. Hector walked in front of Tallon and the two took each others hands.
"I can't believe we're doing this..." Hector giggled a bit.
"I know-but we are and very soon, we'll be married..." Tallon smiled as both looked to Darius. "We're ready,"
Darius took a breath-his parents and sister were going to murder him when they found out he is the one who gave them the idea to get married the same day they got engaged, and then proceeded to marry them himself. Odin kill him when they found out. Darius smiled holding the microphone and piece of paper in his other hand. "We are gathered here tonight to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage...well, fuckin' shut your mouths or I'll kick you asses. Ain't nobody gonna stop my brother from being happy,"
"That is NOT what we wrote down, Darius..." Hector nearly face-palmed.
"Sorry bro, you've been through enough and you deserve to be happy with the the one you love. I won't let anyone come between that," Darius shrugged as Hector nodded for him to continue, "Tonight we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old to hold hands. It's remembering to say I love you every day and it is not just marrying the right person its being the right partner." Darius took a deep breath, here went everything.
"Tallon Furysen, do you take Hector Haddock the Third, to be your husband? Do you promise to honor and protect him? Will you be his partner in life and one true love? Will cherish your friendship and love him today, tomorrow, and forever more-forsaking all others and holding only unto him?" Darius asked looking at Tallon.
"I do." Tallon replied while staring into Hector's eyes.
"Hector Haddock the Third, do you take Tallon Furysen, to be your husband? Do you promise to honor and protect him? Will you be his partner in life and one true love? Will cherish your friendship and love him today, tomorrow, and forever more-forsaking all others and holding only unto him?" Darius looked to his little brother now.
"I do." Hector said while trying not to cry. They were really doing this: getting married to one another.
Darius nodded with a smile as he put his hand out to Thaxter who handed him the rings-he held them up proudly and continued, "Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage. Hector and Tallon elected to write their own rings vows so, the floor is yours," Darius handed each man their respected ring and stepped back while they looked at one another.
"Tallon. This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish, and honor you all the days of my life. With this ring, I thee wed." Hector said softly as he placed Tallon's ring on his finger with a smile. Darius now moved the microphone over towards Tallon as he began.
"Hector. This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. With this ring, I thee wed." Tallon repeated lovingly as he slid the ring back on Hector's finger and they locked their hands together as Darius pulled the microphone back to finish his part.
"By the power vested in me as an officiant to the islands of the Archipelago, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may seal your vows and love with a kiss!" Darius announced. Tallon didn't waste another moment, he wrapped his arm around Hector's waist and pulled him against his figure firmly then leaned in and pressed his lips to Hector's in a passionate, deep, but loving kiss: tongue and all but no one cared. It was happy moment for the two of them-and no one had the balls to actually tell them no right now. The soldiers jumped to their feet and clapped for them, then they smiled and broke the kiss facing everyone while holding hands. "I present to you for the first time ever, Mr. and Mr. Furysen!" Darius shouted.
They did it, they were married! Darius signed where he had to, then Thaxter, and Jessie did the same. It was placed in the envelope with a stamp and the Berk Hall address, Tallon put it in his uniform as he and Hector left the chow tent to get back in their ACU's-they dropped the letter off in the mail box since it was going out in a few days and got to their barrack to change. Hector and Tallon remained in there a good five minutes just making out, they couldn't do more than that. The risk of someone walking in or there being an attack was to high.
"We did it, we're married baby," Hector said happily.
"Yes we are and I couldn't be happier," Tallon replied.
"Me either." Hector agreed as they kissed again and linked hands to walk back to the chow tent together. They weren't having a first dance but pictures were sure to be taken most of the time they were in there. Nothing made this night better than knowing they were husband and husband. What made it the best was that it was just so out of the blue but they were happier than ever. They just did something only they would do-something no one would expect. They got engaged that morning and now just about twelve hours later, they were married. This night was absolute perfection.
