----
Booth straightened his tie again, checking his reflection for what was probably the tenth time. He sighed. No matter how seamless his appearance was, the weight of what he was about to do scared him.
Funny, he'd seen things no one should ever be forced to see, done things no human was meant to do, been through situations he wouldn't wish upon his worst enemy, but he could chalk this up as one of the most difficult tasks in his life. Can you do this, Seeley? He had to find out.
He could be brave.
He was ready. Taking a deep breath, he put on his jacket, checked his appearance one last time, and then walked out the door, hardly daring to believe what was about to happen.
----
Brennan studied her reflection intently. When Booth had asked her, she had balked, immediately retreating into herself. As only Booth could do, however, he had drawn her out and convinced her that it wouldn't be a colossal mistake. He had assured her it would be casual, nothing fancy or overdone, and she had finally agreed.
As the date loomed closer, she surprised herself by becoming more steadfast in her answer, not less. She had expected to regret her decision, to back out before it was too late. Booth, she suspected, had expected the same; he was nervous. She had assured him that she was absolutely sure, and he insisted that he believed her. She hoped that were true, but she had an uncomfortable suspicion that he was worried she would change her mind. But one had to take risks, right? That's what she had learned from him, and this certainly was a risk.
She slipped into the perfect shoes, the ones Angela insisted matched with the perfect dress. The perfect dress, one Booth had not seen, one she was so excited for him to see. This one was different from the rest, because she had bought it with the specific purpose of wearing it with him, for him.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door. She crossed the room quickly and opened the door, beaming.
Angela grinned back. "Look at you, honey. You are so beautiful."
"So are you," Brennan replied. She looked at Angela's black dress, which did indeed look amazing on her. "Are you ready for this?" she asked seriously, studying Brennan's face.
She took a steadying breath. "I think so," she said with a small smile.
"Well, let's go, then. And Booth asked me to give you this…just in case." Angela pressed something into Brennan's hand, turning on her heel and leaving the room ahead of her best friend.
----
He was ready. Taking a deep breath, he put on his jacket, checked his appearance one last time, and then walked out the door, hardly daring to believe what was about to happen.
Waiting for him outside on the porch were his brother, Hodgins, and Max. They greeted him heartily, all three wearing black tuxedos and bow ties that mirrored his own.
His brother stepped forward, embracing him. "Congratulations, Seeley."
"Thanks, Jared. I'm glad you're here." he told him, returning the hug.
"Wouldn't miss it," he replied quietly.
They took their places. Booth drunk in the tasteful quartet playing softly, the few proud people that had gathered to witness this long-coming event, and the blanket of twinkling stars above him.
He watched the back door as Cam and then Angela emerged, both wearing beautiful black silk dresses and wide smiles.
As the music changed, he felt his breath catch in his throat. This was it.
----
Brennan stood just inside the back door in Hodgins' kitchen, trying to steady her breathing. She could do this, she could. Waiting outside were her closest friends, her family, and the man she was giving her heart to. No, that was inaccurate. You couldn't give away your heart. But if you could, she knew that hers had belonged to Seeley Booth long before this day had arrived.
Hearing her cue, she took a deep breath, looked down at the napkin she was still clutching, and then stepped out the door confidently.
Bones is my best friend, no matter what.