Someone Else Speaks
After that, Elizaveta did not feel as if she really wanted to stand up and say anything. Marcus and Francis (even with hiccups!) had practically stolen the floor, said everything there was to be said, and Elizaveta felt that what she had written was rather inadequate.
But if Gilbert could have stood up at the altar and have spoken after Antonio and Lovino's vows, then she could stand up now and say a few things now despite the words which had come before her. Thankfully there was time to eat first. They had planned enough space between her and Francis' speeches so as to not bore everyone. She and Sadiq had both made certain of that.
Well... Sadiq knew what he was doing with his jobs. He was good at it. Which was why he could get away with so much.
Rising to her feet, Elizaveta did not have to worry about getting everyone's attention. Most of them were rather hoping that Vash would not let loose another shot to silence them and so silenced themselves. Which had been her supposition of their responses when she had asked Vash to do it in the first place.
"I won't take up too much time here," Elizaveta smiled toward the crowd. "Over the years I think we have all taken for granted that there was a wedding for these two that we had simply missed. While Lovino has always been an absolute charm to me, it has given me the unique position of watching how his horizons expanded... all from the help of a certain Spaniard that I was rather afraid had bitten off more than he could chew."
Though whether it was the fact that Lovino was a large mouthful or because she had been uncertain as to how much Antonio could handle, Elizaveta was not certain. She would have said as much now but for the fact she was afraid that elaborating on the subject would be misconstrued.
"I had never thought helping someone could be such a singular task. I always thought it was a group event. I thought this until I realized that someone could dedicate themselves so much to one person. And it was the devotion of these two which was my biggest clue."
For as much as Antonio had so obviously given himself up to Lovino, people seemed to miss how much Lovino had done likewise. He had patience for Antonio had he did not have for any man, not even his own brother. Elizaveta turned to Lovino.
"I have had the honor of being your confidante for a long time now, Lovino, when you would believe yourself needing of such advice. I cannot say otherwise, but... I am most glad that when Antonio asked out there in the street that you did not need, want, required anything from anyone. I could tell how suddenly the only answer was yes. Thank you for putting me here to speak for you. Thank you both."
Sitting down, she sipped at her drink, feeling Roderich's hand resting on her shoulder. "Wonderful, my dear."
"You think so?" she questioned, leaning back and looking over at him with a smile. "I've never been a maid of honor before. I was actually afraid I would mess this part up."
"Not at all," Roderich shook his head. "I think we have all done our parts rather well. Even Gilbert, as much as it surprises me to admit it."
"True," she nodded, glancing back over toward her childhood friend. True. "Personally, I just cannot wait for the cake, which they will be cutting into soon. I made Heidi promise me some photos of how it looks now, before it will be completely devoured."
"True works of art do not last as long as they should," Roderich agreed, not too proud, but simply as if it were a fact and that his cake was included in that. It was a beautiful cake, Elizaveta had to admit. But it was still all she could do not to laugh at her beloved right now.
"Claim me a piece, would you?" she kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be right back." Hearing his agreement, she left the room after Gilbert, who had gone outside.
She supposed she had put this off for long enough.
"You'd better not be smoking," she said, closing the door behind her. Gilbert wheeled about, obviously surprised, but trying to cover it up quickly.
"Nah. Dat stupid Alfred got rid of my cigarettes. I'd hafe to go home ant I don't vant to be gone dat long." He shuffled his feet, looking back at the building. "Just getting some fresh air."
Elizaveta decided she would not point out the hypocrisy of that statement. "Good job."
"Vhat?"
"I said you did a good job up there," she repeated firmly. "I'm glad you didn't make a fool of yourself or anything. I almost thought one of you three would show up completely sloshed and that a replacement would have to occur."
"Who'd replace Antonio?" Gilbert grinned, walking up to her. "But I get your point. I vas expecting Francis to do someding stupid. He surprised me by not."
Elizaveta decided she would also not mention the kiss (though Francis having hiccups now was another incident she would laugh about for years to come). "You haven't come to the bar."
"I'fe been not getting sloshed," he retorted. They both knew what the actual reason was and Elizaveta loathed to breach the subject herself. Still...
"We're friends, Gil. Always. No matter what."
"I know dat!" he scoffed and the awkwardness was broken. "Stop treating me like an idiot, Liza."
"I can only treat you like you are," she smiled. Gilbert looked annoyed, but trying to regain... something. His image? He should have already known that he had lost any of that 'awesomeness' he claimed to have in her eyes a long time ago.
He was wonderful, but she refused to call him awesome.
"At least I can say you are going to be taken care of vell. In efery vay." He raised and lowered his eyebrows at her. Elizaveta flushed, biting her tongue.
"Don't push it."
"Hey, dere's little I can do if you like younger men!" Gilbert responded, hand over his heart. "Oder dan know dat if I vas younger dan you, dere vould be no Roderich to contend vith! Oh well!"
That was a thought there. Though Elizaveta rolled her eyes, she knew that Roderich would be rather awkward if he knew he was younger than she was. He was just that type of person.
On the other hand, he was also the type of person who would never ask a lady her age.
Problem solved.
Notes:
Good for them! At least there are some people around here who can solve their issues without too much drama ('too much' being the key words)! And they had every reason for drama, having a threesome with a friend has to be awkward, to say the least.
