Summary: It's Osvald and Partitio's wedding day, and both men feel incredibly blessed that they get to love each other for the rest of their lives.
Song: I Get to Love You - Ruelle
One look at you
My whole life falls in line
It was a beautiful spring day in New Delsta. The sunrise had dried the grass that had been shimmering with dewdrops and gradually warmed the crisp, chilly air. Most of the people in the city went about business as usual, but for Osvald and Partitio, this day was slated to be one of the best of their lives.
"Pops…Will ya quit yer blubberin'? We haven't even started yet."
Rolling his eyes, Partitio let out a sigh as Papp continued to cry. Roque chuckled as he took over adjusting Partitio's tie and helping him into his suit jacket.
Papp sniffed loudly and rubbed the handkerchief that Roque handed him over his face. "S-Sorry, chickadee, I'm just…so happy that my boy's getting married to the love of his life!"
Partitio smiled - this one bright enough to blind anyone who looked straight at him - as his mind wandered to Osvald, who was busy getting ready in a separate room of the chapel. His fiancé…who would be his husband by the end of the day. The overwhelming happiness that flooded through him made tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he quickly blinked them away when Papp placed his hands on his shoulders.
"Partitio, I'm so proud of the man you've become," Papp said, a smile crossing his tear-stained face, "And…I know your mom is damn proud of you too."
The tears Partitio had been trying to hold back spilled down his face, and he pressed his face against Papp's shoulder when he was pulled into a hug. Partitio felt Roque's hand start rubbing his back, and that only made him cry harder; he really had the best family in the world, and he was certain that his mom would be watching over him and Osvald as long as they lived.
"Thanks, Pops. And you too, Roque," Partitio said when he pulled away and turned to his stepdad. Roque's eyes went wide when Partitio hugged him, and he too shed some tears when Partitio hugged him. "Thanks for always bein' here for Pops an' me, for the good times and the bad."
"Partitio…" Roque swallowed thickly as he fought back more tears, and he smiled as he returned the hug. "You truly have grown into a fine young man. I wish you all the happiness in the world with Osvald."
"Aw, hun…"
As Roque lost the battle with himself and broke down crying, Papp wrapped his arms around both him and Partitio, pulling them into a tight embrace. Partitio counted himself damn lucky to have such an amazing pair of parents.
"Ah, am I interrupting?"
Partitio looked up to find Hikari - his best man - poking his head into the room, and he beamed and waved him in. "Naw, c'mon in Hikari!"
Hikari chuckled as he walked up to Partitio, holding up a small, ornate box. "I've got the rings all ready to go. Ah, and this!" He opened another box that contained a boutonniere, affixed with a bright yellow dahlia. Hikari had his already pinned to his jacket - that was probably Agnea's handiwork - and Partitio stood as still as possible to allow Hikari to pin his in place.
"Thankee kindly!" Partitio said, and he pulled Hikari into a hug. "For that, and for standin' next to me on the happiest day of my life."
Hikari tightened his arms around Partitio and placed a hand on his shoulder when he pulled away. "Of course, Partitio. You're my best friend, after all. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Alright fellas, it's almost time!" Papp interrupted as Roque straightened his tie.
Partitio nodded eagerly as a giddy happiness swelled within his gut, and they all finished getting ready together.
I prayed for you
Before I called you mine
"Hold still, Osvald. I don't want to accidentally stab you."
"Sorry."
Clarissa - Osvald's best woman - chuckled and shook her head as she finally succeeded in pinning his yellow dahlia boutonniere in place. "You're trembling. Nervous?"
"...Maybe."
"Oh, Ossy dear, everything will be fine!" Diana said as she fussed with Osvald's hair, brushing it smooth before tying it neatly back.
Harry put on his suit jacket and chuckled. "You're not afraid of being left at the altar, are you?"
"Dad…" Osvald grumbled, pouting as his mom and Clarissa dissolved into giggles. "It's not that, it's just…" He paused to swallow past the lump that had formed in his throat, and he looked between the three with watery eyes.
"I just…never thought that I could ever feel this kind of happiness again, after Rita…"
"Oh honey…" Diana hugged him tightly, and Clarissa and his dad were quick to join in. "Rita was a wonderful wife to you, and mother to Elena. I just know that she's so happy that you found love again."
Osvald let a few tears fall down his face, but he managed to compose himself before getting too carried away; he didn't want to walk down the aisle with red, puffy eyes.
"Thanks, mom."
"Hey! You guys almost ready?"
Osvald looked up when Elena rushed into the room, bouncing on her toes excitedly. She bounded over to Osvald and hugged him tight, looking up at him with a beaming smile on her face.
"You look great, Papa! I'm so happy for you," she said, sniffing as she brushed away a few tears. Osvald smiled and gently hugged her back, careful not to mess up her hair.
"Thank you, Elena - and all of you - for supporting me today." Osvald's gazed passed over the most treasured people in his life; he really could not have made it to this moment without their unwavering support during his darkest moments.
"We love you so much, Osvald," Diana said, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.
Harry smiled and placed his hand on Osvald's shoulder. "Yes, and we're so proud of you, son. Of the man and father that you've become."
Osvald had to clench his jaw hard to keep himself from breaking down, but he was saved when Elena groaned and stuck out her tongue.
"Ugh, you guys are taking the sappiness to a whole new level," she complained. "Can ya save some of it for the ceremony?"
Clarissa laughed and leaned over to adjust Elena's askew hair clip. "Oh, you'll be just as sappy when you find your special someone too."
"Doubt it."
Diana gasped after glancing down at her watch. "Oh dear, it's almost time! Let's hurry now!"
Osvald sighed and shook his head as he let his mom fuss over him again. He had a broad smile on his face, however, and he was really looking forward to finally being able to call Partitio his husband.
Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes
Oh, I can't believe it's true
The quaint chapel was packed with Osvald and Partitio's beloved friends and family, who were almost as excited as the happy couple was to celebrate their marriage, judging by the loud, eager chatting that filled the room.
That chatter quickly faded away once the music started, and everyone's attention turned to the back, where Hikari and Clarissa were walking towards each other from opposite ends. When they met at the center aisle, Clarissa placed her hand in the crook of Hikari's arm before continuing towards the altar.
Meanwhile, Partitio emerged from the right side of the back of the room, looking exasperated as Papp sobbed on one side of his, while Roque was practically shaking with the effort to hold himself together.
"C'mon Pops, yer embarrassin' me…" Partitio mumbled, rolling his eyes when Papp just cried harder. As he tried in vain to get his parents to get it together, Osvald led his parents and Elena towards him from the opposite side.
Diana and Harry were much better at keeping their composure than Partitio's parents, but Elena had started crying and couldn't seem to stop.
"Elena, my dear, are you okay-"
"I'm f-fine, Papa. I just…got something in my eye!"
Osvald chuckled as Elena huffed and shook her head to compose herself, and when he approached the center aisle, he looked up, and the sight took his breath away.
Partitio accepted that Papp and Roque were lost causes, so he turned his focus back to his front, and when his eyes met Osvald's, tears fell down his cheeks as the biggest smile that he'd ever worn crossed his face.
I get to love you
It's the best thing that I'll ever do
I get to love you
It's a promise I'm making to you
Osvald had always thought that Partitio was a handsome man, but today he looked like an ethereal being that had descended directly from the heavens. It was his turn to tear up, and he pretended to not notice the smug look that Elena was sending his way.
It was like everything else around Partitio had faded away, leaving him to gawk at how incredibly handsome his soon-to-be-husband looked at this moment. Swallowing thickly, he blinked away a few tears as he came to a stop in front of Osvald, eyes locking as their respective escorts made their way to their seats in the front row.
"D-Darlin'," Partitio stammered as he reached out with a sweaty hand to take Osvald's, "you look…Hoo-eey…"
Osvald chuckled and gave his hand a squeeze, before lifting it to his face and placing a tender kiss to the back of it, which earned a few giggles and 'aws' from the crowd. "You look rather handsome as well, my dear."
Partitio beamed as he looped his arm with Osvald's and shot him a wink. "Well, I do hope that yer goin' my way, hehe."
Osvald chuckled, and the fond smile that crossed his face gave Partitio pause. "Always."
Laughing, the two men walked down the aisle, basking in the amount of love and support that they were receiving from everyone in attendance, and they stopped in front of the altar. Temenos was waiting for them with a serene smile on his face; both Osvald and Partitio had been quite surprised to find out that the detective was ordained, but they were very happy that they could be married by one of their dear friends.
Whatever may come your heart I will choose
Forever I'm yours, forever I do
I get to love you
I get to love you
Osvald and Partitio turned to face each other as Temenos began the ceremony, but his words seemed far away and muffled, as the two men only had eyes for each other at this moment.
Osvald barely registered when Temenos turned to address him directly. "...Do you, Osvald, take Partitio to be your husband?"
"I do," he luckily managed to say without missing a beat, a soft smile crossing his face as he gave Partitio's hands a squeeze.
"And do you, Partitio," Temenos continued as he turned towards him, "take Osvald to be your husband?"
"I sure do!" Partitio loudly blurted out, causing their friends and family to laugh. His face flushed with embarrassment as a sheepish smile crossed his face. His eyes met Osvald's again, who was watching him with an amused glint in his eyes, and gods damn it Partitio was so fucking ecstatic to be marrying this man right now.
The way you love
It changes who I am
I am undone
I thank God once again
They exchanged rings and the rest of the ceremony continued without a hitch, until Temenos smiled brightly and said the words that Osvald and Partitio had been waiting for:
"...and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss the groom!"
Cheers rang out from their guests, and Partitio wasted no time in grabbing Osvald's face and smashing their lips together for their very first kiss as a married couple. The cheers continued when Partitio pulled away, and he pressed his forehead against Osvald's, given pause at just how much love and adoration he saw reflected in his husband's pretty eyes.
"I love you, Osvald…my husband." The word felt foreign on Partitio's tongue, but it wouldn't be that way for long, because he knew for a fact that he was going to overuse the hell out of it.
Osvald couldn't hold back his tears anymore, and he pulled Partitio into a tight hug and cried softly against his shoulder. "I-I love you too, Partitio. I'm…overjoyed to call you my husband."
"Daw, sweetheart…"
Oh, I can't believe it's true sometimes
Oh, I can't believe it's true
The mirth of their guests only grew louder when Temenos ended the ceremony with, "May I introduce, for the first time, Mister and Mister Osvald and Partitio Vanstein-Yellowil!"
Osvald shared a fond glance with Partitio - his husband - before taking his hand and lifting their arms into the air, coaxing another loud cheer out of their guests. Lacing their fingers together, Partitio beamed as they made their way out of the chapel, followed by their wedding party.
After taking a few pictures there, they all piled into the limousine and drove right to Partitio and Roque Coffee Company, where Partitio and Osvald took one of their favorite photos of the day, standing in the very place that they first met, sharing a tender kiss with the huge pride flag hanging above the door directly overhead.
I get to love you
It's the best thing that I'll ever do
I get to love you
When the happy couple were satisfied with the pictures that had been taken, the wedding party headed to the location of the reception, which was Solistia University's largest banquet hall (which had been picked mostly due to Osvald's very generous employee discount combined with Partitio's alumni discount). After they had made their grand entrance, Osvald and Partitio went around to greet every single treasured friend and family member who had decided to celebrate their special day with them.
"Ahh! Congratulations y'all!" Agnea exclaimed after giving Partitio and Osvald both the biggest of hugs. "That was such a beautiful ceremony!" Throné nodded in agreement before turning to help her girlfriend Rai Mei untangle one of her earrings from her hair.
"Yeah, congrats!" Ochette chimed in as she walked up to them with two full plates of hors d'oeuvres. Osvald raised an eyebrow at her, while Partitio doubled over laughing.
"Shucks, Ochette, didya leave any for the rest of us?" he teased, and Ochette puffed out her swiftly-reddening cheeks.
"C'mon, Parti! Cheering so much at the ceremony really worked up my appetite."
"Heh, I'm just teasin' ya!"
Osvald laughed at their banter, and he and Partitio moved on to other guests. After that, the meal was served, during which Hikari and Clarissa both gave touching best man/woman speeches that left both grooms in tears.
It's a promise I'm making to you
Whatever may come your heart I will choose
Forever I'm yours, forever I do
After cutting the cake (which turned into a bit of an amusing ordeal when Osvald's piece that he ate for the picture had somehow gotten all over his beard), it was time for their first dance as a married couple. Osvald took Partitio's hand and they took to the dance floor alone, and when Gil's band started playing their song, it felt as if they were the only two people in the room.
"Shucks, Osvald, today's really gone off without a hitch," Partitio said with a smile, "I'm surprised that most of the folks we invited managed to show up!"
Osvald nodded. "Yes, we drew quite the crowd. It's a shame that Castti couldn't make it though."
"Well, yeah, but she's probably havin' her first baby right about now!" Partitio gushed, pausing to duck under Osvald's arm when he twirled him around. "I betcha Edmund's a godsdamn mess too."
"I'm sure they'll both be fine. She's a doctor, after all."
"Heh, yeah, you're probably right 'bout that."
When the song ended, Osvald's next dancer partner was Papp, while Partitio was paired with Diana, and Roque and Harry got a turn after that. When it was time for everyone to take the dance floor, Osvald and Partitio greatly enjoyed letting loose and having a great time with their guests.
I get to love you
I get to love you
As the night went on, guests started to slowly trickle out, until only a handful of people remained. Most of them were sporting at least a happy buzz, and that included the newlyweds, who were currently occupying the mostly-empty dance floor.
Partitio lifted his head from Osvald's chest and smiled, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "This really has been the best day of my life, Osvald, and I can't wait to share the rest of it with you."
Osvald chuckled and gave Partitio's hand a squeeze as they swayed gently to the music. "I can. I don't want it to go by too quickly. I want to cherish every single moment with you, my love."
"Osvald…" The tears that Partitio had been holding back fell down his face, and Osvald wiped them away with a feather-light touch. "Shucks…I love you so damn much."
And they say love is a journey
I promise that I'll never leave
When it's too heavy to carry
Remember this moment with me
There was a commotion across the dance floor, and they looked to see Papp lifting Roque into the air, only to drop him moments later. Partitio burst out laughing and buried his face into Osvald's chest, and Osvald let out a rumbling chuckle himself.
"That'll be us someday, you know," Partitio said as he shot Osvald a wink.
"...Please don't drop me."
"Never, darlin'!" A tender smile crossed Partitio's face as he lifted Osvald's hand to his lips and placed a kiss onto his wedding ring, his voice dropping to a whisper: "I'll never let you fall, never again. I promise you that."
"Partitio…"
I get to love you
I get to love you
Osvald cupped Partitio's cheek, staring deep into his husband's eyes before kissing him, soft and tender, earn a couple wolf-whistles from the few remaining guests. Eventually, the night had to end, and after helping the wedding party clean up, Osvald, Partitio, and Elena made their way home.
"Ah, this feels nice!" Partitio said, after he had flopped onto the bed and settled in under the covers. Osvald was quick to join him, and he chuckled when Partitio immediately latched onto his side and snuggled as close as he could to him.
"I agree." Osvald wrapped his arms around Partitio, who rest his head on his chest as Osvald placed a tender kiss on his forehead. "I…feel like I could pass out at any given moment." Partitio raised an eyebrow when Osvald frowned and averted his gaze, and he hummed when a realization hit him.
"Heh, yeah, me too darlin'." Partitio kissed Osvald before nuzzling their noses together. "As much as I'd love to jump my new husband's bones…I'm so tired..." He snickered when Osvald let out a relieved sigh; Partitio had guessed right as to what he had been worried about.
"As sad as I am to miss out on that," Osvald started as he lifted Partitio's left hand to his face and placed a tender kiss upon his wedding ring, "we have the rest of our lives ahead of us, and I plan to use much of that time for - ahem - 'bone jumping.'"
Partitio felt his cheeks heat up, and he barked out a laugh as he entwined their fingers together. "Yer a hoot, darlin'! Hehe, maybe we can get a head start on that bright and early tomorrow. Might need a good shower and a lower body massage, if ya catch my drift."
"...You're a degenerate."
"And yer stuck with me for life, ha!"
Osvald burst out laughing and smacked Partitio with his pillow, starting a pillow fight for the ages. After being narrowly defeated, Osvald accepted his punishment of being the big spoon and wrapped his arms around Partitio after he had settled in front of him.
"Love ya Osvald, my darlin' husband…" Partitio mumbled, letting out a long yawn and letting his eyes slip shut.
"I love you too, Partitio, my heart." After placing a kiss against Partitio's shoulder, Osvald covered his hands with his as he fell asleep; Osvald couldn't help but wonder what he had done to deserve such an incredible husband. As he started to drift off as well, Osvald still found it hard to imagine that he could have ever gotten to this level of pure bliss again after everything he had been through.
However, it seemed that all he had needed was someone to listen and dilute the bitterness that had settled within his broken heart. After all, in the wise words of a former greenhouse coffee shop owner (even though Osvald still didn't agree with the coffee part):
"A bit o' sweetness helps everything along. As in coffee, as in life."
I get to love you