Fic: Promise
Title: Promise
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: mega fluff, schmoop, kitsch, unicorns and rainbows... well not literally. Read at own risk!
Words: 1553
Summary: Written in response to a twitter prompt by illname_me_joan
They don't need to follow rules and traditions, no frill and superficial details to express the sublime importance of this day. All they need is each other.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pinto, unfortunately. I sorta own the female OC but she's based on the woman Zach has been seen with today (because in theory she might be the same one they met at Chateau Marmont)
Author Notes: Un-beta'ed.
The sun has started its descent over the hills in the west. Little glistening dots are dancing over the sea in the distance. A sycamore tree bathes the soil in facets of shadow and light. It is the most idyllic and picture-perfect nature scenery Zach has seen in a very long time, and he can see that Chris, same as him, is both in awe and also amused at the kitschy atmosphere of the place. But then again it was just perfect for the occasion.
“Tell me when you are ready.” The blonde woman smiles at them warmly as she takes a spot in the shade, holding a small wooden case in her hands. And Zach cannot help to return the smile in gratitude. She has picked the place, has organized everything with only as little help as needed. Everything meaning the absence of anything but the contents of the case. There is no decoration, no guests, and neither Zach nor Chris are wearing anything fancy to match the occasion. Just a pair of jeans, proper shoes for the climb over uneven ground, a set of favorite t-shirts that don't even match in color. It might be the most unconventional attire and setting for what they were about to do, but then again conventions have never been their thing.
When Zach takes Chris' hand in his, seeing the boyish, radiating, fucking adorable grin on the younger man's features, he realizes once again that they don't need any of this, don't need to follow rules and traditions, no frill and superficial details to express the sublime importance of this day. All they need is each other.
“Ready,” Zach says when Chris nods at him, and they both take a step forward to stand in front of their friend and , today, officiant for their wedding.
They have considered inviting at least their family but in the end decided against it. This day is just for them, and, besides the fact that their union will officially always remain their secret, doesn't need approval and acknowledgment of anyone. No documents or registration could make this more important, more real.
“Well, normally I'd begin my speech with welcoming the guests, but since there are none we can get straight to business.” She smiles at them and Zach can hear the throaty, soft chuckle beside him, his heart filling with warmth and joy in a way that makes his cheeks hurt from the grin that doesn't want to vanish.
“Nevertheless I think you'll have to bear with me and hear a few words. Chris, Zach, you have chosen this day to declare your love and devotion to each other and that intention alone is as important as the promise you are going to make. You have come a long way, have gone through good and bad and based your decision on everything you have shared so far. And even though I would have really loved to see the two of you dressed up in spiffy suits...”
All three of them laugh. Zach lets his gaze drift from her to Chris, not surprised but all the same pleased to find Chris has looked at him the same moment. He feels a gentle squeeze of Chris' hand, sees that smile light up even further.
“You have chosen to celebrate this day only with each other's company. When I ask other couples years after their wedding - those of them that have not gotten divorced a couple of months later-”
“Now you're trying to scare us,” Chris chuckles and Zach feels another laugh bubble from his chest as well. The teasing words have no negative impact on him, plant no seed of doubt or uncertainty in him and his heart once more swells over with that joyful awareness, flutters in his chest and makes him light-headed in the most pleasant of ways.
“What they remember is,” she continues, “not how beautiful the flower arrangements were, how stunning the dresses or suits but the look on their partner's face when they said 'I do'. Because that is all that counts. Now, I don't want to deprive you of that profoundly beautiful experience much longer. There is not much I could add that you don't already know. I therefore ask you - and yes, I have flipped a coin this morning to determine whom to ask first-”
Another chuckle comes from Chris, but this time it is much fainter, whereas Zach suddenly feels all breath caught in his throat with the excitement he physically feels in his entire body.
“Chris, do you take Zach to be your husband? Do you promise to cherish and love him, to respect and trust him, take him with all his faults and strengths, to laugh and cry with each other and support him through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face? Do you give your hand, your heart and your love for as long as you both shall live?”
Zach hears the words and, on an almost subconscious level, feels their importance, but they hardly reach his conscious mind. His gaze is fixed on Chris' face, their fingers entwined and something that he cannot explain now nor much later connects in that moment in a way he has never perceived it before. He begins to understand what the officiant's earlier words have meant, feels, knows the truth in them as all that fills his mind, heart and soul is the man in front of him, those blue eyes that he could get lost in and those gorgeous lips that now slowly open and speak the words: “I do.”
Time could have stopped here and now and Zach wouldn't have minded, or even noticed for that matter. And in a way it even does because he cannot, for the life of him, tell how long they stand here, just looking into each other's eyes.
“Zach.” He barely manages to draw his gaze from Chris and back to her, giving her what must be a slightly shy and probably also quite goofy grin before she continues and repeats the vow to him.
Even though his quickly beating heart has made him feel like no sound could come over his lips he speaks the words firmly and determinedly. As if a part of him that is not separate but at the same time autonomous has taken over for what he felt too overwhelmed to accomplish.
“I do.”
And he does, that and so much more. Everything that he can promise and everything that he is. Because Chris is who he is supposed to be with. He has known that right from the beginning, maybe not straight from their first encounter on, but soon after that when friendship started to evolve into more - attraction at first and then love. And a part of him has even still known this, still believed in and hoped for it all those months they have been apart. Through all the heartache and disappointment. And even though many friends and probably even relatives would tell him it's way too early to make such a binding commitment, he just knows that they are past this. Have been ever since the second their lips have connected for their first kiss in almost a year. Well, fuck them all.
“And, because I'm a sucker for at least some romantic traditions,” the officiant continues, and only when Zach looks back at her he notices that she has opened the small case with the rings. Simple, unadorned platinum wedding bands. She nods at Chris to take the first one.
“Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Chris brow furrows slightly as if in concentration as his fingers - are they shaking? - take the matt silver object, and Zach wonders if Chris is as nervous, excited and simply overwhelmed as him. “With this ring, I thee wed,” he says, his voice raspy to confirm Zach's suspicion as he slides it over Zach's left ring finger.
“And now you, Zach. You know the drill.”
He wants to chuckle at her refreshingly unconventional tone but only manages to smile weakly as he takes the second ring and puts it on Chris' hand with, yes, pathetic as it may be equally shaky fingers. “With this ring I thee wed.”
Their left hands are now entwined, and he feels the cool metal slowly warming on his skin, the object heavy and feeling wonderful both on his own finger and on Chris' when he lets his thumb brush over it.
“And now, by the power of your love and commitment I pronounce you married. Let me see some suck-face.”
Zach just manages to chuckle briefly as his breath catches in his throat where Chris lets out a long, hearty laugh that leaves its residue in the brightly radiant smile as he looks at Zach. His husband.
Holy shit!
When they finally kiss, sweet and tender and passionate at the same time it feels like the ultimate gesture to seal their promise, united forever and never to part.
Except for the hug and congratulations from their friend. But Zach does not mind the interruption.
After all, they have an entire life.
~ The End ~
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: mega fluff, schmoop, kitsch, unicorns and rainbows... well not literally. Read at own risk!
Words: 1553
Summary: Written in response to a twitter prompt by illname_me_joan
They don't need to follow rules and traditions, no frill and superficial details to express the sublime importance of this day. All they need is each other.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pinto, unfortunately. I sorta own the female OC but she's based on the woman Zach has been seen with today (because in theory she might be the same one they met at Chateau Marmont)
Author Notes: Un-beta'ed.
The sun has started its descent over the hills in the west. Little glistening dots are dancing over the sea in the distance. A sycamore tree bathes the soil in facets of shadow and light. It is the most idyllic and picture-perfect nature scenery Zach has seen in a very long time, and he can see that Chris, same as him, is both in awe and also amused at the kitschy atmosphere of the place. But then again it was just perfect for the occasion.
“Tell me when you are ready.” The blonde woman smiles at them warmly as she takes a spot in the shade, holding a small wooden case in her hands. And Zach cannot help to return the smile in gratitude. She has picked the place, has organized everything with only as little help as needed. Everything meaning the absence of anything but the contents of the case. There is no decoration, no guests, and neither Zach nor Chris are wearing anything fancy to match the occasion. Just a pair of jeans, proper shoes for the climb over uneven ground, a set of favorite t-shirts that don't even match in color. It might be the most unconventional attire and setting for what they were about to do, but then again conventions have never been their thing.
When Zach takes Chris' hand in his, seeing the boyish, radiating, fucking adorable grin on the younger man's features, he realizes once again that they don't need any of this, don't need to follow rules and traditions, no frill and superficial details to express the sublime importance of this day. All they need is each other.
“Ready,” Zach says when Chris nods at him, and they both take a step forward to stand in front of their friend and , today, officiant for their wedding.
They have considered inviting at least their family but in the end decided against it. This day is just for them, and, besides the fact that their union will officially always remain their secret, doesn't need approval and acknowledgment of anyone. No documents or registration could make this more important, more real.
“Well, normally I'd begin my speech with welcoming the guests, but since there are none we can get straight to business.” She smiles at them and Zach can hear the throaty, soft chuckle beside him, his heart filling with warmth and joy in a way that makes his cheeks hurt from the grin that doesn't want to vanish.
“Nevertheless I think you'll have to bear with me and hear a few words. Chris, Zach, you have chosen this day to declare your love and devotion to each other and that intention alone is as important as the promise you are going to make. You have come a long way, have gone through good and bad and based your decision on everything you have shared so far. And even though I would have really loved to see the two of you dressed up in spiffy suits...”
All three of them laugh. Zach lets his gaze drift from her to Chris, not surprised but all the same pleased to find Chris has looked at him the same moment. He feels a gentle squeeze of Chris' hand, sees that smile light up even further.
“You have chosen to celebrate this day only with each other's company. When I ask other couples years after their wedding - those of them that have not gotten divorced a couple of months later-”
“Now you're trying to scare us,” Chris chuckles and Zach feels another laugh bubble from his chest as well. The teasing words have no negative impact on him, plant no seed of doubt or uncertainty in him and his heart once more swells over with that joyful awareness, flutters in his chest and makes him light-headed in the most pleasant of ways.
“What they remember is,” she continues, “not how beautiful the flower arrangements were, how stunning the dresses or suits but the look on their partner's face when they said 'I do'. Because that is all that counts. Now, I don't want to deprive you of that profoundly beautiful experience much longer. There is not much I could add that you don't already know. I therefore ask you - and yes, I have flipped a coin this morning to determine whom to ask first-”
Another chuckle comes from Chris, but this time it is much fainter, whereas Zach suddenly feels all breath caught in his throat with the excitement he physically feels in his entire body.
“Chris, do you take Zach to be your husband? Do you promise to cherish and love him, to respect and trust him, take him with all his faults and strengths, to laugh and cry with each other and support him through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face? Do you give your hand, your heart and your love for as long as you both shall live?”
Zach hears the words and, on an almost subconscious level, feels their importance, but they hardly reach his conscious mind. His gaze is fixed on Chris' face, their fingers entwined and something that he cannot explain now nor much later connects in that moment in a way he has never perceived it before. He begins to understand what the officiant's earlier words have meant, feels, knows the truth in them as all that fills his mind, heart and soul is the man in front of him, those blue eyes that he could get lost in and those gorgeous lips that now slowly open and speak the words: “I do.”
Time could have stopped here and now and Zach wouldn't have minded, or even noticed for that matter. And in a way it even does because he cannot, for the life of him, tell how long they stand here, just looking into each other's eyes.
“Zach.” He barely manages to draw his gaze from Chris and back to her, giving her what must be a slightly shy and probably also quite goofy grin before she continues and repeats the vow to him.
Even though his quickly beating heart has made him feel like no sound could come over his lips he speaks the words firmly and determinedly. As if a part of him that is not separate but at the same time autonomous has taken over for what he felt too overwhelmed to accomplish.
“I do.”
And he does, that and so much more. Everything that he can promise and everything that he is. Because Chris is who he is supposed to be with. He has known that right from the beginning, maybe not straight from their first encounter on, but soon after that when friendship started to evolve into more - attraction at first and then love. And a part of him has even still known this, still believed in and hoped for it all those months they have been apart. Through all the heartache and disappointment. And even though many friends and probably even relatives would tell him it's way too early to make such a binding commitment, he just knows that they are past this. Have been ever since the second their lips have connected for their first kiss in almost a year. Well, fuck them all.
“And, because I'm a sucker for at least some romantic traditions,” the officiant continues, and only when Zach looks back at her he notices that she has opened the small case with the rings. Simple, unadorned platinum wedding bands. She nods at Chris to take the first one.
“Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Chris brow furrows slightly as if in concentration as his fingers - are they shaking? - take the matt silver object, and Zach wonders if Chris is as nervous, excited and simply overwhelmed as him. “With this ring, I thee wed,” he says, his voice raspy to confirm Zach's suspicion as he slides it over Zach's left ring finger.
“And now you, Zach. You know the drill.”
He wants to chuckle at her refreshingly unconventional tone but only manages to smile weakly as he takes the second ring and puts it on Chris' hand with, yes, pathetic as it may be equally shaky fingers. “With this ring I thee wed.”
Their left hands are now entwined, and he feels the cool metal slowly warming on his skin, the object heavy and feeling wonderful both on his own finger and on Chris' when he lets his thumb brush over it.
“And now, by the power of your love and commitment I pronounce you married. Let me see some suck-face.”
Zach just manages to chuckle briefly as his breath catches in his throat where Chris lets out a long, hearty laugh that leaves its residue in the brightly radiant smile as he looks at Zach. His husband.
Holy shit!
When they finally kiss, sweet and tender and passionate at the same time it feels like the ultimate gesture to seal their promise, united forever and never to part.
Except for the hug and congratulations from their friend. But Zach does not mind the interruption.
After all, they have an entire life.
~ The End ~