Chapter Text
The last time that you met Reinhardt was back in Germany. It was a cold autumn day, nearly four years after that first meeting. Most of the trees didn’t have their leaves any more and the normally bright oranges, reds, and yellows were giving way to the greys of winter once again. You were afraid that it might snow soon, and you were hoping that it would at least hold off on this day so that you could get through the event without having to have the guests leave. You knew that most of Overwatch had taken the time off to be here. You were grateful for them all being here. Now more than ever you needed the support of your family.
For about half an hour leading up to the event you had removed yourself from everyone, sitting in a room by yourself, trying to get your thoughts together. You knew that in a matter of minutes all eyes would be on you. Never one for the spotlight, the mere thought of having to get up in front of a group of not only your friends and family, but also in front of a series of reporters, was making you a little sick to your stomach. But now, in the quiet by yourself as you read the two letters you had over and over again, it made sense. The first letter was one that you wrote, and was more of a speech than anything. The second was the last letter you received from Reinhardt.
The letter had been read over and over again by now. It had been crumpled and stained as you carried it around base the last month or so. Nearly all of your friends had read part of the letter after seeing the kind of reaction it gave you. Now, sitting by a window in the sunlight streaming in, you read his letter one last time:
Liebling-
I hope that this letter finds you well. I know my mission has taken me too far away from base. Being in the United States to track down this arms deal has been difficult, especially without you here. Either way, the team and I are positive that we should be done with this soon.
I have heard rumors that an old acquaintance of mine, Jesse McCree, might be here. I wish you could have met him while he was on our side. He was snarky and didn’t listen to anything anyone said. I think the only reason why McCree stayed or listened at all was because he had a sense of freedom that being in a gang didn’t give him. He was fun to be around. What people would call a “life of the party.” I know that a lot of people enjoyed being around him. I think you would have too.
I sometimes worry that you’re going to leave me. I know this is not something to talk about in a letter, but I worry about it. I worry that one day, Liebling, you will wake up and realize that you can do so much better than this old man who tricked you into loving him. I do not want you to stay with me because of obligation after all these years. But I also do not want to lose you to anyone. So Liebling, and I will ask this again when I return home, marry me. Marry me and stay with me for the rest of our time. I am afraid I am nearing the end of my time on the field, but if I stay with Overwatch I can become a leader. I can settle down a little more and hopefully make a life for you. Maybe even have a family, if that was something you were interested in. I have often thought about having a family of my own, and I cannot think of anyone better to share that dream with than you.
I understand if you don’t want to send an answer right away. I am not expecting one until later. But Liebling, you would make this old man the happiest he’s ever been. I know that our relationship has been spent longer apart than together, but every time I am sent on a mission, I know that I am more and more in love with you. The longer I am away the more I realize that I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my days with you in my arms. I want nothing more than to find a quiet home in Germany to spend the rest of my days with you. When it rains, I want you to make tea (you always make it exactly how I like it) and drag a blanket to the couch and sit with me. I want to spend my days cooking the same four dishes that you enjoy and eat even though it’s all I know.
Most of all Liebling, I want nothing more than to spend my days with you. When I am so old I can’t stand - which is sooner than we both like to believe - I want you there with me.
I hope this letter finds you well, and you consider my offer.
Love, Reinhardt
The thought of Reinhardt taking time out of his busy mission schedule to write this had made you smile. The question itself had caused you to lay down the first time that you read it. You recalled running to Brigette, gushing about Reinhardt asking you to marry him. You both agreed that it was absolutely ridiculous that he asked you to marry him in a letter. But, to you it was typical Reinhardt, and it encapsulated your relationship perfectly. After all, most of your time with the man had been spent through letters and telephone calls. It seemed appropriate to continue that tradition now.
You didn’t write back to him right away. Instead, you kept the letter close to you, thinking the question over and over again. There was nothing that you wanted more than to marry Reinhardt the first chance you got. Afterall, he would be returning back from his mission shortly, and then you could easily get married then. There were several people you knew who you were sure would be happy to officiate a wedding, afterall. But, you didn’t want to give him that answer until he was there in person with you. This was a big decision to make, and you wanted to talk to Reinhardt about your expectations going forward. There was one thing you knew for sure, and that was that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with Reinhardt, and hearing him want the same thing made your heart flutter…
Almost immediately when Reinhardt got back he proposed for real. As soon as everyone was off the drop ship, completely unharmed, he dropped to one knee, declaring his love for you in front of everyone. It was a little embarrassing, but you loved his enthusiasm. You couldn’t even form sentences, just nodding furiously, hoping to convey that there was nothing you wanted more than that. Reinhardt had even gotten you a ring. It was an antique, apparently belonging to his grandmother at one point. It was a simple silver band with blue sapphires and a single diamond in the middle of the band. It was absolutely gorgeous and unique, just like your soon to be husband.
You wanted the wedding to be small: Something that was personal between Reinhardt, yourself and your closest friends. Reinhardt, being who he was wanted something extravagant. In the end, Winston and Reinhardt both convinced you not only to make the wedding much bigger than you wanted, but also to allow some press coverage. After all, Reinhardt was a hero of the people, and having his name plastered on the paper about getting married would not only be good press for him, but it would also boost Overwatch’s overall image as well.
That’s how you ended up in the current situation you were in. The reporters and your own personal wedding photographer had been taking pictures all morning, and currently you just needed a moment or two by yourself. You were about to step out there and get married. To Reinhardt Wilhelm. You still couldn’t believe it. It was all so overwhelming to you. Not because you weren’t ready or wanted to be here, but you still couldn’t figure out why Reinhardt wanted to put up with you for the rest of his life. He could have nearly anyone he wanted, and somehow he had settled in on you. It still felt like a dream to you. That you were going to wake up in your hostel back in Germany the same night you met him all those years ago. You would wake up to the harsh reality that everything from that snowy night in Sweden to that tour in Spain would all have been an elaborate joke your brain played on you.
But the realization that this wasn't a joke was becoming more and more obvious. You were here, reading the letter that initially asked for your engagement. You were in the dress, with the white fabric and lace and everything. The wedding was about to start, and nothing could make you happier except to actually get to spend the rest of your life with Reinhardt.
As you were trying to collect your thoughts, you heard a knock on the door. Turning, you saw Brigette sticking her head in through the door, smiling. Her hair was done up well and she was in a dark grey dress that complimented her skin tone perfectly. Seeing her made you smile. “Are you ready? I think everyone is waiting for you?” she asked with a smile, stepping into the room and indicating the rest of the party.
You looked down at the letters in your hands, smiling a bit. You stood up, smoothing out your dress and stuffing Reinhardt’s letter into the top of your dress, the other letter clutched in your hand still. “Yeah. I think I’m ready,” you said with a smile, reaching out and taking Brigette’s hand. The two of you walked out to where the rest of the wedding party was waiting for you, all nervous smiles as you came out from the room with Brigette. You could hear the people in the other room, excited chatter and soft music playing. “Yeah. I’m ready,” you said with a smile, taking your bouquet from Lena.
Your heart was skipping beat after beat as you walked down the aisle, staring straight ahead. All you could focus on was Reinhardt at the altar; his white hair, now longer than ever, pulled back into a bun, his beard nicely trimmed. It was a lovely contrast to his dark grey suit. Your eyes locked with his, and it was like everything else melted away. All you had to do was focus on getting to the altar and everything would be fine. One step in front of the other. Calm your breathing. Just focus on the man that would be your husband in just a few moments.
When you reached the altar you handed your bouquet off again before taking Reinhardt’s large hands. It was comical to you that he could easily hold both your hands in one of his, but you didn’t mind it anymore. It was a comfort. It made you feel safe and protected. It was a comfort that you missed way too much. But now, in this exact moment, it was the most comforting feeling you ever experienced. You were so wrapped up in feeling the callouses on Rein’s hands, the way that his thumb was running over your skin, the way that the light caught his hair - that you weren’t paying attention to anything else. It wasn’t until Reinhardt nudged you, whispering a soft “Liebling” that you even realized that it was time to read your vows.
“Oh… I’m sorry,” you said, blushing bright pink. You finally pulled your hands away from Reinhardt’s. You reached into your dress, pulling out the second letter that you had written nearly three weeks prior. Slowly unfolding it, you glanced up at Reinhardt with a smile before looking back at your paper, still blushing.
“ Reinhardt-” you started, clearing your throat slightly. “I had never intended to fall in love with you the day I approached you in that bar. I never intended to see you again after that night. But, impulsivity drove me to give you my number, and I am so glad that I did. When I first heard from you after that night, I was excited to hear more stories about your time in the Crusaders and with Overwatch. I believed that we would stop talking at some point, and that you would tire of me just like everyone else in my life has before. But, for some reason you kept on writing and calling and wishing to see me again. I don’t know when I started to suspect that I might want something more from you, but I do remember the night I fell in love. It was in Sweden. The night you walked me back to my hotel room,” you paused, smiling softly, remembering the night. You looked up at Reinhardt, not wanting to spend too much time in your letter.
“It was snowing,” Reinhardt said softly, making you smile.
“It was snowing. And you had given me your coat. I remember the two of us standing there for a few minutes, just holding each other’s hand and watching the snow. There was a moment when I looked up, and I knew that I was in love. I don’t know when or how, but love is funny that way. It has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it,” you said softly. You crumbled up your letter, putting it back down the front of your dress as you just focused on Reinhardt. No matter what words you were trying to express in that letter it didn’t compare to what you were feeling right now.
“I can tell you all kinds of promises and tell you everything I know about love, but it doesn’t compare. Nothing compares to how I feel about you, Reinhardt. There are not enough words in the world that would let me express how I feel about you. But, I remember thinking to myself the first time I met you that you were like a ray of sunlight. Like walking out on a cold morning and feeling the warmth on your face. And sunlight feels good now.”