Chapter Text
Gordon awoke to the gentile chiming of his alarm, immediately triggering his pavlovian response of annoyance. Rolling over to grab his phone, he felt around on his nightstand, over the Minecraft handbooks Benrey had been reading and apparently learned how to use redstone from, and flicked off the alarm. As he rolled back into place to stare at the ceiling for a moment, the bed shifted next to him, Benrey's soft grumblings meeting his ears as he rolled over to face the other way.
"No sleeping in this morning," Gordon mumbled over a yawn, sliding out form beneath the covers of their bed and trudging to their closet, "Places to be and speeches to say."
"Gonna' fuck it up?" Benrey asked drowsily, shifting the covers up over his head. Gordon almost responded by throwing the other man's suit back at him, but only just refrained in fear of putting wrinkles in it. No doubt Benrey would do that as soon as he got the thing on, be he wasn't going to be the one to prompt it.
Pulling his own tux out of their closet, he glanced back over his shoulder, "No, because, I have my speech memorized."
Benrey looked back at him to send a flat glare in his direction, "Lameass little... Nerd trying to memorize..." he trailed off as his eyes closed again, no doubt falling back asleep.
Padding back over to the bed, Gordon shook him back awake, "I know Bubby will set you on fire if you fuck your bit up, so you'd better start thinking of things to say; I'm heading off to shower."
Groaning loudly, Benrey tossed the covers off, "Fine, you're so fuckin' mean to me though."
Satisfied that he wasn't immediately going to fall back asleep, Gordon made his way into their bathroom off to the side of their bedroom. It was a lot nicer than their old apartments one, and was definitely cleaner. They'd been in this house for a little over half a year now and it was infinitely better in just about every aspect than his apartment. The only real downfall was that there was too much space sometimes. But even then, that was a minor issue he could live with.
He kept his shower brief so he could spend more of his time figuring out how to work his way into his tux. It fit just fine, but it was still such a needlessly complex piece of clothing to figure out. Finally reckoning done as much as he could on his own, he padded back out of the bathroom, tie in hand. Hearing a ruckus form down the hall he paused, creeping out of their bedroom he made his way to Joshua's half-opened door down the hall and peeked inside.
Benrey was holding a laughing Joshua aloft by one ankle, their faces split into similar smiles as Joshua twisted in his grip.
Cracking his eyes open, Joshua must have noticed him in the hallway because as he barked out a breathless laugh he managed to wheeze out a "Dad! You've gotta help m-" Before his sentence turned to a squeal al Benrey caught hold of his other leg, swinging him from side to side as he looked to Gordon.
"Whatcha' gonna do Feetman?" Benrey taunted, hefting Joshua's ankles up above his head, "Gotta shield and full health. Better hit me in one shot. Only one move; better make it count."
Looking to Joshua, Gordon grinned, "He's too strong for me buddy, and if you can't beat em..." he trailed off, hopping forward to grab Joshuas forearms so her was half cradled between the two of them, "Join em'," he cried, tossing Joshua onto his bed as their kid let out a burst of giggles.
Gordon clapped a hand onto Benrey's shoulder to steady himself amidst his laughter as Joshua righted himself, "Alright, alright," he said finally, "We've still got to get ready for the day. Darnold's been saying Coomer and Bubby have only been getting more anxious by the day, so I want to get there before one of them inevitably starts breaking things."
Benrey sighed dramatically, clipping into the floor as he slow-walked out of the room, "The old dudes will be fine, you're just trying to get us out early so you can steal things. Lil... Lil Thiefman, so rude, stealking at a wedding."
Joshua gasped in mock horror as Benrey disappeared around the corner, "You're going to steal?"
"No- I'm-" he cut himself off with a sharp exhale, "You go get ready too, I'm making breakfast then we'll be heading out."
Saluting in response, Joshua hopped off his bed and started in the direction of his closet.
Making his way back to his bedroom Gordon retrieved his prosthetic from his nightstand, fitting it on and trotted downstairs board the kitchen. Only stopping short to pet their cat Cheeto who was perched on the back of the couch. She'd happened upon them by accident, somehow trapping herself in their recycling bin and yowling her head off till Benrey had finally gone out to find her. He'd immediately taken her back inside and announced that they had a new pet. Gordon was still more of a dog person, but Cheeto was a really good cat. She was so sweet and hadn't once clawed anybody. Plus, she and Sunkist had gotten along great when Tommy had brought her over.
Starting on breakfast, he went through the motions of his morning-time routine, ignoring the nagging feeling that things would go wrong. He knew it would be fine, Dr. Coomer and Bubby were two grown adults; they could handle their own wedding.
Humming softly to himself as he worked, Gordon enjoyed the soft early morning sounds. He didn't often get breaks like this anymore; moments to just pause and take everything in, so it was nice. Especially since he'd started his teaching job at the local university, he had some papers to grade after they got back-
His fuzzy string of thoughts was cut off upon Benrey's entrance into the kitchen. He was still wearing that god-forsaken creeper beanie Gordon had got him years ago, but damn if that suit didn't look nice on him. It seemed to be stretching a little tightly across his shoulders, but it did nicely emphasize his chest.
"You checkin' your homie out?" Benrey asked with a sharp grin.
Gordon scoffed, turning away to his hands off on the nearby towel as he moved the prepared food onto three plates, "You wish."
"S' all good," Benrey continued, leaning back casually, "You uh... Look good."
Flushing, Gordon moved the plates to the table, "You look good too, but ah, would you mind putting my hair into a braid after I dry it? It's harder to do on my own."
Benrey waved him off dismissively as he sat down at the table, "Yeah totally. Can't uh, can't let my best friend head out without his epic hairstyle."
Joshua joined them halfway through breakfast, speeding though eating so he could play on his DS before they left.
While Benrey cleaned everybody dishes Gordon headed back upstairs to grab his shoes brush his teeth and dry his hair. It didn't take long for Benrey to join him in the bathroom, perched on the lip of the bathtub, lazily tracking his movements through half lidded eyes.
Finally satisfied, Gordon ran his fingers once though his hair before handing off the bright orange scrunchie, "Alright, go wild."
His expression didn't shift much, but his eyes did brighten slightly as he slipped the scrunchie onto his wrist. Getting up to stand behind Gordon, he ran clawed fingers though his long hair, basically massaging his scalp. Leaning into his touch, Gordon reflexively closed his eyes, letting his thoughts meld away to focus on the soft pulling sensation.
It didn't take long for Benrey to actually braid his hair, but Gordon found himself wishing he'd taken a little longer. But alas, they did actually have a wedding to attend.
Turning back around, he examined Benrey's handiwork in the mirror, "Thanks man," he said, pressing a brief kiss to the side of his jaw before he ducked down to pull on his shoes, "Now let's go."
"Ima..." Benrey coughed up a flurry of blazing red that made Gordon grin, "Go get Joshua," he said in a hurry, quickly slipping from the room.
Adjusting his socks, he walked back downstairs to wait by the front door. They weren't actually going to drive there so there was no reason to stand there, but it proved some sort of point to wait by it. Benrey and Joshua appeared in the stairwell moments later, Benrey's larger hand carefully clasped around Joshuas smaller one.
"Alright Gordon', need your hand too. And no peeking'," Offering his hand to Gordon as he drew closer, Benrey dropped his flat gaze to Joshua, "N' I mean that sheriff; gotta... Close your eyes. No opening till I say."
Joshua nodded firmly, already squeezing his eyes shut in preparation.
Placing his hand into Benrey's, Gordon closed his eyes as well, "Alright, everybody got their shoes and things? All good to go?"
He was met with two resounding noises of affirmation before the floor dropped out from beneath him.
Quelling the sick feeling that came with teleportation, he made sure to keep his eyes firmly closed. Only when he felt Benrey's hand briefly squeeze around his own, did he open his eyes.
And wow did Bubby and Coomer really go all out for their wedding. Not that he really expected anything less from the both of them. Gordon had only visited the remote location once before, and it'd only been to help unload the moving vehicle they'd brought up, but he hadn't stuck around to see everything set up. Somehow, the two had managed to find the abandoned, outdoor artium a year prior and had cleaned it up enough to where it probably looked better now than when it was first built. There were only a few chairs set out in a semi-circle around the elevated platform near the back of the structure, but it was only enough for who was coming so it didn't really matter too much. Saving space and all.
Flowers of all shades adorned the area around the atrium, and Gordon might have been concerned about Bubby lighting them up, had he not seen the careful way the older scientist unpacked them from the truck. His wrinkled face, usually pinched in scowl turned to concentration as he'd set them up.
Pulling their train of three forward, Gordon took a hesitant seat next to Forzen who was pulling at his tie with a tight frown.
"Anybody combust yet?" he asked quietly, glancing around the space.
Forzen shot him a strange, pained sort of look before giving up on his tie entirely, "Not so far," he grumbled, "Don't think Coomer's too far off from it but uh... Hopefully they'll start this thing up soon. Put all this nervous energy outta the way."
Darold placed a hand on Forzens shoulder, turning the larger man in his direction so he could fix his ruined tie, "They're going to be fine," he said, leaning off to the side slightly so he could better see Gordon, "Tommy's talking to him now so I don't think they'll be long-" Darnold laughed lightly, his gaze trained ahead and, yeah, looking over, that was Tommy, Sunkist and Dr. Coomer headed their way, "Speak of the devil," Darnold finished.
Hopping onto the elevated surface, Dr. Coomer beamed at Gordon, Benrey and Joshua in turn, twirling his ruffled dress as he let out a boisterous laugh, "Hello Gordon and family! I'm glad to see you all made it."
"We wouldn'tave missed it for the world Dr. Coomer."
"Yeah uh, sick setup," Benrey helpfully added.
"We did work on it for quite some time," Dr. Coomer said, appraising his handiwork with a glance around, "But it's high time we put it to it's intended use!"
And with that, Bubby appeared in a plume of smoke next to Coomer, whisking his flame patterned tailcoat like some magician. It felt much too theatrical for a wedding, but was very on brand. For those two at least.
Gman was standing stiffly behind the two, and Gordon was positive he hadn't been there moments before, but he sure was now. He'd only actually seen him one other instance aside from at Tommy's birthday party two years ago, and it'd been when they were all hanging out at Tommy's house. He'd only seen him in a fleeting glance, standing beside a stone pillar and vanishing near instantaneously. But he wasn't nearly as menacing now as he had been before. And surprisingly, he wasn't in his business suit either, rather fitted into a simple tuxedo. Albeit with the same color scheme, but at least he was outfitted for the occasion. Though he did catch sight of the briefcase still at his side.
As Dr. Coomer and Bubby settled, Gman took a step forward, "Seeing as... The good majority of us, do not have any legal documents pertaining to our existence... I will be officiating this ceremony and will... Make sure it's properly recorded," glancing to the two older men he was referencing, he tilted his head minutely, "You two wish to be wedded still?"
Receiving two nods of agreement, he straightened his tie, "Then I will now draw this out any longer. I pronounce you... Husband and husband. Do what you must," he said, a hint of a smile curling onto his straight features.
And for as completely anticlimactic as the announcement was, with as enthusiastically as Dr. Coomer swept Bubby into a kiss, it was enough to bring the everyones excitement right back up.
Amidst everyones cheering, Gordon caught sight of Benrey snapping some photos with a camera he hadn't noticed he'd brought along. The device brought back some unsavory memories, but with the small smile that he could see from the corner of his eye, it erased the negative burst of feelings in his chest and replaced them with something warmer.
"Fuck yeah!" Bubby cheered as Dr. Coomer pulled him back upright, pumping one flaming fist into the air, "Now we eat that goddamn cake!"
Linking arms, the two newlyweds bounded though the space between their chairs.
Turning to Gordon, Benrey dropped the camera from his face, "Yo, let's get this party started."
And indeed they did.
The Science Team had held multiple parties together over the years, it was a good way to reconnect with everybody, especially if someone had been gone doing this or that for a while. But none of them topped the wedding.
The joyous atmosphere coupled with the nice day and good food just blended together in a perfect mesh of a vaguely familiar warmth. Dr. Coomer even brought his saxophone back out again and got to play the instrumentals to Dr. Feelgood, which Bubby could apparently rock it to.
Letting out a laugh, Dr. Coomer locked eyes with Gordon, "I'd almost forgotten!" he said, waiving Gordon toward the platform in the atrium, "Speeches, speeches!"
As Gordon made his way up to the platform with a nod, he felt the words he'd spent so much time practicing escaping him. As if they'd specifically chosen this moment to be the one that he'd forget. Go figure.
Turning back around to see everyone's expectant gazes on his, he felt his mouth go dry. Alright. This was fine, it was totally whatever. He'd basically winged his way though college, he could make up a speech on the spot. it was fine.
"I ah..." Gordon took in a steadying breath; he could do this, it would be fine. Or at least not worse than whatever Benrey had planned, "I just want to start off by saying its I'm really happy to be here with you all. We don't all get the chance to gather together like this much anymore, so it's really nice. But, I'm really glad to have you both in my life," he made sure to glance to Bubby and Coomer when he said that, just like a school presentation, it was fine, "We probably wouldn't have gotten through Black Mesa without you guys so, a thousand times thank you. The happiest I've seen you both though is when you're together and I'm really- I hope you guys have many good years ahead of you together."
As Gordon stepped off the platform, he was swept up into Dr. Coomers embrace. And ouch yeah, extendo' arms were not designed for hugging, but the sentiment wasn't lost on Gordon. As he was set back down onto the ground, he watched as Dr. Coomer brushed the tears from his eyes, "Gordon, that was wonderful."
Bubby, who he hadn't noticed approaching nodded stiffly, "It was... Decent. You could have not said it like we were dying though." And despite his chiding tone, Gordon was pretty sure he could see Bubby's eyes getting misty from behind his thick glasses.
"Anyway!" the older man said sharply, having noticed Gordon's staring, he waved to Benrey, "You have a bit too; get on with it."
Like a deer in the headlights, Benrey froze, "Uhh... Ditto to what my main man said. Hope you guys are... Happy and cool and stuff."
Gordon groaned, dropping his head into his hands, "Dude you cant just ditto my speech-"
Smacking his lips loudly, Benrey shoveled a forkful of cake into his maw, "Well, urmph- Jus' didf. Goonbye."
And with that, he was hustling away off in Tommys direction.
The rest of the wedding went well, mostly it was just idle chitchat and trading stories and different memories, but as the sun started sinking lower toward the horizon, they all cleared some space to make sort of a dance-floor. It was more of a barren patch of grass where everyone had hastily moved all the decorations from, but it severed its purpose.
As Gordon watched from the his seat on the side of the dance-floor, moved aside for convenience, he looked on with a slight grin as Tommy dragged his boyfriends off of the sidelines to dance as a peppy sounding song came on.
He was about to get up to join them when a heavy hand fell onto his shoulder. Glancing up behind himself, he saw Benrey standing there, shuffling in place almost nervously.
"Can we uh... Talk?"
Nothing good ever came with that question.
Glancing around, he spotted Joshua sitting on the ground, petting Sunkist, and no doubt getting dirt all over the rented outfit. Well, whatever, what's done was done and it was a problem for later Gordon.
Patting the top of Benrey's hand, he nodded, getting to his feet and following his partner a distance away from the others. The music was more muffled now there there was a significant gap between them and the speakers, but the sound hadn't disappeared completely.
Offering one last glance to the dance-floor, Gordon spotted Bubby and Coomer joining in as well.
His attention was re-captured by Benrey as he slipped his hands around Gordons own, his thumb tapping lightly against his wrist.
"Know you don't remember but uh, we did meet once, like, a really long time ago. We musta' been kinda' around the same age I guess. You n' your family were on a camping trip or sum' and I'd just figured out how to teleport so we uh, met by accident. You were um, the first person I'd ever met. Outside of Black Mesa. And I uh, it stuck with me. We just... Hung out and whatever but you were like, nice to me. And nobody aside from Tommy and maybe Forzen I guess had ever really been nice to me."
Gordon thought back as hard as he could. His memories of childhood were hazy but...
"I do remember going camping and... Yeah I remember somebody else being there with me. Was..." Gordon trailed off, trying to recall the scene properly, "So that was you? And didn't you scare off a mountain lion or something?"
Benrey brightened, vigorously nodding his head as his tapping continued, "Yeah that was me bro! Big ol' cat... You were all scared and shit so I uh, gave it the what for or something. But um, yeah, you were the first person to be nice to me without like... Forced circumstances. So I think I uh, started liking you way back then. Which is like, cringe but, whatever. You're just so good n' nice like, was else was I supposed to do. But um..."
He trailed off, his have darting away and searching the air behind Gordon for a long moment, "But I uh, love you bro. Love you like a uh... Like an albatross."
Gordon blinked, "What?"
"They're basically big-ass seagulls," Benrey rambled, his tapping increasing as he bulldozed on, "Like, taller than me if they spread their wings out. Watched a documentary on em' with Joshua. But uh... They're these big lonely birds for most of their life, flinging around and shit, doing albatross things but uh. Eventually they find another cool and equally epic bird and they're like 'whoa, Ive gotta do a sick dance to impress this guy' and so they do their little bird dance and uh. If the other bird digs it they go, 'hey homie lets chill and like... Build a nest together and raise some sick ass albatross chicks', which are really ugly, but that doesn't matter. But they're like. For life bro. Bonded forever with some Barbie magic shit. And I'm... I'm, doing my little bird dance right now. Do or die. Flapping... Epic albatross wings at you in a 'you wanna hang forever' kinda way."
If Gordon hadn't spent the last two years learning to decipher Benrey's inane bullshit ramblings, he would have had no idea what any of that meant. But instead, it clicked near instantly, his assumption solidifying as Benrey stepped away for a moment pulled out a small leather box.
"So uh, you game? You dig the dance?"
Tears welled in Gordons eyes and he saw the way Benrey's stance went rigid.
"Yeah," he said, his voice all too soft, but still feeling much too loud for the moment at hand.
Benrey stared at him, "Wait, you for real? Marriage is yes?"
Gordon nodded, leaping forward to wrap his arms around the back of Benrey's neck, "Please don't say it like that. But yes. Absolutely."
He felt Benrey smile against the side of his neck, quickly lifting Gordon off his feet and spinning them in place, letting loose a familiar song of pink and blue as they whirled around.
"Fuck yeah bro, engaged in the real!"
Gordon laughed as he was set back down, warmth blooming though him as Benrey fumbled with the box for a moment, carefully taking Gordons hand and slipping the gold band onto his ring finger.
"I don't think Bubby will be happy we stole his day," Gordon said softly, a smile still present over his lips despite the threat of annihilation by flames. And as he looked up, yeah, that was Benrey, his fiancé. The thought was almost enough to make him laugh again
"Probably not," Benrey agreed, "Can't change it though."
And he sure as hell couldn't.
Fuck, they were engaged.
Cupping Benrey's face in his hands, he stood on his tip-toes to press their lips together. It was no cinematic moment with fireworks bursting in the background and a cheering crowd. But it was Benrey. And with the buzz of their friends and family's laughter in the background, and the low humming of distant insects starting up around them, it was enough.
It was all he needed.