Chapter Text
Everyone was seated in their places, awaiting only for the two to arrive. The low murmurs in the large ballroom, the lot of them chatting about the honorary couple, the venue, the smiles and happy tears present there as well. The overwhelming feelings of happiness and joy and to be able to witness this occasion. Their two friends getting hitched. Echo and Fives. This, being their day and all with a simple yet elegant commitment ceremony held amongst friends and family to make things, well, official. And there was certainly nothing that could go wrong with the ceremony soon about to begin. Right?
The couple making their last minute adjustments in the room adjacent to the ballroom. Checking, double checking, triple checking they looked fine, that they were fine, that everyone who needed be there was present?
Needless to say, that they were both very, very nervous.
Having the last minute jitters. Which was understandable even if they had been together for ever. Their friends and family they had known as long as that. But this was still new and well, there were a lot of people out there.
Fives giving yet another a glance at the celebration room while Echo stood by the mirror adjusting his attire even if there was nothing to adjust. Possibly doing it for the umpteenth time simply out of nervousness.
“You look great, love.” Fives was back at Echo’s side.
“Yeah?” The voice soft and low asked.
“Yes, you do.” Fives gave a peck on Echo’s cheek, observing him through the mirror.
“You look great too.” Echo gave a long glance at Fives. Seeing the man in his life there with him through the reflection in the mirror. The two together again after… well, everything. “Can’t believe you want to marry me.” Echo looked serious enough, as sometimes, the insecurities still raised their ugly head. Those of what Echo had become. Not quite human, not really a machine either, but somewhere in the middle there…
“Why?” Fives turned Echo fully to him, drawing Echo in close. “You are the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on.”
Echo let out a soft chuckle.
“We share the same face.” He hesitated for a moment. “Well almost.” Once again reminded of the fact Echo really had changed. A lot. Some of it good, well most of it good. Some well, he still had trouble with a few things despite time having passed.
“Well, there are differences. Plenty of them too.” Fives assured Echo.
Something Fives had always reminded Echo of, that they weren’t the same even if they were all clones. They were all individuals with their own quirks and even if Echo was different to most, it only enhanced him.
“I know there are but…”
“No. And no buts either, Echo. I am the lucky one Echo. Getting you back and now… well, we have a whole life ahead of us to spend together.”
“So you have said. Repeatedly.” And yet it always felt good to hear it just the same. That Fives still wanted him, Echo, despite, well, everything.
“And I will continue saying it. Repeatedly. For ever and ever and ever.” Fives pulled Echo in for a hug, continuing whispering sweet nothings into his partner’s ear while placing soft kisses on his partner’’s skin. “If you are sure.” Echo knew Fives was sure. But it felt good to have the wordy assurances just the same.
“I am. Very sure. And guess what love, after today, you will be stuck with me. Officially.” Fives felt better already, the nervousness and jitters gone suddenly. And all it had taken was to assure his partner, perhaps even himself, this really was what they both wanted. To be together for, well, ever.
“Heh, when you put it that way, how can I resist.” Echo laughed, his nervousness fading fast too. Feeling ready for the final step. “So, should we go? The others are waiting and Rex and Cody most likely thinking we either eloped or bailed the whole thing.” The two commanding officers and their friends officiating their wedding.
“We’d better go, love.” Fives offered his hand to Echo, then walking the two towards the ballroom towards the ceremony, their wedding.