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Laila and Cat’s wedding is beautiful. There are string lights and gorgeous flowers and white dresses, people laughing and drinking and dancing, smiles in every corner of the room. It’s something Jean never thought he’d have. The people around him, his friends, his teammates, his family, it’s the most comfortable Jean has been in a long time.
Instead of going the usual–or Jeremy says usual, but Jean wouldn’t know since he’s never been to one of these things–route of having the families or wedding party at the table with Cat and Laila after the ceremony, they sit amongst their chosen family. Cat, Laila, Cody, Ananya, Pat, Xavier, and Min sit around a circular table, laughing and smiling and talking like any other day, but Cat and Laila are joined at the hip, their hands never leaving each other’s for long.
It isn’t long before the speeches are made. Jeremy was the best man for both of them, unconventionally, as Jean learns, so he’s one of the people who makes a speech while holding a champagne glass. It starts off with jokes, as they usually start off as a group, then some teasing, and then it gets serious, and Jean can’t help but focus all of his energy on the incredibly soft way that Jeremy speaks.
As Jeremy stands up, tapping his champagne glass, it’s obvious that he’s a little nervous, but it doesn’t take him long to get going. “I promise I’ll keep this short, but for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Jeremy, and I’ve had the honor of knowing Cat and Laila for what feels like forever, which means I have a ton of embarrassing stories.” Jeremy starts, and Laila swats at his arm as he laughs a little, “Unfortunately… I’ve been told to keep this PG, so I guess I’ll have to make do. I’m going to start with Cat. Cat is one of those people who always has an annoyingly detailed plan, backup plans, and backup plans for her backup plans. She’s always prepared. Honestly, I can almost 100% confidently say that Cat has had this entire wedding planned out minute by minute for years.” He says, glancing down at Cat who grins with a slightly red face, but nods anyways, making everyone else laugh. Jean grins, he knows that is absolutely true, and Cat glances at him, grinning too, shaking her head in amusement.
“Laila, you’re the heart here. You make everything feel easy when Cat’s planning and stressing, and you are the only one who’s able to convince Cat that some things just don’t need to be stressed over and planned out, but clearly…” Jeremy says, pointing around the room, “Maybe you aren’t always successful.” He says with a grin. Laila laughs and nods, agreeing with his statements wholeheartedly. Jean learned over the years that yes, that is exactly their dynamic, and he wouldn’t wish for anything else. It also reminds him a little bit of himself and Jeremy. Not that they’re anything like Cat and Laila, but Jean always wants a plan, and Jeremy’s more willing to just ‘go with the flow’ as he once said. Jean finds it ridiculous.
“But here’s the thing, and this is where I get serious for a minute. When you guys see them together, it just makes sense. They balance each other out perfectly, there’s structure, there’s calmness, there’s warmth, and together they create something that’s simply safe. It’s real. The realest thing that I’ve ever seen.” Jeremy says, and Laila and Cat smile up at him with sappy smiles on their faces.
“I’ve got to watch your relationship grow over the years, and it’s never been about some big flashy declarations. It’s always been gameshow nights at the house, cooking dinner together, and making an incredible mess, but that’s beside the point,” Jeremy laughs, and Jean very heavily agrees with that statement. If they’re both involved in dinner, it almost always ends up with a mess. “It’s all about the small things. You two listen to each other, you show up for each other no matter what, you always know what the other is thinking. You two choose each other over and over and over again. And that’s what makes it so special.” Jeremy smiles, and Laila grabs his hand tightly.
“Love isn’t just the thing that we’re all celebrating tonight, it’s the everyday stuff. And you two do that incredibly. Cat, Laila, you two have given each other something so beautiful, and it’s not just for each other. Everyone who has the honor of knowing you gets to see it. You make people able to believe in love and kindness and an everlasting bond. You’re soulmates, and that’s obvious to everyone around you.” Cat sniffs a little, getting more emotional than she thought, swiping at her eyes, trying to stop the tears before they come, clearly. Jean lingers a bit at the word “soulmates,” he’d like to think that he’s gotten a lot better with English since leaving the nest, but he can’t recall that he’s ever heard that word before.
“But I promised to make this short, and I could definitely stand up here and talk for hours. Trust me, I have the material for it.” Jeremy laughs, trying to bring the mood up again, and it works as Cat and Laila both let out a wet laugh. “I’m so grateful to call you two my friends, I’m so so grateful to have a front-row seat to your connection with each other, and I’m so grateful that you two found each other. I love you both so much.” Jeremy ends, and as Jean looks around, there’s not a dry eye in sight. He feels a little strange that he’s not also breaking down into tears like the others, but he doesn’t feel sad about this. He feels incredibly happy for Cat and Laila, and the way Jeremy was able to put it into words was beautiful.
Cat and Laila both stand up and pull Jeremy into a crushing hug. Jeremy smiles and mutters something to both of them, making them both laugh, and he kisses the tops of their heads. When they part, Jean notices that Jeremy’s eyes are also a little watery, but he smiles brightly at them two, making Jean smile too.
As Jeremy sits down, the music starts up, and Cat and Laila stand up for the first dance. Jean had to be explained that particular tradition too, but he finds it sweet, even if it feels a little unnecessary.
Everyone watches as they dance, both of them talking quietly and laughing, smiling wider than they ever have, and Jean smiles too, watching them. He’s in a bit of a trance, in his head, thinking about weddings, thinking about their beautiful love, and wondering if he’ll ever get to have that.
That’s when Jeremy’s voice brings him out of his thoughts. “They’re perfect for each other.” Jeremy says, a little closer to Jean than he expected.
Jean jumps a little and quickly relaxes, nodding. “Yes.” He says, smiling softly. As the song ends and more people head to the dancefloor, Jean decides to watch them all dance until Cody breaks away from Ananya and Patt and pulls him up to go dance. Jean rolls his eyes, but he knows he’s not deterring Cody.
“Come on, Jean! Let loose. You’re acting like you’ve never been to a wedding.” Cody says, grinning up at Jean, dancing ridiculously to the song playing. It’s one Jean recognizes from Cat and Laila’s playlist that they like to listen to when they’re cooking or cleaning or just singing loudly in the living room.
“I haven’t.” Jean says, and Cody’s eyes go wide.
“What!? No way. You’ve never been to a wedding?” They ask, shocked, but still trying to get Jean loose and dancing.
“No.” Jean says, shaking his head. “It’s nice. I think I like it all.” Jean says, and Cody’s smile is back in an instant. They laugh and shake their head as if Jean made a hilarious joke, and Jean doesn’t ask. He dances with Cody, both of them loosening up a bit, until Cody is ushered away to dance with Laila and Jeremy takes their place.
“I’m surprised to see you dancing.” Jeremy comments, wrapping his arms over Jean’s shoulders, swaying to the slower song that just came on. Jean tries not to think too hard about it, but he doesn’t exactly know where to put his hands. He feels a little awkward dancing with Jeremy like this, they’re close, it’s just them two… “Do you know how to dance like this?” Jeremy asks curiously, and Jean shakes his head. He’s never had to dance before Cody pulled him up, and with them, it was an upbeat song, and they lead most of it, but here, this slow song, Jeremy being so close he could smell the incredible smelling cologne, he can see the gold flecks in his eyes, the gorgeous hair that’s grown out to be brown again. “Okay, here.” Jeremy says, breaking Jean’s trance. He grabs Jean’s hands and presses them to his waist, holding them there for a second. Jean nods and Jeremy grins, putting his hands back on top of Jean’s shoulders, linking his hands behind his head. “Is this okay?” Jeremy asks, knowing how Jean feels about being trapped.
“Yes.” Jean nods, thinking that yes, this is okay. Being this close, feeling a little confined, it is okay.
“The wedding is beautiful.” Jeremy says, looking around, smiling at their friends as they all dance with each other, switching off partners easily, all being comfortable with each other.
“Your speech was beautiful.” Jean says, and Jeremy smiles a gorgeous smile, looking back at Jean.
“Yeah? I was so nervous. I thought I’d screw it up.” Jeremy says, letting out a little breath of relief.
“You didn’t screw anything up. It was amazing.” Jean says, and he doesn’t miss the pink tint of Jeremy’s cheeks. Jeremy looks down a bit, a little embarrassed, and Jean just admires how effortlessly pretty he is.
A few more songs go by, Jeremy eventually swaps out with Cat so that he could dance with Laila and Cat could dance with Jean. “I’m married.” Cat grins up at Jean, and Jean laughs a little, shaking his head.
“I know, I was there.” Jean says, and Cat grins, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Jean has gotten more used to the touches that Cat gives him, he knows it’s safe, so he doesn’t even question it.
“I’m so happy, Jean.” Cat says, her face turning softer. “I’m really happy that I’m married and that you’re here and that Jeremy’s here and that Laila’s happy and looks so damned good in that dress.” Cat says, and Jean can’t help but laugh.
“You should be happy.” Jean says, pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her in a hug. He doesn’t hug people often at all. It’s normally just a quick squeeze after a good game or a good safe, but Cat melts into his arms. “And Laila does look gorgeous. So do you.” Jean says, and Cat laughs, looking up at him.
“Are you hitting on me and my wife right now, Moreau?” Cat teases, and Jean rolls his eyes, pulling back from the hug.
“I am allowed to think you two are gorgeous without ‘hitting on you,’ you know.” Jean says, used to her teasing by now. His first year, he would’ve denied everything immediately, and been offended at the suggestion, but he knows it’s a joke now. He likes that they’re able to feel comfortable enough to joke like that with him.
“Well, you look gorgeous too. Don’t sell yourself short.” Cat says, pulling apart fully as the song ends and people clap. Jean feels a little flush on his cheeks at that. Cat and Laila insist that he’s good looking quite often, but it’s never a thought in Jean’s mind. He just never considers it. “I need a drink; do you want a drink?” Cat asks, “Actually, hang on.” She says before Jean could answer. She grips his arm and pulls her foot up, taking off her heels and tossing them towards the table. “Now, drinks.” She says, grinning at Jean’s disgusted look. He can’t believe she’d take her shoes off in an unknown place where there could be anything on the floor.
“Only if you find different shoes to put on. The floor is dirty.” Jean says, and Cat rolls her eyes as he pulls him to the bar. She orders them both champagne and then looks back at Jean.
“Give me your shoes.” She says, and Jean’s eyes go wide.
“Absolutely not.” Jean says, shaking his head.
“The floor is dirty, you’re wearing socks, and I have no other shoes in here.” She says, grabbing the champagne and handing him one. He takes it and shakes his head.
“Fine, but they won’t fit you.” He says, and she grins, leading them back to the table. Jeremy, Laila, Cody, Ananya, and Pat have all made it back, all of them talking and drinking and laughing. They look so happy, and it makes Jean even more happy.
As soon as they sit down, he bends down and unlaces his shoes, handing them over to Laila. Jeremy looks at him confused, but Jean just points at Cat’s bare feet and Jeremy laughs. Jean watches as Cat puts his shoes on, and walks to her seat, exaggeratingly picking her feet up because of how big the shoes are. He’s surprisingly comfortable like this, so he just shakes his head in amusement and sips his champagne.
The conversation is easy for a long time, lighthearted, until Jeremy’s speech gets brought up again. Cody thinks it is the sweetest thing that Jeremy’s ever said, Cat and Laila agreeing wholeheartedly, and Jeremy’s steadily getting redder at the compliments.
When everyone starts talking to Cat and Laila, Jean turns to Jeremy, remembering the unfamiliar word. “What is ‘soulmate?’” Jean asks quietly, but the whole table goes quiet at the question.
“What do you mean?” Jeremy asks, confused.
“The word, I’ve never heard it.” Jean says, and Cody makes a sad noise at that.
“Oh, uh… how do I explain it?” Jeremy asks, looking around for help.
Jean looks around too, and Cat’s the one who speaks up. “It’s like… someone who just gets you, you know? You don’t have to explain anything, it’s comfortable, easy. They know your weirdness, and they appreciate them.” Cat says, and Jean thinks he understands, but then Laila speaks up.
“It’s also someone that you grow with. Emotionally, I mean. It’s in small ways, but ways that matter. You kind of just pick each other and become better every day because of that person. It’s just… a person who feels like home, I think.” Laila says, and Cat smiles, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
Jean thinks about that for a minute. Someone who gets him. He thinks that all of the Trojans ‘get’ him to some extent, but Cat, Laila, and Jeremy get him the most. They understand him.
Someone who doesn’t need any kind of explanations and he’s comfortable with. It’s easy to decide who that is. Cat and Laila are great, they’re two of Jean’s best friends, but he does have to explain quite a lot about himself to them.
Someone who knows and appreciates Jean’s quirks–he likes that thought better than weirdness–that is an easy pick too.
Someone who he grows with, he has grown with all of the Trojans, but specifically Cat, Laila, and Jean. He has grown into a person, a real person who knows how to be alone and knows how to appreciate a friendship.
The person that Jean picks and makes him better every day, that’s what being partners is about. Jeremy’s always his first pick, and he has slowly but surely made Jean a better man.
Someone who feels like home. It shocks Jean to realize that yes, Jeremy does feel like home. He feels like exactly where Jean wants to be at all times. He feels like they could be right next to each other but still feel too far apart.
He nods, his mind settling easy. Him and Jeremy must be soulmates if Cat and Laila say that’s what it is. When he looks to Jeremy, Jeremy nods, approving of their definition, and Jean nods too, speaking up, “Me and you, then. Soulmates, yes?” Jean asks Jeremy, and Jeremy’s face turns a deep red. Jean feels a bit of anxiety swelling up at that. Does Jeremy not think the same?
Jean looks around, wondering where he misspoke, but the others are grinning widely, staring at the two, and then Jeremy clears his throat, making Jean look back at him confused. “Did I say something wrong?” Jean asks, suddenly a little embarrassed. Everything that Cat and Laila described applies to him and Jeremy. He doesn’t understand why they’re all reacting like this.
“No.” Jeremy says, shaking his head. “No, you didn’t say anything wrong.” He says, his face still red, his eyes not quite meeting Jean’s.
“You two are definitely soulmates.” Laila says, grinning widely. There’s a collective hum in agreement around the table, and all eyes are looking at them.
“Isn’t that what this partnership is? Everything they said, that’s us too.” Jean insists, still not understanding Jeremy’s reaction. Jeremy looks at Jean in the eyes and nods.
“If that’s what you want it to be.” Jeremy said quietly, and Jean still doesn’t understand the reaction.
“I don’t understand.” Jean says, quietly, and Jeremy stands up, not wanting to have this conversation around others, apparently, and he leads Jean over towards the bar. “Are you sure I did not say something wrong?” Jean asks as they’re heading over there. He’s all too aware of his bare socks on the floor, the speed that Jeremy’s walking at, and the redness evident on the back of his neck and the tips of his ears.
“You didn’t,” Jeremy says, coming to a stop and turning to Jean. “Being soulmates implies something romantic, Jean.” Jeremy says after a long, deep breath.
Jean goes quiet for a minute, thinking that over. He clearly didn’t realize that. He doesn’t lie to himself and say that he doesn’t find Jeremy attractive. He does. Very much so. He also doesn’t lie to himself and say that Jeremy isn’t the one that made him who he is, made him a better person. The day he graduated hurt like nothing before, not even leaving the nest, but thankfully, he stayed in Los Angeles for the start of his professional career and didn’t leave Jean. He’s still not as close as Jean would like. He wants Jeremy back in the house with Laila and Cat. He wants him in their bedroom falling asleep close to Jean every night so that he knows he’s safe.
He knows that Jeremy finds him attractive too. He hasn’t been too shy with that opinion, especially lately, but it took Jean a while to figure it out. Jeremy notices the little things about Jean, notices his hesitations, notices his rough days, he knows when somethings going on or when he’s just exhausted and needs a break.
He makes a decision and nods, seeing the waiting look on Jeremy’s face. He lets his hand come up to rest on Jeremy’s jaw, cupping the skin there gently. It’s not the first time he’s touched Jeremy, but it is the first time he’s touched him with this kind of intent. Jean presses his other hand to Jeremy’s waist like he did while they were dancing earlier, and Jeremy leans into the touch, still looking nervous. “Soulmates.” Jean decides, and Jeremy’s relieved breath makes Jean smile widely.
“Yeah?” Jeremy asks, hopefully, his hands coming up to Jean’s shoulders, just like how they were dancing.
“Yes.” Jean nods, leaning down and closing the gap between them. The first thing that he notices Is that Jeremy’s lips are incredibly soft, and his smile widens as he tangles a hand in Jean’s hair. Jean doesn’t exactly know what he’s doing. Sure, he’s kissed people before, stupid people with stupid green eyes, but it’s been a long long time since then.
It doesn’t take too long for him to get the hang of it again, though. Jeremy’s leaning into him, his head craned up so that he can reach Jean’s lips, and Jean pulls him closer, pressing their chests together and breathing in quickly at the feeling. Jeremy’s warm, he’s lean, so he feels amazing against Jean’s body.
Jeremy’s lips move softly until Jean tilts his head a bit, remembering how to do this, and then their kiss deepens. Jeremy makes a little surprised sound into Jean’s mouth, and Jean is about to pull back to ask if it’s okay, but Jeremy holds him tighter to his body, nodding against Jean’s lips.
It feels like forever and no time at all when they pull back. Jeremy’s face is a gorgeous pink, his eyes incredibly soft as he looks up at Jean, and Jean knows he’s mirroring the expression. His grey eyes lock onto Jeremy’s and he feels a soft, satisfied smile on his own face.
Jeremy huffs out a breath that’s almost a laugh, and presses his face into Jean’s chest, wrapping his arms around Jean tighter, pulling him into a hug. Jean laughs and holds onto Jeremy, kissing the top of his head. “Finally.” Jeremy says into Jean’s chest, and Jean laughs and can’t help himself when he feels like he’s floating a little bit. He feels incredibly happy, which isn’t so new now that he’s a Trojan, but this is something different. Jeremy pulls back and presses another soft kiss to Jean’s lips before grinning up at him stupidly. “I was really hoping this wasn’t one-sided.” Jeremy says, the pink still airbrushed over his tanned, freckled skin.
Jean runs a thumb along Jeremy’s cheeks, loving the sight. “You look beautiful.” Jean mutters, and Jeremy’s face gets even more red. “It was never one-sided.” Jean says, holding Jeremy like he’s something fragile, like he’s something that is antique and expensive and needs careful handling.
There are eyes on them, and they can feel it all at once. They hear a few enthusiastic whoops and some outright cheering, and Jeremy’s face goes even darker red. “Everyone just saw that.” Jeremy says, embarrassed.
“So?” Jean asks, brushing a few stray hairs from Jeremy’s forehead. “I’m not hiding you.” Jean says simply, and Jeremy’s smile could literally light up the room. Jean believes that it does.
“Are all French people romantics, or is that something that’s specific to you?” Jeremy asks, and Jean smiles even wider, laughing a bit.
“I guess we’ll find out.” Jean says, and Jeremy nods quickly.
“Yes.” Jeremy says, grinning and nodding. “We will.” He says, still holding Jean close.
***
The Olympics. They made it to the Olympics. To the final game. The championship.
Jeremy’s a bright light on the court, Kevin’s as determined as ever, Neil bangs on the plexiglass, Andrew’s getting ready for the shot that would tie up the game for their opponents.
There are five seconds left on the clock, four when the striker for Japan takes his last two steps, three when he lines up the shot, two when he takes it, and one when Andrew swings his racquet and sends the ball so far up court that Jeremy immediately cheers loudly, louder than he ever has before.
They won the Olympics. Holy shit, they won the Olympics.
Neil is the first one on the court, as imagined. He’d been taken out of the final twenty minutes of the game with a bad shoulder from when he was checked too hard. He runs straight for Andrew. Kevin stares up at the crowd cheering before running to Andrew and Neil. Jeremy immediately turns his eyes to lock onto Jean’s, and Jean drops his racquet, takes off his helmet, and breathes heavily, smiling widely.
It doesn’t take long for Jeremy to make it to him, dropping his helmet and racquet along the way. When they meet, their lips are immediately pressed together and the crowd cheers even louder. They pull back after a too-short kiss, and Jeremy is practically buzzing with energy despite the incredible work he had to do to get the game to this point. “We won.” Jeremy says, holding Jean’s shoulders and bouncing on his toes. “We won the Olympics, Jean!” He says again, and Jean can’t help but laugh and pull Jeremy into a tight hug.
“You were amazing, mon amour.” Jean says, holding onto Jeremy tightly. He glances over at his favorite trainer and nods subtly. She makes her way onto the court and over to them, slipping something into Jean’s hand when she tells Jeremy how proud she is.
The second that she’s off to congratulate the others, Jean manages to get his gloves off with his teeth. Jeremy does the same, wanting to feel Jean’s skin under his hands, but Jean beats him to it, holding Jeremy’s cheek in one cupped palm. “Jeremy,” Jean says, and Jeremy just smiles up at him nodding quickly, still buzzing with adrenaline. “Two years ago, I said we were soulmates, yes?” Jean asks, and Jeremy nods, smiling widely. “I want that to be forever.” Jean says, standing at half court, dropping down to one knee, seeing Jeremy’s wide eyes, and then pulling the little box out from behind his back. He opens it, a gold band engraved on the inside with the words “âmes sœurs.” One of Jeremy’s hands fly to his mouth, covering it up quickly, the other pressing against Jean’s cheek, holding him softly. “Will you marry me?” Jean asks, and they can faintly hear the crowd cheering louder than ever, they hear the absolute silence from their teammates, and the opposing team. They hear each other’s rushed breaths.
Then, Jeremy has tears coming to his eyes and Jean gets a little worried before Jeremy drops down to his knees to be level with Jean. “Yes.” Jeremy whispers. “Yes.” He says a little louder. “Yes, Jean.” He says, wrapping his arms tightly around Jean’s neck, pulling him into a tight hug, holding him close, both trying to keep their balance. “Jean,” Jeremy breathes quickly. “Holy shit, Jean.” Jeremy says into Jean’s neck, laughing and nodding.
“I love you, mon chéri.” Jean says, and Jeremy pulls back from the tight hug, planting their lips together again.
Jean smiles wider than ever into the kiss, pulling Jean as close as they can get, still holding the ring box in his hand. Jeremy pulls back quickly to look at the ring, and he notices the engraving. He recognizes the words from how often they say them to each other now.
“Je t’aime, Jean-Yves Moreau.” Jeremy says, holding out his hand for Jean to slip the ring onto. Jean does just that, and then their teammates are cheering loudly. Jeremy laughs as he looks at it and presses his lips to Jean’s again, unable to contain his excitement.
Jean laughs into the kiss, and then when they pull back, they’re surrounded by their teammates. Jean looks around, sees Neil’s wide smile, Kevin’s proud nod, and even a look on Andrew’s face, telling him that he approves. Jean laughs and they stand up, holding each other closer than ever.
“You got two golds.” Kevin says, pointing at the ring.
Jeremy laughs like it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard. They won the fucking Olympics, Jean asked him to marry him, they’re forever. They both always knew it, especially Jean, he was sure from the beginning. Back at Cat and Laila’s wedding two years ago, even before then. He knew he and Jean would last.
“I did.” Jeremy smiles.
“I got three.” Jean says, unmistakably calling Jeremy one of his three golds. Jeremy can’t take how incredible this is, and honestly, neither can Jean.
To think that none of this would be possible, especially not this soon, if not for one singular word that Jeremy said. One simple, foreign, amazing word. It’s the best thing that could have ever happened to either of them.