Work Text:
Unrequited love
[uhn-ri-kwahy-tid love]
Noun: A complex emotional experience where one person harbors romantic feelings for someone who does not reciprocate those feelings.
“Kurwa..”
Ewron mumbled to himself in his hotel room as he looked at himself in the mirror, fumbling with his white robe, slightly wrinkled because he didn’t fold it correctly when packing his suitcase for travel.
Travel for his best friend’s wedding venue in Hawaii.
Ewron thought back to last night, when Katie was calling him as she picked out the color of her dress and wanted Ewron's opinion. He was Katie's best friend, after all.
After Ewron was done messing with his robe, he put on his dress shoes and grabbed his rental car keys and wallet off of a nearby desk before heading out of his hotel room, shutting the door behind him as he took a deep breath and turned around, walking down the hallway towards the elevator.
When Ewron stepped out the entrance of the hotel, the blinding, hot, Hawaiian sun hit his eyes; making him put his hand on his forehead to shield his eyes from how bright it was.
The day was beautiful. It was warm out with a slight breeze, little to no clouds in the sky, streets bustling with people and lively laughter- yet, Ewron felt the opposite. For Ewron, he was having vertigo. Maybe he was in a dream? No, this would be a nightmare. It was too bright out, there was too many people, it was too loud, his collar was too tight around his neck, and he could feel every drop of sweat on the back of his neck.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After an hour of driving, Ewron had made it to the outside venue.
It was jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
There was effortless serenity everywhere, it felt straight out of a dream. There was wildlife in every corner he looked, flowers, bushes, moss, rabbits scurrying around, birds singing, even a fucking band to play slow jazz.
Ewron would be lying if he said he wasn’t utterly jealous of the sight and of Tomate who would get to marry Katie.
“Ewron!!!”
Don called out as he saw Ewron's car pull into a parking spot. Graf and Mike looked over in the direction of where Don was shouting to try and find Ewron since they were all just talking about how Ewron would be late. He wasn’t- Ewron would never he late to his best friends wedding- in fact, he was early. Graf was now down $20, and Don was now up $20.
Ewron then put his vehicle in park, unbuckling his seatbelt as he turned off the engine. He then swung his door open and shut it quite harshly, making sure to lock it with his keys before shoving them back into his pocket. Ewron looked up and over his car at the venue and started walking towards his other friends, Don, Ash, and Mike all standing next to each other.
The outside venue up close was even more insane the closer he got. The fairy lights, the crickets, the jazz, the birds chirping, all his friends dressed over the top, the 3 tier wedding cake and tons of cupcakes, the chocolate fountain you could dip various fruits into, the bouquets of flowers everywhere, petals of varying flowers that ranged from roses to lilies to tulips, the damn aisle.
Fucking god, the aisle.
The rows of benches with small name tags to conduct where everyone sat, the rich, dark wood used for the benches that were lined with vines ..and in-between, where Ewron should be walking down, there laid a royal maroon carpet with deep gold accents that lead all the way down to the alter, where an overhead arch of flowers and fairy lights and vines stood, where Katke and her… fiancé… would kiss and become Wife and husband.
A smell of vanilla, expresso, and chocolate strawberries wafted by him. That was the smell Ewron and Katie were supposed to wake up to together everyday, it almost brought tears to his eyes.
Of course, everyone thought they were tears of happiness. But, to Ewron, they were tears of something he knew he would never have and yearned for.. at least in another lifetime.
Ewron wiped his eyes quickly, trying to play it off as allergies. He would be fucking lying if he said he didn’t want this absolute dream of a venue with his absolute dream of a woman walking down the aisle.
“Woodland wedding in Hawaii? I would’ve thought the venue was at the coast.”
Ewron tried to crack a joke when he finally was in hearing-range of the rest of his friends.
“The party after is supposed to be at the coast anyway, its only like a 5 minute drive.”
Mike spoke, wearing a cashmere button up dress top with a black velvet tie with accents of earthy colors and a pink pocket square.
Ewron wore a cashmere pulpit robe with deep gold lining and embroidered accents with a small pink flower he seemed to have added himself. Ewron even grew his hair a bit into a shag, even though it may or may not have been unintentional because he overslept and missed his hair appointment the other week, He still looked phenomenal.
“Of course. This place has everything a person could ever wish for when planning a wedding. Good lord.”
Ewron spoke with a hint of annoyance, knowing he was the person he was talking about when it came to a dream wedding.
“Why are you wearing pink?”
Ewron added on, not recalling on the invite that pink was part of the palette even though he himself was wearing a a small pink flower.
“Because it's Katies favorite color.”
Mike rolled his eyes before he responded and Ewron narrowed his eyes at mike.
Before Ewron could respond to Mike with a lie, Quackity interjected when he walked up to the quad with Multi walking beside him, Quackity wearing a navy suit that matched Multi.
“Dude, the chocolate fountain is so good, never knew cantalope and chocolate tasted so good. Do NOT try the chocolate and grapes though.. pretty sure those are for the cheese and crackers.”
Quackity spoke up, Ewron looked over at him and Multi, the first thing that caught his eye being his pink pocket square, despite pink not on the color palette in the invitation, Ewron started realizing everyone was having small bits of pink in their outfits.
“I’m actually starving.."
Ewron responded to Quackity, checking his watch and running a hand through his hair to get hair out of his eyes. It was 12:23PM and guests were supposed to come around 2:00PM with the time Katie and Tomate were supposed to get married at was around sunset. ‘Earlier is always on time’, even though Ewron has never stood by that logic till now apparently.
That meant he had to help set up even though most of it already was, he could see there was still some tasks to help around with.
“Well, you want to go get a snack with me and Quackity?”
Multi offered, though Ewron already knew they ate before because of Quackitys statement about grapes, he still didn’t turn them down because he really was hungry and the offer was sweet.
Ewron nodded his head yes at Multi and Quackity before they gestured with their hands for him to follow and he did, the trio slipping away from the group as they went to go grab a snack.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Hawaiian sun beat brightly down on the nape of Ewrons neck as he leaned against a table with various snacks as he held a small plate with chocolate dipped strawberries on toothpicks, his friends, Multi and Quackity, were chatting and laughing right next to him.
It wasn’t like Ewron was being excluded, no, he actually liked being able to be in this serene setting with all his friends and his heart heavy as his attention was dazed off into the dense forest and gentle waves crashing if you listened closely enough under the lively laughter and talk, jazz, crickets, chirping birds, rustling bushes and trees, and the footsteps walking closer to him.
Ewron was thinking about the distanced, underlying waves crashing on the coast as the sun shone boldly and brightly down on the watercolor waters, the reflection of golden, sparkling sun rays dancing as the ripples and folds of water moved from gale and moon as Ewron really processed what was about to be official today in less than 24 hours. hell, it was less than 24, it would actually be around 6 and a half hours if the sunset was said to be around 7. Which would be 390 minutes, and that would be 23,400 seconds.
All the math Ewron did in his head, no matter what, he knew there was no solution, and that it was all just a matter of time till he will officially loose the what seemed like never-ending fight with fate.
Ewrons never ending thoughts slowly unraveled and spiraled into a tug-of-war between his brain and heart, a sword fight between self-sabotage ending in regret of never speaking, never chasing, never reciprocating, and the heavy bane to forever hold his peace despite him knowing it would always end up like this in every. Single. Goddamned. Lifetime.
Ewron knew he would be always be too late, and that it was nobody else other than his own fault for never chasing Katie, only just enough to make her hate him.
Ewrons train of thought was chugging slowly but smoothly at first, till it got absolutely wrecked by his best friend.
“EWIE!”
Katie practically yelled into Ewrons ear since she knew Ewron was spaced out and wanted to scare the shit out of nobody other than her officiant and best friend.
Ewron jumped with a little yelp when Katie scared the shit out of him, giving her arm a soft punch out of habit which Katie returned back to him 10x harder.
Ewron scoffed and stepped back from Kaie and looked her up and down, noticing she wore the color of the dress he wanted her to wear.
Katie had her long ginger hair down with pink tulips scattered in it and wore gold heels, a gold crown with pink jewels, gold arm cuffs, and her flowy white dress with gold accents and vines embroidered onto the fabric along with real pink tulips sewn on.
Katie looked like a goddess.
Ewron immediately bear hugged Katie, this being the first time he initiated a hug since he hadn’t seen her in so long and he wouldn’t know when the next time he would get to would be.
After a skipped beat of surprise, Katie hugged Ewron back with the same intensity. It had been awhile since Katie and Ewron had met anyway, so Katie thought nothing of it.
Katie was the first to break the hug between her and Ewron; Ewron already missing her warmth despite it being almost 80 degrees out.
“Ev, you’re so early that you arrived before Ash-”
Katie spoke with a tone of surprise, she was used to Ewrons usual lateness; so when he came earlier than Ewron-the usher-she was pretty shocked.
“I would never be late for my best friend’s wedding, Kaśka.”
Ewron remarks, still looking at Katie up and down; not being able to get over how gorgeous Katie was in an admirable way.
Ewron then looked over Katies shoulder for once, only to see in the distance that Asb had finally arrived. Ewron squinted and saw that Ashs pocket square was a pink-ish purple. As Katie was talking to Ewron, Ewron wasn’t paying much attention since he was just watching Asb freak out because he was supposed to be the earliest and was supposed to help everyone find their seats.
“Ewron? Earth to Ev- Are you listening..?
Katie questioned but before she could even get half her sentence out Ewron had blinked a few times and paid attention to Katie again so he interrupted.
“Yeah, yeah, sorry I’m uh.. just watching Ash look so lost.”
Ewron snickered to himself, pointing at Ash over Katies shoulder before Katie turned around to view the scene. After Katie processed what was happening she laughed.
“Oh god, I’ll go tell him to chill..”
Katie spoke through laughs before she looked back at Ewron one more time then started making her way towards Ash, expecting Ewron to follow behind.
In which he did.
Ewron trailed a few steps behind Katie as they approached Ash, who was standing almost awkwardly like he was trying to fit in but was clear that he had no idea what was going on.
“Ash!”
Katie greeted Ash, Ewron giving Ash a small wave and smile in which Ash returned.
“Hi Katie, hi Ewron.”
Ash spoke, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand as the other held his phone. Before Katie could even speak again Ash cut her off nervously.
“Why are so many people here early? I thought I was supposed to be the earliest and help everyone find their seats..”
Asb spoke, a confused tone in his voice with a hint of distress at the sudden switch in plans.
“Not sure, but you know the whole seating chart so could you make sure all the name tags are in the right place and that all of them are actually on a seat? Remember, you're strong and brave, Ash."
Katie said to calm Ash down and to give him something to do. Ash nodded up and down before speaking again.
“Youre right, I’ll talk to you guys later then..”
Ash then gave the duo a small wave goodbye as he turned on his heel and headed to where the name tags not yet placed were, Ash confidently going to the wrong direction as Ewron and Katie watched for a second and burst out laughing for a few seconds before Katie spoke up and re-directed him.
“Other way, Ash!”
Katie called out to Ash, making him turn towards Katie and start walking where Katie pointed, the actual way the other name tags were.
"I'm strong and brave and i'm Ash..."
Ash mumbled to himself as the tips of his ears were the same deep maroon as his pocket square in embarrassment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sky was an array of watercolor hues, a blend of yellow, orange, and pink colored the horizon as far as the rays of sun could reach up into the atmosphere, a dark navy blue seeping in where light could not reach.
The dreaded time had come. Tomate was already standing at the alter, for he had walked down the luxurious deep red rug with cold feet but a bright smile.
Ash and Mike were already standing in their respective places, for it was now time for the bride to walk down the aisle.
Ewron clenched and unclenched his fists unnervingly as he stood behind the alter, waiting for Katie to finally walk down the aisle.
After a beat of nothing but the band playing random slow jazz, crickets chirping, lightning bugs flashing, and the occasional sniffle from the crowd, Katie linked her arm with Don's and took a step; then another and another.
As Katie walked slowly down the aisle, slow and deliberate with every beat of the song and the quiet cry in the rows of benches full of family, friends, close and distant relatives. The music kept going as Katie finally made it to the alter, being able to turn right and stand right in front of Tomate.
Sweat dripped down the nape of Ewrons neck, feeling sick to his stomach with jealousy and possessiveness churn as he locked his eyes with Katie.
Ewron imagined himself in his nicest suit, waiting at the alter and watching the woman who he would praise and devote the entirety of his mind, body, and soul to walk down the aisle and marry.
But now, he had to watch from mere meters away and lose her to a pig.
Too bad the feeling is not, y'know, mutual.
Ewrons realization that he never would be able to have this ceremony with the only person he wanted to marry hit him like a train despite him having months to mentally prepare.
Tears welled in Ewrons eyes as Ash handed Katie and Tomate their rings.
Ewron wished he chased and told Katie everything about how he felt weeks earlier, drowning in his own regret.
“To ja powinienem być tym, z którym jesteś w małżeństwie..”
Ewron whispered under his breath, Katie not being able to hear him but saw his lips move.
At least Katie was happy, but something in Ewrons heart shattered and died before he laid his sword down for fate in abdication.
Ewron will see Katie at heavens gate the next time they’ll be together.
The music quieted but still played in the background as whatever was left of the sun toasted onto Ewrons skin as he whispered his vows to Katie as Katie and Tomate exchanged theirs before the ring exchange. Ewron knew he’d never say his vows straight to her… in this lifetime, at least.
Katie and Tomate then held each of the others rings, but to Ewronn, watching them put rings on each other was like nails on a chalkboard. The tears in his eyes Ewron tried to blink away only over flowed and tears dripped down his cheeks as he made Katie and Tomate repeat offer him in polish.
“I do."
Katie spoke softly after her fiancé who was seconds away from being her official husband, staring straight at him with eyes full of love that were supposed to be on Ewron.
More tears flowed from Ewrons eyes as Katie and Tomate kissed in what felt like slow-mo. Finally, they were married.
Everyone clapped and cheered, a diverse array of flower petals and rice being thrown around in the air.
But all Ewron could think about was how he will always, in every single goddamned lifetime,
be too little, and always way too late.