concrete jungle.

Months passed and Nick still couldn't forget Will. His crooked smile and sinister gaze hung on the back of lids every time he closed his eyes. No amount of self inflicted pain compared to being cut by him. Try as Nick might, his orgasms were lackluster, horrifically unsatisfying; pathetic. They left him wanting—craving—more, oftentimes bringing him to the brink of tears in desperate overstimulation.

Nothing had been the same since. Fundamentally, down into his DNA, Nick changed. A screw loosened on his psyche. Tightening it proved useless; it spun and spun and spun, and Nick worried it would strip. So he left it untouched, wiggling like a loose tooth that he felt with every breath, every word and thought. Eventually though, the root would weaken, socket rotting with neglect, and the tooth would fall, exposing nerves and inviting infection until it ate its way through Nick.

Sick. A figment of who he used to be. Sick, like Will—potentially even worse.

"Are you almost done Folio?" Nicholas hollered from the living room. "If we're late, Davis and Darius are gonna be pissed!"

"Yeah!" He replied, not taking his eyes off the person staring at him in the mirror. "Just… finishing touches and I'll be done!"

The man made the same movements, reached for the same cologne, and dabbed the same places, but Nick wasn't convinced of its legitimacy.

He didn't recognize the reflection anymore.

The party hustle and bustle around him grated Nick's nerves raw, irritating in the way of radio static, leaving him twitchy and restless. No matter his efforts, it wouldn't stop. He needed out, but the backyard also had its share of people scattered about.

A drink. Maybe he just needed another drink of whatever poorly concocted lukewarm punch was in the kitchen. He weaved through the sea of bodies, some faces familiar, others he's never seen, giving half hearted nods and smiles when eyes met. To his surprise, the kitchen was empty. Except for Nicholas, who was leaning against the island, staring despondently at his cup with a deep frown etched on his face.

Nick frowned, no longer caring about his inner turmoil.

"You good?" He asked once he was close enough.

Nicholas startled, spilling some of his on the floor. He turned toward Nick, panicked and wide eyed, but visibly relaxed when he realized it was just him.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah…" He pushed back his hair. "This punch just… sucks."

Nick huffed, amused and unconvinced, but didn't push. He walked around to the opposite side and grabbed a cup. The ladle disappeared, so begrudgingly, he stuck the cup in the violently red liquid and scooped. It was darker than he remembered, the resemblance more like blood, even in viscosity. Taste wise, however, still like cheap, fruity gasoline. Actual gas would probably taste better.

"Where's Noah?" Nick asked between a grimace.

Nicholas rolled his eyes. "Who cares?"

"You do."

Nicholas shot him a glare, and Nick hid his teasing smirk behind his cup. He meant for it to be scathing, but whatever issue Noah created seeped through, making him look more like a pouting child than anything. It was cute.

"He's off…" Nicholas tried to keep the hurt out of his voice, but failed, the sound brittle and… well, hurt. "Being Noah."

He sighed heavily, it's weight settling on Nick's shoulder comfortably without invitation.

"Do you want me to go talk to him?" Nick offered.

Nicholas didn't have a chance to answer. Nick spotted Noah in the room over—and he froze.

Noah was encroaching into someone's space, standing much too close and smiling much too wide for Nicholas and Nick's liking, but for different reasons. Nicholas did not know the man Noah decided to chat with, but Nick was familiar with that particular shade and shape of pink curls.

Of all places for Will to be…

Panic swelled in his gut when he realized Will was aware he was being watched. His gaze briefly flicked to Nicholas, who did his best to hide the almost jealous twist in his face, then flicked to Nick. He caught the sly curve of a knowing smirk before returning his attention to Noah.

Nick wasn't necessarily looking for Will. He wanted out of the house, and mostly away from Noah and Nicholas' inevitable argument. What possessed Noah to think introducing his "flavor of the night", as Nicholas put it, was beyond him. Will, however, was unbothered. He seemed to enjoy being the cause for conflict—when he wasn't busy staring holes through Nick.

But, he found him outside leaning against the wall, phone in one hand, butterfly knife in the other. Mindlessly, Will scrolled while he absentmindedly did tricks, flipping and spinning the knife over and over—open, closed, open, closed—unbothered and all too casual for a maniac.

There was no plan. Nick just… stared, unsure what to do. He had questions, desires, but didn't know where to start. Hey man, can you cut me up again so I can have a satisfying orgasm? I haven't had one since we hooked up, seemed a little blunt, too honest. Though he's certain Will would oblige. Maybe he'd want to do more to him.

"You have a staring problem?" Will spoke, barely passing him a glance. "Take a picture, Nick. You can masturbate to it later instead of drooling all over yourself."

Heat blossomed in his cheeks.

"That's not… I'm—" Nick stammered. "Why are you here?"

Will looked at him then, fully, phone slipped into his pocket, but left the knife out in the open; Nick wondered if it was new. He didn't seem offended by the question, more so amused.

"I'm a friend of Darius. Why are you here?"

Nick furrowed his brow. "We played the party."

To him it was obvious, but maybe Will arrived after they played.

He watched Will tap his chin with the knife, face twisting into an exaggerated display of faux concentration. After a few seconds, he thumped his forehead then pointed knife at Nick, and Nick felt his stomach flip.

"Oh, right! The little band. You guys were good." He smiled, though it was disingenuous.

Nick was unsure how to respond. The obvious answer was to defend his "little band", but the long, black blade snagged his attention. He could almost feel it against his skin, slicing and cutting into him. He didn't even notice Will beckoning him over with the knife until he was a foot or so away.

"See something you like?" Will teased.

He said nothing, only stepped closer until they were breathing the same air, and Nick was leaned against the same wall. Will fixed him with a grin that sent his blood on fire.

Arm extended above him, Will leaned into Nick's space, knife pressing to his ribs. The fear he expected was nonexistent. His racing heart? Hopeful arousal. He couldn't read Will's expression, but he did see curiosity.

"All these people here, and you seek me out?"

"Not intentionally."

"Well, if you're gonna follow me around like a stray, I suppose I should name you." Will declared, voice low and covered with gravel. "How's Bambi sound?"

To Nick, it sounded juvenile, akin to an embarrassing childhood nickname that the more he fought tooth and nail against, the more it stuck. He didn't like it, but he presumed Will wasn't giving him a choice.

"I think it suits you." He cocked his head slightly, the sharpness of his grin identical to the blade threatening to cut. "Cute, innocent… alone…"

Will leaned in, close enough for his breath to fan across Nick's mouth, close enough that his lips parted with a quiet, shaky, stuttered breath.

"Vulnerable."

Nick's stomach flipped, fingers twitching with a desperate need to touch Will, but he resisted.

"You know what better than getting cut while you cum?" Will rasped; a sinister glint flickered in his eye.

Nick stiffened, the knife point pressing ever more so into his flesh—not enough to pierce, but dangerously close. "W-what?"

"Getting stabbed." A smile to match the cruelty in his eye curled his lips. "Would you like that?"

The words tumbled from his mouth before he could even think to stop them, or question why they manifested in the first place.

"I would."

Will dropped his voice. "Yeah? You want me to bleed you out right here, where your friends could see me violate you?"

Nick felt the knife break skin and closed his eyes. He bit down on his lip to keep whatever sound he was about to make inside—except Will got it out of him anyway, unintentionally, when he tried to pull the knife away.

"Please." He gasped breathlessly, damp brown eyes opening wide. Nick reached for Will hand and clumsily positioned the knife back where it was.

Will stared at him, expression unreadable, but Nick swore he saw something there. Maybe it was pity for his unashamed desperation, or disgust at his unhinged eagerness to be a knife block. He was delusional enough to believe it could have been some kind of fondness.

"Oh, pet," Will chastised coldly, "you might get me to actually like you."

"Folio?" A voice called. Had Nick not been caught in a trap, he may have heard or recognized the voice.

It called again, louder, closer, and snapped Nick out of his stupor. He whipped his head towards the sound, but a cold, sharp edge snagged on his jaw, and turned his head back. Like a deer in headlights, Nick stared wide eyed at Will—a calculating and dangerous stare that was just as unsettling as his self satisfied smile.

"Eyes on the man with the knife, beautiful." Will commanded softly.

Any self respect Nick had vanished. He reached for him again, grabbing onto his waist so tightly his fingers ached. If the way Will grinned was any indication, he's certain the lust and desire was plastered on his face.

"Yeah, I think Bambi suits you just fine."

The knife trailed along his jaw, stopping just under his chin and tipped his head back. Will's gaze was penetrating, intense, predatory, but Nick couldn't look away—especially when the tip of the blade rested on the center of his bottom lip. There was a slight, gentle tug that allowed for a quiet and breathless sound to escape, and also delighted Will.

Nick stiffened, his grasp on Will's waist tightening as cold metal slipped between his lips. Will's eye darkened with every millimeter he slid inside. It glided easily along his tongue, the sensation invasive and worryingly arousing. Tears welled in Nick's eyes, for what, he wasn't sure.

"What a fucking freak." Will rasped.

He eased the rest of the blade inside Nick's mouth, prompting the dam to break. Water trickled down his cheeks—but Nick was far from scared, though he knew he should be. His body ached with a twisted desire for more, to feel the blade slice him open down to the bone, flayed so Will could have new holes to lick and fuck.

"Face fucked with a knife," Will spoke, predatory gaze locked on the disappearing and reappearing blade. "What a dirty little fuck you are."

Carefully, Nick moved his head, meeting Will's movement as he thrust the blade in and out, in and out. Will hummed, pressing the blade a little harder on his tongue. Undeterred, Nick kept bobbing, hoping to give Will whatever he was after—enjoyment, a show, disgust. Deep in his bones there was a tremble threatening to shatter the thin veil of his composure, but Nick managed to keep it in tact—until he felt an unmistakable slice on his tongue.

Nick shivered, eyes rolling back with a muffle moan. The pleasure was a gentle rolling ripple, pooling heavily and profoundly in his groin. Metallic tang filled his mouth, drowning out any ounce of shame residing in him. He hastened his efforts, earning himself another cut and blessing Will with a louder, increasingly depraved whorish moan.

Before he had time to process, the knife was removed only to be replaced by an eager tongue desperate for spilled blood. Will grabbed Nick's throat, squeezing just harshly enough to cut his air.

Their first kiss had been slow, something teasing to leave Nick craving, a means to catch him and keep him engaged. This, however, teetered on carnal; feral, burning hot with lust and sin. Like it would be their last. If Nick had any say, it would be far from it.

Will, was Pandora's Box, and Nick desperately sought the unimaginable chaos and insanity locked inside.

"Folio?"

No response.

"Folio? Where—OH!"

Nick jolted, breaking away from Will at the sound of Noah's voice. Panic swelled in his gut. Noah's eyes flicked between him and Will, catching sight of brief disappointment before it vanished just as quick.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were… busy." Noah did a piss poor job masking his annoyance. "Nick's been looking for you. He's ready to leave."

"Y-Yeah! Uh, yeah. Tell him I'll… I'll come find him in a bit." Nick stammered.

Noah stared, distrusting and judgemental, but reserved lecturing, opting to fix them both with a curt nod before walking away.

Nick deflated with a heavy sigh, letting his head thud against the wall, uncaring of the ache. He could only imagine how the scene looked—him and the guy he'd been flirting with tucked away and shoving their tongues down each other's throats… World's Worst Friend stamped across his forehead.

But truthfully, Nick didn't feel guilt. As far as he was concerned, he saw Will first. He got Will first. Therefore, Will was Nick's—and he was going to make sure he got to keep him.

Will snickered.

"Guess we'll have to pick this up another time then. " He teased. "You might wanna clean up a bit though. Your mouth is… a little red."

Will glanced between him and the heart-shaped box in his hands.

Nick's heart pounded against his ribs. He knows he'd went too far. A line had been crossed some time ago, and this… Nick could not come back from this. Will pulled him into the deep end with such ease, and the water was so refreshing that Nick decided to stay and discover just how deep it could go.

His breath caught the same time Will's did as he opened the box.

"Is this real?" He asked, disbelieving.

Nick nodded.

Inside, nestled comfortably and staining the white silk, was a heart—human, freshly harvested this morning. The poor sap's screaming pleas still echoed in Nick's head, their horrified expression painted on the back of his lids. He could still feel the thrill running through his veins. He held no disgust or repulsion for his actions, not even as he jerked off over their dead body, using their blood as lubricant. It was just a Sunday. The only thing he felt was nervousness; Nick really wanted Will to like his gift. More than that, he hoped he saw it as the declaration it was.

"I can't give you mine without killing myself," Nick confessed, "so I hope that… y'know…"

Faster than he could blink, Will was in front of him with a knife he hadn't noticed.

"I could do it for you." His lips curled with a sinister snarl.

Will mocked Nick's gasping expression as he felt the sharp, searing pain of the blade staked in his chest.

"I don't want someone else's heart," Will gritted through his teeth, dragging the knife down and causing Nick to unleash a pained, ungodly moan. "I want yours."

Nick sat up with a loud gasp, heart pounding thunderously in his ears. Phantom pain blossomed in his chest and he pressed a hand to the would be stab wound, relieved to find his skin in tact. He flopped back onto his pillow with a heavy sigh.

"What the fuck." He scrubbed his hands over his face.

Warmth slowly crept inside him, lingering and swirling until Nick realized his nightmare—dream? …fantasy?—left him achingly hard. Shamefully, he slid a hand under the covers and into his boxers, hissing at the contact. If not for the borderline painful hard on, he would've thought he came already with the amount of precum soaking through—and it didn't take more than a few gentle strokes until his cock twitched, adding even more to the mess he'd made in his sleep.

The rush in his ears slowly faded, replaced by the typical static ringing. His breaths were heavy and his limbs just as weighted. At the very least, Nick knew he should strip, but it was more energy than he was willing to part with. He'd rather pick apart whatever monstrosity his brain plagued him with that made him so unbearably hard. Or maybe he'd rather forget it. Why didn't he feel any remorse for killing that person?

"It was just a dream, Nick." He mumbled to a silent room.

Across the hall, muffled voices and hushed whisperings carried through the space underneath their doors. It didn't take long for Nick to realize Noah and Nicholas were making up for the fifth time this week. He didn't understand why the both of them were too stubborn to admit their casual hookups became much more some time ago—though, tonight it did seem as if it were finally beginning to take a toll on Nicholas.

A very loud, very appreciative moan sounded, followed immediately by Nicholas just as loudly shushing Noah.

Nick groaned and tossed a pillow over his head. He could be annoyed and he'd absolutely give them grief about it tomorrow, but still, he felt he had no room to judge them given his recent… unusual desires. Nicholas and and Noah had means to their ends. All Nick had was a dangerous temptation wearing a pretty face, and a name.

Will, Will, Will.

Will.

Will Ramos Masterlist

Nick Folio Masterlist

Nerves ate away at Noah as he stood on the other side of the door, gift clutched tightly in sweaty hands. Muffled chatter and laughter carried through, serving to make him feel even more nervous and intrusive. He shouldn't be interrupting them, but Noah didn't want to wait until after to give him his gift—and, if he were more honest, selfishly hoped Will would wear it for the occasion. It was different from the other pieces he'd given him, but it caught his eye when he was picking up their first set of rings. Noah couldn't leave without it.

He stared at the box. He really hoped Will would like it.

Noah inhaled a deep breath, eyes closing as he steadied himself. His exhale was less graceful—loud and puff cheeked, but steeled his nerves enough to knock.

Silence—from him, and beyond the door. Seconds dragged on into what felt like minutes. Panic turned to nausea quickly, threatening to bubble up his throat, but Noah managed to swallow it—along with the pooling saliva—down.

Slowly, the door opened just a crack, light chattering spilling into the hall. Noah expected to see Will, but it was Adam who poked his head through and greeted him.

Pretty blues raked over him, head to toe and back again. Adam flashed a bright smile.

"Well, don't you look nice?" He teased. Noah felt his cheeks warm. "Will definitely did well for himself."

The heat in his face intensified. He stammered a sheepish thank you that Adam couldn't help but chuckle at lightheartedly. Noah let his eyes fall back to the box in his still sweaty hands.

"Is Will…" he moved the box to one hand to wipe the other on his suit pants, then vice versa, internally cringing at the prints left behind. "Can I… give this to him?"

Adam glanced at the gift then squinted at Noah. "Don't you know it's bad luck to see the groom before the wedding?"

Noah opened his mouth to argue but failed to form any words. A lengthy moment of silence between stretched between them and exacerbated Noah's nerves. Surely Adam wasn't serious. Little about him and Will had necessarily ever been traditional, so why would that extend to silly superstitions?

Laughter erupted inside the room, Will's loud, prominent, and joyous. Both Adam and Noah looked towards to sound—Adam being able to see the cause and laugh along while Noah remained outside, blocked, longing to see his fiance. His chest twisted painfully.

"Adam—" Noah didn't get to finish his plea before it was waved off.

"Relax, I'm fucking with you. Give me a minute. I'll get everyone outta here so you two can have a moment, okay?"

Noah sighed, relieved. He offered a small smile with his thank you.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "Don't get sappy on me."

The door closed once more. Adam didn't travel to far into the room as Noah could hear him corralling the handful of people that weren't Will. A few whistles and hollering sounded, followed by Will telling them all to shut up in a way that Noah knew was paired with an eye roll and smile.

One by one people filed out. Adam was the last to leave, softly shutting the door behind him. He fixed Noah with a prideful smile and reached up to place his hands on his shoulders.

"He looks really good, man." Adam spoke, an air of disbelief in his voice. "Like you look good, but him… wow."

They shared a chuckle. Noah saw the dampness in Adam's eyes.

"Will deserves this, deserves you." His smile faded to something softer, more intimate and personal. "There is no one else I'd rather him spend the rest of his life with. You're so good to him and I'm beyond grateful he's getting his happy ending with someone who's equally insane about him as he is you."

Hearing such an honest, heartfelt confession from him left Noah speechless. Adam so rarely expressed deep emotion, usually opting to make light with jokes and quick witted remarks. He had moments, of course; he knew when to be serious. Noah was just scarcely on the receiving end.

He didn't know how to respond, so he took a play from Adam's book.

"Now who's getting sappy." Noah joked.

Adam's face cracked into a smile, and he laughed, loud and unashamed. He leaned his head back, blinking quickly, no doubt to keep his tears at bay.

"Yeah, well, it's not every day your best friend gets married." He smoothed his hands over Noah's lace suit jacket. "Anyway, go. Have your quickie or whatever, just make sure you're both presentable after."

He departed promptly, leaving Noah alone with only a door separating him and his soon to be husband.

His heart hammered against his ribs. All of his anxiety and nerves rushed back. Should he knock? Should he just walk in? Will was expecting him… Why was he so nervous to see him? He knew why he was so nervous to see him.

"Will?" Noah gently knocked. He waited for a response but no answer.

He took a breath then reached for the handle and turned. Slowly he stepped inside, closing the door gently. Noah stayed facing the door, not yet ready to see Will.

"Noah."

The sound of Will's voice made his heart somersault. Noah closed his eyes, hoping his deep inhale wasn't too obvious, and faced forward.

Eyes locked onto each other than began to wander over one another. Will's smile never faltered as he drank in Noah, matching outfit to his, and tousled, soft brown locks mostly untouched at his request. A delicate flush of color brushed his cheeks. If Will didn't know better, he'd find the lack of expression on Noah's face worrisome, but his dark, dark eyes shined and sparkled with the utmost adoration and wonder. Will's equally bright eyes fell to his bare ring finger that would soon be adorned with an intricate crown of thorns. He hardly noticed the box in his hands.

Somehow, despite wearing the same laced suit jacket, the same pants trimmed with lace, Will looked infinitely better, like it was made for him—it had been—and Noah felt underdressed. Perfectly wound tight ringlets, and recently colored deep pink. The color always made Will's eyes an even prettier shade of brown.

He stared at him, completely tongue tied and in awe. How could it be that he had the absolute honor, the absolute privilege to marry the man before him?

"Adam—" Noah's voice cracked; he cleared his throat. "Adam said you looked good, but I… I… uh…"

His sentence trailed off, finding Will walking towards him much more important. Noah stayed still, fearing if he moved everything would disappear, vanish like dream. But then Will's arms were on his shoulders, wrapping around and pulling him into a tender, soft kiss. The spiced warmth of his cologne, the very one he wore the very first time they met, hit Noah's nostrils like a wave, enveloping, consuming him, pulling him under that same kind of spell that was so easy to fall for. His knees grew weak and he forgot how breathe.

Will broke the kiss and a dazed Noah chased after him. A soft chuckle fluttered past his lips that Noah so desperately wanted on his again. Gently, Will placed his hand on Noah's chest and pushed him back, just enough to be out of kissing range.

"Hi." Will whispered.

"H-hell… Hi."

Will moved his hand to Noah's cheek, thumb stroking the top of his warm cheek. "You look nice. Really, really handsome and pretty."

Noah blinked. "Thank you. You, uh, you… you too. Real… Really nice. Pretty. Handsome. Yeah."

He smiled softly. Noah melted when he kissed him again, sweet and chaste. Will snickered.

"Are you gonna be able to make it through the wedding?" He swiped his thumb across Noah's bottom lip. "You're drooling."

Clumsily, Noah stepped out of Will's orbit and wiped his mouth in a panic. His face felt like it was on fire. How embarrassing!

"Hey, hey!" Will laughed, grabbing his hand. "I'm kidding!"

Noah looked at him for a beat, taking in his amused smirk before shooting him a sad, pitiful pout. He laced their fingers together and squeezed. Out of habit, his thumb traced along Will's ring, but found skin instead. His eyes fell to their entwined fingers. Will's gaze followed.

"I don't like that I can't play with your ring." Noah frowned.

"Yeah, well, here pretty soon you'll have a whole new one to play with." Will replied, bringing their hands to his lips.

A small grin crept on Noah's face, one Will was happy to mimic.

"You… look really nice." Noah managed to say. Will breathed amused. "Incredible. Amazing. Just… Wow."

He looked down at the floor, bashful smile on his face.

"Thank you." He glanced back to Noah long enough for him to catch the pink hue warming his cheeks. "Is that for me?"

Will nodded toward the box in Noah's hand. The nerves he'd forgotten about reappeared.

"Yes, actually." Reluctantly, he let go of Will's hand and handed him his gift. "It's the main reason I wanted to come see you."

Noah took half a second to start following Will to the makeshift vanity. Various hair products and cologne littered the table top. An absolute mess of things just like the bathroom counter at home—and Noah had a whole lifetime of disorganization and clutter to look forward to. Will shoved things aside to make room for the box and set it down before sitting.

Anxiously, he watched Will's reflection in the mirror. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep his fingers from fidgeting. Will stared at the box for a long moment, probably trying to guess what was inside. His eyes flicked to Noah in the mirror. Noah pressed his lips in a tight line.

Will's eyes widened, jaw dropping just a touch as he opened the box. Radiant pearls contrasted the black velvet they were nestled on.

"Noah…" He traced his fingers along the necklace.

"I know it's different from your other necklaces," Noah hoped his voice didn't sound as shaky as he felt. "But I saw it when I was picking up the rings, and I couldn't pass it up."

"You've had this since then?" Will looked up, surprise on his face.

Noah nodded. "Locked in my desk drawer."

He blinked then returned his gaze to the jewelry. Noah watched him stare, silent and contemplative. It did little to quell the nervous storm coursing inside him. His heart still raced, hands still clammy and damp, and nausea still bubbling and twisting with the knots in his stomach. He didn't except Will to jump or combust with joy, but the minimal reaction was… worrisome? Stressful?

Timidly, Noah asked, "Do you like it?"

"I love it." Will beamed. "Thank you."

The knots in his gut and tightness in his chest eased.

"That's a relief," he exhaled with a small, lopsided smile. "I was worried."

"Noah, if you got me a rock, I'd cherish it just the same." Will's smile was quickly replaced with a mildly panicked look. "Uh, that not that I'm trying to compared a rock to a fucking pearl necklace."

Noah chuckled and placed his hands on Will's shoulders, giving them a reassuring and affectionate squeeze.

"Good to know. Maybe we can go look for rocks down at the lake after the wedding."

"You're joking, but I'd be so down."

They stared at one another, reflections wearing soft, fond smiles.

"Can I put it on?" Noah gestured to the necklace.

Will nodded, holding the box as Noah carefully plucked the precious strand of gemstones from it. Shaky fingers unfastened the clasp. He felt Will's intense, burning gaze through the mirror, but he refused to look at him, not yet. Not when it was against his neck, not when Will chuckled at his frustrated breath trying to secure it. Only when Noah fastened it did he look—but not right away. He lingered on the eye tattoo on the back of his neck, letting his touch softly trace along the edge of the necklace.

When he did finally look, he noticed the pearls sat a little lower than he wanted, instead hoping for them to settle just below his neck—but found it insignificant.

Like a silk ribbon, the pearls tied everything together. As if they would break, Will softly touched, glassy eyes flitting over his reflection. Noah watched, seeing emotional overwhelm slowly wash over him. He slid his hand forward, delicately caressing his throat and oh so gently guided Will to lean against him. Noah tipped his head back with his index finger. Bright, sparkling eyes filled with so much love, admiration, happiness, gazed up, saturating him in the same blissful awe.

"I can't wait to marry you." Noah said softly, then dipped down to kiss him just as softly, but twice as indulgent.

Will placed his hand on top of his and Noah squeezed—just enough to feel his pulse against his palm and finger tips, just enough to feel his breath catch. It took every ounce of self control he possessed to not sink into Will, to stay present and not get irresponsibly lost in the moment —tender, sensual glide of lips begging for more with teasing tongue tip licks, promise and passion filled, kindling for a slow burning fire ready to engulf them.

Too caught up, neither Will nor Noah paid any mind to the knocking.

"Alright, lovebirds!" Adam's voice sounded through the door. "Pants up!"

The tiny, barely audible, protesting whine Will let out was almost enough for Noah to make them late for their own wedding. Almost. He lingered, leisurely, until Adam knocked again.

Reluctantly and with a sigh, Noah broke the kiss, pressing his forehead to Will's. Will grabbed his hand and laced their fingers, then kissed across their knuckles. His thumb idly stroked along his pinky, prompting him to mimic. He stood up straight but Will continued to lean against him. Cheeks flushed, he smiled.

"I'll see you soon, husband?"

Noah couldn't help his matching grin.

"Yes you will, husband."

It was difficult for Noah to focus on anything the officiant was saying with Will standing right in front of him, bright, sparkling eyes glassy and joy plastered on his face. Bird song, the soft melody of wind chimes catching in the gentle breeze, and the growing restlessness of a toddler and baby all faded into background noise. All he could think about was Will and how badly he wanted to kiss him… and how good he looked in his tux, how beautifully the pearls tied together the look, and how he couldn't wait to give him another later after everyone left—

"Noah?" Will squeezed his hands.

He raised his brows and squeezed back. "Hm?"

"Vows?"

Will titled his head just a bit, tone and smile teasing as he waited for it to click. Noah blinked once, twice, three times before —

"Oh! Right!"

He was meant to go first. Noah let go of Will's hands to search his inner suit pocket, only to remember he forgot his at home, and didn't tell Will. The page was still neatly folded in the notebook on his desk.

Shit. How hard could it be to come up with profound declarations of everlasting love on the spot, especially in front of friends?

"Um…" Noah cleared his throat. "This is embarrassing. I'm usually so much more prepared, but… I forgot my vows at home. So, I guess, we find out together what I'm saying.

"The proposal didn't go how I pictured either, so I suppose it's fitting this doesn't as well." He felt his cheeks heat from the memory.

Polite chuckling sounded from the attendees—and Will. Noah reached for Will's hands, and he fixed him with a calm, reassuring smile. Instinctively, Noah's thumb sought Will's ring, only to once more find bare skin. He glanced down at their hands, Will's gaze following.

"I can't wait to feel your wedding ring there. Your finger is so bare and I hate it."

For a moment, Noah just stared at their hands, mind racing with a million and one sweet words, but they wouldn't slow enough for him to pluck a few. Each time one was within grasp, it was gone just as quick, replaced by an even better one. An endless loop that dared and taunted to manifest in a spiral. He could sense it trying to swallow him; admittedly, it would be easy to let it make himself even more a fool—but Will, being in tune and tapped into Noah more than himself, squeezed his hands, and that seemed to be enough.

"It wasn't this cabin when I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. It was at the first, watching you bundled up in my clothes on the deck, having your coffee and just enjoying the moment. That sunrise wasn't near as stunning as you. You looked so… at peace and content, like you had found a little slice of heaven.

"I don't know how long I stood there—Dusty in my arms, Bobbi rubbing against my leg—just admiring you, wondering how I got so incredibly blessed and lucky to have you. I got so overcome with love that I was ready to come running to you and disturb your quiet morning. I was gonna spill my heart out, laying everything bare and hope you felt the same—but then, you gave that big, happy smile and I lost my nerve. You are the best and worst distraction.

"Will, you are the better half of me. You are the spontaneity, the fun and brightness in my life that I needed, the… sun and it's shine after spending far too long in a dark, gloomy room.

"I don't think I've done a fantastic job at expressing how much I love you, but I also don't think there's enough words or time in the world to explain how grateful and eternally happy I am to be with you and have you, but to also allow me the privilege and honor of marrying you. I could spend a lifetime trying to show you, and I will, for as long as you want me."

"In this life and the next and the next. I would happily chose you over and over again."

"You have no idea how badly I wanna kiss you right now." Will breathed, amused, earning a light hearted chuckle from Noah and their guests.

"Believe me, I do." Noah smiled.

The dampness and fondness present in Noah's eyes was a reflection of his own, Will was certain. Noah so rarely wore his emotions so vividly, so brightly. Will wanted nothing more than to stop time and bask in the unfiltered joy. Photos could capture the image, but it couldn't replicate the feeling.

"Before I start reading mine, I want you to know I'm never letting you live down forgetting your vows—but I do like knowing that I'm the only one who gets to hear the original.

"When we first kissed, I knew it was over for me. I realized I didn't want anyone else. You were my end game, the forever I wanted. Either this would work out, or I would be leaving heartbroken and chasing relationship after relationship desperately hoping I could find someone else that loved me that way you already did.

"I was so fucking terrified when I got back home. I worried we would drift, or that you would lose interest, but here we are—closer, and more in love with each other than ever before, getting fucking married.

"You're the perfect balance to my chaos, the stability I needed that I lacked for far too long. I couldn't have asked for a better parent to Dusty and Bobbi. I couldn't have asked for a better man to fall in love with, to love me, and to not only be by husband, but my best friend a well. Sorry, Adam.

"You, Noah, are the soulmate I never knew existed, and I am so thankful I get to love you forever."

Noah blinked rapidly to ward off tears, but failed. A breathless little fuck fell from his lips and he let go of Will's hands to scrub away his tears. He knew he would cry, but it didn't stop the embarrassment from heating his face and the tips of his ears.

Warm, gentle hands grabbed his and pulled them away. Will smiled lovingly at him, his eyes and face equally wet. He cupped Noah's face and swiped his thumbs across his cheeks before pulling him in and leaving a soft lingering kiss on his forehead.

"Sorry." Noah scoffed lightly.

Hands still on his face, Will pressed their foreheads together and Noah latched onto his wrists.

"You have nothing to apologize for."

Another kiss to the forehead, then Will took hold of Noah's hands again, threading their fingers together with a tight, affectionate squeeze.

"Are we ready for rings?" The officiant asked.

Noah and Will looked at them and nodded. All three of them directed their attention to the ring bearer—little baby Sage who wasn't so little anymore. A shy little smile crept on their face as Noah and Will tried their best to encourage them bring the rings. Sage attempted to hide in Nic's lap despite them holding their baby sister, Luna. And Nic, as patient as a parent she was, could not get them to listen. It took Jolly getting out of his seat and—gently—prying Sage off their father, and a brief talking to before they were ready.

Sage said nothing, just silently walked to Noah and Will with a bashful smile still on their face. They held the ring box so still. Will crouched down, Noah following suit, and held out his hand for a high five, making sure to tell Sage what a good job they did. Noah chuckled fondly at their enthusiastic high five. Sage hugged Will tightly, then Noah just as well. He also thanked Sage before they scurried off back to their parents, and climbed in Jolly's lap.

The ring felt both weightless and heavy in Noah's hand; the easiest yet most profound commitment and promise, all crafted into something relatively small; to be worn until he took his very last breath. If there was an afterlife, he hoped he'd have it there too.

Will offered his hand first. There was a tremble in his fingers as Noah delicately slipped the ring to it's rightful place. Finally his hand looked complete again—and he couldn't resist the urge to kiss across Will's knuckles, and his ring.

"The first of many," Noah said with a smile.

For as nervous as Noah had been all day, his hand shook far less than Will's when it came time for his ring. Noah had to help Will steady his hand to slide it on.

"Performance anxiety." Will joked.

"That's unlike you." Noah fired back.

Will laughed, light and airy. The sound paired beautifully with the flush of pink on his cheeks.

The officiant started the last of their speech, but neither of them paid much attention. They were both eagerly awaiting the moment they would finally be able to kiss.

"By the power vested in me," the officiant began, "I now pronounce you—"

Noah eagerly and clumsily crashed his lips into Will's, not bothering to let them finish. The rest of their words faded out, as did the clapping and cheering. All that mattered to him was the surprised noise Will made and the curving of his lips against his own, and the hand at the base of his skull pressing, urging him even closer. All that mattered, the only thing that ever mattered, was Will. Their last kiss as fiance's, and their first of many as husband and husband.

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