Thirty minutes till midnight, which would send everyone in the time zone into the new year. Although Francis and Arthur's respective countries are celebrating already, they are in preparation for their new year.
After much begging for the nearby church, the priest gave in on one condition. That was that they did what anybody did on their wedding day. They don't see each other for a bit. The priest thought they were drunken fools from the smell emanating from Francis. The priest, who had been used to moments like this, did not bat an eye when what seemed like a normal, excited gay couple came in, asking for help.
Arthur was in the room to the left of the main chapel, while Francis was to the right. Despite being complete opposites, for some reason, they were both thinking the same thing at this moment. "What the hell are we doing?" Despite this moment of consciousness, they both somehow pulled themselves together.
Getting married in secret wasn't something anyone wanted to do, but for them, it felt right; it felt like the only option they had.
"You both may come out," the priest called. He had an awkward smile on his face. When the two stepped out, you could tell they were mad with jitters as they began looking around. Arthur had tried fixing his hair a bit, but to his dismay, it always ended up the same. Although looking nicer, Francis tried to sober up more than he had been a while ago. He was more concerned about the smell of alcohol on him. He had wished he didn't drink before any of this; then again, how was he supposed to know this would happen?
"Quite stuffy in here..."
"Yeah, or maybe it is just me?"
"The two of you Europeans?"
"YES!" They spoke in unison.
"That makes a lot of sense...alright, just stand in front of each other," the priest spoke. Arthur kept thinking about how he wished he wore a nicer cologne. Francis was curious if he would be sent to double hell for getting married outside a catholic church to a probably atheist man.
"Welcome, family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of uhhh..." The priest looked to Arthur first.
"Arthur..."
Then to Francis.
"Francis..."
"Arthur and Francis. This is not the beginning of a new relationship but an acknowledgement of the next chapter in their lives together. Arthur and Francis have spent years getting to know each other, and we now bear witness to what their relationship has become. Today, they will affirm this bond formally and publicly. somewhat..." The priest laughed, looking around the empty church.
"Arthur and Francis will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between themselves but also by celebrating the love between all of us—including the love of their parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyous."
"Yikes..." was all Francis and Arthur could think.
"So, I am assuming you might not have vows ready. Would the two of you like to take this moment to say something?" The priest spoke. The two nations looked at each other, shocked, not realizing this was one of the more important parts.
"I WILL GO FIRST!" Arthur spoke.
"EHHHH? NO, I WILL!"
"SHUT UP! I WILL!"
"NO! ME FIRST!"
"No need to fight...one at a time," the priest laughed.
"I will go first!" Arthur spoke. He rolled his eyes at Francis, but it only caused Francis to feel immense joy. "This is my first time doing this, so bear with me. You see, I always had my own thoughts on marriage. I used to think it was something people did for financial stability rather than love. Now, I get it. It isn't about any of those things that you could get out of someone. It is about connecting with the person on a level that shows everyone. I know our circumstance is different, and we...may never tell anyone, who knows...but I promise you that if we do or don't, I will ensure that you are the happiest person in the world. I promise to care for you, in sickness and health...not because I have to...but because I love you. I know I have so much attitude and sarcasm, but please bear with me. I only do it because I know it will make you laugh, and hearing you laugh...well...making you laugh is probably the best thing I can do in a day. I will cherish you till the end of time if you let me. This may seem sudden...but it's been years in the making. It was best for us to elope, and I don't think I am scared anymore..."
Arthur paused, squeezing Francis' hands. Arthur tried to keep a straight, calm face as he looked at Francis, close to hurting into tears.
"Arthur, this is a good day, is it not? A perfect day, but there will be better days ahead. We've been blessed and cursed, as you'd put it. However, I don't see it all that bad. I was able to grow beside you, absolutely despise you...hell, I got a few stabs in too!"
The priest tilted his head, confused at the stabbing remark. However, Arthur looked touched.
"I love fighting with you and making your life a living hell! Be prepared to want to kill yourself!" Francis laughed, making Arthur chuckle.
The priest did not.
"Anyway! My point is...marriage is a sacred thing. They say that a marriage unity is shared between a man, woman, and god...well, screw god! We are already going to hell for loving each other, so I will continue to damn myself!"
At this point, the priest thought all this was a weird joke, but they gave him twenty dollars to do it, so how could he refuse?
"Francis...."
"Yes, I know! I am ranting! But I feel that way. Arthur, I love you! No amount of words will be able to describe it. Either I have run out of words from the ones I have spoken, or the English language is not very fluent in words, hehehe. I am making jokes because, frankly...I can't live without you. I refuse to live without you. I no longer need to wish you to be well or to admit that I have affection for you. All of it is plain to see that you have me wrapped around your finger...and I don't want to escape. So... Arthur...please take me as I am, and I will take you as you are—a kind-hearted, maniacal schemer who has managed to wedge his way into my heart."
"Perfect..Do you, Arthur, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"...Do you, Francis, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
"Oui! Absolutely!"
"I was made aware that you didn't bring rings. Worry not, this happens so often that we keep regular ones on hand...but please...get each other actual rings," the Priest lectured. It caused the two of them to turn red. They weren't prepared for any of this.
"A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, representing your union. It is a symbol of infinity and of your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other. Arthur, place the ring on Francis's finger and repeat after me..." The priest handed them the toy-like rings, but they didn't care. In fact, both of them planned to keep these rings till they had worn out into dust.
"Francis, I give you this ring to symbolise my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."
"Francis, I give you this ring to symbolise my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever," Arthur repeated.
"And now...Francis, place the ring on Arthur's finger and repeat after me: Arthur, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."
"Arthur, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever," Francis repeated.
The two continued to hold each other's hands, staring at each other with deep adoration. Nothing could break this moment they will remember for the rest of their lives. "You have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me by the great State of Nevada, I now pronounce you married! YOU MAY KISS!"
And so they did.
And as if the heavens congratulated them, the fireworks went off as they shared their first kiss and joined into the new year. They held each other close as if scared they would be ripped apart. However, this time that wouldn't happen.
The fireworks that popped were a reminder that even on dark days, there will always be light that will guide you to where you were meant to be. Even if it remains secret now, one day, they will have the courage to scream it to the rooftops for everyone to hear.
Although their boys are a few locks down, enjoying the new year with close friends, wondering where their father figures have run off to, they knew it was something good. Matthew and Alfred could only hold each other, believing it was the case.
Their long, endless life had been absolutely cruel to them but somehow kind. They will never know how to really unpack this aspect now, but maybe in another hundred years. For now, they were finally happy in the world that created them.