A/N
My dear friends. I feel inspired to give this story a proper ending, just in case there's anyone out there waiting for it.
Buckle up, this is a long one haha.
This will have a bit of a time jump, with these characters being in their late twenties now.
***
Mitch had waited years, literal years for this day.
After the engagement, he and Scott had taken some time to save up for a beautiful wedding.
It didn't take very long, now that they were living on their own. After Alex and Avi had broken up and moved away, Kirstie left the house quickly after.
Alex and Mitch stayed in touch for as long as they could, but they haven't physically hung out in quite some time.
Avi visited often, however. He still felt responsible to keep an eye on Scott.
Kirstie was pretty much in the wind. She continued to make questionable choices with the men she dated, and eventually she and Mitch had a falling out about it. Mitch had refused to stand by while she continued to hurt herself.
Due to this, Mitch hadn't seen Kirstie in years.
Scott had practically begged Mitch for a small wedding, since he didn't have many family members or friends to invite.
Mitch had mostly agreed because he was heartbroken about the distance between him and his friends.
This meant that he and Scott had gotten married in private. They only invited a small group to the ceremony afterwards, and Mitch was surprised at how much he enjoyed it.
They had booked a ballroom that was connected to a hotel, so that their guests that flew or drove into town would have an easy time finding a place to stay.
It was much more intimate this way, and Mitch enjoyed that he had more time to spend with everyone.
The guests were already seated at their tables when Scott and Mitch walked into the hotel ballroom in their tuxes.
The room was full of cheering as they entered, including the staff who were rushing around setting up the buffet line of food.
Scott was smiling more today than practically any other day in his life. He found Avi seated at the front table, beside the seats that were decorated for the grooms.
Mitch kissed Scott's cheek, before separating from him to go say hello to his parents.
Scott immediately went to sit beside Avi. "I'm all grown up now, huh?"
Avi just grinned at him. "Who would've thought? The badass Scott I used to know is all settled down and domestic."
Scott couldn't wipe the smile from his face. He watched as the waitstaff began passing out glasses of champagne to the guests.
Avi turned to face him, and spoke softly. "Don't let me ruin your day, I just wanted to ask really quick... Did you invite your folks?"
"Nah." Scott took the champagne he was handed, and set it down in front of him. "Today is about Mitch and I. I didn't want my ridiculous family to ruin it somehow."
"I understand." Avi took the glass he was handed, and passed it over to set it down in front of Scott's plate.
Scott watched as a few more guests walked into the room to find their seats. As he followed them with his eyes, he noticed some of Mitch's cousins sit down at the same table as Alex. His eyes stayed there a moment longer. "So... Have you two spoken at all?"
Avi followed his eyes, picking up his other glass to have a sip of water. "God, no. It's probably been three years since... Anything."
"Hm." Scott glanced at him. "I hope it's okay that he's here."
"Oh, of course. I'm sort of over the heartbreak. Although, I was sort of hoping he'd come by himself so I could jump his bones a little." Avi said, although he did let his eyes stay on Alex for a moment longer.
Alex was sat beside a beautiful woman, somebody that Avi didn't recognize. But he refused to let it bother him. He and Mitch had a whole conversation about it, because Mitch had specifically requested that Alex didn't sit at the front table with them, to keep him and Avi separate.
Mitch knew that in the last few years, Avi was really the only friend that continued to show up.
Scott responded to that. "You wanted to get back together?"
"I don't know if..." Avi paused. "I mean, I got sober for him. But I was hopeful that even if we didn't get together again, that I'd get to give him a good time. Just one more time."
Mitch walked over then, excited to see Avi. "Hi!" He leaned across the table to give Avi a small hug. "How are you?"
Avi hugged back briefly. "I'm alright, Mitchie. Congratulations."
"Thanks!" Mitch pulled away to meet his eyes with a grin. "I totally scored, didn't I? My husband is like, the whole package."
"No kidding." Avi mumbled with a smirk.
Scott reached over to punch Avi's shoulder. "You had your shot, dude. Now I'm off the market."
Mitch just giggled, glancing over as the door to the ballroom opened again. He watched his wedding planner walk in, and wave him over.
Mitch nodded once. "Be right back, guys."
"Oh wait." Scott stood up all of a sudden, trying to gently tap a butter knife against the side of his champagne class to get everyone's attention. He was actually shocked when the chatter of the room died down, and people turned to look. He glanced down at his knife. "Can't believe that worked."
Mitch giggled, and reached down to pick up a glass as well.
Scott looked out at the guests, feeling a little pressured to speak in front of everyone. "Hi, friends and family. I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you all for coming to our special day. I never thought I'd be given the opportunity to find happiness, but... Here we are. And I wouldn't trade any of it, for literally anything."
Avi smiled again, and once again picked up his glass of water.
Scott wanted to wrap it up as fast as he could. "We'll be dismissing tables soon, to take turns getting plates for the buffet. Thank you again for being here, and for celebrating our happily ever after. If you'll all raise your glasses with me." He paused. "And cheers!"
Mitch instantly tapped his glass against Scott's, before turning to Avi and doing the same.
Scott sat down quickly, and exhaled. Thank God it was over.
Mitch bent to kiss Scott's forehead, before he set his glass back down, and walked away to see what the wedding planner might need.
After a few minutes of Scott calming down, he stood from his seat and looked at Avi. "I'm gonna go say hi to Mitch's parents. Will you be okay?"
Avi nodded. "Do your thing, bud. This is your day."
***
Once everyone was sitting back down with plates full of food, Mitch finally found his way back to the big table in the front of the room.
Alex walked up to him, and set a plate of food down in front of him. "Here you go, honey. I know you're running around, but find some time to eat, okay?"
"Thanks, Al." Mitch responded softly. "Hey, you never introduced me to your date."
"Oh sorry." Alex glanced behind himself to look at the woman that he brought with him. "She's not really my date, just a friend."
Avi couldn't help himself. He'd been watching this lady all night as she leaned all over Alex, practically hanging off of him like a decoration. "Does she know that?"
Not that he cared, right? Obviously he didn't care.
Alex looked at him for the first time. He almost felt afraid to answer, not wanting to stir up any of their old arguments.
Mitch just giggled, trying to keep the topic lighthearted. "Yeah seriously. She's been hitting on you all night."
"God, I hope not." Alex mumbled. "She's my assistant."
"Your assistant?" Mitch asked. "You have an assistant? Since when?"
"Since the promotion." Alex responded. Now he felt a little embarrassed. He'd only invited her, because he didn't want Avi to see him and think that he hasn't moved on from their old relationship.
"Oh, that's right." Mitch finally picked up his fork to begin to eat. "I forgot, sorry. But that's awesome! She seems nice."
Alex felt too uncomfortable, so he tried to get out of it. "But anyway. Enjoy the food, hon. Let me know if I can do anything else to help." He turned to go, but did a double take at the glass in front of Avi. "Water?"
Avi followed his gaze. "Oh." He'd honestly been hoping that Alex would notice. "Yeah, um... It's been two years."
Alex nodded slowly, and a small smile began to form. "Good for you." He didn't want to hover on the subject, so he began to walk away from the table.
As he turned to go, Avi couldn't help but stare at him. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Mitch swallowed a little bit of his salad, as he glanced to Avi. "You okay? I know that must be... Difficult."
"It's okay, not a big deal. I'd do anything for you and Scott, even if it means being civil with him."
Scott walked up quickly, seeming urgent. He sat down beside Mitch, and spoke hurriedly. "Hey, so, don't freak out."
Mitch looked at him, and was able to see the door to the ballroom open again. He froze, as Kirstie came through the door.
Avi was full on staring, not caring at all how he must look. "No fuckin' way."
Mitch spoke quickly. "I sent the invite to her parents' house, I didn't think... I mean, I didn't know if she'd actually show up."
Avi stood up slowly, but kept his voice low. "Do you want me to tell her to leave?"
"No, no." Mitch was staring at her too. "She's still important to me. I'm glad she's here."
Kirstie didn't waste any time, as she set her gift down on the designated gift table.
Alex met her there, with a soft smile. "Long time no see."
Kirstie's face lit up, and she grabbed him in a hug. "God, I've missed you. How have you been?"
"I'm doing alright."
Kirstie's hands lingered on his arms, as she smiled up at him. "You're still so fit. How did those sports scholarships work out?"
"Oh." Alex pulled his arms away to cross them over his chest. "I actually got hurt in my final year, and so... It didn't really work out."
"Oh shoot... Well I'm sorry. I know you worked very hard."
"Yeah well." Alex shrugged. "No big deal. I've got a good job now, and that's all that matters. I'm happy. But what about you? How is everything?"
Kirstie just shrugged, but looked away. "It's okay. I'm just trying to get back on my feet."
***
Avi watched as Mitch shoved some cake into Scott's face with a huge smile.
Avi was just glad to see them so happy. They deserved it, and more.
He slipped out of the room briefly, to find the bathroom.
He took care of his business, before walking in front of the mirror to check his hair. He'd slicked it back into a ponytail, wanting to look as polished as possible today for Scott's big day.
The door to the bathroom opened again, and in came Alex, who froze when he saw Avi.
Avi only glanced at him, and continued what he was doing. He didn't want Alex to think it was a big deal. Avi didn't care, right?
Alex spoke softly. "Sorry, I can come back..."
"No, no. I'm good if you're good."
Alex just nodded, and walked to the furthest urinal.
Avi turned the sink water on, to wet his hands and run them through his hair to fix it.
Alex finished up, and walked up to a different sink to wash his hands.
Avi stole a glance in that direction. He wasn't going to say anything, but suddenly he turned his sink off and full on stared at Alex's face. "What the fuck happened to you?"
"Avi, please... I know we ended with a fight, but I really don't want to hash it all out again."
"No, idiot." Avi walked up to him, staring at his cheek that was a bright pink color. "What happened to your face?"
"Oh." Alex stared at his own reflection. "Christina got a little upset with me."
"You got bitch slapped by some chick?" Avi scoffed. "That's hilarious."
Alex nodded slowly, but refused to look at him. "Yes, I'm sure you think I deserve it."
"No, of course not." Avi sighed loudly. "I'm just picking on you. Sorry. What happened?"
Alex shrugged. "I just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't interested."
That was good enough of an answer for Avi, as he began to walk toward the door. He didn't want to get invested again. "Alright. Glad you're okay."
Alex turned to face him. He had one more thing he wanted to say. "Hey, um... I'm proud of you. I know it wasn't easy to get sober."
Avi stopped walking, with his back to Alex. "Thanks, I... I mean, I won't lie." He spoke softly, his voice just above a whisper. "I did it for you."
Alex was stunned, and he didn't respond. It hurt a little too much to think about what they might've been.
Avi turned suddenly. "I hope this isn't too forward, but I'd hate myself if I didn't ask. Is there any chance I can take you up to my room and give you a good night? Just one more time?"
Alex continued to be stunned. This was a lot of information to take in at once. He'd also gotten slapped in the face tonight, so it had been pretty crazy. "I don't know."
"I'm not expecting anything afterward, y'know. But I think it would be like... Closure." Avi couldn't help but look at the floor. "I've missed you so fuckin' much."
Alex spoke up, wanting to be honest. "I just don't think I can."
Avi pursed his lips. "I get it."
"No, I don't think you do." Alex stepped forward bravely, and reached out for one of Avi's hands. "I can't do it. Because I'm afraid I'll fall in love again."
Avi stared down at their hands. "Shut the fuck up. You don't have to make up an excuse."
"I'm not." Alex reached out with his other hand to tip Avi's chin up, so he could look into Avi's eyes. "Seeing you tonight reminded me of everything that I felt for you. Everything that I still feel for you. I'd give nothing more than to get my hands on you, but I'm afraid that if I do that, I won't be able to let you go."
Avi reached up to quickly push Alex's hands away from him. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Alex backed up slowly. He was afraid of that; Rejection.
Avi didn't stop. "You're joking, right? After everything that you said, after that final argument..."
Alex nodded. "No, I know. I never said I didn't love you. I just couldn't stand by and watch you drink yourself to death. You're the one that chose liquor over me."
Avi glared into his eyes. "I just told you that I'm sober. Are you going to give me a chance?"
Alex's eyes flashed down from Avi's eyes to his lips. "I'm thinking about it."
***
Avi stepped back into the ballroom to find Scott.
Scott was standing beside the dance floor with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He just stared, as Mitch and Kirstie danced, having a very mellow conversation.
Avi showed up beside him. "Scott, don't be pissed at me, but I'm gonna have to bail on the party."
"No big deal, it's almost over anyway." Scott muttered. He was pretty tired anyhow, with the event dying down. "Where you going? I bought a room for you, y'know."
"I know. That's where I'm going actually."
"Oh." Scott suddenly noticed Alex standing by the exit, his suit jacket missing, and a few buttons undone. "Oh."
Avi followed his eyes to see what he was looking at. "You believe in second chances, right?"
"I do, I just." Scott sighed softly. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I know." Avi stared at Alex for a second longer. "I'm just gonna take him upstairs to have a good time, and then... Whatever happens after that, I'll figure it out."
"You think that's a good idea?"
"I know you think I'm just trying to get laid, but I'm being honest. I just need some closure. And... I still love him, Scott. And there's a chance that he loves me too."
Scott finally gave in. He'd never seen Avi as happy as he was when he and Alex were together. So if there was a chance that Avi could be happy again, he wanted him to chase it. "What are you waiting for, then?"
Avi paused for a second to smile, before he walked away to show Alex to his bedroom.
Mitch watched him go, and said something to Kirstie, before walking away to grab Scott's attention.
Mitch pointed toward where Avi had gone, once he was in earshot of Scott. "What was that about?"
Scott just smiled down at him. "Hopefully true love. Just don't worry about it, baby."
"Are you sure..? I'd hate to see Avi get his heart broken again."
"Just trust me, baby." Scott wrapped an arm around Mitch's back. "So I think it's my turn. Will you dance with me, princess?"
Mitch felt the world melt away, as he stared into Scott's eyes. "Lead the way, husband."
*****