This is it.
This is the day.
Connor had already pulled his dress clothes on by the time people began arriving to the cabin. Since he wasn't allowed to see Tasha until the actual wedding, Connor had been reviewing his vows, as well as all the memories he had with her in his memory.
He was counting down the seconds until he would be able to call Tasha his wife, and while the day was supposed to be filled with happiness, he found himself sad for one reason; Tasha would die one day, and he would lose her. The thought had crossed his mind their entire relationship, but as time grew near to the wedding, Connor found himself terrified at the idea of losing her. Then, he found himself even more terrified of the idea of Tasha losing him, and how she would live with that scenario. All calculations lead to her suicide, causing Connor even more panic. He didn't want to die. He never wanted to leave her... but what if something did happen, that was out of their control and he couldn't stop it? Connor knew he had to think of something, he had to put some sort of safety net in place so in the case of Tasha losing him, she would survive and live her life to the fullest.
Connor took a deep breath as he straightened his tie, walking towards the forest. He noticed Gavin leaning back against a tree, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. He made his way over to the man, earning a small, friendly-ish smile.
"Hello Gavin." Connor said, his voice even.
"Connor."
Silence fell for a moment between the two, neither enjoying the others company very much.
"I'm sure Tasha will be very glad you came." Connor's voice was laced with something more as he glanced at the man.
"That is why I showed up." Gavin replied, rolling his eyes as he took a long drag.
"I would like to talk to you, if you have a moment."
"You're already talking to me."
Connor sighed, "And yet people say I am the one terrible at small talk."
Silence again.
Connor calculated the conversation he wanted to speak of over and over again, and found the appropriate method of starting it. "Look, Gavin. I know you love Tasha very much."
Gavin was quiet for a moment, putting his cigarette out against the ground. This wasn't the first time they had this conversation, but the fact that Connor was bringing this up at his own wedding made Gavin slightly concerned.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter. Does it?" He replied, trying to front the typical nonchalant persona.
"It does. All I want is for Tasha to be happy."
"Well, congrats. You're marrying her. She's thrilled."
Connor sighed again, "What I am saying is that I appreciate you coming to the wedding. I'm sure it can't be easy for you to—"
"To what? Watch the woman I love marry an Android?" Gavin scoffed. "Newsflash, Connor — I've watched her fall in love with you. I've seen her kiss you. Hell, I've seen you two fuck for Christ sakes! I see the way she looks at you, every damn day since you showed up. So don't even try to say you know how I feel because you don't."
Connor frowned slightly, "That's fair. Tasha doesn't want to hurt you, you know — Tasha, I believe she wants to think you have a crush on her at best."
"A crush?" Gavin looked over at the Android with brows raised. "Seriously?"
"Tasha... is very good at ignoring what she doesn't want to see." Connor's LED flashed yellow for a moment. "I think deep down she knows it's more than that. And I think that deep down, she knows she has feelings for you as well."
Gavin looked away from him. "She doesn't have feelings for me."
"You're a good detective — I've known you've seen her pupils dilate when she's looked at you, and how she doesn't deny your... friendly advances."
"She's just a nice person." Gavin replied with a shrug. "Finding me attractive doesn't mean she has feelings for me."
"You are difficult to deal with, you know that?" Connor sighed. "Look — I just — I need you to promise that if anything happens to me, you'll be there for her."
Gavin glanced sideways at the Android, "What the hell does that mean?"
"If something happens to me, you'll make her happy. You'll give her a reason to keep going. You have to."
"Do you plan on checking out any time soon?"
"No, but I wanted to bring this up now just in case."
Gavin sighed, "You don't get it, do you? I've broken her heart."
"That was before."
"It doesn't matter. It still hurts her. I know it does."
"Gavin—"
"I was stupid. Maybe if I hadn't pushed her away —" He cut himself off, refusing to think of the possible life he could have had with her.
"Yes, you did break her heart — but Tasha is strong. She is the most loving and caring person — you know that. You two are opposites, but you work good together. You changed for her, because you wanted to be in her life and make her happy."
"Does it make you jealous?" Gavin asked, "When I flirt with her?"
"Sometimes." Connor admitted, "But when I see her laughing or smiling, it's hard to be anything but happy."
"I won't try anything, you know. Part of me wanted to object your marriage." Gavin said after a while of silence. "There's been so many times I've wanted to kiss her — but I know it'll just hurt her. And I don't want to do that again, Connor."
"I know you won't. It may not be my place to say, but it's alright for you to love her..."
"She just won't reciprocate it." Gavin sighed.
"Maybe not, but we both know seeing her happy is enough."
"Would it be enough for you?" Gavin looked at him once more. "If she left you, if she hated your guts, you'd still want what's best for her?"
"Of course." Connor answered immediately. "I've thought about it on more than one occasion. I — I'm not human. I can't give her things a human partner can. I can't give her children. I... She may be a hybrid, but she is still human, and given her genetic code is still majority human, it points to her aging as a human would... I will lose her one day. She will die. While I will not. It is a thought I try to ignore, but the reality is I know what the risks are of loving her, and I'm willing to do whatever I have to, to make her happy."
Gavin smiled slightly, "You really do love her, huh? I used to hate your guts, you know."
"Do you not still?"
Gavin shrugged. "Maybe. You're still a plastic prick, but you're not horrible."
Connor smiled, "I believe that's the closest thing to a compliment you've ever given me, Gavin."
"Don't get used to it, Connor."
They were silent for a moment. For once the silence between them wasn't awkward. It was just silence.
"You should go see her."
"What?"
Connor glanced over at Gavin. "You should go see Tasha before the wedding. I know you want to. I want to. I have no idea why humans believe in this bad luck seeing the bride before the wedding nonsense."
"Are you sure you're not saying that because you didn't get laid last night?"
"If you must know, we haven't had sexual intercourse in four days."
"You know, I didn't need to know that." Gavin wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"After a wedding, it is custom for the husband and wife to consummate their—"
"Alright, I'm not drunk enough for this conversation. This is getting way too weird. I'm gonna go see Tasha."
•••
"For fuck sales!"
Tasha cussed as she reached her arms back, trying to do her dress up. "Come on! Stupid mother fucking—"
*knock*
*knock*
*knock*
"Come in!"
Tasha tried reaching her fingers back again but no matter how hard she tried she wasn't getting the zipper up. Mother fucker. She was standing behind a curtain, sighing in frustration.
"You almost ready, princess? It's time for you to get married." Gavin said as he looked towards where he could see her shadow.
"Yeah, I just can't get this damn zipper up."
Gavin smiled, shaking his head. Of course she'd be the bride that can't do up her own wedding dress.
"Gavin, can you please help me?"
Gavin was quiet for a moment, causing Tasha to laugh. "Gav? Did you die?"
"N-no! Pssh, get your ass out here and I'll help."
"What a gentleman." She muttered sarcastically.
Tasha walked out from behind the divider, and Gavin couldn't help but stare at her.
Tasha was wearing the most beautiful wedding dress he had ever seen before— he hadn't seen many, maybe once or twice in his life, and seeing her in this dress made Gavin's palms sweat. It had lace detailing and sparkles — of course she'd get a dress with sparkles —
"How do I look?" Tasha asked self consciously as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"You — " Gavin cleared his throat, his face flushed as he looked away for a moment. "You look beautiful, Tash."
She grinned at him, "Thanks, Gav."
Gavin walked behind her, his hands shaking slightly as his fingers brushed her bare back. He slowly pulled the zipper up, smiling slightly.
"How's that, princess?"
"Perfect!" Tasha exhaled deeply, "Connor's lucky he doesn't have to memorize his vows. How is he today?"
"He's getting married to you. How do you think he's doing?"
"See, while you imply being with me is a good thing, I don't think that." Tasha joked lightly. "Did he ask you to check up on me?"
"Sort of." Gavin replied as he glanced over at her. She was fussing with her hair, her eyebrows narrowing when she became frustrated. "Agh! Stupid fucking piece of—"
"Here." Gavin sighed, grabbing the bobby pin from her hand. He gently pulled a strand of her curled hair back, pining the hair back along with the flower in her hair.
"Thanks." She muttered, taking a deep breath.
"Are you ready?" Gavin asked as he looked at her. He was surprised he didn't feel upset that she was getting married anymore — it was kind of hard to be when she looked so damn happy.
Tasha nodded. "Yeah, I am. I'm just nervous." She admitted as they stepped out of the house to the deck. In the distance they could see the crowd of people, talking and laughing as they waited for the wedding to begin.
"You have nothing to be worried about." Gavin said as he smiled at her.
"You look nice, by the way." Tasha said as she smiled at him. "I don't think I've ever seen you in a suit before."
"Thanks." He replied as he rested his hand against her shoulder. "I should probably go stand up there, hey?"
Tasha nodded, smiling up at him. "Yeah. Thank you... for coming. It means a lot to me."
Gavin smiled, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He leaned down, kissing her forehead gently. "You'll do great."
Tasha watched absentmindedly as Gavin walked away. She could hear the music start, indicating the wedding was beginning.
Let's do this.
A/N: AHHH IM BACK! Okay so, here is part one of the wedding!