Chapter Text
They’d slept in different tents the night before today. It was the 28th of January, and for whatever reason, on the 26th, Clancy had decided he’d had enough of being engaged, declaring their wedding to be a couple of days later.
Torch was obviously used to his lover being so… dramatic. And certain on decisions he made within 5 minutes. And that was a part of Clancy he had found so, so annoying at first, but it had slowly become endearing to him.
Having grown up in Dema, and then Trench for their teenage years, neither of them knew how a proper marriage would happen, only really knowing what they had seen on the restricted TV channels they were shown in Dema, and the vague memories Clancy had of his parents getting married when he was five, before they were taken to be part of the Glorious Gone. So, with some materials and rings stolen from Dema, he planned to do the best he could.
It didn’t have to be anything big. In fact, he’d rather it was something just between them, small and special. They had decided to sleep apart that night, just to build up the suspense for seeing each other the next day, when they finally decided to declare undying love. Or whatever, as Clancy had put it.
Torch had woken up early that morning, deciding to get ready to meet his lover by the stream they first encountered each other in. Clancy had left him an outfit to wear for the occasion, no doubt something taken from the shops of Dema. It was a long, dark green trench coat, yellow tape stuck on in a style that resembled how his usual clothes were. There were small yellow daisies and marigolds sewn onto the sleeves, though, and the words “Sahlø Følina” written in the vines that surrounded the flowers. He loved that Clancy had put so much effort into making that, even though he had the attention span of a toddler at the best of times.
Torch pulled the soft fabric over his arms. The coat fit perfectly. Of course it did. Clancy was obsessed with all the minor details he could think of, and that would never change. Torch smiled, that was always a trait about Clancy that he found endearing, the fact he would go on for hours about any details possible, how he would make intricate patterns in the stars when they would watch the night sky together.
Eventually, the sun climbed higher into the sky, casting shadows on the ground where they’ll eventually lay forever, but also brightening the areas not covered in shadows by the trees and cliffs. Clancy was already waiting by the stream, a bundle of marigolds wound together by a plaited string in his hand, as he kicked random pebbles into the stream. He had clearly woken up early to get here, his hair was neater than usual, he wore the jacket he had worn when they first met, the original tape still stuck over his shoulders and sleeves. He had yellow tape over the top of his index finger and ring finger on his left hand.
He looked up when he heard Torch’s footsteps behind him, a warm smile appearing on his face, making everything seem a bit brighter. Torch smiled, blushing, definitely not thinking about how cute his lover was.
A few seconds later, Torch was opposite Clancy, and he took the other’s hands in his, rough skin cradling soft yet scarred. Clancy’s pulse was incredibly fast, and judging by this and his inability to stop his leg shaking, he was excited. Clancy looked up, his chocolate eyes meeting mocha. His smile still present, warm as ever. He took in the yellow petals in Torch’s hair, almost squealing from how cute he found it. He leaned in to kiss him, only stopped by Torch’s finger, holding him back.
“Not yet, Clance, you have to wait until you’ve said your vows and stuff,” he whispered in between giggles.
Clancy laughed softly, rolling his eyes.
“Fine. I’ve loved you since the day I met you. Actually no, that’s a lie. I found you weird, but then had to curse myself because I slowly started liking you,” He paused, Torch giggling softly, but still listening intently, “The morning by the campfire,” he continued, “The one when I asked you out? Best morning of my life. Until this one. The day we kissed, that evening in the summer will always be engraved into my memories. I’ll be by your side forever. I promise. I love you, and would be honoured to be your husband, forever.” He finished, looking straight into Torch’s eyes.
Torch was blushing, taken aback by the declaration. “I… I hated you at first, you were young-“
“I’m literally only six months younger than you!”
Torch laughed, continuing, “Loud, and annoying. You refused to leave my side, always talking to me, like… constantly. Then that night you comforted me, then brought me flowers in the morning? That… was the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me. You somehow became my partner, and I love you. I…”
He paused, and Clancy could immediately tell he was kind of unsure about speaking this much, since he was usually mute.
“I just… really… like…” he tried to continue, being cut off by the other, pulling him in by the back of the head and kissing him, closing his eyes and holding him like that for a minute.
Clancy broke off first, breathing heavily.
“Shut up, husband. We’re married now, and I decided that.” He says against Torch’s lips, pulling him back in again instantly, one hand behind the other’s head, the other resting on his chest.
Torch pulled him back for a moment, slightly out of breath.
“Love… as much as I’d like to keep kissing you.. don’t you… yknow…” he gestured, “rings?”
Clancy laughed, slightly embarrassed, fumbling with his pocket before pulling out two beautiful rings, both blue metal engraved with flowers and vines, one with yellow flowers, the other with red. Clancy took Torch’s hand, sliding the red one over his ring finger with his left hand, placing the other ring into his palm, then holding out that hand for Torch to repeat the action.
The cold metal made contact with his skin, fitting well around his finger, tight enough to stay on but not too tight it wouldn’t come off. He pushed the flowers he had collected into Torch’s chest, looking away out of embarrassment.
Torch laughed, taking them into his hands, finding his boyfriend’s, no, husband’s nervousness adorable.
“Clance… we’re not teenagers anymore… and yet you’re still so shy…”
“Shut up”
“I love you too, husband”
Clancy squeaked at being referred to as husband, immediately hugging his partner again, holding him tight. Torch hugged him back, smiling fondly, before pushing Clancy off him by the shoulders.
“I love you so frikin much… it’s like… causing me problems,” Clancy laughed quietly.
Torch smiled at that, picking out a flower from the bouquet, sliding it into his husband’s hair.
“Hey, Clance, don’t newly married people like… have a holiday or something?”
Clancy laughed again, smiling, “Yeah. In Dema they’d usually visit another district for a week or something. But like, we can’t do that. Unless you wanna go get executed by the bishops?” He laughed, only to be met by a slight scowl from Torch.
“Don’t joke about that please, love”
“Oh… yeah. I’m sorry.” He pulled him into a hug again.
“Y’know… we could steal a tent, go stay on one of the cliffs for a few days? Accidentally have a kid?”
Torch laughed at that, surprised by the joke his lover made.
“I’m not opposed to the first idea, but maybe we should wait a few years until we have a kid. If ya know. You ever wanted to. I don’t know. I don’t rea-“
He was cut off by yet another kiss from his lover.
“Love, please, please, please stop rambling. It’s very cute. And we can talk about kids and stuff more when we’re off somewhere in Trench.”