miracle (miracle) wrote in luke_noah, @ 2009-02-15 20:02:00 |
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Title: Can you feel the love tonight?
Author: flytalian
Characters: Luke/Noah
Rating: G
Disclaimers: I own neither Luke, Noah, nor anything else related to ATWT.
Spoilers: None.
Genre: Hopefully, not AU for too long.
Summary: Even if they’re still young. Even if it’s just a dream. Even if stupid laws don’t make it possible yet.
Luke and Noah get married.
Notes: I’d be glad and very very grateful if you make me notice any mistake (I’m Italian) ^^ it always helps! And I'm kind of addicted to your opinions, so.. don't skimp on comments! :)
The ceremony script is a mixture of several priests’ speeches I found around the web. I tried to put together the best parts of them ;-)
The author is madly in love with feedback. Please don't break her heart ;-)
A/N: When they taught to write non-happy endings, I was in the bathroom.
This is very, very, very fluffy. And schmoopy. And romantic.
It will be a long thing: make yourself comfortable ;) Oh, and go and fetch some Kleenex. You may need them :-P
Ready?
Ok.
------------------------
The pews were full.
Luke peered inside and squirmed. Where the hell did all those people come from?
A small hand landed on his arm. “Breathe.”
Luke turned and found himself looking at Maddie’s sunny features. “Easier said than done.”
His voice went an octave higher. “Why didn’t we arrange something small and private?”
“Oh, for you would have been less nervous if there were less people. Stop talking shit.” She ordered. ”Besides, everyone loves you. They want to be here.”
“I don’t.” he stated.
Maddie fixed his tie and looked at him askance. “You don’t think that.”
“Yes, I do.” He whimpered. “I want this thing to be finished and these people to be gone.”
“You do? All of them?” smirked Maddie.
His lips curled up in a smile. “Silly.”
”Whiny.”
“Bossy.”
“Coward.”
Holden’s appearance in the doorway interrupted their banter.
“Are you ready?”
Luke lost his cool again and twitched. He rolled his eyes. “I’ll never be ready.”
Maddie elbowed him.
“Yes, he’s ready, Mr. Snyder.” She smiled at his friend, reassuringly, and hooked her arm on his. “Let’s go.”
***
Lily brushed some non-existent dust off Noah’s jacket. “How do you feel, honey?”
“Terrified.”
Lily smiled. “Then you’re sane.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Relax. It’s normal to feel scared.”
“Can’t I see him?” pleaded Noah, longing for Luke’s soothing presence. “Only for a second?”
“No, you can’t. That’s the tradition.” giggled Lily.
“We are not traditional.” He protested. “We are the furthest thing from traditional the world has ever known!”
“I know.” she assured. “But be patient, ok?”
“I’m in a funk.” He muttered.
He looked at himself in the mirror and tried to steady his own breath. “Am I ok?”
She stopped his shaking hands from crumpling the suit and caressed his cheek. “You’re gorgeous. He’ll love you. Which already does,” she winked “but still.”
Noah blushed and managed a smile.
Lily took him by the arm, gently. “It’s time. Let’s go.”
***
Loving faces looked at them from all over the garden, some of them smiling, others glaringly holding back tears.
Luke caught a glimpse of familiar visages among the seats. Aaron, Lucinda, Emma. The whole Snyder clan. And friends, a lot of friends. Casey winked from the second row, Alison – next to him – grinned broadly.
Luke scanned the pews, both nervous and happy to be the reason of all that cheerfulness. He swallowed and focused on Maddie’s hand, holding his fingers tight, and he felt himself quieting down a little.
Then he lifted his eyes, and his vision began to blur.
In front of him was Noah, more stunning than ever in a black suit and an azure shirt that matched his eyes. Maddie leaned in and spoke softly in his ear, smiling knowingly. “Breathe.”
He started walking, slowly, at a snail's pace, towards the spot where they were supposed to met and he mentally thanked her for being at his side and keeping him from stumbling, for he wasn’t able to look anywhere but into Noah’s eyes.
He bit his lips.
God.
He’s a god.
And he loves me.
***
For his part, Noah had somehow managed to calm himself. Lily was on his left. Holden was on his right. He was feeling loved like never before.
He wanted to thank Luke’s parents for escorting him across the minefield of his childish insecurities, but he was too concentrated on keeping calm to manage any rational sentence.
He was doing great. And then he lifted his eyes, and all the tranquillity went lost.
He nearly forgot to breathe while he took in the astounding figure of a dressed up Luke, walking towards him arm-in-arm with Maddie. Luke wore a dark-gray suit with a lighter shirt and, of course, a gun-metal tie: Noah thought that he didn’t wear shirts very often, but when he did he was literally an incitement to crime. He stayed there, taken aback by what he thought was the sexiest creature in the whole world.
Holden exchanged a slightly amused look with Lily and nudged him.
What..? Oh, yeah. He was supposed to walk.
***
The two guys met at the beginning of the aisle, Luke coming from the right side of the garden, Noah from the left.
They had agreed it would be nice to walk towards the altar together, without silly jokes about the groom and the bride. Together towards a moment after which they would never be apart.
Making the first few steps arm in arm seemed to be the best start for a lifetime journey together.
When they arrived one-on-one, Noah stopped and looked in Luke’s eyes in fake concern.
“Hope you don’t mind if I had my tie fixed by your mum.”
Luke chuckled, then grinned mischievously. “What matters is who’s going to untie it.”
***
The priest took his place and cleared his throat. Everyone fell silent.
“Welcome to all of you. We are here today to support and celebrate a very important step for two people, beloved to us, who asked us to be with them here because we are a community of loved ones. We rejoice in the ways life has led them to each other and brought them to the place where they now stand.”
Noah and Luke glanced at each other, a hint of smile on both their mouths.
“The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover, companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered nor absorbed by the other, one in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which both give their love freely and without jealousy.”
He turned to the two men and addressed them. “Luke, Noah. The man who stands by your side is about to become your husband. He will look to you for comfort, for support, for understanding, for encouragement, and for protection. You must never take him for granted, and always consider him along with yourself.”
“Do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another, and to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand together, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all the days of your lives?”
They reached for each other’s hands and intertwined their fingers. “We do.”
“Do you pledge to share your love and the joys of your marriage with all those around you, so that they may learn from your love and be encouraged to grow in their own lives?”
“We do.”
“Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish.”
The priest stood aside and made room for a girl who was walking towards the lectern. “We now welcome some people who’d like to say something about this couple.”
The girl blushed a little and stole a glance at Luke and Noah, then coughed and started to talk.
“Hi to everyone. I’m Madeleine Coleman and I am a close friend of both these boys.
When Luke asked me to accompany him, he said he wanted me to be there because I can make him feel calm like no one else can. Except Noah, of course. I accepted for another reason, though.”
She caught a glimpse of Luke frowning and grinned inwardly.
“You should know that Luke is a wonderful guy. He’s the kind of friend I wish to everyone. We went through a lot and I’ll never thank him enough for being the way he is. He is my wonderwall and sometimes I love him so much that it hurts.”
She tenderly smiled at him, noticing he was holding back tears.
“As for Noah, I feel like he’s my soul-mate, in a sense. That’s why we didn’t work together, for we are more some kind of Siamese twins than two lovers. Noah is everything a person would dream to find: I know it, because I had him.
Noah met her eyes and bit his lips, touched by her words.
Maddie lifted her head, proudly.
“Today I’m here to lead my best friend, Luke, where he deserves to be. And I’m here to deliver to my soul-brother, Noah, what he should’ve had – and wanted – since the beginning.
I was there when these two guys met each other. I saw their love coming to life and growing up through thick and thin and I’m here to say that given your past, I know you’ll survive any future.”
She ducked her head to thank everyone for listening and made as if to leave, but then she seemed to remember something and grabbed the microphone again, giving Noah a piercing gaze.
“Oh, Noah: just know that if after dumping me, you hadn’t ended up with him, I would have killed you!”
A laughter spread all over the seats. She passed by the couple and affectionately squeezed Luke’s arm, who looked at her with misty eyes and whispered a ‘thanks’. Maddie nodded, and grinned when Noah winked at her, mouthing an I-love-you.
Luke was trying to pull himself together, but he saw his parents heading to the lectern and immediately knew that not crying was a vain hope.
Lily glanced at the crowd and took the floor.
“Hi everyone. As you probably know, we’re Luke’s parents. You may be wondering why we didn’t accompany our son, instead of his future husband.
She looked at the two boys and hinted at a little smile.
You know, Noah is in the habit to thank us for making him feel at home.
What he hasn’t understood yet is that he is at home.”
Noah swallowed, wondering if he hadn’t cried all of his tears yet. Apparently not.
My husband and I are here to make sure everyone knows that Noah has a family. And he would anyway, because Luke’s not the only one who’s fallen in love with him.”
Lily paused and looked down at the seats.
“Here, in the first row, there’s an empty seat.
That’s for Noah’s mother, Charlene, who’s looking down from heaven and crying proud tears for her wonderful son.
Luke smiled. He had never felt so proud of his parents as in that exact moment. He squeezed Noah’s hand, knowing he was doing everything he could not to burst into tears right there.
“The thing is I may not be Noah’s mother, but he surely is my son… and I want to thank Charlene for giving birth to this amazing man, and thank Noah for being himself and making our son happier than any human being has ever thought possible.”
She made a step backwards and Holden leaned in to add something.
“I’d just like to add that.. Many people may think we are saying goodbye to a son. I think we’re winning one. Be happy, guys!”
As they made their way back to their seats, Luke gave them a long, intense gaze, thinking there were no words to thank them enough for being the way they were.
The priest’s voice brought him back to reality.
“Thanks. Now it’s the moment for your marriage vows, guys.”
Luke took a deep breath and took a sheet out of his pocket. He reached the microphone and turned towards a still upset Noah.
At this rate he’s going to die of emotion before I’m able to become his husband.
“I am supposed to say a few words on this very special day and certainly this is a risk, for it’s a well-known fact of nature that I am not capable of saying just a few words. But you are about to promise to bear me for your whole life, so you’d better get used to it.”
Noah laughed and Luke felt relieved he had managed to light the atmosphere a little. But he knew it wasn’t going to last.
“Noah, our history together wasn’t free from hard times. Rationally we have to admit we hurt each other so many times that we should have given up a long time ago. My heart, though, tells a totally different story.
It tells me that you’re right for me and that I’m right for you. It tells me that we are meant to be.”
He breathed in, lowering his gaze to the paper again.
“I am a kid, sometimes. Million times I wished for someone to watch over me and take care of my messes. Now I know you’re not my knight in shining armor who’s going to fight my battles for me. I’m sorry for all the times I put you on a pedestal: I shouldn’t, but I’ve been by myself for so long that with you everything I’d like to do is let go. And you make relying on you way too easy.
I also used to be the one keeping everything together. It’s the way I am, I look after people. But those who look after the others are the one that need the most to be looked after.”
Luke lifted his eyes and met Noah’s.
“You came out of the blue. You appeared in my life, you made me fall for you and then you said you wanted me, too.
I love you. You made impossible not loving you.”
He made a long pause. Come on, Luke. Don’t collapse now.
“You know me better than anyone and this is who I am, Noah. I’m childish, I’m strong and I’m scared. But you found me, became the angel I’ve waited for all my life. With you watching over me, I am tenfold a better man than I ever thought I would be and if you want, I am going to look after you forever.”
Noah caught his breath. He was biting his lips so hard to prevent himself from crying that he didn’t feel them anymore. He bat his eyelids trying to push the tears back and waited for Luke to come back to his side – Like he always does, he thought – and when he was near enough he pull him into a feathered kiss.
“Now I’m going to make you cry, traitor.” He whispered.
He took his own piece of paper and breathed in and out as he approached the lectern, then lifted his head and searched for Luke’s eyes. There was no way he would be able to do that without looking in Luke’s eyes. The speech to be damned.
“I love you. This, you know, even though I don’t say it enough.
What you don’t know is what you gave me.
Before you, dreams were only dreams. My road was traced, no detours admitted.
I can still recall the first time you said it doesn’t have to be like it was supposed to be. That not being the man I was supposed to be, didn’t mean I wouldn’t be a man.”
Luke smiled. You were already the best man I’d ever met, he thought.
“I’m not able to list the zillion reasons why I love you. But if had to say one single thing, it would be this: you gave me the courage of making plans. I discovered the awareness of being able – and allowed – to fulfill any dream I had. Nothing and no one will ever take this away from me and that’s thanks to you.
I am not a man of words as you are, and you know it.
But I want you to know that you are my first and everlasting dream. And that I don’t know anything about the future, but whatever direction my life will take, you’re in the plan.”
Luke gaped at him. As he came back to his side, Luke wished he could kiss him then and there, but he knew it wasn’t possible. He contented himself with staring at him, telling him everything he couldn’t voice in that moment, thanking him for being born and appearing in his life.
Once again the priest’s voice startled him.
“Luke, Noah. The wedding ring is a token of your love for each other. It is a symbol of unity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. Give and receive these rings as confirmations of your vows to join their lives, to work at all times to create a life that is whole and unbroken, and to love each other without end. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband.”
Noah took the ring from Holden’s hand and placed it on Luke’s finger. “With this ring I wed you.
I offer you my hand, and my heart as I know they will be safe with you. All that I am I give to you and all that I have I share with you.”
“Noah, do you take this man to be your wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, from this day on so long as you both shall live?”
The priest’s litany was barely a background.
Noah didn’t hear anything but their hearts beating faster than they ever did.
Noah squeezed Luke’s hand, never taking his eyes off his. “I do.”
Luke licked his lips and turned towards Maddie to take Noah’s ring. He slid it on Noah’s finger. “With this ring I wed you.
I offer you my hand, and my heart as I know they will be safe with you. All that I am I give to you and all that I have I share with you.”
“Luke, do you take this man to be your wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, from this day on so long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Repeat with me.” said the priest. “Wherever you will go, I will go…”
Luke and Noah complied, gazing at each other like they needed it to find their voices. “Wherever you go, I will go. Whatever you face, I will face. For good or ill, in happiness or sadness, come riches or poverty, I take you as my husband.”
And finally formality disappeared from the priest’s voice, which turned into a sincere wish.
“Luke and Noah, congratulations on this great and exciting moment in your lives, the biggest and most memorable steps in your life. Your journey will be exciting and challenging, full of happiness and joy, and it will take you to places you have never been. Realize that from now on, you will be traveling this path together. Support and care for each other… and always remember to have fun!”
Everyone laughed and Luke and Noah felt the joyfulness permeating every cell of them.
“I now pronounce you husband and husband.” He looked at their impatient looks, still fixed on each other. “And yes, you may kiss your groom.”
“Till death do us part.” murmured Noah in a voice full of tears.
Luke smiled, in turn deeply moved. “Till death do us part.”
The kiss was long, deep, sweet, and poignant like few any kisses in the history of weddings.
*
The lawn was empty. Luke clutched Noah’s hand and they walked slowly towards the “dance floor”.
As the notes of “Can you feel the love tonight?” by Elton John started filling the air, the two guys hugged each other and closed their eyes. They started dancing, moving almost imperceptibly and looking like the world were created for them to live in it together. And the guests started to dance around them, but they didn’t even notice, since everything but Noah was out of focus, since everything but Luke had faded to black.
Click on me to listen to the song. (Do it. It is worth it ^^)
*
Dance partners alternated on the improvised dance floor. Luke hugged Lily and Holden and swayed with them on the notes of a sweet song, crying his happiest tears in the arms of his most loving fans. When “If you’re not the one” resonated in the garden, he lifted his head and locked his eyes with Noah’s, breathing forgotten for all the time of the song.
Noah danced with Maddie, who teased him all the time for all the tears he had cried during the ceremony; eventually Luke came to his rescue – or hers, he didn’t know – and asked her for a dance. (“You’re just already jealous of your husband?” she whined jokingly.)
Noah hunted around for Natalie and Faith and made them spin and twirl until their giggles reached every corner of the lawn.
***
“Sorry, girls, can I borrow my husband from you for few minutes?” Luke dragged Noah to one side, away from his little sisters. “Isn’t it about time to exchange our gifts?” he whispered in his ear.
Noah cracked a smile and they intertwined their fingers and headed to the house.
*
Noah was astounded.
He looked again at the binder in his hands, staring at the tickets on the top of it.
“You got me a trip across Europe?”
Luke smirked. “I got us a trip across Europe. You know, walking by the pond is fine, but I remember you saying you would like to travel and seeing cities. Together, you know.” He hinted at a smile, unreasonably unsure. “You like it?”
“Are you kidding me?” shouted Noah throwing his own arms around his neck. “I fucking love it! I fucking love YOU!” He kissed him and pulled back to meet his eyes.. “You’re the most wonderful husband in the whole world.”
Luke felt himself swaying and smiled.
“Say it again.”
“What?” beamed Noah “That you’re the most wonderful husband in the whole world?”
Luke closed his eyes for a beat.
“It sounds so good…”
“Yes, it does.” whispered Noah against his lips.
Luke rescued himself. “Come on, it’s my turn now. Where’s my present?”
Suddenly it was Noah’s turn to be jittery, as if Luke’s kiss had carried him all of his husband’s stupid nervousness of few moments before. “Okay, then… that’s that..thing over there.”
Luke frowned. “Thing?”
Noah squirmed and pushed him towards the thing. “Come on. Go and open it.”
Luke narrowed his eyes, distrustfully, and approached the enormous gift set that laid near a tree. As soon as he began to unwrap it, his jaw dropped and his eyes started oscillating from the gift to Noah’s face and then to the gift again and then to Noah’s face.
He managed only two words, unable to bring himself to think it was really what it seemed to be.
“A bench.”
“It’s not a bench.” stammered Noah, shyly.
"That’s what I dreaded.” Luke peered at him and narrowed his eyes. He folded his arms and turned towards the man who apparently was his husband. The pointedly insane man he had just married. ”Now, Noah, tell me it’s not that bench.”
Noah pursed his lips and held back a proud smile. “It is.”
Luke arched an eyebrow and his features exploded in a gigantic grin. “I love you.” He shook his head in amazement and began to kiss every inch of Noah’s face. “You are the maddest man in this world and I am crazy in love with you. ”His nose, his chin, his eyelids, his dimples. “Do you know that?” His lashes, his brow, his cheeks. “I - love - you.”
Noah sat down and grabbed his tie, laughing as he drew his brand-new husband next to him.“I know, and I love you too. And you know what?” He leaned in to kiss him, finally, on his lips. “I will never, ever, go away without you again.”
*END (of the beginning) ...*