ɢᴀʟᴇ (traps) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-12-03 13:46:00 |
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Gale had thought for awhile about wearing his Army dress blues for the wedding, but there just seemed to be too many valid points to ignore. For one thing, it added kind of an emotional depth to the whole experience (seeing this uniform tended to remind people of what it represented, the history taken into account, it served as a reminder that life was fleeting and we should all cherish these moments), he saved money on tuxedo rentals, and he got to wear a sword with it too - not to mention the various medals, and he had a few. But not enough to cause the whole ‘look’ to be overwhelming, or detract too much from the bride. All the colors, the great fit, the classic lines - he thought he looked pretty damn good in this. Of course, alterations were necessary a little, but generally since he was in shape and because of regular inspections and military requirements for how the uniform was supposed to fit anyway, there wasn’t a ton for the tailor to do. Hidden on the third floor of a building downtown, this place had an old-fashioned feel but the work was impeccable. Today was the final day for his fitting, and also Wash’s. The wedding was coming up quick. Kind of amazing, actually. “What do you think?” he asked, as the last gold button was fastened, and he stood in front of the mirror. “Bowtie underneath, of course.” That was adjusted by the tailor, an older man who seemed to be perpetually buried in tape measures. Voila! “Wearing this always makes me feel like a penguin.” Wash laughed. “Considering you’re getting married in a literal winter wonderland, I think that’s pretty appropriate,” he smirked. “However, I doubt Leli will think you look like a penguin.” He had been standing back watching as the little old tailor puttered about Gale, straightening hems, making sure the material fell where it was supposed to, running a lint brush over the whole thing catching all the itty-bitty, teeny-tiny bits that didn’t belong. Wash’s own dress uniform hung in a garment bag set out of the way, while the groom’s attire was scrutinized. The last time Wash had worn it had been to Gale’s funeral last year. It was pretty funny that he was wearing it now for the man’s wedding. Funny in that Orange County kind of way. If given the choice, Wash would prefer to wear it for weddings. Especially this wedding. It was a long time coming and Wash was honored to be a part of it. Once the tailor stepped away in a whoosh of measuring tape, Wash stepped up to take alook at the work. He walked around Gale. He looked damn impressive all suited up like that. “Damn, Gale, you clean up good. Yup. I think Leli will approve. Has she seen you in this yet?” “Aw, you’re making me blush,” Gale so modestly replied, and when Wash circled him he attempted to strike a very model-ish pose. Or what he assumed was model-ish, because no clue. According to the actors at the studio where Revy worked, he had ‘the porn star build’ but had never really considered that or modeling as a side career. “She’s seen me in it once or twice, for the occasional military ball or other event where I need to look like a penguin.” He was teasing, of course. It was the bowtie that did it - but at least it wasn’t as bad as something straight up black and white, like a tuxedo would be. Then he’d really be a penguin. “But hopefully she likes it now. I haven’t seen her dress, I hear that’s bad luck.” Not that he really held stock in old beliefs like that, but whatever. And now the little old tailor gnome was back, his lint brush at the ready for Wash’s uniform grooming needs. “Your turn next, sonny!” Gale’s playful attempts to vogue made Wash laugh. Gale may have had the look, but he didn’t quite have the moves. “Don’t quite your day job, Fabio,” he teased with a chuckle. A bit of a dated reference, maybe, but Wash didn’t know many male models. Hell, he couldn’t even name any female models either. Cosplayers, yeah sure, but actual runway models? Pft. Yeah right. “I can see you and Leli at a ball,” he said once he’d circled around front again. “I used to hate having to go to those things.” Wash was not a social creature by nature. Balls and galas were not for him. But Wash could easily see Leliana at one, decked to the nines the epitome of elegance and grace at the side of her Army Soldier. “Is it really bad luck to see the bride’s dress before the wedding?” Wash asked thoughtfully, “I wonder how that became a-“ the thought was cut off when the tailor started ushering the former marine towards the changing room, since apparently the former Marine was not moving quite fast enough for the old man’s taste. Once he was inside, the garment bag containing his Dress Blues was handed to him and the door closed. “Well…alright then.” A few minutes later it was Wash’s turn to stand in front of the mirror with the tailor inspecting the work. A little work had to be done in order for the uniform to fit the way it should, but not too much. With Carolina dragging Wash out onto the mats to spar two to three times a week, the former marine had regained much of the muscle mass he’d lost since his discharge. Running around every time Orange County vomited up some Dream Thing may have helped a bit in that department too. The red trim at the hem of the midnight dress coat marked Wash as an enlisted man rather than an officer. His uniform also had a bow tie, and now that Gale had mentioned it, yeah, he kinda felt a little like a penguin too. “How’s it look?” He asked. “Daaaaaamn,” Gale drawled, leaning back a bit as if he was so blown away by the sheer hotness Wash was exuding right this very minute. “You look good, Washington. Really good. I might not even need mistletoe to plant one on you this year.” Just kidding. There would definitely need to be mistletoe involved because no offense, but dudes and tongues and combining the two were just not his thing. Though at his comment, the gnome tailor peered over the edge of his wire-rimmed glasses in a flabbergasted yet amused sort of way, while marking down measurements and putting the finishing touches on the fit for the uniform this Marine specimen was currently wearing. “I don’t know where the bad luck stuff came from though,” Gale went on thoughtfully. “I’d think you’d want to see each other beforehand, to take pictures?” “Back in the olden days, when marriages were a business deal, the bride and groom weren’t allowed to see each other beforehand,” explained Helpful Tailor Gnome. “Be glad yours isn’t a business arrangement!” Well, yeah, that was definitely a good thing. “You know, it’s when you say things like that, that rumors get started,” Wash said. The look the Little Gnome Tailor gave them seemed to prove the point. “One day, Leli is going to show up at my door and beat the piss out of me for stealing you away from her.” He was joking, of course. The bromance between the two soldiers was strong and had survived a lot, but what Gale and Leliana had was strong enough to defy death. That was something pretty damn amazing. “Oor, she’s going to demand pictures, and dude, I love you, but I’m not frenching you….again.” Another glance over wire framed glasses from the little tailor and a shrug that clearly stated live and let live. And then he dropped that little pearl of wisdom as if it was no big thing that was a common occurrence just a few months ago. “Well, there you have it,” Wash laughed. It made a lot of sense, actually. Though, Wash thought one side of the business arrangement probably got the shit end of the deal more often than not. “Speaking of pictures,” Wash went on, switching the subject away from more rumor bait, “you guys settle on a photographer?” Gale was really glad his wedding wasn’t a business arrangement - he was new to everything involving weddings, the concept of it all, considering when he dreamed they’d ended on a sour note. He’d been alone, and by that point, maybe he deserved it. Leliana had her Hero of Ferelden, but politics being what it was in Thedas - and something about Grey Warden stuff, she did seem to have a thing for soldiers - meant that they were separated for a long time. Honestly, when it was all said and done here, he’d be happier than he ever thought he could be. With Wash on the side. Just kidding about that too. “We did, yeah,” he nodded, beginning to unfasten the gold buttons, because the sooner he put his regular clothes back on the better, but was stopped by a look from the tailor. Not yet, sonny, not yet! Alright, fine, Gale would just stand here fidgeting until he was officially deemed presentable. “Someone from our forum who is used to odd wedding destination locations. Apparently the first one he did here was...space oriented?” That was one way to settle in. “But I’m glad it’s someone who knows the quirks of this place.” Gale certainly wasn’t alone in inexperience when it came to weddings. Wash had never actually been to one either. When his mother had married his stepfather, she’d done so at the Spokane County Courthouse, with two of her floozy friends as witnesses. She hadn’t even told her son she was doing it either. One day it was just the two of them in a cramped apartment and the next day they had packed up all their stuff and moved into Ralph’s. His Dreams? Yeah, let’s not even get into the Director’s obsession with his dead wife. So with that in his background, one would have thought Wash had a skewed perception when it came to tying the knot with someone. Quite the opposite, really. He couldn’t see himself getting married. Yet. But the idea of marriage - two people in love wanting to make a life together as a unit in the eyes of God - or whoever - and the State? There was something to that. Something important. Something meaningful. Wash smirked when the tailor batted Gale’s hands away from the buttons of his dress uniform. Yeah, brother, if I have to stand up here looking like a penguin, so do you. Besides, there was something kind of fun about all this preparation for said important meaningful union. Stressful as hell, yes, absolutely, but that was what Wash was there for as best man - to relieve some of that stress. Even if it was through somewhat inappropriate mistletoe jokes. “Good idea getting someone from the network,” he said as he watched the tailor do his work, flitting back and forth between the two soldiers. “Someone who isn’t gonna freak out when Elsa does her thing-” Which Wash himself still hadn’t seen. Funny that considering he was dating the Ice Queen’s little sister. Hm. That should probably be rectified before the wedding… “What else do we need to do to get Skyhold ready?” “Oh, now that’s a question,” Gale chuckled, because setting up a would-be reception in a medieval tavern called The Herald’s Rest (right smack dab in the middle of a fortress to boot) wasn’t exactly an easy feat. But the place had solar power now, and hot water - these were luxuries he couldn’t ever take for granted, especially since his dream self didn’t really have access to either of those things. Not really much electricity, it went in and out for the Seam folks, and water wouldn’t be hot unless it was boiled. Like medieval times anyway, in post-apocalyptic America. “Well, we need to set up the tables and chairs in the tavern - you know, because table runners are a thing.” No, he hadn’t any idea what they were before he and Leliana got engaged. “I have all the measurements and the place setting design, so it’s just a matter of doing it. Also making sure there are enough candles. If you want, we can go up and get the last leg it all situated. Maybe you could bring your...date?” Girlfriend? Whatever she was. Now was a prime time to find out. “If she feels like seeing Skyhold before the magical day.” And alright, dress uniform off now. Officially given the green light by the tailor, Gale went to go change back into his civilian jeans-and-a-sweater. Much more comfortable. “The fuck are table runners?” Wash asked with a blink. The tailor stopped what he was doing to stare at the man, then shook his head as if to say kids today and went back to his work. Wash gave the old man a look. Oh, sure he was all knowledgeable about why a groom couldn’t see the bride in her dress before the big day, but he was just going to let the mystery of table runners just hang there. Wash looked back up at the groom-to-be. “Yeah, we should do that. Get as much done as we can now.” Then Gale was treated to one of those goofy looking smiles Wash got when talking about someone he was obviously very much involved with. Long time since he’d seen that look. “Anna.” He said. “Yeah, I think she would really like to see Skyhold.” And since it didn’t seem as though Gale knew quite what to call Anna, Wash helpfully defined it for him, “Anna and I are together now. So, girlfriend works.” Oh, it was his turn to take off the uniform now, apparently. A few moments later Wash was again clad in a pair of jeans, long sleeve t-shirt and his trademark boots. “Are...we good?” “Just don’t eat too many cheeseburgers and bust a seam!” was the old gnome’s caution, as he adjusted his glasses and gave Gale the receipt for the alterations done, once the fellow had emerged from the dressing room with an accomplished feeling - he wouldn’t be naked for his wedding. Awesome. “I think that means we’re good,” Gale noted. “Alright, Washington, you’re looking pretty dopey there. Wanna explain that whole Anna thing in the car?” Garment bag slung over his shoulder, he was ready to hit up the drive-through for cheeseburgers. Okay, not really. But maybe milkshakes though? After Wash took his garment bag from the tailor and thanked the man for his help he followed after Gale to the other soldier’s car. “I don’t look dopey,” he defended himself, or tried to defend himself, at least. Despite the attempt to frown, that stupid grin wasn’t going anywhere. Wash hung his garment bag in the back of the car. “Well,” he started. “I fell in love with the girl.” It wasn’t just the marathon sex either. That was good and everything, but Anna really was special. The way she smiled, the sound of her voice, the way she could see the world and everything good in it, even after the crappy way her Dreams had treated her, and the less than stellar hand her life had handed her early on. “And, as it turns out, she loves me too.” Honestly, big fucking surprise there, Wash. Gale had a feeling that was going to happen - he was a good guy with a big heart, and sure, maybe he wasn’t perfect but no one was. He was still Gale’s best friend; he deserved something nice. A girl who loved him, and that was really nice. “Funny how that works out, right?” he teased, hanging his garment bag on the other side and then getting into the driver’s seat. “Emotions and all that. They creep up on you and before you know it, you’ve fallen in love.” He would know, he’d been jaded and withdrawn, chilly as a cold snap - but then Leliana was the hot cider who seduced him in her kitchen (or not really, he’d sort of come over for the sole purpose of sleeping with her and they both knew it) and the rest was history. “Leli and I expected our arrangement to run its course - yeah, it ran its course, alright. To the wedding aisle.” Not that he was saying Wash would take the plunge right away, but maybe at some point. “I’m happy for you though. Now I really can’t wait to officially meet her and she’s of course welcome to be your date for the wedding. You kids will have fun.” It was kind of a similar situation. Wash and Anna had literally fallen into bed together the first night they’d met. The morning after Stefan had warned Wash about how attached Anna could get and how quickly. At the time Wash had promised not to hurt Anna, to not string her along and be upfront with her about the fact that he wasn’t in it for anything other than being a friend with benefits. A broken down Marine grappling to hang on to his sanity wasn’t good for anyone. Neither Stefan or Wash could have possibly have known that it would have been Wash to grow so attached so quickly. It had surprised the hell out of him at least. “Funny,” Wash agreed. Wash still wasn’t convinced that he was the marrying kind. He had a lot to overcome before he could even come close to providing the type of life Anna deserved. “I think you’ll like her,” he went on. He dug his phone out of his pocket before getting into Gale’s car. He glanced at his friend a little sheepishly, “I kinda already invited her to be my plus one to your wedding. So I guess meeting her now would be a good thing? But...maybe eat first? The tailor said something about hamburgers and now I’m starving.” “Oh, you mean like...now?” Gale asked, and he couldn’t help but laugh. Well, sure, why the hell not. He didn’t have anything else planned for the day now that the alterations were taken care of, and maybe Anna was hungry. “We can definitely eat first - ask her what she wants from In-n-Out, and we’ll swing by.” Burgers, animal fries, milkshakes, tons of calories - all of it coming right up. ‘I sort of figured you would ask her, and if not her, I was hoping you’d bring a plus one anyway,” he tossed an amused glance in his friend’s direction before facing the road again. “I’m sure I’ll like her. Elsa and I already had a few gossip sessions about you two lovebirds.” Wash’s attention was on his phone, sending a text to Anna asking if she wanted to meet the two soldiers at In-and-Out for delicious greasy burger goodness. “You hoped I’d bring a plus one, huh?” He chuckled. “I hate to tell you this, Gale, but I didn’t even bring a plus one to those damn balls I had to go to.” When Gale mentioned Elsa, Wash had a moment in which his expression was abject horror. He knew that Gale and Elsa knew each other. She was the one providing the winter wonderland décor for the wedding, after all. However, not once had Wash ever considered that the two of them would talk about Wash and Anna. “Please tell me you’re joking,” he said, slowly turning grey eyes in the other man’s direction. What, like he’d joke about this? This? Or much of anything at all? Gale had such a stoic, dry sense of humor. But admittedly, he kind of thought the look of ‘oh shit’ on Wash’s face was pretty priceless. “I completely vouched for you,” he promised, holding up one hand like he was swearing on the Good Book. Straight from his mouth to whatever God’s ears. “Said you were squishy on the inside and adorable. She seemed to believe me.” Apparently Anna had a reputation for, uh, attaching herself quickly? At least according to Elsa, who only wanted the best for her little sister. Which Gale understood. He’d be the same way about Posy as well. “But, no, really. Don’t worry. Elsa’s the best. She was the first friend I made here in Orange County.” “I’m not...worried…” Liar. Wash was worried about Elsa. Not about the woman herself. Anna had talked about her, both versions of her. She seemed like a good woman and a protective sister. And that was what worried Wash. There were all kinds of reasons for Elsa to not want Wash to date her sister. There was the age difference. Wash was nine years older than Anna - 30 years to her 21. He was a soldier who’d seen combat, and had done things. And the drinking, of course. Wash was a recovering alcoholic, but an alcoholic nonetheless. With all of that, it was Wash’s hope to make a good impression on Elsa. “I do need to meet her.” he said, glancing at his phone. “Soon. I hope I make as good of an impression as you’ve made me out to be.” He glanced back up with a slight grin, “though I hope I come across less squishy. Adorable I can live with.” “You will,” Gale assured, and he believed that. He too was a soldier who had seen combat, he’d pulled the trigger plenty of times when he wished he hadn’t, he’d been hurt, he’d seen his fellow brothers-in-arms get devastatingly hurt too. It affected his physical being and his mind; these things he wouldn’t ever forget, or fully recover from, and friends like Elsa loved him anyway. She’d even stuck by him after he had to fake his death. “She’s a good judge of character. Yours is pretty alright.” Pulling up to In-n-Out, he found a good spot by the front of the chic restaurant. This would be fun - finally getting to meet the girl his best friend was so nuts over? Yeah, it was about damn time. “Now come on, it’s burger time. I’m starving too.” They would just make sure not to bust a seam. Invoking the tailor gnome’s wrath was really not on the ‘to-do’ before the wedding agenda. |