pushbackthedarkness | (no subject)

Never in his life, with as long as it's been and with as many dangers he's faced, has Marcus imagined himself here.

And yet...

The gathering is small, especially now with Kat having gone, and Marcus feels her absence keenly. She had helped him with so much and her touch is everywhere, from the simple, but beautiful centerpiece on the table, to the suit she had helped him pick. It helps a little, having her influence scattered about the celebration. It wouldn't feel quite right, doing all this without Kat after having become so close to her over the years.

It's all so simple. They're on the beach, which feels appropriate for Marcus and Dan, even if they're not about to share why. Not far from where they stand, however, they shared their first kiss, years ago now. They've had dinners here, shared stories, and Marcus asked Dan to marry him mere feet from where they perform the ceremony. Simple is best, truly.

The ceremony isn't religious, because while Marcus is still a man of God, it's God who has made him into a weapon. He doesn't want that here and instead they opt for a civil ceremony, a friend Marcus has made who works at City Hall coming to officiate. There is no alcohol, but instead they have sparkling cider and an easy meal catered from a restaurant Dan and Marcus frequent often.

The only music comes from the bluetooth speakers Marcus has set up around the area, a playlist he and Dan had built together. And when the sun sets, as a surprise to them both, Sabrina uses her magic to light up the water in front of them in something close enough to a fireworks display that it won't attract too much outside attention.

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"Jesus fuck, man. Was I this demanding?" I asked, putting a plate down in front of him, brow arched as I leaned with my hand braced against the back of his chair, a fork held out to him in the other.

Somehow, this one wasn't quite as hard as David's had been. Maybe it was because I'd had the practice. Maybe it was because Marcus was my best friend. Maybe it was because R wasn't there. Or because I wasn't there alone. Either way, it was a relief.

"You're always demanding," Marcus answers with a grateful smile as he takes the fork and then digs into the cake. It's as good now with his third slice as it was with his first.

Maybe he ought to eat something real at some point, but he likes the cake best.

"You could have refused," he points out with a grin, then nudges another chair out so Neil can sit down with him.

"It's my best friend's wedding. I'm not a total asshole," I smirked, settling into the chair at his side and swiping some of the icing from the corner of his plate.

"So, how's it feel?" I said, grinning before sucking the icing from the tip of my finger.

"Not especially different," he answers. "It's like we had a party to make a gross, sappy display of how in love we are and then we'll go home, the same as most other days."

Then he smiles and says, "And I mean that in the best possible way. The gross, sappy display and all."

That nothing feels different makes it feel all the more right for Marcus. Nothing should change with a few legalities and some words. It should only settle further.

"Pretty sure that's what weddings are, man," I pointed out with a snort of laughter.

"You two aren't as gross as you think. I've definitely seen worse."

I nudged his foot with mine, reaching over to steal another swipe of icing.

"I don't know, Dan keeps tearing up," Marcus answers with a grin, as if he hasn't done the same thing several time this evening. He swats at Neil's hand when he steals more icing, though not with any real intention.

"I told you, I haven't been to many weddings," he continues, still grinning, knowing Neil won't really have an answer for his question. "So how'd we do in terms of planning?"

"Fuck if I know. It's not a disaster, so," I shrugged, biting back a grin. It was great, if only because we were all together, and you couldn't go wrong with the view.

"You both look... happy. Centered, if that makes sense. Like things are how they're supposed to be." I shrugged. I wondered if Edgar and R and I had looked the same. Maybe, but that didn't change anything about today, or how right they were for each other.

"It's an easy way to look when I'm surrounded by all the right people," he answers and this time he doesn't only mean Dan. Marcus has found himself something of a family here, a solid unit of people he never would have expected before Darrow.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Sorry there's no booze," he adds with a smirk. "I thought that might be a bit gauche, serving it in front of Dan."

"I'll manage," I said wryly, cutting him a sideways look. "You know I'm used to it by now."

Between R and Dan, I hadn't lived in a place with booze around in... years.

"I got a joint in the car if I start to feel too fucking sober."