Chapter Text
A clock chimed twelve o'clock as Alfred F Jones sprinted through the Ritz.
"Shit, I'm late!" He muttered to himself, speeding up the point that he almost wished he didn't eat so many burgers. "Shit, shit!"
He ran, skidding across the tiles and through reception, earning many confused and furious glares, finally stopping just in front of the entrance to the main hall, just in time.
"Alfred, you're late." Francis whispered.
"Yes, I know, I lost my tux." He replied, shaking his head.
"How z'e hell do you lose your wedding tuxedo?"
"I don't know!" He muttered furiously. "I have no fucking idea!"
"You shou-" However, the doors began to open, and Francis stopped short, linking his arm through Alfred's, to walk him up the aisle.
As the Frenchman strolled up the aisle with an overly styled walk, Alfred was pulled slightly behind him, taking incredibly large strides to keep up. He was so focused on getting up to his fiancé without falling over, he didn't notice that the fiancé in question, Arthur Kirkland, was staring, astounded, at him.
And he couldn't be blamed.
Alfred looked stunning in his sleek black tuxedo, a pressed white shirt and a deep red tie. A waistcoat peeked from behind the tuxedo jacket, allowing the guests to see a swirling blue and red design. Arthur wore the same, but his green eyes and ashy blonde hair didn't match the colour scheme quite as well as Alfred's blue eyes and gingery, dark blonde hair.
As Alfred reached Arthur, and took his place next to his best man and brother, Matthew, he smiled at his fiancé, noticing how beautiful his eyes were when he was happy. They were green as a field of freshly cut spring grass, and sparkled like a pair of gems. How lucky he was, how lucky they both were, to have each other.
The priest cleared his throat, and, motioning for the two to join hands, began to speak.
"We are here today to join Arthur Kirkland and Alfred F Jones in marriage. The couple have chosen to write their own vows, and have done so beforehand. Alfred, if you would like to start."
Alfred pulled out a small piece of neatly folded paper from his pocket. Nervously, he shook it out in front of him, glancing at Arthur, who smiled warmly at him, in encouragement.
The American and the Brit had decided to write the vows in private, so that they were a surprise for the other on the day. They wanted to hear the words for the first time then, so that they were more heartfelt for them.
Both were nervous about their little speech, but, at that smile from Arthur, Alfred took a deep breath and began.
"Arthur, my love. We are here because a very special person drew me into their life again, and that very special person is you. Even after everything I've done, after every terrible mistake I've made, you've forgiven me, and taken the opportunity to even love me. For this, for this, my love, I am so grateful, because I don't know where I'd be right now, if I wasn't standing opposite you. I love you so much, and I promise with all my heart to never leave you, never again. You mean the world to me. I love you."
Arthur's best man, his brother, Allistor, smiled approvingly at him, being a very protective elder brother. The Scot wanted nothing but the best for his little brother, and, for a long time, had been very wary of Alfred, given the fact that Arthur was so affected by the Revolution. However, it seemed that he'd forgiven him, thankfully.
Arthur smiled his beautiful smile at Alfred as he finished his vows. Then, still smiling, he turned to Allistor, who handed him a small sheet of decorative paper on which his vows were typed.
Alfred suddenly felt that his hand-written (literally) vows were a little inadequate-looking.
However, Arthur took one look at the fancy font, and passed it back to Allistor.
"Scrap the pre-written ones," Arthur muttered. "They're rubbish."
"Um, Arthur?" Alfred whispered. "What're you doing?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow, signalling gently with a squeeze of Alfred's hand that everything was okay. Then he breathed in, closed his eyes, and began to speak off of the top of his head.
"Alfred F Jones, you are my one and only true love. There is no one in my life and on this Earth that I would want to be standing with and holding the hands of in this moment - because we are about to be married, and this perfect prospect of spending my life with you is fantastic... People say, in sickness, in health, all of that, and I will be by your side through all of it, and more. I will stay with you during every hardship and every aspect of our new lives together. I cannot wait, and, believe me, Alfred, I will always love you, I promise. I won't break this promise, my dear, not so long as I can help it. I love you past infinity and beyond eternity, I always will. I promise."
Arthur nervously opened his eyes to see Alfred beaming at him, eyes shining and full of happiness.
"You're wonderful." Alfred whispered. "Truly."
"As are you, my love."
The priest then handed the two their rings - simple gold bands engraved with their country flags - and said,
"Alfred F Jones, do you take Arthur Kirkland to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." Alfred replied, doing his best to keep calm and wait until told to kiss Arthur.
"Arthur Kirkland, do you take Alfred F Jones to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." The Brit said, savouring the words.
The couple slipped the rings onto each others fingers, trembling with happiness and excitement.
"You may now kiss the groom."
The newly-wed nations flew forwards in a collision of worlds, lips meeting in a soft and beautiful kiss, pulling each other close as they did so.
After pulling apart, Alfred rest his head on Arthur's shoulder, and whispered,
"I love you so much."
"I love you too, Alfie."
They turned to face the watching guests, joining hands and raising them above their heads in salute.
"I now pronounce you, husband, and husband!"
"Finally." Arthur muttered, winking at Alfred. "Glad we scheduled the reception for the evening."
"Mm?"
"We're going to our room. Once the photos are done."
"God, yes." Alfred laughed. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, my darling. To the end."
"To the end."