After the Scarf: Wedding Bells (Part 3)

"Rivaille, if that's you again-"

"It's Jean."

You stiffened, but your voice didn't portray your nervousness as you told him to come in.

Jean peeked around the door, one hand in front of his face. "You are dressed, right?" his voice shook a little as he spoke. 

A blush came to your face. "Of course!" you waved a hand at him. "You can look."

Jean lowered his hand, and stared at you in awe. "______." he breathed in wonder. "You look amazing."

You smiled at him, a blush forming on your face. "Thank you." You said quietly. Jean continued to stare at you, his mouth slightly agape. You turned your gaze away, looking down at the flowers in your hands. 

There was a long silence, filled only by the chatter of the soldiers outside as they filed into the cafeteria for the ceremony. You realized that Jean was still staring at you, his cheeks gone bright red.

"Uhm...Jean?"

Jean shook his head vigorously. "Right." He said, almost to himself. "Erhm...Hanji told me come and get you. We're ready."

Your eyes lit up. Familiar excitement and nervousness seemed to run through your veins. "Oh, great." you spoke softly.

Jean turned abruptly, walking out of the room swiftly. You followed him, one hand holding up your skirt , the other clutching you bouquet. 

It was difficult getting down the stairs, jean had to hold your bouquet for you as you held up your train and stepped delicately down the stairs. Jean held your other hand the entire way down, which made you grin like a maniac.

There were still some soldiers filtering in through the pavilion, so you and Jean sat on a bench inside one of the hallways, waiting for everyone to pass by.

You smoothed your skirts, which had become slightly wrinkled in the journey down the stairs. You kept your gaze on your hands in your lap, trying to avoid looking at Jean.

There was silence between you two for the longest time, filled only by the footsteps of those in the pavilion. You steadied your breaths, counting the seconds between each in hale and exhale.

Jean interrupted the silence.

"You must be excited."

You looked up at him, trying to read his expression, but his face was blank. 

You looked back down at your hands. "Yeah..." You said softly, your voice a sigh.

"Rivaille's a lucky guy."

You blushed, your cheeks a soft shade of pink. You leaned forward a bit, your hair falling over your face. Your lips trembled ever so slightly as you spoke.

"Do you hate me?"

Jean seemed to have seen this coming, because he gave no indication of surprise. He had a far-off look in his eyes, like he was daydreaming of something different. 

"No." Came his simple reply.

You parted your lips to speak, but no words seemed to come. The silence lasted between you two long after the footsteps had stilled in the square.

"I think that's everyone." Jean spoke, standing.

You looked up, to find a hand in front of you. Jean gave you a warm smile. "It's time."

When he said that, you felt tears well up in your eyes. You took his hand, relishing its warmth, the warmth of a friendship unbroken.

You both walked across the pavilion silently, your dress moving ever so slightly in the breeze. 

You both stood in front of the doors to the cafeteria, and just as jean was about to leave you, you felt an overwhelming fear consume you. You reached out, catching his sleeve. 

"Jean." You spoke, your voice wavering. "What if he isn;t there? What if I fall, or something happens? What if..."

"_______." Jean spoke softly, placing both his hands over yours. "Nothing is going to happen. You are going to get married, go live with Corporal, and live happily ever after, okay?"

Your lips trembled. "Can you....can you just walk with me, walk me to the end of the aisle?"

Jean seemed shocked, but soon a huge smile erupted on his face. "I would love to" he replied.

You two stood in front of the door, awaiting the signal for you to enter, and jean spoke softly:

"You know, I had this wild fantasy. I dreamed I was going to go into that room, sweep you off your feet, and run away with you. Forget the military, forget corporal, just run away and be together."

You were shocked by his words. Your eyes must have given that away, because he turned to you, a smirk on his face. 

"Just kidding." he laughed. 

You pouted at him, but a part of you still questioned jean. Did he really mean it? or was he just fooling with you?

"In all seriousness, however." jean spoke, his voice clear and precise. He looked straight ahead, as if he were facing his fears. "You are better off with him."

You eyes widened, and for a moment you couldn't speak. Then, in a burst of emotion, you laughed. Your laugh sounded to Jean's ears as bright and full of life as the sun itself.

"I love you, Jean." You smiled brightly up at him. He knew exactly what you meant in that statement, and in that moment, he was the happiest man in the world.

The knock on the door sounded, and opened. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes as the door opened. Jean led your forward, and you matched your steps with his. As soon as you heard the door close behind you, you opened your eyes.

and there he was.

Dressed in a white suit, he gazed at you, a soft smirk on his lips. He seemed a little surprised to find Jean on your arm, but his amazement at your transformation seemed to blot all that out. You and Jean walked forward. You were flanked by your fellow soldiers on either side, all beaming and smiling at you. 

You felt happy tears well in your eyes, and you smiled to yourself, a single stray tear snaking its way down your face.

You reached the front of the room, and Jean softly left your side, letting his hand linger for a moment on yours. Giving you away for the last time.

Rivaille stepped forward, bringing you to the make-shift altar in front of the set of windows. The light filtered through the glass and made a halo around your face, and Rivaille had to catch his breath for a moment, because in that moment, you were stunning.

You faced him as Erwin spoke in his soft, yet clear voice. You stared into Rivaille's eyes the entire time he spoke, not being able to contain your blush nor your smile. Rivaille face was blank, but you could see the silent happiness in his eyes.

Finally, the words you were looking for were spoken:

"Rivaille, (Name) Do you promise to love and honor each other, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Yes" you both spoke simultaneously. 

"You may kiss the bride."

Rivaille cupped your face, and though you were only an inch or two taller than him, brought your lips down to his in a kiss filled with so much passion it left your breathless.

You pulled away after a few moments, beaming at him. Then, in one movement, the entirety of the crowd stood and saluted you with a yell.

You and Rivaille chuckled, leaning in to kiss again.

And in that moment, you had never been happier.