Chapter Text
They met in the most unexpected way possible; they fell in love in the most clichéd way possible, they went through hardships and break ups. They are one of the lucky ones, a couple who didn’t fall out of love, but only got stronger day by day.
It took them more or less a decade to finally reach this day, the day of their wedding. Both men are in their separate rooms waiting for the time to start the ceremony. Both men are scared, pacing around and rearranging things over and over again as if it’s not enough, and excited; their eyes are twinkling with unfathomable happiness and giddiness.
The raven-haired is wearing a black three piece suit, a white dress shirt with a blue cravat adorned with double ivory calla lily wrapped in blue green ribbon and crystals. He’s waiting for his beloved and his husband-to-be in the altar.
He was nervous but never did he, in this entire time, doubt himself or Eren. He didn’t even think about the what-if’s that people usually think before getting married. He is 100% sure that his love for Eren would never fade and that he wants to live with him for the rest of his days and vice versa.
The wedding is being held in a 2-story dome, the 2nd floor is used for the ceremony while below will be used as the wedding reception area. The whole second floor is placed with white wooden chairs, the chairs near the aisle is wrapped in blue ribbons. In its center aisle is a blue carpet adorned with different shades of green ornaments in a glass on each side. The wedding altar is draped with white mantle flowing on each side; a table in the center with a green centerpiece, whisks of lights of color blue gives the altar a magical feeling as if they’re under the water.
The piano and cello started playing and everyone present to witness the matrimony stood up. Levi corrected his posture and brushed a few nonexistent dusts on his suit. The entourage walked forward smiling but all Levi was focused on and craved to see is his beloved.
The music changed and there entered from the stares Rena in her beautiful white gown throwing white rose petals on the blue carpet. Then, not a moment too soon, Eren emerged from downstairs with his father Grisha side by side.
While Levi is wearing a black outfit, Eren is wearing an all-white three piece single button slim fit suit. It has pleated dress shirt and a white bowtie with blue cufflinks. The design is simple but everyone would agree that Eren’s ethereal teal eyes are his best accessory.
Once Eren stood at the very top stares and teal eyes meet with blue grey eyes, Levi fell in love again. His heart is filled with happiness as Eren got closer. He wants to meet them halfway and whisk Eren away and kiss him but stopped himself because that would totally ruin the wedding. So he waited for feels like hours but the wait is worth it when the father and son stopped in front of him.
Eren is already crying his hearts out while Grisha extended his hand to Levi. The shorter man took it but was surprised when he was tugged closer and was hugged.
“Take care of my son.” Grisha whispered. Levi only nodded.
Levi turned to look at Eren who’s waiting for him, smiling. The black-suited man smiled back; he can’t wait for Eren to be called his husband.
The wedding officiant started the ceremony soon after.
"To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate with Eren Jaeger and Levi Ackerman the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make today."
"True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends. Your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of togetherness becomes a little clearer with each new day."
“And now for your vows…” The officiant looked at the couple with a reserved a smile signaling them to read their vows for each other.
Levi took a deep breath and started. He held Eren’s hands and looked into those beautiful eyes and willingly gets drown by it.
“Science says love only lasts three years. After that the brain stops producing the hormone that makes you feel ‘love’. I say, bullshit...” Levi rolled his eyes when collective gasps were heard. Eren chuckled. It’s his day, he will do whatever he wants, he thought.
“… Love is never just a feeling; it as an act, a choice. And it is my choice, since the time I realized that what I’m feeling for you is not just a mere attraction, to love and stay in love with you. I always have a problem in showing what I feel but for some reason, you make me do things that I never imagined would’ve done. You are my strength, you are my hope, you are my love, your mine… and you can’t back out. – Eren chuckled, shook his head smiling and mouthed, ‘I won’t’. – I know that we still have a lot to learn about each other. I know that we still have a lot of fights to overcome through. But, I am sure and I promise to you that despite everything that has happened and things that are to happen, I will still be here with you to love you, treasure you and care for you more than myself. I love you Eren… I love ‘til the rest of my days.”
As Levi finished, he caressed and stroked Eren’s left cheek, smiling without reserve for this is his day.
Eren held Levi’s hand. He moved it to his mouth and kissed its knuckles gently. He smiled and grinned more when he saw Levi blush.
“I thought before, when I proposed to you, it was the perfect opportunity. I was so sure that that was the moment for us. But I was wrong and I’m glad that I was wrong because what we have now… it’s not just something anyone can break, it’s not something I can fathom, the happiness that I feel cannot be contained and I’m happy and thankful that you waited for me… M-My love for you has never faded and will never fade. I believe you are my soul mate; we complement each other even without trying. I promise to understand you more, to love you more but there’s one thing I can’t promise you, -Levi gave Eren a confused look- and that is to fold and arrange my clothes neatly. I just can’t seem to fold it or keep it neat after you rearrange it for a hundredth time. On this day, we will be of one flesh – working together as one body. We’re not individuals anymore but one. And I will gladly spend the rest of my life with you and, I might dare say, OUR daughter. I love you Levi… I truly and will stubbornly love you ‘til the rest of my life.”
Eren wanted to hug and kiss Levi but he can’t since there’s a flow that they to follow so he opted in kissing Levi’s hand again.
The officiant gave them a smile and continued the ceremony.
"Wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today."
The rings were handed to each of them. The ring is just a simple gold ring to complement their engagement ring. They decided not to remove their old rings since it’s also very important for the couple.
Levi took Eren’s left hand and slowly slid the ring while saying, "I give you this ring, a symbol of my love, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are."
Eren then took Levi’s left hand and also, slid the ring slowly while speaking. "I give you this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."
The couple smiled at each other admiring the new weight in their hand.
The ceremony continued until the officiant, finally, announced: “You may kiss your husband.”
The, now newlywed husbands, faced each other and gazed again into each other’s eyes. Levi cupped Eren’s cheek and leaned closer to kiss his husband.
“Finally, took a fucking long time.” Levi whispered. Eren chuckled as their lips met into their first kiss as newlyweds.
Everyone clapped and some whistle (mainly Hanji). The couple broke off and faced the crowd.
Hanji then, started chanting, “One more time! One more time!” until everyone started chanting, too.
The couple shrugged and kissed again, Levi moved his lips against Eren’s nipping and licking a little. Subconsciously, Eren wrapped his arms around Levi’s waist and pulled him closer. Levi groaned. Eren chuckled and broke off.
Eren heard Levi’s soft whine and laughed, “There’s more for later.” Levi just rolled his eyes and smiled to Eren.
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The reception was fun and full of energy and everyone is just generally happy. There’s no air of formality but familiarity and delight.
When the couple arrived, they made their way to the center and had their first dance as a married couple. Everyone is happy but no one is near as happy as Eren and Levi who can’t take their eyes off each other. They danced to a music made by a cello and piano. It was simple yet sentimental with the way the musician played their instruments as if they’re the ones getting married.
Eren and Levi then sat in front of their own table in the front center of the hall. Their table is draped with white and blue mantles with lavish green centerpiece that spreads from the center to each side of the table cladded with crystals placed randomly but beautifully anywhere near the centerpiece.
As they are about to finish dinner Hanji came to the front and took the microphone.
“Did you enjoy your dinner? Of course, you would it was one of the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted. Now that our hunger and thirst are sated, let us continue with our program…”
“…Family has been our source of comfort, support and inspirations. Eren and Levi are truly blessed with such wonderful family and friends. When it comes to knowing what marriage is all about, in behalf of both the newlyweds’ family may I call on Mrs. Margaret Ackerman for Levi and then after, Mr. Grisha Jaeger for Eren, to say a few words of wisdom to our newlyweds.”
Margaret stood up from one of the tables and went towards Hanji. Hanji side stepped and let Margaret take the microphone.
“Hello, everyone I’m Margaret and I’m the mom if Levi. Let me give you a little insight in their ‘younger’ years. – Margaret winked at the couple – I first met Eren when Levi, Hanji and Erwin came home for the summer vacation. They always go home and stay in our house for a couple of days. They got drunk the first night. They are all huddled up in the living room… Well except for them – pointing at the couple – they are all curled up in their tiny little love corner and my little Levi was hugging Eren like it’s his teddy bear. It’s so cute and they’re not even a couple yet at that time! In that moment I KNEW that they would end up together one way or another. They are meant for each other."
"And I’m glad that it came true. I am so happy to see you in your wedding day. Now, we all know all the shit they talk about marriage but all I wanted to say is the very foundation of marriage is love stacked up with lots of understanding and compromising and roofed with hard as hell trust. Marriage is never just a one day thing, you need to work hard for it for the rest of your lives and I hope and pray that you would forever be happy despite the challenges to come. I love you both; I’m your biggest fan. And may you have more children! Hahahaha!” Margaret laughed boisterously after her speech and went down. But not before hugging and kissing both her son and son-in-law.
Eren is blushing at the memory. At that time, Eren already had a crush on Levi and that moment was one of his precious moments. Meanwhile, Levi just face palmed.
Then Hanji announced that it was Grisha’s turn. Grisha thanked Hanji before taking the microphone. He looked up and scanned the crows with a smile.
“To Eren and Levi, congratulations on your wedding… I-I was not around to see your love bloom but I want to give you some little advise that I know your mother would’ve said to you if she was here. ‘Don’t give up.’ A lot of people think that marriage is their happy ever after but truly it’s not. It’s the start of something new. Marriage is no easy thing. You’ll be confronted with the reality that marriage is not all sunshine. Both will make mistakes, discover new things about your partner and there will be times that you will question yourselves but don’t give up. Live. Always remember that you are one with each other and no one can live without the other. And don’t be like a hemiplegic paralyzed person. A hemiplegic knows that half of their body is intact but they can’t feel it and in the long run they forget about it. If you have problems with each other, talk. If you’re angry with one another don’t let a day pass without solving anything. Communication is very important so if you like something about him, tell him. If you don’t like something about him, tell him in a way that he would understand. If he did something that is wrong for you, tell him. Be open to each other. Openness will lead to understanding; understanding and knowing someone takes a lifetime to master. Congratulations on your wedding, don’t give up cause I saw how beautiful your family is. Don’t let it fade away. I love you both.”
At that the crown clapped and Grisha went to the married couple and hugged them tightly.
“Let’s give the couple another round of applause!” Hanji said as she takes over again as the masters of ceremony.
“Thank you Mrs. Ackerman and Mr. Jaeger for that wonderful message. Even I will keep it at heart. And I totally took a picture of them cuddling at that time in your house Mrs. Ackerman. – Margaret raised a thumbs up, other guest laughed at their exchange – This time, let us call some of the newlyweds’ friends to give them a few special words. Also known as, time for the embarrassing stories of the newlyweds! As Levi’s dear old but young in spirit friend: I, Hanji Zoe, will give them a few words. Let’s reminisce the past for a while, shall we?”
“I totally remember the time, they were not together yet, Levi would unconsciously gush out about how annoying Eren is, how he doesn’t clean, etc. Even when we were talking about anatomy and physiology, Levi would suddenly blurt something like ‘Hmpf, this model doesn’t even compare to Eren, I mean look at it. Its body is too broad.’(Hanji did her best Levi impersonation). And then, I’ll be like whatever dude, you’re totally obsess with Eren. And then, he would gush out again about how idiotic and clumsy Eren is. And there’s also this one time…” Hanji turned to the married couple smirking, Levi already glaring daggers at her while Eren is blushing hard.
“Eren doesn’t know about this but one time we were hanging out and Eren fell asleep on the grass. Now, Levi hates dirt but – Levi’s eyes widened silently telling her to stop. Of course, Hanji ignored it. – even so he kneeled down and picked Eren up and placed him in the back of his car to let Eren sleep properly. But wait! That’s not the best part yet. Levi looked around to see if someone is looking then… he kissed Eren on the forehead, then his eyes to the each side of his cheeks and finally to Eren’s lips. I was silently spazzing at them in the dark. It was one of their beautiful moments together!”
“I have more but it would Levi is already planning to kill me so I will stop. Congrats to you, too. May you go stronger and have more beautiful moments together! And let me witness it, yeah?”
Hanji ended her speech there and went on. She called Erwin and Mikasa to the front to give their speeches.
Mikasa went first.
“At first, I didn’t really like Levi for Eren but he proved it all wrong. But I will still say this, hurt Eren and I will find you and I will make you pay with your life. That is all.” At that Mikasa handed the microphone to Erwin and everyone laughed at Mikasa’s very short yet strong threat/speech.
“I’ll make this short… I’m Erwin and I’ve known Levi for a quite a long time but when it comes to relationship, Eren and Levi are way ahead than me. I still have a lot to prove to my wife. This two, however, had overcome trials far more than I. I know that they are strong enough to handle any challenges thrown at them. Congratulations and I hope you have a happy marriage. I hope you enjoy my gift to you.” Erwin calmly ended his speech and handed Hanji the microphone.
Hanji then called in Armin for the last friend to give the message.
“Hello, everyone and congratulations again to my best friend and his husband. But I am not here for myself; I am here in behalf of someone else.” Armin then took out a yellowish envelope from his inner pocket and opened it.
Eren immediately recognized it while Levi is a little confused.
Armin took a deep breath and read the letter.
To Eren and Levi,
If Armin is reading this, it means you two got married. I don’t know for how long but, damn, finally! If so, congratulations to both of you! I hope your love will last a lifetime and I wish that people will be inspired by your love story because you two have the most wonderful love story, for me that is. I am glad that Armin is able to read this, this means that I would finally be at peace.
To Levi, thank you and please don’t ever get tired of loving and understanding Eren. Thank you also for taking care of my Rena. Now, you have to take care of two babies; one is an adult who thinks like a child and a child who thinks she’s an adult. Please be patient with them.
To Eren, don’t be scared. I know how you love Levi from all the things you told me. No matter what happened or whatever people may say you have the right to be happy with someone you love. You two are made for each other. Show to each other how much you love them day by day.
Enjoy the rest of your lives together.
Be happy and congratulations, again, on your wedding. I totally ship you two…
Charis
P. S.
If you ever decide to divorce, I will come back down from heaven and rise from the grave and haunt you two!
Armin closed the letter and folded it back. He placed it back in the envelope and gave it to Eren and hugged the newlyweds.
Eren is surprised, to say the least. He looked at the envelope and saw what was written on the envelope.
Open this, if and only if, Eren and Levi get married. If not, burn it.
Eren felt tears in his eyes flowing; he tried to stop it but failed miserably. He can’t believe that Charis wrote this before she died. One of her last mementos is directed for him and Levi. The brunet looked at Levi sniffling, his husband hugged him.
“I fucking hate surprises but that one, Charis pulled it off well.” Levi said wiping Eren’s face with his handkerchief.
Eren chuckled. He felt very happy that he can’t contain it. Having Levi by his side and all the wishes of all the people he loves there’s nothing he can ask for. He gazed at Levi, eyes shining with love and glee. He still can’t believe that after everything he ends up with his love, his very first love.
Levi noticed his gaze and smiled at him caressing his cheek.
“I love you, Levi Jaeger.”
“I love you, too. Forever I will love you Eren Jaeger.” Eren said as he leaned for a kiss.
The couple shared a kiss, one of the many kisses that they would share for the rest of their lives, together.