Day 3: I Love It When A Wedding (and a plan) Comes Together

[notjustaface]

There was no doubt about it, Mel/Mia was definitely in on the gig, between the gun and fake documents stored in her cabin and a key to what could only be a storage locker they had more than enough evidence to take her down hard.

Problem was, she didn't strike either of them as the leader of the operation - she was sweet, pretty, just the sort of con Face was the master of. Which usually meant there was a boss pulling the strings. With less than twenty-four hours before dock, it was hard to focus on getting ready for the wedding when he was going over every face on the boat they'd met in the last two days. Between the two of them, they'd practically been social butterflies - making best friends of most of the boat.

They're taking in some last minute time by the pool pretending to go over their vows only a couple hours before the altar, going over the plan if they can only nab half the pair.

"We'll flush her out," Face shakes his head, pushing up off his towel and stretching enough to make his small speedo even more scandalous. "Have Hannibal and BA grab Mia and then make a run for the hold - assuming the guns are in the hold."

Which is a big assumption.

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[notjustaface]

Letting his own shirt hang open, Face plucks the bowtie of the bed and shakes his head. "One day, I will teach you how to do this."

Of course, he probably won't - there's something undeniably sensual about looping the silk under his collar and tying it for him. Being close, smelling the familiar skin and soap. And that sweet, innocent smile...

"You ready for this?"

[notthatcrazy]

He could probably figure it out himself if he put his mind to it... but this is so much nicer.

"More than ready."

It's probably best not to read too much into that.

"Are you?"

[notjustaface]

The quick response draws a mild smile across his lips, and just the slightest weight in his gut that he'll pretend he doesn't notice.

"Sure," he answers after a moment's hesitation; "should be fun."

[notthatcrazy]

Don't think he didn't notice that hesitation, mister.

"Not like it really changes much, right?"

It's only the two of them publicly declaring their love for each other.

[notjustaface]

It's a lot on his mind, not that he isn't used to juggling things but it all seems a bit deeper than normal.

"Right," he replies quietly, finishing off the bow before sliding both hands down Murdock's sides, tucking his shirt without wrinkling it but running his palms around the inside of his waistband.

"Tell me it's a bad idea to blow off the reception."

[notthatcrazy]

Maybe if they weren't doing this under their cover IDs, it would feel different.

"That would be a bad idea."

They've got to see this through.

[notjustaface]

"I swear to God..." he mutters, "as soon as we break this case... I am gonna break you..."

In the best way possible, of course. He'll blame the suit, his man in a tux definitely does things to him.

"I should put my pants on." Not that pants have ever stopped him before.

[notthatcrazy]

"You always were a sweet talker," he smirks.

"... and yeah, pants would probably be a good idea."

[notjustaface]

The sweet words will come later, right now it's a matter of trying to push out intruding thoughts with something other than desire.

"I just know what I want." He offers a peck on the mouth, and then forces himself to finish getting dressed, right down to knotting his tie without the mirror and slicking back his hair.

"How do I look?"

[notthatcrazy]

As accustomed as it is to being hidden under a baseball cap or a flight helmet, his own hair takes a little effort to tame.

"Amazing, as usual."

[notjustaface]

"C'mon, time to go do this wedding thing." He grins again, "Hope it's not bad luck to see you beforehand."

He interlaces his fingers with Murdock's, leading him toward the door with the sort of stiff defiance he's practiced over far too many years of military training. It's a job. A weird job, but a job no less.

[notthatcrazy]

"We make our own luck."

He gives his hand a reassuring squeeze as they head upstairs.

[notjustaface]

The scene is a little intense, but they elected to take the spot with the best view of the other passengers as they looked out over the ocean - making them last in line to give their vows and say their "I do". They'd run through it just once the day before, but it seemed pretty standard - only the captain was lucky enough to say his part just once.

Of course, that also meant listening to several sappy and somewhat long-winded personally written vows that mean a whole lot more to the people saying them than anyone listening.

When the captain addresses them, he clears his throat and takes both of his partner's hands, squeezing tight - you first, babe.

[notthatcrazy]

He holds on to his hands tightly, taking a deep breath.

"There's a lot of things I want to say right now..."

Real names would really help here.

"...I might need a minute."

[notjustaface]

"It's okay, babe. Take your time." He smiles watching his eyes. "I love you."

Matching the tight squeeze, he shifts his feet to a more dominant stance - nobody had better make a big deal of him needing a moment.

[notthatcrazy]

"I love you."

Just remember to breathe...

"I love you for standing by me through everything we've been through together, and for accepting me for who I am. And I'm gonna stand by you for as long as we have together."

[notjustaface]

He lowers his eyes, swallowing a lump that has somehow built in his throat as he listens to Murdock's voice waver and his accent thicken - the words working their way into his brain and warming him.

"I..." his voice cracks and he clears his throat loudly, forcing himself to look back up when he finds his words again. "I love you," he exhales loudly; "for putting up with me and forgiving my mistakes."

He lets out a slightly awkward laugh, squeezing his hands again; "And I swear to you that I will do anything to protect you."

Even from myself.

Forcing back the lump again, softening his normally sure voice, he manages; "For as long as I have the honor of standing by your side."

[notthatcrazy]

And there's that overwhelmed by feelings moment. They look into each other's eyes for a long moment until their officiant clears his throat.

"Gentlemen, the rings?"

[notjustaface]

"Oh, right..." Face grins a little too wide, cheeks flushed as he lets go of Murdock's hand to dig the heart shaped box out of his pocket. Inside are two narrow gold bands that match the plain silver.

His hand shakes, just slightly, as he removes the slightly larger one fitted to Murdock's size and holds it out to slide onto his waiting hand, nestling it against it's mate. "Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you..." he pauses, forcing his voice to continue; "...and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my husband."

It's not real. He reminds himself, feeling even as he says the words he just might be wrong.

[notthatcrazy]

His voice wavers only slightly as he repeats the vows, sliding the gold band onto his partner's finger. He rests his hand on top of his, thinking of the scars he knows are still there, though they've faded.

Look at us, baby. Look how far we've come.

[notjustaface]

Swallowing back his emotions is hard, but he can't let Murdock see more than the slight wet shine in his eyes. He doesn't need to see it. He can hear it, hell... he can probably feel it.

"You may now share love's first kiss as devoted partners."

Leaning in is second nature, wrapping his arm around his partner's waist as the other buries itself in his hair - not wanting for one second to let go.

[notthatcrazy]

As nice as that thought as that is, it's not quite true... they've been devoted partners for a while, missteps and all.

"Love you so much," he whispers before losing himself in his arms.

[notjustaface]

The words make it easy to pull him even tighter, letting himself get lost in the cheering and occasional loud sob behind them until he can't breathe and gasps against his ear; "Always have."

Even back when he didn't know it, he knew it.

[notthatcrazy]

"And always will."

He presses another warm kiss to his lips before pulling back slightly.

"We did it."

And just for that moment, even with the noise of all the other couples around them, he feels like they're the only two people in the world.

[notjustaface]

For all he cares, they are. He presses his forehead to Murdock's, eye to eye when he whispers; "I love you so damn much."

Pulling away in that moment is one of the hardest things he's ever had to do, but the passengers are being herded toward the ballroom for their reception.