Married in Vegas

[notjustaface]

Face woke up well before Murdock - his partner content to slumber well into the afternoon if there was nothing else pressing to do. He had something quite pressing, something he'd have to do himself. "Love you, baby," he murmured, brushing a kiss on Murdock's forehead, fingers shifting aside his bedraggled hair with the barest inclination to put the day off for another day and just curl up in bed beside him until the world went quiet. "I'll be back in a little bit. You just get your sleep."

A soft groan and push back against the gentle kiss was the extent of Murdock's protest before Face could slip out of the hotel room and get to work. There were a lot of things to be done, not the least of which was getting a hold of Hannibal to get some cash wired - the old man owed them a hell of a lot more and it came with the promise that they'd have a job in a couple days.

It didn't matter. All that mattered in that moment was putting a deposit down at the Little Elvis chapel and pulling up to the hotel in a pink Cadillac as the afternoon sun hung low in the desert sky.

"Oh Captain..." he called, grinning ear to ear as he pushed open the hotel room door. "Your chariot, sir... you've not even dressed yourself."

Comments

[notjustaface]

It's a special day for their special situation - it'd take a war to even start bringing him down.

He won't mention he's got the info on the new job tonight, they've got time to be just themselves little longer.

"It's half the reason I'm marrying you all over again."

[notthatcrazy]

They rarely get time to just be together like a normal couple. It's hard sometimes, though deep down he likes that they're different.

“Awww." He grins, nuzzling against him. "Do I wanna know the other half?"

[notjustaface]

And it's not often they get to be close in public... let alone in the backseat of an icon.

"Probably not. You nervous?"

[notthatcrazy]

Ah, Elvis has seen weirder.

"I dunno if I'd say nervous. Maybe just... anticipating."

He has no idea what he's going to say during the ceremony, but he's confident he'll figure it out. He's pretty good at winging it.

[notjustaface]

"Anticipation is good..." he murmurs as they pull up in front of the little chapel - strains of music audible even through the doors.

"Deep breath, babe. Let's do this."

[notthatcrazy]

"Right here with ya."

He holds his hand tightly as they exit the car. He knows there's not really anything to be nervous about... It's just them and a few other people. But any way you look at it, marrying the love of your life is a big deal.

[notjustaface]

It was a memory he wanted to keep, and after forgetting the last time he's admittedly a little scared it'll happen again. Of course, he knows Murdock will be there to remind him and probably marry him all over again if he does.

Part of him - that old part that still feels like he's just come home from Iraq - still wonders what would have happened if Charissa had accepted his offer, if they'd be happy. If he'd have a whole other life where he didn't get to do cheezy things walk up the blue suede carpet to the fat Elvis who reminds them gay marriage isn't recognized in Nevada before he conducts the wedding.

If they were using their real names he might be upset about that; but as far as Bonnie and Clyde Smith cared it was just right and dandy.

"Understood," he answers calmly, taking both of Murdock's hands between his.

[notthatcrazy]

"Got it."

And the whole thing is tacky and silly and he's pretty sure he's never going to get "Viva Leas Vegas" out of his head, but when Face's hands wrap around his, none of that matters. Because it's so right.

[notjustaface]

It's a basic sermon, with an Elvis twist that takes his level of kitschy damn near through the roof. But, when the King's voice drops to low swoon the words; "Bonnie Smith, you got some words for this hunka-hunka-burnin'-love?" He can't help but be overwhelmed for just a moment.

"Yeah..." his voice cracks, heat burning at the back of his eyes with tears he doesn't want to let come. "You... ah..." the next next crack lodges a fist sized lump in his throat but he manages to squash it down with a deep, shaking breath. "You're my best friend. And... I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else watching my back."

He has more, but the words won't come - everything further than Murdock's hands clasped between his shaking fingers is a wet blur and it's all he can do not to let everything overwhelm him.

"And Clyde, can you dig that noise?"

[notthatcrazy]

He grins a little at the code names, but as he looks into those blue eyes so full of emotion, he's utterly serious.

"Always get choked up at times like this. I shoulda written something down..." He squeezes Face's trembling hands a little tighter, rubbing a thumb across his knuckles in an unconscious gesture of calming and comfort. "We've been together so long, through the best and worst times, and I am... so lucky we found each other."

He lets his mind wander back to that first meeting, the first time he saw the man he knew, somehow, that he'd stand beside for the rest of his life. He could never have imagined how much they'd lose and gain along the way.

"And I promise I'm gonna spend forever showing you how happy you make me."

[notjustaface]

There's no code about the way he genuinely feels - and it's those thoughts that are so hard to muster and put into words without it spilling out with some macho veneer that's been conditioned into him his whole life. But he can say them now, it's silly enough to be authentic. And he knows they're echoed back with the same sincerity.

Squeezing his hands even tighter, knowing eventually one of them will run out of muscle to hold each other forever, he manages a small; "As long as we keep finding each other."

Elvis chimes in; "That's beautiful right here... and as best I can with the power vested in me by the great state of Nevada - you are joined in the bonds of eternity." A smile spreads across his rhinestone ensconced collar before he adds; "Go ahead and seal the deal."

[notthatcrazy]

There may be a few tears in his eyes as he reaches out to wrap his arms around his partner, but it's okay with him. They're happy ones.

"Love you forever," he whispers before going in for the kiss.

[notjustaface]

His own eyes shine almost brilliantly blue, the thin sheen of tears that won't come obvious but welcome enough.

Face nods, and closes the distance between him, his arms finding their familiar spot around Murdock's waist and pulling him close - up on tiptoe even as though he very well might just carry him out of the little chapel as music plays what seems like a million miles away.

"Always," he breathes, holding him tighter.

[notthatcrazy]

He doesn't speak for a moment, just breathing deeply as he holds on as tight as he can. He wishes they could stay this close forever, but he knows that wouldn't be possible even if they weren't wanted men with an uncertain future.

After a while the reality of the situation sinks in, as the music swells and Elvis watches then expectantly. He kisses Face one more time before pulling back reluctantly.

"Thank you for this."

For the wedding, and, well... everything, really.

[notjustaface]

Face refuses to let go of his hands still, squeezing gently.

"Anything for you," he replies softly, licking his lips as he fumbles in his breast pocket for the old battered ring he gave Murdock in a life he doesn't remember. "I mean that."

[notthatcrazy]

The simple touch grounds him in the moment , keeping him from focusing on those lost years as Face slips the ring into place.

"I know. And I'm always gonna be here for you."

The ring feels heavy on his hand, worn but untarnished, as he reaches into his pocket for its counterpart.

[notjustaface]

He should be terrified, it occurs to him, the him he woke up as would never do anything like this - no commitment, no strings, never someone he can't leave behind. But it feels right, it feels good. There's no worry as the metal catches on his skin as it's slid down his finger.

"You better." He grins, forcing himself not to laugh before adding; "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't."

[notthatcrazy]

He's come a long way since then, even if he doesn't remember.

"You'd get by. But god willing, you won't have to."

He can't promise entirely, their lives are to dangerous and unpredictable, but as long as he can, he'll always come home.

[notjustaface]

"Congratulations, boys..." Elvis laughs, clapping them both on the shoulder. "It's as official as you'll get in this state, now scoot your blue suede on out of here and go do what you do."

Face was grinning and it wasn't about to end any time soon.

"Come on, babe. Up for a jump?"

[notthatcrazy]

He grins. "Baby, right now I'm up for just about anything you want."

[notjustaface]

His arm wraps easily around Murdock's waist, leading him down the aisle to the familiar strains that didn't matter even a little in comparison to the overwhelming sensation of doing something right for once in his life.

Just a little on the jazz - his arm tightens and he moans against his man's ear; "You ready to get back in the sky, baby?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Already feels like I'm flying."

It's sappy, but it means a lot to him.

"I'm ready. Let's do it."

[notjustaface]

As they slide back into the Cadillac, he passes a folded slip of paper with a bill tucked into it the driver's hand.

"There's an airstrip about twenty minutes from here with a plane we're about to commandeer." His grin would stretch wider if that was even possible, instead he leans in and brushes a kiss against the corner of his mouth; "Happy honeymoon."

[notthatcrazy]

"You are the best ever."

He leans back into his arms as they head off to their destination.

[notjustaface]

Face can't help but smile into Murdock's too-long hair, nuzzling down into it with a hollow hum.

"Mmmm, just remember that when we jump out over New Orleans."