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stxphxn-strange · 4 years

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what? a beautiful wedding? pt. 4

a/n: wow, this is the last part! thank you for all your support on this little series, i’ve had such fun writing these💓 you know the drill by now, we’re following this au and part 1, part 2, and part 3 are linked!

In a disorderly clump, the entire friend group as well as various other family members and friends (of both brides) walked to the outdoor venue. Stephen looked around the garden with wonder, drawing on the back of Anthony’s hand with his thumb.

“This is pretty,” he murmured, simultaneously thinking aloud and talking to Anthony. “I think an outdoor wedding would be nice, weather and seasonal allergies permitting.”

Anthony nodded. “Can you imagine you’re about to say ‘I do’ and you sneeze because the pollen count is too high? I’m sure it’s happened to somebody before.”

“Good thing Christine is a med student and has the foresight to take allergy medicine, and Hope is somehow lucky enough not to have allergies,” Stephen replied.

The couple took their seats, continuing to hold hands as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

“I think an outdoor wedding would be nice,” Anthony said. “My mother used to say that she imagined my wedding in her rose garden.”

Stephen didn’t miss the fact that Anthony’s voice dropped at the mention of his mother. “Natasha’s wedding wasn’t there, was it?”

“No, she always dreamed of getting married in Paris, like we know she did. But Mom was always proud of her roses, and she always hoped one of us would get married there,” Anthony explained.

Stephen saved this information for a later date, wrapping an arm around Anthony as his face fell. Stephen kissed him softly, trying to prevent him from spiraling into old and upsetting memories. He didn’t want to see the love of his life upset, especially when he felt somewhat responsible.

“I’m fine,” Anthony murmured, leaning slightly against Stephen. His words said one thing, but his body language (looking around somewhat nervously, playing with his sunglasses in his hand) said another.

“I’m sorry,” Stephen whispered. “I love you.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong!” Anthony assured him. “And I love you too.”

Stephen kissed him again. “Why didn’t Natasha come today, by the way?”

“Hope didn’t invite her. Not to be meanspirited, or anything, but they’ve never met.

“That’s a little weird, given that she’s your half-sister, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know if Natasha would have come if she got invited, honestly,” Anthony replied. “She really never liked being around this many people. Even still, she wanted to show support and her way of doing that is through gestures.”

“So is yours,” Stephen said with a smirk.

“Yes, but Natasha is much more lowkey about everything than I am. In fact I think she’d agree with you that islands are weird wedding gifts,” Anthony said. “How else are you supposed to tell people you love them, if not with a grand gesture?”

Stephen’s heart clenched. “You know you’re far too precious for this world, it’s really unfair. I’m lucky you’re mine.”

“Feeling possessive, are we?” Anthony asked, giving Stephen a little, good-natured shove.

“Not really, just introspective,” Stephen replied, as his phone began to buzz. “Oh wait, drama in the groupchat.”

The seat switch occurred just before as the organist announced the arrival of the brides. The brides and their bridesmaids would be walking down the aisle in two parallel lines, tailed by Hope’s niece as the flower girl. Christine’s father, ordained specifically for this day, was the officiant (while Hope’s father would emcee the reception) waiting at the end of the aisle. It was a beautiful arrangement, and the entire group was happy to see both of their friends radiant and glowing in the afternoon sunlight.

Even Pepper, from her place behind Christine, had a peaceful smile on her face. Peaceful was the perfect word to describe her, as it seemed she had found a way to make amends with her feelings. She was even the first one to toss a bouquet in the air when Christine and Hope shared their first kiss, and wasn’t that nice?

++++

“I always underestimate how loud you can actually be,” Stephen teased, wrapping his arms around Anthony.

“I’m not being that loud!” Anthony was indignant, despite the fact that he was practically shouting. “It’s just important that you can hear me over the music!”

“I can hear you fine, and beyond that I’m listening to you,” Stephen replied. “So talk, you have my attention.”

Anthony was interrupted by Sam, forcing himself behind the couple. “What are you doing?”

“Hiding! Didn’t you see the texts? Bucky is after me with the confetti cannon!” Sam said. “I need you to cover me.”

Anthony smiled wickedly, continuing to hold onto Stephen even as he faced Sam. “Fine, but I need a favor from you. See Rhodey and T’challa flirting over there? I need you to run past them, leading Bucky behind you while he’s chasing you, and somehow knock them into a corner.”

“Fine I’ll do it, just hide me for a minute!” Sam pleaded.

He continued to stand behind them, periodically looking around for Bucky.

“Why would anyone hide behind you? Even with this startling amount of hair gel, you’re tiny,” Stephen teased Anthony.

“Uncalled for, on so many levels!” Anthony replied. “It’s not that much hair gel! Besides, you try dancing the night away while maintaining immaculate hair.”

“I don’t need to try, I’ve perfected it,” Stephen quipped.

“Where’s Sam? Has anyone seen Sam?” Bucky had the confetti cannon slung over his shoulder like a bag, his hands forming a makeshift megaphone as he dramatically searched for his boyfriend.

“I’m making a run for it!” Sam yelled, sprinting to the left.

Bucky appeared as quickly as Sam had sprinted away. “Where did he go?”

Anthony simply pointed to the left, returning his attention to Stephen. “Have I told you how nice you look today?”

“I wouldn’t mind hearing it again,” Stephen replied. His mind drifted back to earlier in the day, to lazy kisses being traded as they prepared to leave for the wedding. It felt like it was days ago when Anthony grabbed Stephen’s shirt collar and kissed him in their closet. Even though Anthony generally preferred hugs, he never shied away from an opportunity to kiss Stephen.

He knew he was grinning like an idiot when Anthony caressed his face and whispered, “You look great, Steph.”

“That’s high praise coming from you,” Stephen preened at Anthony’s words, leaning in to kiss him.

“Hmm, and you do love my praise, don’t you?” Anthony whispered against his lips.

“I love all of you, if you don’t already know that,” Stephen said.

“I love you too,” Anthony murmured, leaning in for another kiss as someone clinked a glass.

“May I have everyone’s attention please?” Carol asked. “Wow, lots of PDA here tonight, huh? Anyway, it’s come to my attention that some of you want to toast to the happy couple, and since dinner is about to be served I figured now is a good time for some toasts! The dance floor isn’t going anywhere, everyone return to your seats!”

In an even less orderly clump than before, the wedding guests returned to their seats. Excitement buzzed in the air as people whispered to each other, finalizing their toasts.

“Now, who’d like to go first?” Carol asked, once everyone was seated.

Rhodey’s hand was up before Carol could even finish her sentence, and no one opposed him going first. Clearly, a lot was on his mind. “I’d just like to start out by saying congratulations to the both of you, I couldn’t be happier! I wanted to actually give you your wedding gift now, although this is directed at Christine. Why, you may ask? Because she was the only one who thought me and T’challa were together where the rest of our friends have assumed we’ve just been pining for each other! Christine— you were right, we’ve been together since February.”

Anthony stood up immediately. “You mean I’ve been trying to play Cupid for nothing?!”

Rhodey took a bow as all the wedding guests clapped.

“Thank you Rhodey, this might be the second best early wedding present I got today!” Christine declared with a wink.

Stephen followed her line of sight, confusion on his face. She wasn’t winking at Rhodey...

Christine winked at Pepper.

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