“Laurent, come on, you have the right to be disappointed. You do,” Beast said, lowering himself so that they could easily look at each another. He only went on once Laurent opened his eyes and nodded. “But on the other hand, we’ve had a great day. We got married. Our friends were there with us to witness everything. We had a lot of fun all the way until midnight. Doesn’t that count?”
Laurent pulled away and plopped down on the couch, rubbing his face to stop crying. “I guess. I should never have expected for things to go well in this cursed house.”
Instead of taking a seat next to Laurent, Beast kneeled in front of him and grabbed both his hands. He ignored Hound, who sat behind him and placed his huge muzzle on Beast’s shoulder, staring at Laurent. “Look, nothing’s ever perfect. There’s only one exception.”
Laurent couldn’t help the grimness in his heart even when he briefly petted the dog’s head. “What? A funeral? Because one is sure the guest of honor remains perfectly still?”
A small smile pulled on Beast’s mouth, so shapely despite the horrible burn scars. “No. You. You’re perfect even when you annoy me.”
Laurent sucked in his lips, even more embarrassed about his mood. “I’m not. I argued with you just earlier. Sometimes, I worry you will grow tired of my stubbornness.”
Beast pushed back a few strands of Laurent’s silky brown hair. “I gotta say I didn’t think a partner would be this much work. Hangarounds are usually much easier, but you must know I wouldn’t change you?”
Laurent swallowed, taking his time to watch his new husband too. It was most likely the last time he’d ever see Beast in a suit, and even though he looked so handsome in it, the leather and soft fabrics suited him better. He pulled off his glasses and placed them on the coffee table.
“I should wish for that to be true, because I doubt one can ever change the core of their nature.”
Beast grinned, as if he’d already gotten over last night’s disaster. “That is very true. And you must also accept that our life in the club can mean rapid change. You can’t always see these things as if they’re the end of the world.”
“Beast, a gargoyle crashed our wedding. Burned down the tables, the food, wrecked the window, scared everyone, and even some of our gifts are ashes. I feel like ashes. I’ve worked so hard, and this will never be fixed.” Laurent sighed in exasperation and tried to compose himself. “I’m sorry. I’m complaining again, but I found it so excruciatingly difficult to acknowledge it wasn’t Jake’s fault, to comfort him, when I feel so broken myself. It’s all Baal’s fault. We will never be free of him.”
“What are you talking about? You are married to me, a man. Everyone knows about it. Just a year ago, you wouldn’t have even imagined this.”
Laurent entwined his fingers with Beast’s as melancholy settled in his heart. He loved how large they were in comparison to his own. Laurent resented feeling so small in this world, but never next to Beast. “I know. I hate the duality within me. I wish you had never been forced to make a pact with him, yet without it we wouldn’t be here now.”
Beast nodded. “It’s not important. I’m so tired after this crazy night,” he said softly and put his head in Laurent’s lap.
Laurent stroked the heavily scarred skin on the side of Beast’s head. “My suit is torn. You spent so much money on it.”
Beast exhaled and loosely put his arms around Laurent’s waist. “Your skin isn’t torn. That’s all I care about.”
“How is it that whenever we argue, you seem to always know just the thing to say?” Laurent sighed deeply, watching his beloved Beast, so big and frightening, yet on his knees before him.
“Ten more years of experience.”
“Don’t ever think that because of this whole disaster I resent our wedding. I will just try to remember the good parts, because they meant so much to me, Beast.”
Beast rubbed his cheek against the smooth wool of Laurent’s dress pants, sniffing the fabric that had been soaking up his new husband’s—husband’s!—scent all night. He slowly rubbed the side of Laurent’s thigh and kissed the covered skin right next to his lips. “That’s the spirit.”
“I guess it’s just time to go to sleep and forget all about it.” Laurent shrugged. “Thank you for listening to me, even though it was your reception too. Your gifts, your cake, your guests.”
Beast stopped him with the touch of his thick fingers and leaned in, keeping a lock on Laurent’s eyes. “I have everything I need right here.”
Laurent smiled and leaned down for a kiss. “I love that your sweetness is my secret, and I am the only one with the key to it.”