“Don’t worry, it’s not your fault,” Stark said. “It was lessthey didn’t get the memo,and morethey just didn’t show up.”
Kyle frowned. He didn’t know who Stark meant - and who was important enough to round up that he’d nearly missed the opening ceremony.
But then something clicked in Kyle’s mind and he gasped. “Your parents!”
Stark nodded with a sigh. “They’re the ones.”
“But - what happened? We invited them, didn’t we?” Kyle asked.
“I’mdefinitelysure of that,” Scout said as his eyes skimmed over his worn-out list. “Actually, I specifically remember calling them myself. Ages ago.”
Kyle felt a pang of sadness in his chest. Did Stark’s parents really hate him so much they didn’t even want to come to their own son’s wedding?
“It’s okay,” Stark said, noticing the gloomy expression beginning to cloud Kyle’s face. He traced his finger along Kyle’s jawline, lifting his chin. “I made sure they came, no matter what.”
Kyle opened his mouth to ask another anxious question before Stark interrupted. “And no, they don’t hate you.”
Kyle paused. “Are you - “
“Yes, I’m 100% sure,” Stark said. “They were nervous about showing up because of the fight we had. They thought maybe they weren’t really welcome here.”
Scout winced. “Maybe it’s my fault… It would make sense they wouldn’t be sure since a stranger called and invited them. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault, Scout,” Stark said. “You did an amazing job preparing the whole wedding. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Yeah, Scout,” Kyle added. “I… We seriously would have had no idea what to do if you weren’t here to help.”
“Aw, you guys,” Scout mumbled, blushing.
Stark reached over and intertwined his fingers with Kyle’s, gazing deeply into his mate’s eyes. “Alright,” he said with a big inhale. “Let’s go get married.”
* * *
The great hallwas full of murmuring voices. White and gold lace decorations adorned the arches carved into the old high walls. At the end of the ivory carpeted walkway stood a simple but elegant altar. Kyle gasped when he saw it - it was the same one used at Scout and Killian’s wedding. He turned to Scout with wide eyes, but the other omega only gave him a big smile and a thumbs up.
Kyle swallowed hard. Stark was waiting for him at the start of the walkway. Kyle glanced nervously at the rows and rows of people with their heads turned, waiting expectantly for the new couple to walk towards the altar. His heart raced in his chest. He had never been so nervous in his whole life.
Movement in the corner of his eye made him look up. Stark stood tall -god he’s so handsome,Kyle thought - as he outstretched his hand to Kyle. With a flutter in his heart, Kyle took his hand, marvelling at its warmth and softness, and Stark began to lead them down the white walkway.
Kyle forced himself not to stare down at the floor. This washiswedding. He had a right to be here. He could almost hear Stark’s words in his mind:
“You belong here.”
He swallowed hard.
I belong here.
He lifted his chin and looked ahead. The altar stood before them, seemingly ages away. Every step closer made Kyle’s heart beat faster.
The crowd had gone silent except for gentle murmurs about how cute the couple was, or how handsome they were. Kyle couldn’t help but blush. He didn’t even know most of the people in the hall, but they still had such nice things to say about him. It was surreal.
Stark gently squeezed his hand. From the corner of his eye, he saw his mate smile at him. Kyle’s heart beat like a butterfly in his chest.
When they finally reached the altar, hand in hand, Kyle was afraid he would faint. This was the biggest event that had ever happened to him in his life. He couldn’t believe it was real. He was afraid that if he blinked, it would all disappear. He inhaled a shaky breath and blinked, very slowly.
When he opened his eyes, nothing changed.
This is really happening,he thought.
