“He did not.”
“That's what I said. Luka insists he did.”
Ash's smile widened. “Viktor crying at his own wedding. Never thought I'd see the day.”
“It was more like tearing up. Barely counts.”
“Still counts.” He fell quiet for a moment, staring at the gardens. “You ever wonder how they do it?”
“Do what?”
“Choose happiness like that. In front of everyone. Make it public and permanent and real.” His grip on the stone tightened. “I watch Viktor and Sebastian, and it looks so easy. Like they just decided to be happy and everything else fell into place.”
“Nothing about Viktor's life fell into place.”
“No. I know. That's what makes it more impressive.” Ash turned to look at me. “He fought for it. For Sebastian. For this life. For the right to stand in that room and make vows. And he won.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I am surprised. Not by Viktor winning. By him believing he could.” Ash's voice went quieter. “I struggle with that sometimes. Believing good things can last. That happiness isn't just borrowed time before everything goes to shit again.”
“Luka help with that?”
“Every day. He's patient when I'm not. He's steady when I'm falling apart. He sits with me through the bad nights and doesn't make me feel weak for having them.” Ash's expression softened. “That's love, I think. Not the grand gestures. Just showing up. Being present. Choosing someone even when it's hard.”
“Sounds exhausting.”
“It is. But it's worth it.” He pushed off the balustrade, straightened his jacket. “Watching Viktor today reminded me why. Why it's worth being terrified. Worth needing someone. Worth trusting they'll stay.”
“What if they don't?”
“Then at least I tried.” He met my eyes. “You know what I mean, Dom. You've been doing it for years.”
The words hit harder than they should have. “I don't?—”
“You do. You stand in corners and convince yourself you're fine alone. That needing people makes you weak. But you're here. Standing with Viktor. That's something.”
“It's his wedding.”
“It's more than that. You let him in. You let him matter.” Ash's voice was gentle. “That's brave, even if you don't think it is.”
“Ash.”
“I know. You don't want to hear it.” He adjusted his mask. “I should get back inside. Luka will think I've bolted.”
“You all right?”
“Getting there. These things are just hard sometimes. Too many people. Too much noise. Too much pretending everything's fine when sometimes it's not.” His smile was realthis time, warm. “But I'm working on it. Learning to be present even when it's uncomfortable. Luka's helping with that.”
“He's good at helping.”
“He is. Best thing that ever happened to me, honestly.” Ash moved toward the doors, then paused. “You know, you and Viktor are more alike than you think.”
“How's that?”
“You both think you don't deserve good things. But you're both wrong.” He disappeared back into the ballroom, leaving me alone with the gardens and the lanterns and the weight of words I didn't know how to carry.
I stayed on the terrace for another minute, breathing air that tasted like rain and stone. Inside, the party had shifted into full celebration. Music louder now, laughter spilling out into the night, voices raised in toasts.
