Chapter Text
First to enter the hallway are Isaac and Nigel. They both tuck themselves into a corner near the entrance as everyone else piles after them, chatting excitedly. They'd all been waiting so long for the wedding, and now it was happening, and some of them just couldn't believe it. Not only was it happening, but somehow, somewhere deep inside, everyone knew this was it. There was to be no backing down from now. Even Stephanie was trying to hide behind her hand, but anyone paying attention would have seen her cheesing behind it.
But no one was paying attention to her then. Slowly, the hubbub quietened down and they stared at the couple they were here for, in shock but not surprised as they saw what they were doing. Stared at them as their blue and red coats, which had always been so heavy on their bodies and soul, lay gently beside them, draped over a chair. Stared as Isaac undid his lover's silk red sash as Nigel himself removed the royal Hanover crest - the crest of a family who died 150 years ago, now irrelevant really - that had always laid across his chest, a physical burden, a symbol of his fierce loyalty. He didn't need that now. Everyone knew now how he'd fight for what he believes, and even more, they respected him for it.
Then they stood, facing each other, just barely touching. Their embellishments lay harmlessly together, just clothing now. They were one side now: their own side. They were both washed out in cream, a blank canvas to start their lives anew. The only hint of house colours was the red of Nigel's wound, but that was barely visible to the others. It was more a reminder for the two of them now. Of what they'd been through for each other, willingly or not. Gently, Nigel brought Isaac's hand to the mark, where Isaac had pierced him irreversibly.
Neither moved for a moment, but eventually they made a mutual unspoken agreement to take each other's hand and walk to the middle of the atrium. Space was cleared, and the others spread out to make a circle.
As they reached the centre, they stopped, took a moment, then prepared themselves to dance. Isaac took Nigel by the waist, and he in turn rested his arms upon Isaac's, his posture strong and, while it looked as though he were resting against Isaac, he was fully supporting himself. Perhaps this was not only the case in his dancing. Sam dimmed the lights just a little further, and the song began to play.
Edith Piaf's voice soon rang out across the space. La Vie En Rose is not a long song, barely surpassing three minutes, but it is a beautiful one. They had considered using the instrumental version to make it feel longer, but decided the lyrics were important, even if there was only a small number of guests who could understand them.
Both Nigel and Isaac had been well educated, so they took 'first dance' seriously. In moments they were gliding across the space in a perfectly choreographed whirl. Their movements cascaded from fast to slow, their movements both delicate and precise, and intense and purposeful. They knew what they were doing and everyone was going to see. Their perfectly planned dips and spins meant that most of the onlookers didn't have a chance to notice the way the leader and the follower swapped, the subtle change in action and response. Height made it easier for Isaac to dip Nigel, but that didn't stop Nigel from leading other elements. The change was imperceptible, and it was never clunky or unpredicted. They were one, their movements conjoined. Every once in a while they would get to the edge of the group and almost stop, then change direction and fall away.
Eventually the music came to a stop, and so did they, kissing fiercely once again as the room fell silent, the touch passionate and firm but not explicit. Pulling apart they were both grinning from ear to ear, and the audience was almost the same, only missing their adoring smiles as they kept their eyes locked on each other.
It wasn't long before the crowd erupted into a healthy cheer, applauding and congratulating as they closed in on the couple.
Soon after, Sam put on the ghosts' party playlist (minus some songs which the day's heroes didn't favour) and everyone was having a good time. The couple themselves hung to the sides, but they smiled as the others danced. They were content to hold hands and kiss chastely in the glow of everyone else's joy. The others had been doing the same all day, so what harm would it do?