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Perhaps going scorched earth and slamming the evidence to allegations against your grandfather and others on various important people's preverbal desks wasn't the greatest idea, but it's not like Aleksander had much else he could have done.
Aleksander had only worked at his grandfather's company for two months by that point, thrown into lead PR specialist position with no training and no preparation. During a late night in which he had sent probably fifty emails in twenty minutes, he'd accidentally gotten CC'd on a chain between his grandfather, one of the board members and Aleksander's cousin Vizimir, and a few of the PR and HR team that were above Aleksander. They'd been discussing cutting benefits specifically to a disabled veteran that worked in the building named Aren — who Aleksander knew had four daughters that he took care of alone.
They wanted to cut his benefits so that they could quietly shove him out. More than once was it joked that Mr. Aren probably wouldn't - gods, Aleksander couldn't even think it; it was disgusting. The point was Aleksander was given information, and because of the clearance that had been shoved into his hands Aleksander found out he had the clearance to access more information, specifically about previous allegations against practically every member of the board, the CFO and the CEO as well as well documented proof of said allegations -
Aleksander had been given information. Information that if only a small bit was leaked, it would be shuffled under the rug. But if it all were released, at the same time, the fall out would be…
Well, it'd be exactly as it had been.
Grandfather was arrested, as was Vizimir. And half the board, because Aleksander released everything. Everyone was found guilty but two people, and all those guilty were given minimum of life sentences. Aleksander received a letter of disownment around two months after the court cases and a lawsuit from both his cousin and his grandfather, both of which were thankfully thrown out by the court with little to no effort.
After it all, Aleksander was just tired. He needed to get out, he needed to get away from the city and place where everyone knew his face.
That's how he ended up here, in a country dance bar with too many people around him to be at all comfortable, listening to people drunkenly yell country lyrics more than hearing the actual songs themselves, and sitting at a table that he was pretty sure was already taken considering the jacket on the table and cup next to it. Milena and her fiancé had been with him, they were the ones who put him at this table specifically, and they had been helping keep him distracted enough that the crowd wasn't entirely overwhelming, but someone came up and grabbed Lambert and said something and they both hurried off, and then someone else came up and grabbed Milena, and Milena promised she'd be back in a bit, and that was around ten minutes ago but it felt like thirty and -
God, there were too many people around him. It was too loud, there were too many people, and Aleksander very much wanted to go outside, but he couldn't leave Lambert and Milena's things in the crowd - what if they got stolen? Aleksander would feel awful; far worse than the crowd made him feel.
The sound quieted abruptly as the current song ended, then everything got louder again as there was clapping and cheering. Aleksander was already bracing from the cheering so it wasn't too jarring when there was a slight screech and a man's voice then came over the speakers saying something Aleksander couldn't make out, and quickly gave up trying to, instead focusing on not hearing the slight feedback screech in the mic.
Thankfully the man stopped speaking shortly after, and when music returned it was actually quieter than before. Although people were still loud they were talking loud instead of excited. And normally Aleksander didn't mind super loud sounds, it was just - he was still on edge from the court cases, and it was a new place and Aleksander wasn't sure what to do if someone approached him for whatever reason.
At least the song that was playing now sounded nice. It was slow, steady, and if Aleksander could make out the words a bit better he'd probably think it was sweet. It sounded sweet at least; something slow and sappy. Lambert had been listening to almost exclusively sappy songs during Aleksander's visit, and it was adorable to watch Milena melt, and this sounded pretty similar to those.
Someone put a hand on the table Aleksander sat at and Aleksander jerked slightly with surprise, having been too focused on distracting himself from the crowd and his own discomfort to notice anyone approaching. He looked up, and a-
Aleksander swallowed thickly, his throat suddenly dry. The most handsome man Aleksander had ever seen stood above him, with shoulder length dark and loose curls, a styled goatee and the prettiest green eyes Aleksander had ever seen in his life. His lips were moving, smoothing into a smile as he leaned onto his hand on the table. Aleksander blinked, his brain trying to catch up and move beyond handsome man as he started to speak -
No, not speak, he was singing. Singing along to the song playing over the speakers — which only now staring at the handsome stranger's lips could Aleksander understand was actually a song about a man asking another for their chair back.
Oh God, Aleksander was in his seat -
"I'm so sorry," Aleksander said, quickly standing.
The man jumped slightly with surprise, holding up a hand, his smile wavering slightly. Thank everything and everyone possible for the man being nice about this, but God was Aleksander embarrassed. He should have been more insistent that they not sit here, but he thought-
"Hey, it's alright," The handsome stranger said, or rather yelled, his smile back but definitely changed. He leaned against the table again. "Didn't mean to startle you,"
"I was in your seat," Aleksander said back. The man frowned slightly and leaned forward, clearly not having heard Aleksander. Aleksander cleared his throat and repeated himself, hating every second of it.
The man then paused, and then laughed slightly, a bit of red sprouting across his nose and cheeks. "Oh, shit, uh - fuck, nah I'm sorry; I think I messed this up,"
Aleksander titled his head. "What?" What did he mess up? "I'm sorry for being in your seat,"
"Wasn't my seat," The stranger said, rubbing the back of their neck with a hand. "I uh- I was tryna… shit, listen I'm just sorry, it isn't my seat, I was just-" the stranger looked entirely off balance now, refusing to look at Aleksander and the red had deepened and spread a good bit on his face.
Aleksander was… very confused. If it wasn't his seat, why would he be nice and try to subtly get Aleksander out of it? Or, should Aleksander consider that an attempt on the man's part to be mean?
"I don't think I understand," Aleksander said slowly. The song finished out gently, and Aleksander wished he could have heard more. Clearly the stranger knew the song, knew some context Aleksander didn't.
The stranger cleared his throt loud enough for Aleksander to hear and then said pushed off the table to move closer. He then lowered his voice enough he didn't have to yell and said, "Listen, I really am sorry, I just wanted to flirt a little, no harm. Didn't mean to make you jump or anything,"
He just- what? Telling someone they were in your seat was flirting? Aleksander had to be missing some context. He had to be. Probably in the song that Aleksander did not know the name to, the lyrics to, or even the sound of.
"It- uh, it's fine," Aleksander said, unable to think of anything else to say. Maybe why me? but it was still loud, and crowded, and Aleksander had just accidentally put himself through a mini roller-coaster of emotions and now he was exhausted again. "No hard feelings,"
"Cool; cool. So, uh, why are you at this table?" The stranger asked, forcing a somewhat painful looking smile on his face. Aleksander was rather certain the stranger was not used to feeling this off balance in a conversation. "I'm asking because this is my jacket, I just hadn't claimed a chair or anything -" Aleksander felt like he was going to pass away from embarrassment at any moment, and the stranger didn't look like he felt much better - "and that's my best friend's jacket and his fiancé's purse, so I'm just curious,"
Best friend's jacket - and abruptly Aleksander knew exactly who this was. Aiden Kell, Lambert's best friend. Aleksander cleared his throat, wishing he had water or something so that he could pretend he couldn't answer and actually gather thoughts beyond Oh God and why me. "I've been staying with them the last few days; they invited me out tonight. Does that mean you're Aiden?"
Aiden visibly cringed, even as he kept smiling. " It does, and I assume that means you're Aleksander. It's, uh, great to meet you! Milena's spoken a lot about you, though in hindsight I wish she had shown me a picture," Aleksander did his best not to wince at Aiden's slightly muttered words. It was a miracle Aleksander had even heard them. Aiden looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. "Uh, I… desperately wish I had not shoved my foot in my mouth, but I am deeply sorry for my frankly ill-thought out first interaction, and this scuffed following one,"
Aleksander swallowed hard, now feeling choked on the thickness of his throat. God, Aleksander wanted out. Aiden was being perfectly reasonable, and honestly this would all be at least somewhat charming if Aleksander weren't already so ready to leave.
His saving grace, Milena appeared at Aiden's side, wide eyed and out of breath. "Sasha, I am so sorry!" she exclaimed, reaching out a hand to him to take if he wanted. He gently shook his head and she winced a little, giving him a deeply apologetic look as she dropped her hand. "Hi, Aiden; I'm so sorry, we'll be back in a little bit. Sasha, will you come with me? I'd like some fresh air. We can leave Lambert's jacket and my purse, it's fine,"
Aleksander nodded and moved with Milena for the door as casually as he could, trying not to seem like he wanted to be anywhere but near Aiden. It wasn't his fault, it was just very poor and awkward timing on multiple accounts, and Aleksander would apologize properly when he wasn't wanting to walk in a random direction until everything was quiet.
As it were, the best Aleksander could give was a, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, and my attitude," before he was following Milena through a split she made in the crowd.
Outside was a shocking blast of cool air on Aleksander's face, but he welcomed it. It was quieter outside, significantly so, and Milena led Aleksander over to a firepit type area and sat down on one of the wooden benches.
"I'm so sorry again, Sasha," Milena said, wincing with apology as Aleksander slumped against the pole beside him. He felt wrung out like a towel.
"It's alright," Aleksander said, smiling best he could. It was weak, he knew, but it was something. "I'm sure it was important,"
Milena sighed, "Zofia needed help with a wardrobe malfunction - a lady's skirt was just falling apart - and then Lambert came back from dealing with a situation with a cut on his face and I got distracted from that and - I promise, it is never normally this chaotic in there. It's loud, don't get me wrong, and decently rowdy, but it seems there's something in the air tonight,"
She could say that again. "It's alright. I was enjoying myself for a while. I think I got too focused on all the people, and that led to the sound,"
Milena gave him yet another apologetic look and held out a hand to him again. This time Aleksander took it, squeezing gently. "Not your fault. Is Lambert alright?"
Milena squeezed his hand back and accepted his subject change. "Yes, he's fine. No stitches were needed, thankfully, but he's right mad about it. He was hoping this would be a fun time for you, and wanted you to be able to enjoy yourself, and everything going wrong isn't helping,"
"Everything?" Aleksander asked, raising a brow.
Milena chuckled softly. "Geralt's dropped a bottle; Eskel has had to deal with seven people asking for their money back; there was a fight in the smoking section that took four of security to deal with; and Jas's phone glitched and we're working off Geralt's playlists right now and not the typical Friday dance rotation,"
Aleksander chuckled slightly as well. "Sounds like everyone's had something happen. Is it a full moon?"
Milena smiled and looked up at the sky, "Nope, it's waning,"
"Hmm… should check under the floorboards for hexes," Aleksander advised.
Milena snorted, looked at Aleksander with a confused and amused look. "What?"
Aleksander shrugged, squeezing her hand again. "During the house-bound stage of the case I got really into ghost hunting videos, and tv shows and movies. Not the horror movies, but documentaries and such. Obviously, the bar's been hexed,"
Milena laughed softly, shaking her head as she squeezed and held Aleksander's hand. "You were bored during that period, weren't you,"
"Desperately so," Aleksander said, chuckling deeply. "Can only been nervous for so long. Which is why I wish today had gone better; but I'm not giving up on the bar,"
Milena smiled, relief clear on her face. "No?"
Aleksander squeezed her hand twice and she stopped squeezing his. "No. I don't know if Friday's are my night, but I was having fun with you and Lambert. Maybe a slower day would be better,"
Milena nodded gently, "Of course. And thank you for trying tonight. I do somewhat wish I had argued a little harder about waiting until tomorrow or Monday, but I do also agree with Lambert that tonight was likely our only chance before the wedding," A beat and then Milena added, "Though still, if we had skipped tonight, perhaps we might have avoided some annoyances,"
Perhaps, but, "Ah, but you wouldn't have saved that poor woman from embarrassment," Aleksander pointed out, smiling a bit easier at her. Being in a quieter space was definitely helping, though he dreaded going back inside.
Milena shrugged, smiling back at him. "True. But I also would have helped save you from it," She tapped her thumb against his fingers.
Aleksander sighed, but his smile didn't move. "Was I that obvious?"
Milena shook her head. "No, Aiden was. I've never seen him so flustered before; you were just straight as a rod; I figured something had happened. I do hope it wasn't anything bad,"
Aleksander snorted slightly. "Nothing bad, no. Awkward and will haunt me for the rest of my life? Yes,"
Milena laughed ruefully. "Oh no; what happened?"
"I wasn't paying attention," Aleksander said with a shrug. He wasn't about to bring up the apparent flirting attempt as a flirting attempt but, "He made a joke about me sitting in his chair and I took it too seriously and made it awkward for the both of us,"
Milena laughed softly and shook her head. "Well, you can consider yourself special at least. I've known him for nearly two years and I've never seen Aiden red before," she joked.
Yeah, Aleksander really felt special.
Lambert came outside a few minutes later carrying their stuff, a band-aid over his eyebrow. It went without saying that everyone was decently done with the day and they all piled into Lambert's car and went back to their house.
At home, Milena fussed over Lambert's cut a bit while Lambert googled youtube videos on how to safely and properly cover an injury with makeup. And Aleksander had to give Lambert props, he knew very well even from their short time together that Lambert did not care at all that he had a cut on his face a week before his wedding, but he did care that Milena cared, and thus sat perfectly still while Milena practiced covering marks drawn in red marker on his arm with makeup.
The next day Milena got a call from her florist about the arrangements, and Aleksander went with her to resolve the issue which turned into two whole days worth of phone calls and running to and fro for something here and something there in preparation for the rehearsal dinner on Monday and then wedding on Tuesday. They got so busy with last minute preparations that just as Milena assumed, they didn't get a chance to go back to the bar.
Meaning Aleksander didn't get to see Aiden again.
And Aleksander wished that he had, because it was only awkward when they did see each other again at the rehearsal dinner. Aiden played it well at least. He smiled, gave a nice and smooth apology for coming off the wrong way on accident last they met, and introduced himself properly. He was exactly the perfect charming gentleman Milena had described him as when she had first told Aleksander about him.
And Aleksander was Aleksander, meaning he was still incredibly awkward and severely struggled to properly accept the apology and engage in the following conversations Aiden gently started without making it seem like he was just trying to make Aiden go away. Because that was so very far from Aleksander's intentions, it was just — well, Aiden was an extremely handsome man, and Aleksander was most certainly affected by his charm, but Aleksander had absolutely no idea how to go about dealing with it, nor did he know if he could.
Aiden was so- so- so- so pretty. He wore a nice grey button up, dark slacks and had his hair combed back and styled simply for the rehearsal dinner, with pretty gold rings on long fingers and a matching gold necklace that sat precariously between the undone top buttons. His beard was freshly touched up and styled. He looked amazing and like he'd put both so little and so much effort into his looks.
And Aleksander… Aleksander thought he looked nice, at least; his clothes fit well and were tailored to him, and the color flattered him - a nice blue button up and light gray slacks - and he had shaved and did his hair. He had his favorite watch on, from his grandfather on his mother's side, and he liked how he looked. But compared to Aiden - next to Aiden - Aleksander only found himself lacking.
So it was a tad disorienting to have a man like Aiden flirt with him. It was nice, very nice, but it was also a little uncomfortable because Aleksander had no clue if he could reciprocate. This was Milena's fiancé's best friend - his brother in all but blood from how Lambert spoke about him. Milena spoke of him pretty similarly. Everything Aleksander knew about 'friend-code' was that you didn't date your friend's friends incase things turned awkward.
Not that things weren't already awkward, but regardless.
Of course Aleksander could just talk to Milena about it, and realistically he will - but also what if Aiden was just flirting, nothing else? Aleksander hadn't seen him try to act especially charming to anyone else at the rehearsal dinner, but also Aleksander could only keep part of his attention on him during it, more focused on Milena and helping her, and catching up with Livi and meeting Livi's new girlfriend Dragonfly - Aiden's sister, apparently; Dragonfly said it with a grin that only felt threatening - as well as going through the wedding prep.
After the dinner Aleksander, Milena and Lambert were all exhausted. Milena and Lambert far more than Aleksander, considering the amount of people they'd talked to, situations they'd dealt with, relatives they'd soothed. They'd dealt with it all wonderfully and nothing too disastrous happened during the dinner - save for one of Lambert's cousin's making a rude comment towards the age of Marika's son versus her marriage - but Aleksander was half tempted to decide to never get married if only to avoid all of the details. He still would, one day, but he hoped whoever he married would be comfortable with something very small.
Lambert kissed Milena soundly and then went to his work shed in the backyard when they got home, no doubt planning to curse the air about the day and then sit in silence awhile.
Aleksander, agreeing that some outside silence would be very nice, took to the front porch and sat on the porch swing with a heavy sigh, thinking of precisely nothing and basking in it.
Milena joined him after about ten or so minutes, two cups of tea. With a tired smile she offered Aleksander one.
Aleksander smiled and took it. "Thank you," He said softly, so soft he barely heard himself.
Milena nodded, her eyes half open, and sat down beside him on the swing. She then shifted up to his side, curling up on the swing cozily, "I'm glad you were able to be here, Sasha," Milena said softly, laying her head on Aleksander's shoulder with a soft sigh.
"I am too," Aleksander said, laying his cheek on her head. "It's nice to be… away from it all, finally,"
Milena sighed. "Hopefully no one asks you about it tomorrow. If they do, you have full permission to tell them to fuck off,"
Aleksander snorted, lifting his head to laugh. "Milena," it wasn't the first he'd heard her curse, but it still took him by surprise each time it happened.
"I'm quite serious. Perhaps Livi can stay nearby you, and she and Dragonfly can tell them off for being nosy," Milena said, lifting her head as well. And she looked serious enough, though incredibly tired as well.
"You need to go to bed," Aleksander said with a deep chuckle.
"Sasha, I'm serious!" Milena insisted, swatting at him slightly. "If someone tries to question you, walk away, or quite literally tell them to drop it. I'll hang up a sign: 'Leave Sasha alone, or face the bar crew',"
"Milena, no; I'll be fine." Aleksander said, adjusting slightly to wrap an arm around her shoulders and hug her gently. Milena huffed and laid her head back on his shoulder.
"I ought to hang many signs," Milena grumbled. "Starting with 'Marika reserves the right to stab you or order you stabbed.'"
Aleksander sighed, a bit of laughter escaping him at the same time. "I'm… still confused about what Lambert's cousin was thinking,"
"I think Clovis thought I had tamed Lambert and that my dearest love would not retaliate or just try to 'talk it out'. Thankfully since we're using the bar and not an 'actual' wedding venue it wasn't anything to adjust chair count, but it's utterly ridiculous we had to do that." Milena sighed and shook her head, gently shifting Aleksander's shoulder as she did. Aleksander repeated the motion to make her laugh softly.
"Are you considering just eloping yet?" Aleksander asked, smiling as he gently nudged her.
Milena made a little grumble of a sound and then sighed heavily, the sound turning into a laugh at the end. "No. Far from it. Lambert has made more than one joke, but he's promised nothing can make him back out,"
"He wouldn't," Aleksander promised, laying his cheek on her head again. "… I'm really glad for you, Milena. You deserve this and more,"
Milena hummed softly, something Aleksander had learned the entire Wolfe family did and it warmed him that Milena had picked up that little habit of theirs. She had found her little place in their crazy world. "Thank you, Sasha. And — please. Don't let the chaos of today and tomorrow dissuade you from all of this. It's worth it; I promise you, it is worth it,"
Aleksander laughed softly. "I know. Though, I don't think I'm in a position to consider marriage right now, Milena. If you remember, I am very single,"
Milena swatted at him weakly. "Oh, shush. You know what I mean. And you won't always be single - surely someone nice will come and sweep you off your feet,"
Maybe someone had already tried and Aleksander had ruined his chance. Or maybe someone had never actually wanted to.
Milena sat up slightly, and Aleksander lifted his head so she could. Milena did, and then looked up at Aleksander with a scrutinizing frown. Realizing she'd - rightfully - taken his silence as some sort of agreement, Aleksander did his best not to look guilty.
Milena gasped. "Sasha!"
"It is very much not like that," Aleksander said quickly.
"Who?" Milena demanded, looking far more awake than she did a moment ago.
Aleksander pressed his lips together, desperately trying to decide whether or not to do this. He had planned to ask, but Milena's expectation was not as it was…
"We need - expectations need to be adjusted," Aleksander finally said.
"Right; yes," Milena said, adjusting slightly to face him better. "I'm sorry, I got ahead of myself. But — is there…?"
Aleksander hesitated and then sighed. "I… maybe? I don't think he'd be the type to flirt without meaning, but I don't know for certain, nor do I know if I am allowed to — be interested back, I suppose? Reciprocate interest." Milena gave a soft little gasp and her hand flew to her mouth to cover it. Her eyes were as big as saucers.
Aleksander sighed, a weary smile tugging at his lips. "Guess," He said.
"Is it Aiden?" Milena asked in a whisper.
Aleksander winced. "Will you - or Lambert - be upset if I said yes…?"
Milena threw her arms around Aleksander, hugging him tightly and very suddenly, her entire body vibrating. "Upset!?" Milena demanded, joy bright in her voice. She pulled back, a huge smile on her face. "I'm not going to betray any confidences, but know well, this will upset exactly no one,"
That sounded good, at least. "O-kay…" He said slowly.
Milena shook her head quickly, holding up her hands. "Yes. Yes, you can show interest; be interested in Aiden. Please do, he is a wonderful man and friend and I've no doubt he would treat you amazingly,"
Aleksander reached up and rubbed the back of his neck slightly. "That… ship might have sailed, Milena. I've unfortunately only been awkward around him, I fear he thinks I'm uninterested,"
"I can fix that," Milena offered. "Explain you're just shy, and wasn't sure on some things but they've been worked out,"
Aleksander smiled, forget grateful of his friend. "I… will think on it. I would like to, but maybe lets get through your wedding first, and then we can swing back around to Aiden,"
"Of course, if that's what you want," Milena said with a nod. "But - Sasha, please. If you find yourself wanting to, feel free to talk to him at the wedding. Ask him for a dance; Aiden knows practically any dance you can think of,"
That… sounded do able, but maybe… "I… think I know what I should do, but it might mess up something,"
"I can fix anything it may ruin," Milena offered at once.
Aleksander took a deep breath. "It might be a process, but there's this song…"
*
Aiden sighed, pulling the closest chair to him out to plop down into. The day had been long, though absolutely amazing. Milena was as beautiful as ever, but even more so because of how she glowed, looking up at Lambert like he was everything she'd ever wanted in life and more. And Aiden couldn't see his best friend's face during the vows, but he'd had to hand Lambert his handkerchief as Milena walked down the isle.
Everything was absolutely breathtaking. Milena did so much work putting together this rustic and almost fairytale feeling wedding, with vines and flowers hanging and sitting and crawling up the pillars everywhere around the bar. The dance floor was dusted with flower petals and above it were white hanging drapery and pretty blue and white and gold flowers surrounding a chandelier that Aiden himself had sat with Lambert and painstakingly put together. Aiden had never heard Lambert curse so much in their long friendship together, but all of the ones in the store were far too expensive for Milena to consider buying and Lambert wanted her to have her vision.
Milena's blinding smile when they finally showed it to her, and Lambert's following joy at her joy, was worth the two dozen plus holes Aiden accidently stabbed, poked, or micro-drilled into his fingers.
God, Aiden loved a wedding. The sights, the outfits, the peacocking for family and friend's you won't see again until the next wedding. Flowing drinks, flowing laughter, flowing joy.
Milena and Lambert were stunning side by side. Milena had decided to keep to her wedding dress for the entire wedding and reception, and Aiden couldn't fault her considering she and her sisters had handmade it over the past year. It was beautiful - white, of course, with a full skirt, covered in this beautiful embroidery in a slightly darker white than the dress so that it could be seen. The bodice was fitted and she had these draped sleeves that fell off her shoulders. She looked like a princess from a fairy book, and Aiden hadn't seen Lambert take his eyes of her once the entire night.
Lambert had cleaned up damn nice too. His hair was slicked back, tidy and neat, and his suit fit exactly as it should have, thanks to Aiden himself quite genuinely scaring the hell out of the tailor who tried to claim it was fine if the cuff sat against the edge of Lambert's damn palm. Milena trusted Aiden to make sure everything went as it needed to on Lamberts side, and Aiden took that responsibility very seriously.
And everything had gone as it needed to. Lambert and Milena were married - said 'I do', kissed and the cake cutting was coming up soon enough, maybe another fifteen minutes or so if Aiden remembered the schedule right. Lambert practically hadn't stopped smiling since they proclaimed 'man and wife'. Milena walked down the isle smiling, and probably woke up this morning doing so.
Gods, they were just… perfect together, dancing on the floor together. They genuinely looked as though they'd forgotten everyone else was there, and Aiden was… he was fucking happy for them.
… And he was a little damn jealous because he wanted that. So desperately it rather hurt his chest did Aiden want that. He wanted the devotion, trust, and love Milena and Lambert shared. And he could have it, Aiden knew he could, if he'd stop chasing what wasn't meant to damn well be, but —
But Aiden was holding out hope. Why, and for what? He had no idea. Aleksander had made his stance clear, Aiden really should just back up and leave him alone. It just - No, Aiden. Aleksander only looked and acted uncomfortable around Aiden, though he was polite and engaged in the short conversations Aiden had selfishly dragged him into. Aiden was being nothing but an asshole to even want to keep talking to him, or trying to get to know him, but Aiden's emotions typically didn't do what he wanted them to do.
Aiden had gotten better about handling them at least - high school him was a damned nightmare; he was glad Lambert put up with his wild emotions - but he still felt them as strongly as ever. And what he felt was an overwhelming urge to walk up to Aleksander, get on his hands and knees, and beg for forgiveness to at least be friends. Aiden wasn't going to, because that was both rude to do to Aleksander and embarrassing as hell to Aiden, but that wasn't going to stop him from being a lil pouty over it.
He'd not be pouty long. Five minutes of sitting down to claim a bit of rest and then go back to being the best best man Lambert could ever ask for. Give his speech, maybe pull an old friend or two into a dance when a good enough song came on. Aiden knew the entire playlist, since he made it with Milena and Lambert over the last few months, so a decent song would probably come on… a bit before the cake cutting, actually, which would be perfect timing -
Aiden paused as the song changed while he was thinking, a familiar and dread-filling tune starting shortly after. Aiden winced, trying not to crawl into his own skin and hide in private-embarrassment. No one but him and Aleksander probably knew of Aiden's Greatest Fuck-Up, but Aiden had avoided that song like the plague since Friday, and to hear it again so suddenly was not a welcome thing — especially not with where his mind had already been.
Lambert and Milena had moved off the dance floors, others moved on - absolutely no one was paying any sort of attention over at Aiden but that didn't matter, it still felt embarrassing and like everyone knew Aiden was pathetic and chasing a man who clearly didn't want him -
A hand landed on the table just in Aiden's vision, and he jumped slightly, having been too focused on the song to notice someone coming up. He looked up, forcing a smile on his lips and a lie prepared behind it, before it quickly deflated. Aleksander stood next to him, his hand on the table and he leaned onto it slightly. His face was slightly red, and he couldn't quite meet Aiden's eyes as his lips were moving…
Moving to the… to the song.
Aiden held his breath, hope punching him in the gut so hard it hurt, and Aiden had to pull it back with both hands before he did something stupid. The song was a cute little flirt, a man coming up to someone else and going 'hey you're in my chair — but that's alright you can sit there because you're cute', and that's why Aiden and decided to try and be cheeky and sing along to it as a way to flirt. But Aleksander hadn't known the song, so it caused the confusion and the fuck up, but-
But Aleksander was singing it now, low and soft and with the prettiest blush Aiden had ever seen in his life. And he was singing it to Aiden. He stumbled on some of the words, meaning he didn't actually know the words now, but he was recreating their scuffed first meeting, and -
During a little lax in the words Aiden couldn't stop himself from letting hopeful smile stretch his lips. "I - please tell me if I'm being too forward, but is it right for me to hope this means something?"
Aleksander's blush darkened and spread some, and he very obviously fought to keep his smile from growing. Gods he was so cute, Aiden was not this lucky. "I… yes. At least to get to know each other. Properly,"
Aiden slowly stood, doing everything in his power to keep from running across the room at full speed, or back flipping off the wall just to get settle some of the sudden vibrating energy inside of him. "I would love nothing more," he said. A thousand and one ideas popped into his head, starting with the fanciest restaurant he knew and ending with a ring that Aiden had no right to be imagining.
Aleksander laughed slightly, coughing a little as he looked down and away. His blush grew even darker, and he lost his fight against his growing smile. "I, uh — you've got your best man speech coming up, and there's still plenty of wedding to get through. Lambert and Milena asked me to house-sit for them while they're on their honeymoon, so I'll be in town for another week or so…"
So that's why Lambert texted last night and said he didn't need to check on the house any this week. Aiden could kiss Lambert - he knew exactly what the hell his best friend did and he loved him for it. "That's great; great! Very kind of you to do that for them," Aleksander snorted slightly, and Aiden could only imagine he already knew Aiden was supposed to house sit. "Have you, uh - what do you like to do? I know of everything in the area, so; maybe we could go do something?" very smooth, Aiden; hell.
Aleksander's smile sweetened, and he finally looked at Aiden properly. He looked so happy. The thought of hanging out with Aiden made him happy. Please, to everything that may or may not be out there, please do not let Aiden fuck this up.
"Milena mentioned there's an aviary nearby," Aleksander said, sweet and shy as could be, and oh okay yeah Aiden understood before, but he could definitely understand Lambert's everything since Milena now.
"Yeah; yeah! It's about an hour from here, if you don't mind the drive. Would you like to go sometime? I know of a real nice restaurant out that way too - nothing fancy, but good food and a nice atmosphere," Please, please, please.
"Livi and your sister have claimed me for Thursday, as I am sleeping and only sleeping tomorrow -" Aiden laughed, wholeheartedly in agreement - "but perhaps Saturday? I won't ask you to leave the bar on the busiest night,"
Aiden smiled gratefully, because he would have called out for that night. "Thank you for that, and Saturday sounds perfect. Uh - feel free to come to the bar any night during the week though. I won't ask you to the bar on Friday again though,"
Aleksander winced slightly, but he didn't lose his smile. "No; no Friday nights are most certainly not for me. But… perhaps Sunday, or Monday night. I've heard they're decently slow,"
Aiden nodded, swallowing his growing excitement as best he could before he did something stupid with it. "Yeah, they are. They're - Typically those days are considered couple nights for those who like the slower and sweeter dances,"
Aleksander paused slightly, then his lips quivered and his smile grew a tad silly and his blush got darker. It took him a moment but he finally said, "Maybe… ahem, perhaps I'd enjoy that… so long as you are there to keep me company,"
Whatever gods may be, strike him down should Aiden ever do something to hurt Aleksander. Strike him down should he think it.
"I'd not dream of leaving your side, Aleksander," Aiden said, far more seriously than he had any right to.
Aleksander smiled. "Somehow, I believe that. And, please. Call me Sasha,"
Sasha.
The rest of the wedding was a blur of joy and anticipation. Because of the intrusion song - greatest intrusion Aiden would ever know - Aiden didn't get to dance before his best man's speech, but he did make Lambert tear up again with his best man's speech, which was almost as good. And when Aiden did get to take to the dance floor he took his luck with two hands, prayed, offered a hand to Sasha -
And Sasha smiled, and took it, and Aiden found himself being delightfully led through three back to back dances before Sasha took a step back to dance with someone else instead. Aiden's hands tingled after his touch, and though he danced with many other people that night, Aiden could only really remember his dances with Sasha.
Before the night ran out, while everyone was gathering outside to see of Lambert and Milena for their honeymoon, Lambert finally stepped away from Milena's side long enough to pull Aiden into a more private hall, hug him tight and then grin and ask, "So what day is your date?"
"Saturday," Aiden said. "Lamb - I'm not gonna fuck this up, am I?"
Lambert stared at him a moment and then gestured to the reception hall. "Mother fucker, I just got married. I'm a fuckin husband - I have a fucking wife. If I can do this shit, you're gonna be fuckin' fine,"
And Aiden was fine, because Sasha was the greatest, most patient, most caring man Aiden had ever met. Their date was a damned disaster, but that was okay because Sasha actually loved it regardless, and is the one who turned to Aiden and asked him on their second.
They kissed for the first time on their third date, and Aiden had never believed those cheesy movies or books before, the ones that talked about fireworks and magic behind a kiss or touch, but with Sasha it was true. During the fourth Sasha was finally the one who asked what they were, and Aiden made a hopeful joke about already calling Sasha his partner. Sasha blushed so prettily, and smiled sweet as pie, and said good.
Lambert and Milena came back from their honeymoon, and then Sasha had to go back to the city because that's where his life was. And Aiden - Aiden wasn't good with long distance, but he was willing to try for Sasha - but then Sasha came back a week later with a couple of boxes of his things, and sheepishly explained Milena and Lambert had offered to let him live in their guest room until he got an apartment out here.
And well, Aiden couldn't let his newly-wed best friends be bothered by their friend living with them, so Aiden so graciously offered his empty room instead. And if Sasha only used that room as a drawing studio, well, he was still using it. The fact he slept in Aiden's arms since the first night had absolutely nothing to do with the matter.
Aiden had the ring ready half a year in, but waited until their anniversary to propose. Knowing his Sasha would never want a large public event, Aiden waited until they were on the balcony of a nice restaurant in the city, pressed together where they stood as they looked out over the skyline and talked in hushed tones about Sasha's old job and life and how much he did not miss it.
Aiden put the box on the banister and let Sasha notice it. When he did, he paused, and then started to laugh softly. Aiden had half a second to wonder if maybe Sasha had already found the ring and thus had only been waiting before Sasha pulled a small box from where he'd had it hidden inside his sleeve and set it on the banister next to Aiden's.
Not a single one of their friends didn't laugh until their sides hurt when Aiden and Sasha explained why they were both wearing engagement rings, but that was alright because every single one of them also thought it was the cutest thing they'd ever heard, which it was, thank you very much. Aiden's Sasha would always be the cutest thing they'd ever see, hear about, or think of.
Their wedding was as perfect as Lambert and Milena's was, thank every god in existence. Milena had been damn near militant in ensuring everything go exactly as it should to keep any and all added stress from Sasha's shoulders. It was a fun discussion of who would walk and who would wait at the alter, and in the end it was decided Sasha would walk down, with his bother Mikolaj walking him. And Aiden was glad they decided that, because if Aiden had walked whoever escorted him, probably Axel or Cedric, would have had to carry him because he wouldn't have been able to see through his tears.
Gods, Sasha was perfect. Everything Aiden could have ever wanted and more, wrapped into a neat and handsome package that called Aiden my love, and woke Aiden with head scritches and coffee every morning. And Aiden wasn't the only one who cried, he ended up having to pass his handkerchief over to Milena as she silently cried over in the Groom-al party.
The day was entirely as perfect as Aiden's husband was, though they did have to hire security to deal with the wanna-be paparazzi that still thought the once-heir of a fortune 500 company being gay and now-married was headline worthy. But Aiden's siblings, as well as Letho's small company of security-enjoying relatives took great enjoyment out of making they they didn't get a single picture, and entirely legally tossing them out on their asses.
And, of course, Lambert got to brag during his best man's speech that he and Milena made this shit happen. And Aiden let him, because they quite literally did, and Sasha was laughing so hard he was pink in the face at the jokes and playful insults Lambert was throwing at them both, and Aiden would only ever be weak in the face of Sasha's beautiful laughter.
Before they left for their honeymoon Aiden pulled Lambert into a more private hall, glad to get to recreate their little moment at Lambert's wedding, and Aiden hugged his best friend and chosen brother as tightly as he could. "Thank you, Lambert," Aiden mumbled into Lambert's button up. "For everything, thank you,"
"Don't thank me yet, fucker - honeymoon hasn't even happened yet," Lambert joked, squeezing Aiden back roughly. "Now go get your fuckin' husband and make your fuckin' flight, dude - those tickets were not fucking cheap!"
Aiden laughed and hurried off to find Sasha, kissing him soundly as he did. Sasha laughed, delighted as he always was when Aiden kissed him, and he took Aiden's hand in his own. "Ready to go, husband?" Sasha asked, his smile wide and bright and beautiful.
Aiden had to kiss him again. "If you're with me? Always, husband,"